bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesh Sutured Repairs of Abdominal Wall Defects
Authors: Lanier Steven T. , Dumanian Gregory A. , Jordan Sumanas W. , Miller Kyle R. , Ali Nada A. , Stock Stuart R. 
Published: September 2016

Background:
A new closure technique is introduced, which uses strips of macroporous polypropylene mesh as a suture for closure of abdominal wall defects due to failures of standard sutures and difficulties with planar meshes.

Methods:
Strips of macroporous polypropylene mesh of 2 cm width were passed through the abdominal wall and tied as simple interrupted sutures. The surgical technique and surgical outcomes are presented.

Results:
One hundred and seven patients underwent a mesh sutured abdominal wall closure. Seventy-six patients had preoperative hernias, and the mean hernia width by CT scan for those with scans was 9.1 cm. Forty-nine surgical fields were clean-contaminated, contaminated, or dirty. Five patients had infections within the first 30 days. Only one knot was removed as an office procedure. Mean follow-up at 234 days revealed 4 recurrent hernias.

Conclusions:
Mesh sutured repairs reliably appose tissue under tension using concepts of force distribution and resistance to suture pull-through. The technique reduces the amount of foreign material required in comparison to sheet meshes, and avoids the shortcomings of monofilament sutures. Mesh sutured closures seem to be tolerant of bacterial contamination with low hernia recurrence rates and have replaced our routine use of mesh sheets and bioprosthetic grafts.
Composition fluctuations in lipid bilayers
Authors: Baoukina Svetlana , Rozmanov Dmitri , Tieleman D. Peter 
Published: September 2016

AbstractLipid bilayers constitute the basis of biological membranes. Understanding lipid mixing and phase behavior can provide important insights into membrane lateral organization (the “raft” hypothesis). Here we investigate model lipid bilayers below and above their miscibility transition temperatures. Molecular dynamics simulations with the MARTINI coarse-grained force field are employed to model bilayers on a length scale approaching 100 nm and a time scale of tens of microseconds. Using a binary mixture of saturated and unsaturated lipids, and a ternary mixture of a saturated lipid, an unsaturated lipid and cholesterol we reproduce the coexistence of liquid-crystalline and gel, as well as liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phases. By raising the temperature or adding hybrid lipids (with a saturated and an unsaturated chain), we induce a gradual transition from a two-phase to a one-phase state. We characterize the evolution of bilayer properties along this transition. Domains of coexisting phases change to dynamic heterogeneity with local ordering and compositional de-mixing. We analyze the structural and dynamic properties of domains, sizes and lifetimes of composition fluctuations, and calculate the in-plane structure factors.
Theta Oscillations in the Human Medial Temporal Lobe during Real World Ambulatory Movement
Authors: Aghajan Zahra M. , Schuette Peter , Fields Tony , Tran Michelle , Siddiqui Sameed , Hasulak Nick , Tcheng Thomas K. , Eliashiv Dawn , Stern John , Fried Itzhak , Suthana Nanthia 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTheta oscillations play a critical role in learning and memory by coordinating the spiking activity of neuronal ensembles via mechanisms such as spike timing dependent plasticity1–7. This rhythm is present in rodents where it is continuously evident during movement at frequencies within 6-12Hz8,9. In humans, however, the presence of continuous theta rhythm has been elusive; indeed, a functionally similar theta is thought to occur at lower frequency ranges (3-7Hz) and in shorter bouts10–12. This lower frequency theta rhythm is observed during a variety of behaviors, including virtual navigation, but has never been tested duringreal world ambulatory movement. Here we examined the oscillatory properties of theta within the human medial temporal lobe (MTL) in freely moving human subjects chronically implanted with the clinical NeuroPace RNS®responsive neurostimulator device, capable of wireless recordings of continuous intracranial deep brain electroencephalographic (iEEG) activity. MTL iEEG recordings, together with sub-millimeter position tracking, revealed the presence of high frequency theta oscillations (6-12Hz) during ambulation. The prevalence of these oscillations was increased during fast movement compared to slow movement. These theta bouts, although occurring more frequently, were not significantly different in durations during fast versus slow movements. In a rare opportunity to study one subject with congenital blindness, we found that both the prevalence and duration of theta bouts were much greater than those in sighted subjects. Our results suggest that higher frequency theta indeed exists in humans during movement providing critical support for conserved neurobiological mechanisms for spatial navigation. The precise link between this pattern and its behavioral correlates will be an exciting area for future studies given this novel methodology for simultaneous motion capture and long term chronic recordings from deep brain targets during ambulatory human behavior.
Predicting Protein Thermostability Upon Mutation Using Molecular Dynamics Timeseries Data
Authors: Fleming Noah , Kinsella Benjamin , Ing Christopher 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA large number of human diseases result from disruptions to protein structure and function caused by missense mutations. Computational methods are frequently employed to assist in the prediction of protein stability upon mutation. These methods utilize a combination of protein sequence data, protein structure data, empirical energy functions, and physicochemical properties of amino acids. In this work, we present the first use of dynamic protein structural features in order to improve stability predictions upon mutation. This is achieved through the use of a set of timeseries extracted from microsecond timescale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of proteins. Standard machine learning algorithms using mean, variance, and histograms of these timeseries were found to be 60-70% accurate in stability classification based on experimental ΔΔGor protein-chaperone interaction measurements. A recurrent neural network with full treatment of timeseries data was found to be 80% accurate according the F1 score. The performance of our models was found to be equal or better than two recently developed machine learning methods for binary classification as well as two industry-standard stability prediction algorithms. In addition to classification, understanding the molecular basis of protein stability disruption due to disease-causing mutations is a significant challenge that impedes the development of drugs and therapies that may be used treat genetic diseases. The use of dynamic structural features allows for novel insight into the molecular basis of protein disruption by mutation in a diverse set of soluble proteins. To assist in the interpretation of machine learning results, we present a technique for determining the importance of features to a recurrent neural network using Garson’s method. We propose a novel extension of neural interpretation diagrams by implementing Garson’s method to scale each node in the neural interpretation diagram according to its relative importance to the network.
Grassroots inter-professional networks: the case of organizing care for older cancer patients
Authors: Bagayogo Fatou Farima , Lepage Annick , Denis Jean-Louis , Lamothe Lise , Lapointe Liette , Vedel Isabelle 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper of inter-professional networks is to analyze the evolution of relationships between professional groups enacting new forms of collaboration to address clinical imperatives.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a case study based on semi-structured interviews with physicians and nurses, document analysis and informal discussions.

Findings
This study documents how two inter-professional networks were developed through professional agency. The findings show that the means by which networks are developed influence the form of collaboration therein. One of the networks developed from day-to-day, immediately relevant, exchange, for patient care. The other one developed from more formal and infrequent research and training exchanges that were seen as less decisive in facilitating patient care. The latter resulted in a loosely knit network based on a small number of ad hoc referrals while the other resulted in a tightly knit network based on frequent referrals and advice seeking.

Practical implications
Developing inter-professional networks likely require a sustained phase of interpersonal contacts characterized by persuasion, knowledge sharing, skill demonstration and trust building from less powerful professional groups to obtain buy-in from more powerful professional groups. The nature of the collaboration in any resulting network depends largely on the nature of these initial contacts.

Originality/value
The literature on inter-professional healthcare networks focusses on mandated networks such as NHS managed care networks. There is a lack of research on inter-professional networks that emerged from the bottom up at the initiative of healthcare professionals in response to clinical imperatives. This study looks at some forms of collaboration that these “grass-root” initiatives engender and how they are consolidated.
Formal priority setting in health care: the Swedish experience
Authors: Garpenby Peter , Bäckman Karin 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
From the late 1980s and onwards health care in Sweden has come under increasing financial pressure, forcing policy makers to consider restrictions. The purpose of this paper is to review experiences and to establish lessons of formal priority setting in four Swedish regional health authorities during the period 2003-2012.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws on a variety of sources, and evidence is organised according to three broad aspects: design and implementation of models and processes, application of evidence and decision analysis tools and decision making and implementation of decisions.

Findings
The processes accounted for here have resulted in useful experiences concerning technical arrangements as well as political and public strategies. All four sites used a particular model for priority setting that combined top-down- and bottom-up-driven elements. Although the process was authorised from the top it was clearly bottom-up driven and the template followed a professional rationale. New meeting grounds were introduced between politicians and clinical leaders. Overall a limited group of stakeholders were involved. By defusing political conflicts the likelihood that clinical leaders would regard this undertaking as important increased.

Originality/value
One tendency today is to unburden regional authorities of the hard decisions by introducing arrangements at national level. This study suggests that regional health authorities, in spite of being politically governed organisations, have the potential to execute a formal priority-setting process. Still, to make priority-setting processes more robust to internal as well as external threat remains a challenge.
Key success factors behind electronic medical record adoption in Thailand
Authors: Narattharaksa Kanida , Speece Mark , Newton Charles , Bulyalert Damrongsak 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the elements that health care personnel in Thailand believe are necessary for successful adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) systems.

Design/methodology/approach
Initial qualitative in-depth interviews with physicians to adapt key elements from the literature to the Thai context. The 12 elements identified included things related to managing the implementation and to IT expertise. The nationwide survey was supported by the Ministry of Public Health and returned 1,069 usable questionnaires (response rate 42 percent) from a range of medical personnel.

Findings
The key elements clearly separated into a managerial dimension and an IT dimension. All were considered fairly important, but managerial expertise was more critical. In particular, there should be clear EMR project goals and scope, adequate budget allocation, clinical staff must be involved in implementation, and the IT should facilitate good electronic communication.

Research limitations/implications
Thailand is representative of middle-income developing countries, but there is no guarantee findings can be generalized. National policies differ, as do economic structures of health care industries. The focus is on management at the organizational level, but future research must also examine macro-level issues, as well as gain more depth into thinking of individual health care personnel.

Practical implications
Technical issues of EMR implementation are certainly important. However, it is clear actual adoption and use of the system also depends very heavily on managerial issues.

Originality/value
Most research on EMR implementation has been in developed countries, and has often focussed more on technical issues rather than examining managerial issues closely. Health IT is also critical in developing economies, and management of health IT implementation must be well understood.
Do Basel III Higher Common Equity Capital Requirements Matter for Bank Risk‐taking Behaviour? Lessons from South Africa
Authors: Adesina Kolade Sunday , Mwamba John Muteba 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis paper examines the role of common equity capital in determining the risk‐taking behaviour of banks in South Africa. Using system GMM, the results show that higher common equity capital is associated with lower bank risk. Additionally, the results show that there is a negative and significant relationship between business cycles and bank risk, while the relationship between bank market power and risk is positive and significant. The findings remain robust after using alternative measures of bank risk. On the whole, this study recommends that an increase in common equity capital should be coupled with control of bank market power to achieve the goal of curtailing excessive risk appetite of banks.
Does Information Sharing Promote or Detract from Bank Returns: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Kusi Baah Aye , Agbloyor Elikplimi Komla , Fiador Vera Ogeh , Osei Kofi Achampong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis study examines the effect of information sharing through credit reference bureaus (CRBs) on the profitability of banks in Ghana. We adopt a Prais‐Winsten panel regression for 25 banks across four years to examine the empirical relations. We establish that information sharing through CRBs is positively related to bank profitability. This implies that as banks use the services of CRBs (indicating information sharing) they are able to boost their profitability. This is because information sharing can lead to an increase in interest income by reducing incomplete and false information which in turn leads to a reduction in collateral constraints. Further, information sharing reduces information asymmetry by lowering the evaluation (adverse selection) and monitoring costs (moral hazard) associated with the lending proposition. The major implications of our findings are that sharing information across banks is important for the profitability of the banking system as a whole. In this regard, it would be useful to find more efficient and cost‐effective ways to provide information sharing services to banks and other non‐bank financial institutions. We recommend that the laws that mandate the gathering of credit information be expanded to include credit data from tax agencies, utility agencies and court rulings on financial matters.
Analysis of retinal function using chromatic pupillography in retinitis pigmentosa and the relationship to electrically evoked phosphene thresholds
Authors: Kelbsch Carina , Maeda Fumiatsu , Lisowska Jolanta , Lisowski Lukasz , Strasser Torsten , Stingl Krunoslav , Wilhelm Barbara , Wilhelm Helmut , Peters Tobias 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPurposeTo analyse pupil responses to specific chromatic stimuli in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP) to ascertain whether chromatic pupillography can be used as an objective marker for residual retinal function. To examine correlations between parameters of the pupil response and the perception threshold of electrically evoked phosphenes.MethodsChromatic pupillography was performed in 40 patients with advanced RP (visual acuity < 0.02 or visual field ≤5°, non‐recordable ERGs) and 40 age‐matched healthy subjects. Pupil responses to full‐field red (605 nm) and blue (420 nm) stimuli of 28 lx corneal illumination were recorded and analysed for two stimulus durations (1 and 4 seconds). The perception threshold of phosphenes to transcorneal electrostimulation was ascertained and correlated to the pupil responses and visual acuity.ResultsPatients with RP showed significantly reduced pupil responses to red and blue stimuli compared with the controls. With red stimuli, pupillary escape could be observed; blue stimuli resulted in a well‐preserved postillumination pupil response. Phosphene thresholds were significantly increased in patients with RP and correlated with the parameters of the pupil response if all subjects were considered. Within the RP group alone, this relationship was less pronounced and statistically not significant.ConclusionsChromatic pupillography demonstrated a significant decrease in outer retinal photoreceptor responses but a persisting and disinhibited intrinsic photosensitive retinal ganglion cell function in advanced RP. These phenomena may be useful as an objective marker for the efficacy of any interventional treatment for hereditary retinal diseases as well as for the selection of suitable patients for an electronic retinal implant.
Development of an in vivo target‐engagement biomarker for TRPA1 antagonists in humans
Authors: Buntinx Linde , Chang Lin , Amin Aasim , Morlion Bart , de Hoon Jan 
Published: September 2016

AimTo develop a non‐invasive, safe and reproducible target‐engagement biomarker for future TRPA1 antagonists in healthy volunteers.MethodsDose finding (n = 11): 3%, 10%, and 30% cinnamaldehyde (CA) and placebo (= vehicle) was topically applied on the right forearm. One‐way ANOVA with post‐hoc Bonferroni was used to compare between doses. Reproducibility: 10% CA doses were topically applied during one visit on both arms (n = 10) or during two visits (n = 23) separated by a washout period of 7 days. CA‐induced dermal blood flow (DBF) was assessed by laser Doppler imaging (LDI) at baseline and at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min post‐CA. Paired t‐test was used to compare between arms or visits. Concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was calculated to assess reproducibility. Data are expressed as percent change from baseline (mean ± 95% CI).ResultsAll three doses increased DBF compared to vehicle at all time‐points, with the maximum response at 10–20 min post‐CA. Dose response was found when comparing AUC0–50min of 30% CA (51 364 ± 8475%*min) with 10% CA (32 239 ± 8034%*min, P = 0.03) and 3% CA (30 226 ± 11 958%*min, P = 0.015). 10% CA was chosen as an effective and safe dose. DBF response to 10% CA was found to be reproducible between arms (AUC0–50min, CCC = 0.91) and visits (AUC0–50min, CCC = 0.83). Based on sample size calculations, this model allows a change in CA‐induced DBF of 30–50% to be detected between two independent groups of maximum 10–15 subjects with 80% power.ConclusionsEvaluation of CA‐induced changes in DBF offers a safe, non‐invasive and reproducible target‐engagement biomarker in vivo in humans to evaluate TRPA1 antagonists.
Educational differences in responses to breast cancer symptoms: A qualitative comparative study
Authors: Marcu Afrodita , Black Georgia , Vedsted Peter , Lyratzopoulos Georgios , Whitaker Katriina L. 
Published: September 2016

ObjectiveAdvanced stage at diagnosis for breast cancer is associated with lower socio‐economic status (SES). We explored what factors in the patient interval (time from noticing a bodily change to first consultation with a health care professional) may contribute to this inequality.DesignQualitative comparative study.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews with a sample of women (≥47 years) from higher (n = 15) and lower (n = 15) educational backgrounds, who had experienced at least one potential breast cancer symptom. Half the participants (n = 15) had sought medical help, half had not (n = 15). Without making breast cancer explicit, we elicited women's sense‐making around their symptoms and help‐seeking decisions.ResultsContainment of symptoms and confidence in acting upon symptoms emerged as two broad themes that differentiated lower and higher educational groups. Women from lower educational backgrounds tended to attribute their breast symptoms to trivial factors and were reticent in using the word ‘cancer’. Despite ‘knowing’ that symptoms could be related to cancer, women with lower education invoked lack of medical knowledge – ‘I am not a doctor’ – to express uncertainty about interpreting symptoms and accessing help. Women with higher education were confident about interpreting symptoms, seeking information online, and seeking medical help.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that knowledge of breast cancer alone may not explain socio‐economic differences in how women respond to breast cancer symptoms as women with lower education had ‘reasons’ not to react. Research is needed on how to overcome a wider spectrum of psycho‐social factors to reduce future inequality.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Seven of ten breast cancers in the UK are diagnosed after people contact their doctor with symptoms.

Women from lower socio‐economic backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease.

There is little evidence related to potential drivers of this SES inequality.

What does this study add?

We qualitatively explored socio‐economic (SES) differences in help‐seeking for breast symptoms.

Women with higher education were more confident about interpreting symptoms and navigating health care.

Women with lower education were more reluctant to seek help due to fear of cancer.