bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shrink Films: Their Manufacture, Properties, Applications
Authors: Quigley Eugene E. 
Published: January 2018

There are many kinds of natural and synthetic polymer systems which can be formed into packaging films. Well known examples are the cellulosics, polyolefins, polyesters, vinyls, and nylons. All of these may be formed into the thin (0.003" or less) sheets which constitute the films family. However, only a relatively few can be prepared in such a fashion that, when heat is applied, they will shrink-up in an orderly fashion.
Paper published with permission.
Practical Noise Control
Authors: Owen Avery L. 
Published: January 2018

Physical damage from acoustic energy is not a new phenomenon. The first recorded event is in Biblical history when Joshua lead seven priests around Jericho seven times blowing trumpets and the people shouted and the walls fell. Ancient mortar and gun battery crews put cotton in their ears to lessen the sound, and this was a type of noise control. Since World War II much concern has been exhibited about hearing loss due to high noise levels in work environments, In order to limit the hearing loss of the average person, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 specifies the noise exposure of an employee for an eight-hour day shall not exceed 90 dBA. This has resulted in a massive noise control effort in industry.
Paper published with permission.
Clinical Outcomes of Submicroscopic Infections and Correlates of Protection of VAR2CSA Antibodies in a Longitudinal Study of Pregnant Women in Colombia
Authors: Gavina Kenneth , Gnidehou Sedami , Arango Eliana , Hamel-Martineau Chloe , Mitran Catherine , Agudelo Olga , Lopez Carolina , Karidio Aisha , Banman Shanna , Carmona-Fonseca Jaime , Salanti Ali , Tuikue Ndam Nicaise , Hawkes Michael , Maestre Amanda , Yanow Stephanie K. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Malaria in pregnancy can cause serious adverse outcomes for the mother and the fetus. However, little is known about the effects of submicroscopic infections (SMIs) in pregnancy, particularly in areas where
Plasmodium falciparum
and
Plasmodium vivax
cocirculate. A cohort of 187 pregnant women living in Puerto Libertador in northwest Colombia was followed longitudinally from recruitment to delivery. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopy, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and placental histopathology. Gestational age, hemoglobin concentration, VAR2CSA-specific IgG levels, and adhesion-blocking antibodies were measured during pregnancy. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of SMIs on birth weight and other delivery outcomes. Twenty-five percent of women (45/180) were positive for SMIs during pregnancy. Forty-seven percent of infections (21/45) were caused by
P. falciparum
, 33% were caused by
P. vivax
, and 20% were caused by mixed
Plasmodium
spp. Mixed infections of
P. falciparum
and
P. vivax
were associated with lower gestational age at delivery (
P
= 0.0033), while other outcomes were normal. Over 60% of women had antibodies to VAR2CSA, and there was no difference in antibody levels between those with and without SMIs. The anti-adhesion function of these antibodies was associated with protection from SMI-related anemia at delivery (
P
= 0.0086). SMIs occur frequently during pregnancy, and while mixed infections of both
P. falciparum
and
P. vivax
were not associated with a decrease in birth weight, they were associated with significant risk of preterm birth. We propose that the lack of adverse delivery outcomes is due to functional VAR2CSA antibodies that can protect pregnant women from SMI-related anemia.
Continuous glucose monitoring to evaluate glycaemic abnormalities in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Zorrón Mei Hsia Pu Mariana , Gonçalves Aline Cristina , Minnicucci Walter José , Morcillo André Moreno , Ribeiro José Dirceu , Ribeiro Antonio Fernando 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the glycaemic profile of patients with cystic fibrosis using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), and to evaluate the associations of glycaemic abnormalities with sex, age, pubertal stage,CFTRgene mutations, nutritional status, lung function, oral glucose tolerance test, glycated haemoglobin concentrations, fasting insulin concentrations, C peptide concentrations and exocrine pancreatic function.Study designThis observational study evaluated CGMS data from 39 patients with cystic fibrosis who were treated at a referral centre. The patients were 10–19.9 years old, and were categorised according to whether they had normal results (27 patients) or glucose intolerance (12 patients) during the oral glucose tolerance test.ResultsThe maximum interstitial glucose concentration among individuals with normal oral glucose tolerance test results was 174.9±65.1 mg/dL (9.7–3.61 mmol/L), compared with 170.4±40.9 mg/dL (9.46–2.27 mmol/L) among individuals with glucose intolerance. The CGMS revealed that 18 of the 27 patients with normal oral glucose tolerance test results had peak interstitial glucose concentrations of >140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L), and that 4 of these individuals had peak levels of >200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). None of the analysed clinical or laboratory characteristics predicted the occurrence of hyperglycaemic peaks on CGMS.ConclusionsThe present study revealed that CGMS could detect hyperglycaemia among patients with cystic fibrosis and ‘normal’ oral glucose tolerance test results, and that their clinical and laboratory characteristics were not useful in discerning between patients who did and did not exhibit these excursions.
Prevalence and characteristics of ocular pain in non-infectious uveitis: a quality of life study
Authors: Verhagen Fleurieke H , Wijnhoven Ralph , Ossewaarde-van Norel Jeannette , ten Dam-van Loon Ninette H , Kuiper Jonas J W , Imhof Saskia M , de Boer Joke H 
Published: January 2018

Background/aimTo survey the frequency, character, severity and impact of ocular pain on quality of life in adult patients with non-infectious uveitis (NIU).MethodsThis patient-requested cross-sectional survey study describes the results of three self-administered questionnaires (the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire Dutch Language Version) from 147 patients with NIUs from a university-based tertiary referral centre in Utrecht.ResultsThe mean Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ) Ocular Pain Score of all patients with NIU was 72 (±24), which is significantly lower than an ocular disease-free reference group (90±15, P<0.0001), indicating more ocular pain. This was true for all types of NIU, regardless of the localisation: although Ocular Pain Scores were lower in patients with anterior uveitis (AU) compared with patients with non-AU (mean 62 (±24) vs 74 (±24), P=0.04), patients with non-AU still scored substantially lower than the reference group that had no ocular history (P<0.0001). Patients with NIU also scored significantly lower on all other VFQ subscales as well as on the SF-36 subscales ‘Role Limitations due to physical problems’, ‘Vitality’, ‘General health’ and ‘Bodily Pain’ compared with controls. The VFQ Ocular Pain subscale correlated with other quality of life subscales (both VFQ-25 and SF-36), indicating a relationship between pain and quality of life.ConclusionThis study shows that ocular pain is highly prevalent in patients with NIU, regardless of the localisation. Furthermore, ocular pain has an impact on quality of life.
Chromothripsis and ring chromosome 22: a paradigm of genomic complexity in the Phelan-McDermid syndrome (22q13 deletion syndrome)
Authors: Kurtas Nehir , Arrigoni Filippo , Errichiello Edoardo , Zucca Claudio , Maghini Cristina , D’Angelo Maria Grazia , Beri Silvana , Giorda Roberto , Bertuzzo Sara , Delledonne Massimo , Xumerle Luciano , Rossato Marzia , Zuffardi Orsetta , Bonaglia Maria Clara 
Published: January 2018

IntroductionPhelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is caused bySHANK3haploinsufficiency. Its wide phenotypic variation is attributed partly to the type and size of 22q13 genomic lesion (deletion, unbalanced translocation, ring chromosome), partly to additional undefined factors. We investigated a child with severe global neurodevelopmental delay (NDD) compatible with her distal 22q13 deletion, complicated by bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (BPP) and urticarial rashes, unreported in PMS.MethodsFollowing the cytogenetic and array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) detection of a r(22) withSHANK3deletion and two upstream duplications, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in blood and whole-exome sequencing (WES) in blood and saliva were performed to highlight potential chromothripsis/chromoanagenesis events and any possible BPP-associated variants, even in low-level mosaicism.ResultsWGS confirmed the deletion and highlighted inversion and displaced order of eight fragments, three of them duplicated. The microhomology-mediated insertion of partialAlu-elements at one breakpoint junction disrupted the topological associating domain joiningNFAM1to the transcriptional coregulatorTCF20. WES failed to detect BPP-associated variants.ConclusionsAlthough we were unable to highlight the molecular basis of BPP, our data suggest thatSHANK3haploinsufficiency andTCF20misregulation, both associated with intellectual disability, contributed to the patient’s NDD, whileNFAM1interruption likely caused her skin rashes, as previously reported. We provide the first example of chromoanasynthesis in a constitutional ring chromosome and reinforce the growing evidence that chromosomal rearrangements may be more complex than estimated by conventional diagnostic approaches and affect the phenotype by global alteration of the topological chromatin organisation rather than simply by deletion or duplication of dosage-sensitive genes.
Factors associated with partner notification of STIs in men who have sex with men on PrEP in France: a cross-sectional substudy of the ANRS-IPERGAY trial
Authors: Suzan-Monti Marie , Cotte Laurent , Fressard Lisa , Cua Eric , Capitant Catherine , Meyer Laurence , Pialoux Gilles , Molina Jean-Michel , Spire Bruno 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesPartner notification (PN) is a useful public health approach to enhance targeted testing of people at high risk of HIV and other STIs, and subsequent linkage to care for those diagnosed. In France, no specific PN guidelines exist and information about current practices is scarce. We used the ANRS-IPERGAY PrEP trial to investigate PN in HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) reporting a bacterial STI.MethodsThis substudy included 275 participants who completed a specific online PN questionnaire during the open-label extension study of the ANRS-Intervention Préventive de l’Exposition aux Risques avec et pour les Gays (IPERGAY) trial. Variables used as proxies of at-risk practices were defined using data collected at the previous follow-up visit about participants’ most recent sexual encounter and preventive behaviours. χ2 or Fisher’s exact test helped select variables eligible for multiple logistic models.ResultsOf the 275 participants, 250 reported at least one previous STI. Among the latter, 172 (68.8%) had informed their partner(s) of their most recent STI. Of these, 138 (80.2%) and 83 (48.3%) had notified their casual and main partners, respectively. Participants were less likely to notify their main partner when their most recent sexual encounter involved unsafe anal sex with a casual partner (adjusted OR (aOR) (95% CI) 0.18 (0.06 to 0.54), P=0.02). Older participants were less likely to inform casual partners (aOR (95% CI) 0.44 (0.21 to 0.94), P=0.03), while those practising chemsex during their most recent sexual encounter were more likely to inform their casual partners (aOR (95% CI) 2.56 (1.07 to 6.09), P=0.03).ConclusionUnsafe sexual encounters with people other than main partners and street drugs use were two sociobehavioural factors identified, respectively, as a barrier to main PN and a motivator for casual PN, in a sample of high-risk MSM. These results provide an insight into current PN practices regarding STI in France and might inform future decisions about how to define feasible and acceptable PN programmes.
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Life and Longevity After Cancer (LILAC) Study: Description and Baseline Characteristics of Participants
Authors: Paskett Electra D. , Caan Bette J. , Johnson Lisa , Bernardo Brittany M. , Young Gregory S. , Pennell Michael L. , Ray Roberta M. , Kroenke Candyce H. , Porter Peggy L. , Anderson Garnet L. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Background: The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Life and Longevity After Cancer (LILAC) study offers an important opportunity to advance cancer research by extending the original WHI studies to examine survivorship in women diagnosed with cancer during their participation in WHI.
Methods: The goals of LILAC are to (i) obtain cancer treatment information and long-term cancer outcomes for women diagnosed with one of eight selected cancers (breast, endometrial, ovarian, lung, and colorectal cancers, and melanoma, lymphoma, and leukemia); (ii) augment the existing WHI biorepository with fixed tumor tissue from the solid tumor sites for cancers diagnosed since 2002; and (iii) develop, refine, and validate methods to use administrative data to capture treatment and recurrence data. Methods for accomplishing these goals are described, as are results from the initial LILAC participant survey.
Results: A total of 9,934 WHI participants living with cancer were eligible for LILAC participation, of which 78% (N = 7,760) agreed to participate. Among the three most prevalent cancer types, 54% are breast cancer survivors, 11% are melanoma survivors, and 10% are survivors of colorectal cancer.
Conclusions: In addition to describing this resource, we present pertinent lessons that may assist other investigators interested in embedding survivorship research into existing large epidemiologic cohorts.
Impact: The LILAC resource offers a valuable opportunity for researchers to study cancer survivorship and issues pertinent to cancer survivors in future studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(2); 125–37. ©2017 AACR.
A Mechanistic Model to Quantify von Willebrand Factor Release, Survival and Proteolysis in Patients with von Willebrand Disease
Authors: Ferrari Myriam , Galvanin Federico , Barolo Massimiliano , Daidone Viviana , Padrini Roberto , Bezzo Fabrizio , Casonato Alessandra 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA reduced von Willebrand factor (VWF) synthesis or survival, or its increased proteolysis, alone or in combination, contributes to the development of von Willebrand disease (VWD).We describe a new, simple mechanistic model for exploring how VWF behaves in well-defined forms of VWD after its 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP)-induced release from endothelial cells. We aimed to ascertain whether the model can consistently predict VWF kinetic changes. The study involved 9 patients with VWD types Vicenza (a paradigmatic form with a reduced VWF survival), 8 type 2B, 2 type 2A-I, 1 type 2A-II (associated with an increased VWF proteolysis), and 42 normal controls, whose VWF levels were measured after a 24-hour-long DDAVP test. The rate constants considered were: k
0, associated with the VWF release phase; k
1, illustrating the phase of conversion from high- to low-molecular-weight VWF multimers; and k
e, associated with the VWF elimination phase. The amount of VWF released (D) was also measured.
k
e and D were significantly higher in O than in non-O blood group controls; k
1 was also higher, but less markedly so. All the parameters were accelerated in type Vicenza, especially k
e (p < 0.0001), which explains the significant reduction in VWF half-life. In types 2B and 2A-II, k
1 was one order of magnitude higher than in controls, which explains their loss of large VWF multimers. All parameters except k
e were lower in type 2A-I.The proposed mechanistic model clearly describes the altered biochemical pathways in well-characterized VWD, prompting us to suggest that it might help clarify elusive forms of VWD too.
Prognostic Implications of Dual Platelet Reactivity Testing in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: de Carvalho Leonardo , Fong Alan , Troughton Richard , Yan Bryan , Chin Chee-Tang , Poh Sock-Cheng , Mejin Melissa , Huang Nancy , Seneviratna Aruni , Lee Chi-Hang , Low Adrian , Tan Huay-Cheem , Chan Siew-Pang , Frampton Christopher , Richards A. , Chan Mark 
Published: January 2018

AbstractStudies on platelet reactivity (PR) testing commonly test PR only after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been performed. There are few data on pre- and post-PCI testing. Data on simultaneous testing of aspirin and adenosine diphosphate antagonist response are conflicting. We investigated the prognostic value of combined serial assessments of high on-aspirin PR (HASPR) and high on-adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist PR (HADPR) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). HASPR and HADPR were assessed in 928 ACS patients before (initial test) and 24 hours after (final test) coronary angiography, with or without revascularization. Patients with HASPR on the initial test, compared with those without, had significantly higher intraprocedural thrombotic events (IPTE) (8.6 vs. 1.2%, p ≤ 0.001) and higher 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; 5.2 vs. 2.3%, p = 0.05), but not 12-month MACCE (13.0 vs. 15.1%, p = 0.50). Patients with initial HADPR, compared with those without, had significantly higher IPTE (4.4 vs. 0.9%, p = 0.004), but not 30-day (3.5 vs. 2.3%, p = 0.32) or 12-month MACCE (14.0 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.54). The c-statistic of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score alone, GRACE score + ASPR test and GRACE score + ADPR test for discriminating 30-day MACCE was 0.649, 0.803 and 0.757, respectively. Final ADPR was associated with 30-day MACCE among patients with intermediate-to-high GRACE score (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 4.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–17.66), but not low GRACE score (adjusted OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.13–10.79). In conclusion, both HASPR and HADPR predict ischaemic events in ACS. This predictive utility is time-dependent and risk-dependent.
Contact System Activation and Cancer: New Insights in the Pathophysiology of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis
Authors: Campello E. , Henderson M.W. , Noubouossie D.F. , Simioni P. , Key N.S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCancer induces a systemic hypercoagulable state that elevates the baseline thrombotic risk of affected patients. This hypercoagulable state reflects a complex interplay between cancer cells and host cells and the coagulation system as part of the host response to cancer. Although the tissue factor (TF)/factor VIIa pathway is proposed to be the principal initiator of fibrin formation in cancer patients, clinical studies have not shown a consistent relationship between circulating TF levels (often measured as plasma microvesicle-associated TF) and the risk of thrombosis. A renewed interest in the role of the contact pathway in thrombosis has evolved over the past decade, raising the question of its role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications in cancer. Recent observations have documented the presence of activation of the contact system in gastrointestinal, lung, breast and prostate cancers. Although the assays used to measure contact activation differ, and despite the absence of standardization of methodologies, it is clear that both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways may be activated in cancer. This review will focus on recent findings concerning the role of activation of the contact system in cancer-associated hypercoagulability and thrombosis. An improved understanding of the pathophysiology of these mechanisms may lead to personalized antithrombotic protocols with improved efficacy and safety compared with currently available therapies.
Chemical Footprinting Reveals Conformational Changes Following Activation of Factor XI
Authors: Stroo Ingrid , Marquart J. , Bakhtiari Kamran , Plug Tom , Meijer Alexander , Meijers Joost 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCoagulation factor XI is activated by thrombin or factor XIIa resulting in a conformational change that converts the catalytic domain into its active form and exposing exosites for factor IX on the apple domains. Although crystal structures of the zymogen factor XI and the catalytic domain of the protease are available, the structure of the apple domains and hence the interactions with the catalytic domain in factor XIa are unknown. We now used chemical footprinting to identify lysine residue containing regions that undergo a conformational change following activation of factor XI. To this end, we employed tandem mass tag in conjunction with mass spectrometry. Fifty-two unique peptides were identified, covering 37 of the 41 lysine residues present in factor XI. Two identified lysine residues that showed altered flexibility upon activation were mutated to study their contribution in factor XI stability or enzymatic activity. Lys357, part of the connecting loop between A4 and the catalytic domain, was more reactive in factor XIa but mutation of this lysine residue did not impact on factor XIa activity. Lys516 and its possible interactor Glu380 are located in the catalytic domain and are covered by the activation loop of factor XIa. Mutating Glu380 enhanced Arg369 cleavage and thrombin generation in plasma. In conclusion, we have identified novel regions that undergo a conformational change following activation. This information improves knowledge about factor XI and will contribute to development of novel inhibitors or activators for this coagulation protein.
The Impact of Islamic Criminal Law on the Qatari Penal Code
Authors: Hassanein Ahmed Samir 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The Qatari legislator has adopted a penal code that encompasses rules derived from a divine source and also deals with several other crimes common in positive penal laws. Whoever reads the Qatari Penal Code will notice the significant influence that Islamic criminal rules have had on that law. Its inaugural article unequivocally provides that rules of Islamic law (shariah) shall apply to all crimes of hudud, qisas and diya if a special condition is met. In all other cases, however, shariah rules still permeate the entire code through the proscription of acts derived from shariah law. This article thus aims to present a concise overview of the contemporary Qatari experience in adopting rules derived from Islamic criminal law into its penal code, for the purpose of highlighting its points of strength, as well as identifying points of weakness to overcome.