bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of free diabetes care on metabolic control and on health-related quality of life among youths with type 1 diabetes in Cameroon
Authors: Lontchi-Yimagou Eric , Mapa-Tassou Clarisse , Dehayem Mesmin Y , Essi Marie-José , Saji Jude , Takogue Remy , Sobngwi Eugène , Mbanya Jean Claude 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of free diabetes care on metabolic control and on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of youths living with type 1 diabetes in Cameroon.Research design and methodsWe conducted a clinical audit of a multicenter prospective cohort, performed in three of the nine clinics of the ‘Changing Diabetes in Children’ (CDiC) project in Cameroon. We collected data on demography, glycemic control, diabetes acute complications, and patients’ HRQoL at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up.ResultsOne hundred and four patients (51 female) were included. The mean age was 16±2 years (min–max: 9–18), the mean duration of diabetes was 5±3 years, and the mean HbA1C level was 11.4%±2.7%. A significant reduction in HbA1c (11.4%±2.7% vs 8.7±2.4%), episodes of severe hypoglycemia (27/104 vs 15/104), and episodes of ketoacidosis (31/104 vs 7/104) were observed after 1 year (p<0.05). We did not observe any significant difference in the total HRQoL score (p=0.66). However, we observed a significant decrease in diabetes-associated symptoms (p<0.05). Age, level of education, duration of diabetes, glycemic control, and the presence or absence of diabetes complications did not significantly affect the total HRQoL score.ConclusionsOne year after free diabetes care offered through the CDiC project, a significant improvement was observed in glycemic control and acute complications of diabetes, but not in the total score of HRQoL of youths living with type 1 diabetes enrolled in the project.
CPAP IMPACT: a protocol for a randomised trial of bubble continuous positive airway pressure versus standard care for high-risk children with severe pneumonia using adaptive design methods
Authors: Smith Andrew G , Eckerle Michelle , Mvalo Tisungane , Weir Brian , Martinson Francis , Chalira Alfred , Lufesi Norman , Mofolo Innocent , Hosseinipour Mina , McCollum Eric D 
Published: July 2017

IntroductionPneumonia is a leading cause of mortality among children in low-resource settings. Mortality is greatest among children with high-risk conditions including HIV infection or exposure, severe malnutrition and/or severe hypoxaemia. WHO treatment recommendations include low-flow oxygen for children with severe pneumonia. Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) is a non-invasive support modality that provides positive end-expiratory pressure and oxygen. bCPAP is effective in the treatment of neonates in low-resource settings; its efficacy is unknown for high-risk children with severe pneumonia in low-resource settings.Methods and analysisCPAP IMPACT is a randomised clinical trial comparing bCPAP to low-flow oxygen in the treatment of severe pneumonia among high-risk children 1–59 months of age. High-risk children are stratified into two subgroups: (1) HIV infection or exposure and/or severe malnutrition; (2) severe hypoxaemia. The trial is being conducted in a Malawi district hospital and will enrol 900 participants. The primary outcome is in-hospital mortality rate of children treated with standard care as compared with bCPAP.Ethics and disseminationCPAP IMPACT has approval from the Institutional Review Boards of all investigators. An urgent need exists to determine whether bCPAP decreases mortality among high-risk children with severe pneumonia to inform resource utilisation in low-resource settings.Trial registration numberNCT02484183; Pre-results.
Team Training of Inter-Professional Students (TTIPS) for improving teamwork
Authors: Paige John T. , Garbee Deborah D. , Yu Qingzhao , Rusnak Vadym 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveIn surgery, dysfunctional teamwork is perpetuated by a ‘silo’ mentality modelled by students. Interprofessional education using high-fidelity simulation-based training (SBT) may counteract such modelling. We sought to determine whether SBT of interprofessional student teams (1) changes long-term teamwork attitudes and (2) is an effective form of team training.DesignA quasiexperimental, pre/postintervention comparison design was employed at an academic health sciences institution. High-fidelity simulation-based training of 42 interprofessional teams of third year surgery clerkship medical students and senior undergraduate nursing students was undertaken using a two-scenario format with immediate after action debriefing. Pre/postintervention TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Attitudes questionnaires (5 subscales, 30 items, Likert type) were given to the medical student and undergraduate nursing student classes. Pre/postsession Readiness for Inter-Professional Learning (RIPL; 19 items, Likert type) surveys and postscenario participant-rated and observer-rated Teamwork Assessment Scales (3 subscales, 11 items, Likert type) were given during each training session. Mean TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire, RIPL and Teamwork Assessment Scales scores were calculated; matched pre/postscore differences and trained versus non-trained TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire scores were compared using paired t-test or analysis of variance.ResultsBoth student groups had 10 significantly improved RIPL items as well as TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire (TTAQ) mutual support subscales. Medical students had a significantly improved TTAQ team structure subscale. Over a simulation-based training session, each observer-rated Teamwork Assessment Scales subscale and two self-rated Teamwork Assessment Scales subscales significantly improved. Trained students had significantly higher TTAQ team structure subscales than non-trained students.ConclusionsInterprofessional education using high-fidelity simulation-based training of students is effective at teaching teamwork, changing interprofessional attitudes and improving long-term teamwork attitudes.
Seasonality in airborne bacterial, fungal, and (1→3)-β-D-glucan concentrations in two indoor laboratory animal rooms
Authors: Hwang Sungho , Ko Yeji , Park Donguk , Yoon Chungsik 
Published: July 2017

AimsThe purpose of this study was to assess the temporal changes in the concentrations of bioaerosols in a laboratory mouse room (LMR) and laboratory rabbit room (LRR), and to determine environmental factors associated with the culturable bacteria, fungi and (1→3)-β-D-glucan concentrations.MethodThe concentrations of culturable airborne bacteria, fungi and (1→3)-β-D-glucan in the LMR and LRR were sampled once a month from March 2011 to February 2012. A single-stage viable cascade impactor was used to sample bacteria and fungi, while a two-stage cyclone bioaerosol sampler was used to collect airborne (1→3)-β-D-glucan.ResultsThe culturable bacterial concentrations in the LMR showed a gradual increase during the summer. The culturable fungal concentrations showed similar seasonal patterns of change in the LMR and LRR with a noticeable increase during the summer. The (1→3)-β-D-glucan concentrations were highest during the warmer spring and summer months. Relative humidity (RH) was the environmental factor most associated with the concentrations of culturable bacteria and fungi. The overall airborne microbe concentrations were significantly higher in the LRR than in the LMR.ConclusionsAirborne microbe concentrations in the LMR and LRR varied greatly depending on season, and these changes were affected by environmental factors.
Cardiometabolic risk factors in primary centred and rotator cuff-related shoulder osteoarthritis: a comparative study
Authors: Juge Pierre-Antoine , Berard Laure , Kotti Salma , Doursounian Levon , Sautet Alain , Simon Tabassome , Berenbaum Francis , Nourissat Geoffroy , Sellam Jérémie 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundRisk factors for shoulder osteoarthritis (SOA) have been poorly studied. SOA has two anatomical subtypes: primary centred SOA (centred SOA) and rotator cuff-related OA (non-centred SOA). We examined whether cardiometabolic risk factors are preferentially associated with centred than mechanical-induced non-centred SOA.MethodsThis 2004–2012 retrospective multicentric study included patients with SOA. Data on clinical characteristics, especially cardiometabolic risk factors, were collected. We compared patients with radiographic-centred and non-centred SOA and tested the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and subtypes of SOA.ResultsWe included 147 patients (101 women (68.7%); mean age 75.8±10 years); 99 had centred SOA. As compared with patients with non-centred SOA, those with centred SOA were older (77.5±9 vs 72.4±11 years; p=0.004) with no difference in cardiometabolic disturbances or their accumulation. Multivariable analyses indicated that older age was independently associated with centred SOA (OR 1.06;95% CI 1.02 to 1.1; p=0.004), and cardiovascular diseases were less associated with this subtype (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.089 to 0.824; p=0.02) than with the non-centred one.ConclusionCardiometabolic risk factors were not more prevalent with primary centred than rotator cuff-related SOA. They may participate in the pathophysiology of both SOA subtypes through cartilage and tendon disruption.
The prevalence of illicit cigarette consumption and related factors in Turkey
Authors: Kaplan Bekir , Navas-Acien Ana , Cohen Joanna E 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundThe tobacco industry claims that high cigarette taxes drive illicit trade and that governments should therefore not increase tobacco tax because it will increase the level of illicit trade. This study examines illicit cigarette consumption in Turkey after a tobacco tax increase and its related factors.MethodThis national cross-sectional survey was conducted in March-June 2013 and 9717 people aged ≥18 years participated in the interviewer-administered survey. Smokers were asked to show their last used cigarette pack to the interviewers and price paid for their cigarettes. Factors associated with smoking cigarettes with a tobacco tax stamp and paying ≥5 TL (Turkish lira) for a pack of cigarettes were analysed with logistic regression.ResultsAmong the observed cigarette packs, 12.1% did not have the Turkish tax stamp. More illicit cigarettes were observed in the East region than in other regions (p<0.001). The reported average amount paid for a pack of cigarettes was €2.12 (€2.15 for men and €1.97 for women, p<0.001). The amount paid for cigarettes with a tax stamp (€2.15) was higher than the amount paid for cigarettes without tax stamp (€1.08) (per cigarette pack) (p<0.001).ConclusionJust over 1 in 10 smokers (12%) had an illicit cigarette pack about 5 months after the final tax increase; this was most common in the East region of Turkey. Estimates are comparable to those in previous studies and do not indicate that an increase occurred in the prevalence of illicit cigarette use compared with before the tobacco tax increase.
Whole-Genome and Epigenomic Landscapes of Etiologically Distinct Subtypes of Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Jusakul Apinya , Cutcutache Ioana , Yong Chern Han , Lim Jing Quan , Huang Mi Ni , Padmanabhan Nisha , Nellore Vishwa , Kongpetch Sarinya , Ng Alvin Wei Tian , Ng Ley Moy , Choo Su Pin , Myint Swe Swe , Thanan Raynoo , Nagarajan Sanjanaa , Lim Weng Khong , Ng Cedric Chuan Young , Boot Arnoud , Liu Mo , Ong Choon Kiat , Rajasegaran Vikneswari , Lie Stefanus , Lim Alvin Soon Tiong , Lim Tse Hui , Tan Jing , Loh Jia Liang , McPherson John R. , Khuntikeo Narong , Bhudhisawasdi Vajaraphongsa , Yongvanit Puangrat , Wongkham Sopit , Totoki Yasushi , Nakamura Hiromi , Arai Yasuhito , Yamasaki Satoshi , Chow Pierce Kah-Hoe , Chung Alexander Yaw Fui , Ooi London Lucien Peng Jin , Lim Kiat Hon , Dima Simona , Duda Dan G. , Popescu Irinel , Broet Philippe , Hsieh Sen-Yung , Yu Ming-Chin , Scarpa Aldo , Lai Jiaming , Luo Di-Xian , Carvalho André Lopes , Vettore André Luiz , Rhee Hyungjin , Park Young Nyun , Alexandrov Ludmil B. , Gordân Raluca , Rozen Steven G. , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Pairojkul Chawalit , Teh Bin Tean , Tan Patrick 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary malignancy exhibiting high incidence in countries with endemic liver-fluke infection. We analyzed 489 CCAs from 10 countries, combining whole-genome (71 cases), targeted/exome, copy-number, gene expression, and DNA methylation information. Integrative clustering defined 4 CCA clusters—fluke-positive CCAs (clusters 1/2) are enriched in ERBB2 amplifications and TP53 mutations; conversely, fluke-negative CCAs (clusters 3/4) exhibit high copy-number alterations and PD-1/PD-L2 expression, or epigenetic mutations (IDH1/2, BAP1) and FGFR/PRKA-related gene rearrangements. Whole-genome analysis highlighted FGFR2 3′ untranslated region deletion as a mechanism of FGFR2 upregulation. Integration of noncoding promoter mutations with protein–DNA binding profiles demonstrates pervasive modulation of H3K27me3-associated sites in CCA. Clusters 1 and 4 exhibit distinct DNA hypermethylation patterns targeting either CpG islands or shores—mutation signature and subclonality analysis suggests that these reflect different mutational pathways. Our results exemplify how genetics, epigenetics, and environmental carcinogens can interplay across different geographies to generate distinct molecular subtypes of cancer.
Significance: Integrated whole-genome and epigenomic analysis of CCA on an international scale identifies new CCA driver genes, noncoding promoter mutations, and structural variants. CCA molecular landscapes differ radically by etiology, underscoring how distinct cancer subtypes in the same organ may arise through different extrinsic and intrinsic carcinogenic processes. Cancer Discov; 7(10); 1116–35. ©2017 AACR.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1047
Interleukin-10 Inhibits Bone Marrow Fibroblast Progenitor Cell–Mediated Cardiac Fibrosis in Pressure-Overloaded Myocardium
Authors: Verma Suresh K. , Garikipati Venkata N.S. , Krishnamurthy Prasanna , Schumacher Sarah M. , Grisanti Laurel A. , Cimini Maria , Cheng Zhongjian , Khan Mohsin , Yue Yujia , Benedict Cindy , Truongcao May M. , Rabinowitz Joseph E. , Goukassian David A. , Tilley Douglas , Koch Walter J. , Kishore Raj 
Published: July 2017

Background:
Activated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) play a critical role in cardiac fibrosis; however, their origin in the diseased heart remains unclear, warranting further investigation. Recent studies suggest the contribution of bone marrow fibroblast progenitor cells (BM-FPCs) in pressure overload–induced cardiac fibrosis. We have previously shown that interleukin-10 (IL10) suppresses pressure overload–induced cardiac fibrosis; however, the role of IL10 in inhibition of BM-FPC–mediated cardiac fibrosis is not known. We hypothesized that IL10 inhibits pressure overload–induced homing of BM-FPCs to the heart and their transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts and thus attenuates cardiac fibrosis.

Methods:
Pressure overload was induced in wild-type (WT) and IL10 knockout (IL10KO) mice by transverse aortic constriction. To determine the bone marrow origin, chimeric mice were created with enhanced green fluorescent protein WT mice marrow to the IL10KO mice. For mechanistic studies, FPCs were isolated from mouse bone marrow.

Results:
Pressure overload enhanced BM-FPC mobilization and homing in IL10KO mice compared with WT mice. Furthermore, WT bone marrow (from enhanced green fluorescent protein mice) transplantation in bone marrow–depleted IL10KO mice (IL10KO chimeric mice) reduced transverse aortic constriction–induced BM-FPC mobilization compared with IL10KO mice. Green fluorescent protein costaining with α-smooth muscle actin or collagen 1α in left ventricular tissue sections of IL10KO chimeric mice suggests that myofibroblasts were derived from bone marrow after transverse aortic constriction. Finally, WT bone marrow transplantation in IL10KO mice inhibited transverse aortic constriction–induced cardiac fibrosis and improved heart function. At the molecular level, IL10 treatment significantly inhibited transforming growth factor-β–induced transdifferentiation and fibrotic signaling in WT BM-FPCs in vitro. Furthermore, fibrosis-associated microRNA (miRNA) expression was highly upregulated in IL10KO-FPCs compared with WT-FPCs. Polymerase chain reaction–based selective miRNA analysis revealed that transforming growth factor-β–induced enhanced expression of fibrosis-associated miRNAs (miRNA-21, -145, and -208) was significantly inhibited by IL10. Restoration of miRNA-21 levels suppressed the IL10 effects on transforming growth factor-β–induced fibrotic signaling in BM-FPCs.

Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that IL10 inhibits BM-FPC homing and transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts in pressure-overloaded myocardium. Mechanistically, we show for the first time that IL10 suppresses Smad–miRNA-21–mediated activation of BM-FPCs and thus modulates cardiac fibrosis.
Early Prediction of Delayed Ischemia and Functional Outcome in Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Fragata Isabel , Alves Marta , Papoila Ana Luísa , Nunes Ana Paiva , Ferreira Patrícia , Canto-Moreira Nuno , Canhão Patrícia 
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters are markers of cerebral lesion in some diseases. In patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), we investigated whether DTI parameters measured at <72 hours might be associated with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and with poor functional outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3).

Methods—
DTI was performed in a prospective cohort of 60 patients with nontraumatic SAH at <72 hours. Association of fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient values at <72 hours with the occurrence of DCI and outcome at 3 months was evaluated with logistic regression models, adjusting for known predictors of prognosis.

Results—

At <72 hours after SAH, fractional anisotropy values at the cerebellum were associated with DCI occurrence (78% less odds of DCI for each 0.1 increase in fractional anisotropy;
P
=0.019). Early apparent diffusion coefficient values were not associated with DCI. After adjusting for confounding variables, an increase of 10 U in apparent diffusion coefficient at the frontal centrum semiovale corresponded to 15% increased odds of poor outcome (
P
=0.061).

Conclusions—
DTI parameters at <72 hours post-SAH are independently associated with the occurrence of DCI and functional outcome. These preliminary results suggest the role of DTI parameters as surrogate markers of prognosis in nontraumatic SAH.
Phoneme Repetition in the Structure of Languages
Authors: Mackay Donald G. 
Published: July 2017

The structure of phoneme repetition in Croatian and Hawaiian was found to be remarkably similar. In both languages, immediate repetition of phonemes as in AACHEN was very infrequent, but phoneme repetition after some degree of separation as in PROPER was significantly more frequent than chance expectation. The degree of separation for maximum probability of repetition was slightly different for vowels and consonants in both languages. This pattern of phoneme repetition was unrelated to syllable length, word length or word frequency in these languages. The hypothesis was advanced that this pattern of repetition resulted from an evolutionary process, reflected not only in recorded phonological changes in the history of languages, but also in errors in speech, and phonetic changes at rapid rates of speech, all of which frequently involve repeated phonemes.
Monetary Policy in Poland in the Conditions of Upheavals in Global Markets and the Change of Internal Business Cycle
Authors: Nowak Alojzy Z. 
Published: July 2017

The end of the nineties has brought many substantial changes on the world economic map. On the one hand, a considerable acceleration of globalization and integration process has taken place and the volume of transactions in financial markets increased enormously, whereas on the other hand, symptoms of financial crises become visible. In the article, it is attempted to answer two basic questions: first. whether the financial perturbations of the late ‘nineties might result in monetary policy in Poland, and second, what has more contributed to the deterioration in the business situation in Poland in the late nineties, the above changes in world markets or the government policy of “cooling-down” domestic demand. The analysis presented in the article shows that it was the continued policy of suppressing inflation using high interest rates which was the principal factor responsible for the worsening in business conditions. In conclusion, some proposals are suggested relative to instruments to be used in order to bring back and preserve the high rate of economic growth of Poland in years to come.
The Impact of the Privatisation of Water Supply on Households in the City of Douala in Cameroon
Authors: Oumar Saidou Baba , Tewari Devi Datt 
Published: July 2017

Many Cameroonian households are confronted with short supply of drinking water as the state-owned water corporation failed to meet the efficient water delivery objectives. As a result, the privatisation drive took place with of course some consequent impacts. The current study is an attempt to quantify these impacts. The major impacts are in terms of decreased access to water to households by 8 percent and exposure of more than 70 percent of households to irregular water supply for more than half a month. However, some 92 percent of the households rate the quality of water obtained from the private water company good. Also, 56 percent of the households prefer the service delivery by the private company over that of the state-operated water supply. Besides, both the minimum and maximum amount households wish to pay per cubic meter of water for continued private water provision exceeds the current rate by 5.59 and 225.99 percent, respectively. JEL Codes: Q25, L33
A Performance Comparison of US MNEs and DMCs
Authors: Qian Gongming 
Published: July 2017

This study provides a comparative analysis of the risk-return performance of US MNEs and US DMCs on the basis of both aggregate and segmental samples. It covers the firms from the Fortune listing of the 500 largest US industrial firms using a ten-industry classification. Several accounting and market measures are used as proxy variables for risk and profitability. To analyse the data and test the hypotheses, the paired difference test is employed to find statistically significant differences between them. If a firm reduces the variability of its profits, then the value of its shares will increase and, as a consequence, the wealth of shareholders will be enhanced. The results show that the MNEs, on the average, have outperformed their domestic counterparts in both profitability and risk. This implies that the capital market should differentiate between its valuation of MNE and DMC shares. Foreign activities by MNEs should therefore provide their shareholders with risk-return opportunities superior to those available to shareholders of DMCs. Investors may be expected to consider MNEs as a superior investment vehicle and reward their foreign operations.