bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost of illness of non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis in Japan: A time trend analysis and future projections
Authors: Kitazawa Takefumi , Matsumoto Kunichika , Fujita Shigeru , Seto Kanako , Wu Yinghui , Hirao Tomohiro , Hasegawa Tomonori 
Published: May 2017

AimLiver cirrhosis is a preneoplastic condition to hepatocellular carcinoma that is an important worldwide public health concern, and its economic burden has been estimated in some countries. The objective of this study was to estimate and predict the cost of illness (COI) associated with non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis in Japan.MethodsUsing a COI method on available data from government statistics, we estimated the economic burden in 3‐year intervals from 1996 to 2014. We then predicted the COI in 3‐year intervals from 2017 to 2029 using fixed and variable model estimations. With fixed model estimation, only the estimated future population was used as a variable. Variable model estimation considered the time trends of health‐related indicators throughout the past 18 years.ResultsThe estimated COI of non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis was ¥208.1bn in 2014. The COI of non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis had a downward trend from 1996 to 2014. The predicted future COI of non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis was ¥144.3–210.5bn, ¥106.0–213.8bn, ¥88.6–213.4bn, ¥76.7–215.5bn, and ¥66.4–214.3bn in 2017, 2020, 2023, 2026, and 2029, respectively.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that the COI of non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis in Japan has steadily decreased and will continue to decrease. Treatment of patients with hepatitis C virus infection with newly introduced technologies has high therapeutic effectiveness, which will affect the future prevalence of non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis. When interpreting the results of long‐term estimation, it should be noted that the results of this study were based on present conditions.
Sol‐gel preparation and properties of Ag‐containing bioactive glass films on titanium
Authors: Fu Tao , Alajmi Zafer , Shen Yaogen , Wang Lijun , Yang Shuiyun , Zhang Man 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAg‐containing bioactive glass films (Ag/Ca atomic ratios of 0, 5% and 10%) were sol‐gel prepared for bioactive and antibacterial modification of titanium. The gel powders calcined at 610°C are mainly amorphous confirmed by x‐ray diffraction, but small diffraction peaks of Ca3SiO5 and silver are detected. The film surface is porous with the pore size of ~200 nm. Silver‐rich sub‐micro particles with sizes of 100‐480 nm are present at the surface of Ag‐glass films. CaP phase, metallic silver and silica are detected by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mean apparent bonding strength of the films is as high as 21±1 MPa measured by the pull‐off test. The potentiodynamic polarization test shows that the coated samples have better corrosion resistance than the polished sample. The Ag‐glass coatings and their wafer samples exhibit antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The coated samples are covered by apatite layer after soaked in the simulated body fluid for 2 weeks, demonstrating their bioactivity.
Analysis of solvent effects on polyphenols profile, antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of mulberry (Morus alba L.) extracts
Authors: Li Fuhua , Zhang Bin , Chen Gu , Fu Xiong 
Published: May 2017

SummaryA systematic study about the solvent effect on the mulberry polyphenol (MP) profile, antioxidant and antiproliferation capacities against human hepatoma HepG2 cells was conducted. Results indicated that MP profiles showed significant differences as a function of solvents including AA/W (acetic acid/water), MeOH/AA/W (methanol/ acetic acid/water), EtOH/AA/W (ethanol/ acetic acid/water) and ME2CO/AA/W (acetone/ acetic acid/water). Among the solvents, EtOH/AA/W took advantage in obtaining MP with the highest yield (49.81 mg GAE g−1 dw), and cellular antioxidant capacity in the PBS no‐wash protocol (63.2 μmolQE/100 g), as well as low cell cytotoxicity (≥50.0 mg mL−1). ME2CO/AA/W was the best choice for extracting MP with the most various compositions (two phenolic acids, four anthocyanins and four flavonols), greatest potential in inhibiting proliferation of HepG2 cells (EC50 = 28.2 mg mL−1) and highest intracellular antioxidant activity (38.0 μmolQE/100 g). Results provide baseline information for efficient solvent extraction to obtain MP that is promising as natural antioxidants and antitumor agents.
Relationship between red blood cell distribution width, bilirubin, and clinical characteristics of patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Wei T.‐T. , Wang L.‐L. , Yin J.‐R. , Liu Y.‐T. , Qin B.‐D. , Li J.‐Y. , Yin X. , Zhou L. , Zhong R.‐Q. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionRed blood cell distribution width (RDW) and bilirubin have been proved to be prognostic factors for various types of cancer. However, their prognostic value in patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unknown.MethodsTo verify whether RDW and bilirubin are prognostic factors for patients with GC, we performed a cross‐sectional study to analyze the relationship between RDW, bilirubin, and the clinical characteristics of patients with GC. Medical records of all newly diagnosed and pathologically proved patients with GC admitted to Changzheng Hospital between January 2016 and July 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between RDW, bilirubin, and the clinical characteristics of patients with GC was analyzed.ResultsA total of 144 patients with GC were enrolled. Patients with GC had significantly higher RDW than healthy controls, even after adjusting for hemoglobin, while total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL) and indirect bilirubin (IBIL) were significantly decreased. Furthermore, RDW and bilirubin were significantly correlated with tumor stage, as well as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9).ConclusionOur study indicated that RDW and bilirubin could be potential prognostic factors for patients of GC.
The evaluation of the relevance of thrombin generation and procoagulant activity in thrombotic risk assessment in BCR‐ABL‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasm patients
Authors: Baccouche H. , Ben Jemaa M. , Chakroun A. , Chadi S. , Mahjoub S. , Sfar I. , Gorgi Y. , Ben Romdhane N. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionIt has been recently suggested that microparticles (MP) play a role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications. This study aimed to assess the contribution of procoagulant activity expressed by circulating MP in thrombotic events in MPN patients.MethodsSeventy‐four MPN patients were enrolled in a trans‐sectional study. The MP procoagulant activity was measured using two assays: (i) the thrombin generation (TG) assay used in different conditions with the addition of both tissue factor (TF) and phospholipids (PL) and with the addition of TF or PL alone and (ii) the PROCOAG‐PPL assay.ResultsThe mean age was 62 (26 men and 48 women). The prevalence of thrombotic events was 28%. When comparing patients with thrombosis to those without, age, sex, MPN type, cardiovascular risk factors, and history of thrombosis were not significantly associated with thrombosis. The JAK2 V617F mutation was significantly associated with thrombotic events (90% vs 67%; P=.04). Results from the TG assay and the PROCOAG‐PPL assays did not demonstrate a significant association between the MP procoagulant activity and thrombotic events.ConclusionThe MP procoagulant activity did not predict thrombosis in MPN patients. The contribution of TG assay in the assessment of the thrombotic risk is still in debate.
Co‐inheritance of α0‐thalassemia elevates Hb A2 level in homozygous Hb E: Diagnostic implications
Authors: Singha K. , Srivorakun H. , Fucharoen G. , Fucharoen S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionDifferentiation of homozygous hemoglobin (Hb) E with and without α0‐thalassemia is subtle on routine hematological ground. We examined in a large cohort of homozygous Hb E if the level of Hb A2 is helpful.MethodsA total of 592 subjects with homozygous Hb E were recruited from ongoing thalassemia screening program. Additionally, five couples at risk of having fetuses with Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis who were homozygous Hb E were also investigated. Hb analysis was performed using capillary electrophoresis system. Globin genotypes were defined by DNA analysis.ResultsSubjects were classified into four groups including pure homozygous Hb E (n=532), homozygous Hb E/α0‐thalassemia (n=48), Hb Constant Spring EE Bart's disease (n=8), and Hb EE Bart's disease (n=4). The levels of Hb A2 were found, respectively, to be 4.97±0.69, 6.64±1.02, 4.86±0.87, and 7.60±1.04%. Among five couples at risk, α0‐thalassemia was identified in three subjects with Hb A2>6.0%.ConclusionsIncreased Hb A2 level is a useful marker for differentiation of homozygous Hb E with and without α0‐thalassemia. This should lead to a significant reduction in number of referral cases of homozygous Hb E for molecular testing of α0‐thalassemia in routine practice.
Critical values in hematology of 862 institutions in China
Authors: Ye Y.Y. , Zhao H.J. , Fei Y. , Wang W. , He F.L. , Zhong K. , Yuan S. , Wang Z.G. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionA national survey on critical values in hematology of China laboratories was conducted to determine the current practice and assess the quality indicators so as to obtain a quality improvement.MethodsLaboratories participating were asked to submit the general information, the practice of critical value reporting, and the status of timeliness of critical value reporting.ResultsA total of 862 laboratories submitted the results. The majority of participants have included white blood cell count, blood platelet count, hemoglobin, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time in their critical value lists. Many sources are used for establishing a critical value policy, and some of the laboratories consult with clinicians. The unreported critical value rate, late critical value reporting rate, and clinically unacknowledged rate in China are relatively low, and the median of critical value reporting time is 8‐9 minutes.ConclusionThere exists a wide variety for critical value reporting in hematology in China. Laboratories should establish a policy of critical value reporting suited for their own situations and consult with clinicians to set critical value lists. Critical values are generally reported in a timely manner in China, but some measures should be taken to further improve the timeliness of critical value reporting.
Frequency of polycythemia in individuals with normal complete blood cell counts according to the new 2016 WHO classification of myeloid neoplasms
Authors: Sandes A. F. , Gonçalves M. V. , Chauffaille M. de L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionPolycythemia vera (PV) is a disorder characterized by clonal proliferation of myeloid cells and increased red blood cell mass. Recently, the revised 2016 WHO classification of myeloid neoplasms decreased the threshold levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit for the diagnosis of PV. However, the new proposed cutoffs have remarkable overlap with the normal reference values reported and the clinical impact of these new cutoffs has not been widely assessed in the general population.MethodsWe retrospectively examined 248 839 patients with presumptively normal complete blood cell results, consecutively obtained in an outpatient setting.ResultsThe proportion of men with Hb >165 g/L was 5.99%, Hct>49% was 2.4%, and Hb >165 g/dL or Hct>49% was 6.48%, while the proportion of women with Hb >160 g/L was 0.22%, Hct>48% was 0.11%, and Hb >160 g/L or Hct>48% was 0.28%.ConclusionThe isolated use of the proposed Hb/Hct levels as a definer of polycythemia may lead to a substantial increase in unnecessary diagnostic tests. In cases with borderline levels of hemoglobin, the diagnostic workup of PV should only be indicated in the presence of clinical and/or laboratorial features associated with MPN.
Creating chronicity
Authors: Kirkengen Anna Luise 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAn authentic sickness history is the vantage point for juxtaposing a biomedical and a biographical‐phenomenological reading. What, in a biomedical framework, appears to be a longstanding state of comorbidity of different and unrelated types of diseases is rendered transparent in a biographical reading.This particular reading, evidencing the shortcomings of a biomedical framework regarding identifying the social sources of an increasingly complex burden of disease, is reflected upon in light of recent research in the neurosciences. Thus, the biomedical contribution to a sickness history is demonstrated, with its resultant multimorbidity, chronification, and complete incapacitation of a woman despite the continuing and nearly excessive involvement of the health care system.
Single Cell Analysis Linking Ribosomal (r)DNA and rRNA Copy Numbers to Cell Size and Growth Rate Provides Insights into Molecular Protistan Ecology
Authors: Fu Rao , Gong Jun 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRibosomal (r)RNA and rDNA have been golden molecular markers in microbial ecology. However, it remains poorly understood how ribotype copy number (CN)‐based characteristics are linked with diversity, abundance, and activity of protist populations and communities observed at organismal levels. Here, we applied a single‐cell approach to quantify ribotype CNs in two ciliate species reared at different temperatures. We found that in actively growing cells, the per‐cell rDNA and rRNA CNs scaled with cell volume (CV) to 0.44 and 0.58 powers, respectively. The modeled rDNA and rRNA concentrations thus appear to be much higher in smaller than in larger cells. The observed rRNA:rDNA ratio scaled with CV0.14. The maximum growth rate could be well predicted by a combination of per‐cell ribotype CN and temperature. Our empirical data and modeling on single‐cell ribotype scaling are in agreement with both the metabolic theory of ecology and the growth rate hypothesis, providing a quantitative framework for linking cellular rDNA and rRNA CNs with body size, growth (activity), and biomass stoichiometry. This study also demonstrates that the expression rate of rRNA genes is constrained by cell size, and favors biomass rather than abundance‐based interpretation of quantitative ribotype data in population and community ecology of protists.
The role of failure mode and effects analysis in improving the quality performance of dairy laboratories
Authors: Abou El Hassan Dina S. , Elsherpieny Elsayed A. , Kholif Abdelkader M. , Khorshid Mohamed A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractFailure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a proactive procedure for risk management and quality improvement in laboratories. The FMEA was carried out on pre‐analytical stage of ultra‐high‐temperature milk samples. It was applied at two different stages; in the first phase, the potential failure mode was chosen and the probable risks for failure mode were assessed and analyzed. Risk priority numbers (RPNs) were calculated to evaluate and organize reasons for potential failure and their impacts and identify the risk level. As for the second phase, it encompassed establishing and implementing the proposed action plans and measuring their effects. The uppermost RPN was human errors (504), followed by training (432), incorrect samples handling and transport (336), and insufficient sterilizing of tools (192). Employing the effective improvement action plan significantly decreased the RPN. The FMEA should be utilized as a regular tool to improve processes in laboratories.Practical applicationsThe failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method is used mainly to minimize errors, improve the quality of pre analytical stage of milk samples in the laboratory, identify potential failures, and develop and prioritize improvement strategies. Corrective actions significantly lower the risk priority numbers values. Besides, FMEA is a preventive tool and it is helpful in risk assessment of processes in dairy laboratories. The FMEA is a frequently‐used technique for quality assurance in food industry and numerous manufacturing industries addressing purchasers, governmental requirements, quality control, and safety. Nowadays, the FMEA is being applied in healthcare laboratories, and to attain all‐inclusive and fast improvement in safety in non‐healthcare industries.
Recognition of Delirium in Postoperative Elderly Patients: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Numan Tianne , van den Boogaard Mark , Kamper Adriaan M. , Rood Paul J. T. , Peelen Linda M. , Slooter Arjen J. C. ,   the Dutch Delirium Detection Study Group
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate to what extent delirium experts agree on the diagnosis of delirium when independently assessing exactly the same information and to evaluate the sensitivity of delirium screening tools in routine daily practice of clinical nurses.DesignProspective observational longitudinal study.SettingThree medical centers in the Netherlands.ParticipantsElderly postoperative adults (n = 167).MeasurementsA researcher examined participants daily (Postoperative Day 1–3) for delirium using a standardized cognitive assessment and interview including the Delirium Rating Scale Revised‐98 as global impression without any cut‐off values that was recorded on video. Two delirium experts independently evaluated the videos and clinical information from the last 24 hours in the participants’ record and classified each assessment as delirious, possibly delirious, or not delirious. Interrater agreement between the delirium experts was determined using weighted Cohen's kappa. When there was no consensus, a third expert was consulted. Final classification was based on median score and compared with the results of the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit and Delirium Observation Scale that clinical nurses administered.ResultsFour hundred twenty‐four postoperative assessments of 167 participants were included. The overall kappa was 0.61 (95% confidence interval = 0.53–0.68). There was no agreement between the experts for 89 (21.0%) assessments and a third delirium expert was needed for the final classification. Delirium screening that nurses performed detected 32% of the assessments that the experts diagnosed as (possibly) delirious.ConclusionThere was considerable disagreement in classification of delirium by experts who independently assessed exactly the same information, showing the difficulty of delirium diagnosis. Furthermore, the sensitivity of daily delirium screening by clinical nurses was poor. Future research should focus on development of objective instruments to diagnose delirium.
The Religious Ethics of Labor
Authors: Glennon Fred , Lloyd Vincent 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWhile unionization rates have steadily declined in the United States, there has been a renewal of grassroots labor organizing—in many cases connected in some way with religious communities. Attending to such organizing efforts holds the potential to deepen religious‐ethical reflection on questions of labor, and these religious‐ethical reflections hold the potential to enrich on‐the‐ground organizing efforts. These opportunities have largely been overlooked. On the one hand, while scholars have recently explored connections between religious ideas and economic ideas, they have often neglected questions of labor. On the other hand, labor studies scholars have often ignored the role of religion, although this is beginning to change. In this introduction we limn the resources available for religious‐ethical reflection on questions of labor and we propose a direction that the field could take, bringing together engagement with religious traditions and attunement to grassroots organizing.
Advocating Worker Justice
Authors: Beyer Gerald J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractCatholic moral theology possesses a number of tools that can be employed to promote worker justice. Some of these tools, such as Catholic social teaching on solidarity and workers’ rights, have been used to this end before. However, advocates of workers’ rights have seldom utilized other concepts, such as cooperation in evil, scandal, and evangelization. This essay provides a theoretical introduction to several tools in the “toolkit” of Catholic ethicists, engaging contemporary scholarship on them. It then applies the concepts to two cases in order to demonstrate their usefulness in the struggle for worker justice. Both cases involve Catholic universities, which means the ethical concepts introduced from the Catholic moral tradition should have normative status for these institutions. The first case entails a divestment campaign at the University of Notre Dame. The second case confronts the unjust treatment of adjunct faculty members at Catholic colleges and universities.
Rac(e)ing from Death
Authors: Winters Joseph 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn response to recent events that demonstrate the persistence of racial trauma, this essay revisits James Baldwin's claim that racism is a symptom of fundamental human tendencies and constraints. For Baldwin, we cannot understand the legacy of racism if we do not take seriously all too human attempts to evade, and deflect, death and its intimations. To flesh out this component of Baldwin's thought, I engage with the thought of Georges Bataille, an author who thinks generally about the fraught relationship between the preservation of life and our responsiveness to suffering. To test the insights that Baldwin provides on racial matters, this essay engages recent discussions in black studies and queer theory around futurity, racial difference, and the category of the human. I maintain that we must think “the human” and racial difference together, as a tension‐filled relationship, in order to understand the limits and possibilities regarding our efforts to change the order of things.
Spatial semantics: Modeling the meaning of prepositions
Authors: Zwarts Joost 
Published: May 2017

AbstractReference to space, especially with prepositions, plays a central role in natural language and is receiving more and more attention over the past decades. One line of research uses formal semantic modeling, using topological and other geometrical concepts such as regions, vectors, and paths. Another line of research has drawn attention to the role of function, force‐dynamics, polysemy, prototypes, and crosslinguistic variation in this domain. This paper gives an overview of both lines of research and argues that a synthesis is possible, based on a proper division of labor between semantics and pragmatics, richer ontologies, and a perspective on categorization that uses conceptual spaces and semantic maps.