bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Barriers to the management of obstructed defaecation according to colorectal surgeons
Authors: Al‐Mozany N. , Wright C. , O'Grady G. , Young C. J. , Solomon M. J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimObstructed defaecation (OD) has a high prevalence and high disease impact; however, patients often experience suboptimal management. This problem reflects the complex pathophysiology of OD as well as health service delivery factors. This study aimed to identify the factors that act as a barrier to effective management of OD as perceived by specialist colorectal surgeons treating this disorder.MethodA postal questionnaire was administered to a bi‐national sampling of colorectal specialists in Australia and New Zealand who were registered with their specialty society. Questions addressed variables relevant in OD management, including clinical access, decision‐making, patient factors and surgeon experience and perceptions, and used Likert scales. Statistical analyses compared surgeon practice variables.ResultsThe response rate was 68.5% (n = 113). Most surgeons managed OD (94%), and preferred to treat OD patients themselves (87%); however, 33% of these respondents were dissatisfied with their management, 46% felt they lacked management expertise and 33% stated they had inadequate expertise in OD investigations. Clinical investigation services were more limited in private than public practice, and many surgeons lacked access to biofeedback (31%). Other barriers included heterogeneity in decision‐making by surgeon age and practice location (P < 0.05), dual pathologies (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) and psychological factors, and limited uptake of multidisciplinary services and standardized (Rome) diagnostic criteria.ConclusionBarriers to OD management include surgeon‐specific factors, patient‐specific factors and healthcare access factors. Increased utilization of pelvic floor and multidisciplinary services, increased training and standardization of OD investigations and improved access to specialist investigations and allied‐health management services could improve outcomes for OD.
Characterization of blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses and patent foramen ovale at rest and during exercise in stroke and transient ischemic attack patients
Authors: Romac Rinaldo , Barak Otto , Glavas Duska , Susilovic Grabovac Zora , Lozo Petar , Roje Igor , Caljkusic Kresimir , Drmic‐Hofman Irena , Davis James T. , Dujic Zeljko , Lovering Andrew T. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesWe determined whether stroke and/or TIA subjects have exercise‐induced blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses (QIPAVA) and/or patent foramen ovale (QPFO) and a genetic predisposition for ischemic stroke.MethodsTwenty‐eight stroke and/or TIA subjects (33–63 years old) underwent transthoracic saline contrast echocardiography concomitant with transcranial Doppler to detect QIPAVA and QPFO at rest and during supine exercise with and without breathing 100% O2. We also examined genetic polymorphisms in FV Leiden (G1691A; rs6025), factor II (FII) prothrombin (G20210A; rs1799963), methylene tetrahydfropholate reductase (C677T, rs1801133), and plasminogen‐activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) (4G/5G; rs1799889) and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE; I/D, rs4646994) in 24/28 subjects.ResultsNo subject without PFO had QIPAVA at rest (n=17), but 12/17 did with exercise. All PFO subjects had QPFO at rest (n=11) and 7/11 had either QIPAVA or QPFO with exercise. Breathing 100% O2 during exercise reduced or eliminated left heart contrast in all subjects. Gene analyses revealed that 15/24 patients were either heterozygous or homozygous for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism; 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes of plasminogen‐activator inhibitor‐1 were present in 7/24 and 13/24 patients, respectively; polymorphisms of ACE D/D genotype were present in 6/24 and I/D in 14/24 patients. Having both I/D and 4G/4G genotypes was more prevalent in PFO+ subjects (P=.03), and there was a trend (P=.06) for PFO− subjects to have a greater D/D genotype prevalence.ConclusionsNovel genetic predispositions reported here in PFO subjects should be investigated further in larger stroke and/or TIA patient datasets.
3q26‐29 Amplification in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a review of established and prospective oncogenes
Authors: Davidson Matthew A. , Shanks Emma J. 
Published: March 2017

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is significantly underrepresented in worldwide cancer research, yet survival rates for the disease have remained static for over 50 years. Distant metastasis is often present at the time of diagnosis, and is the primary cause of death in cancer patients. In the absence of routine effective targeted therapies, the standard of care treatment remains chemoradiation in combination with (often disfiguring) surgery. A defining characteristic of HNSCC is the amplification of a region of chromosome 3 (3q26‐29), which is consistently associated with poorer patient outcome. This review provides an overview of the role the 3q26‐29 region plays in HNSCC, in terms of both known and as yet undiscovered processes, which may have potential clinical relevance.
Energy Boom and Gloom? Local Effects of Oil and Natural Gas Drilling on Subjective Well‐Being
Authors: Maguire Karen , Winters John V. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPrior to the precipitous drop in oil prices in 2014, the U.S. had experienced a substantial increase in oil and natural gas extraction due to technological advancements including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. This increased energy development likely created both benefits and costs, but the net effects for local residents are not well understood. This paper examines the effects of conventional and horizontal oil and natural gas drilling in Texas on subjective assessments of life‐satisfaction and bad mental health days for nearby residents. Horizontal drilling has statistically significant deleterious effects on well‐being, but the effects are driven by the Dallas‐Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area, an area with both very high levels of horizontal drilling and a large urban population.
Agreement between factor XIII activity and antigen assays in measurement of factor XIII: A French multicenter study of 147 human plasma samples
Authors: Caron C. , Meley R. , Le Cam Duchez V. , Aillaud M. F. , Lavenu‐Bombled C. , Dutrillaux F. , Flaujac C. , Ryman A. , Ternisien C. , Lasne D. , Galinat H. , Pouplard C. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryIntroductionFactor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is a rare hemorrhagic disorder whose early diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and prophylactic supplementation in cases of severe deficiency. International guidelines recommend a quantitative FXIII activity assay as first‐line screening test. FXIII antigen measurement may be performed to establish the subtype of FXIII deficiency (FXIIID) when activity is decreased.MethodsThe aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the analytical and diagnostic levels of performance of a new latex immunoassay, K‐Assay® FXIII reagent from Stago, for first‐line measurement of FXIII antigen. Results were compared to those obtained with the Berichrom® FXIII chromogenic assay for measurement of FXIII activity. Of the 147 patient plasma samples, 138 were selected for analysis.ResultsThe accuracy was very good, with intercenter reproducibility close to 7%. Five groups were defined on FXIII activity level (<5% (n = 5), 5%–30% (n = 23), 30%–60% (n = 17), 60%–120% (n = 69), above 120% (n = 24)), without statistical differences between activity and antigen levels (P value >0.05). Correlation of the K‐Assay® with the Berichrom® FXIII activity results was excellent (r = 0.919). Good agreement was established by the Bland and Altman method, with a bias of +9.4% on all samples, and of −1.4% for FXIII levels lower than 30%. One patient with afibrinogenemia showed low levels of Berichrom® FXIII activity but normal antigen level and clot solubility as expected.ConclusionsThe measurement of FXIII antigen using the K‐Assay® is a reliable first‐line tool for detection of FXIII deficiency when an activity assay is not available.
Abrogation of red blood cell G6PD enzyme activity through Heat treatment: development of survey material for the UK NEQAS G6PD scheme
Authors: Roper D. R. , De la Salle B. , Soni V. , Fletcher K. , Green J. A. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryIntroductionParticipation in external quality assessment (EQA) is central to the maintenance of high‐quality laboratory results in patient diagnosis and clinical trials. Laboratories in the TAF112582 DETECTIVE study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01376167) are enrolled in the United Kingdom National Quality Assessment Scheme (UK NEQAS) for glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) quantitative assay, which utilizes ovine (sheep) blood as a readily available source of apparently G6PD‐deficient survey material. A substitute for sheep blood was sought because some non‐UK sites in the study encountered participation difficulties due to the strict regulations on the import of sheep blood into their countries.MethodsG6PD activity in normal human donor blood was abrogated by the action of heat under controlled conditions. Residual G6PD activity in the heated samples was measured by UK NEQAS using the Trinity Biotech 345 kit (Trinity Biotech) and a Jenway 6715 UV/Vis spectrophotometer with external temperature control to monitor enzyme kinetics and linearity over a set time. Heat‐treated material was also assayed for G6PD activity and assessed for its acceptability as EQA survey material by selected UK laboratories.ResultsBlood heated at 45 °C for 15 h showed a reduction in G6PD activity of 76.3 ± 4.6% (n = 6) and was considered acceptable as EQA material in terms of appearance and behaviour by the majority of UK sites in the trial.ConclusionsWe have developed a simple heat‐treatment procedure to produce EQA survey material with low/intermediate G6PD activity, similar to that found in females heterozygous for G6PD deficiency.
Expression of CD4 is correlated with an unfavorable prognosis in wild‐type NPM1, FLT3‐ITD‐negative cytogenetically normal adult acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Guo R. J. , Atenafu E. G. , Schimmer A. D. , Minden M. D. , Chang H. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryIntroductionIn the cytogenetically normal population of AML (CN‐AML), FLT3‐ITD‐positive and wild‐type NPM1 is correlated with a worse outcome, and FLT3‐ITD‐negative with NPM1‐mut is correlated with a better outcome. This leaves a large subpopulation of CN‐AML patients without NPM1 or FLT3‐ITD mutations with heterogeneous outcomes with overall survivals (OS) ranging from several weeks to years. Therefore, new prognostic markers are needed to better risk stratify this subset of patients.MethodsThe retrospective study included 60 de novo adult AML patients diagnosed at our institution with normal karyotype, no FLT3‐ITD or NPM1 mutations, and who did not receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. We investigated the prognostic significance of immunophenotypic markers and clinical laboratory features in this double‐negative population.ResultsOlder age (>60) and CD4 expression (14%) were significantly correlated with shorter event‐free survival (EFS) (P < 0.001, P = 0.016, respectively). Expression of CD56 (12%), as well as lack of CD34 expression (19% of the cases), was also associated with a worse EFS (P = 0.048, P = 0.028, respectively). On multivariable analysis, CD4 expression and old age (>60) were identified as independent predictors for worse EFS (P = 0.016; P = 0.001, respectively) and OS (P = 0.048; P = 0.028, respectively).ConclusionsOur results indicate that CD4 expression and older age are adverse prognostic factors in wild‐type NPM1, FLT3‐ITD‐negative CN‐AML.
Successful third renal transplantation in a child with an occluded inferior vena cava: A novel technique to use the venous interposition between the transplant renal vein and the infrahepatic inferior vena cava
Authors: Muramatsu Masaki , Shishido Seiichiro , Takahashi Yusuke , Hamasaki Yuko , Yoshimura Hiroshi , Nihei Hiroshi , Itabashi Yoshihiro , Kawamura Takeshi , Aikawa Atsushi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA girl aged 11 years and 3 months with occlusion of the inferior vena cava had experienced two renal transplant graft failures since birth. The third renal transplant from a live donor was carried out. Preoperative evaluation showed that the arteries from the right common to the right external iliac artery were absent, and the ilio‐caval vein was occluded below the level of the renal vein. The donor's renal artery was anastomosed to the aorta. The donor's ovarian and large saphenous veins were used to extend the transplant renal vein to the recipient's patent inferior vena cava. The present report concludes that the extension of a short donor renal vein using other donor veins is a viable therapeutic option for pediatric patients with vascular occlusions.
Failure mechanisms of calcium magnesium aluminum silicate affected thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Thornton John , Wood Chris , Kimpton Justin A. , Sesso Mitchell , Zonneveldt Matthew , Armstrong Nicholas 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDepth profiles of the phase composition of two examples of calcium magnesium aluminum silicate (CMAS) affected thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) from an aero gas turbine engine were obtained using a monochromatic and collimated beam of synchrotron radiation. One TBC was deposited by plasma spray and the other by electron beam physical vapor deposition. These examples were complemented with an X‐ray diffraction (XRD) study of mixtures of TBC zirconia powder and sand heated in a furnace. The XRD results were compared with electron backscatter images and energy dispersive spectroscopy studies of the cross sections and mixtures. It was found that when liquid, the CMAS enhances mass transport leading to the densification of the zirconia, which then leads to spalling because of the increased residual stresses generated on cooling. Even without spalling densification will reduce a TBC's ability to thermally insulate. The enhanced mass transport can also lead to destabilization of the zirconia if yttrium ions preferentially transfer to the liquid or greater stabilization if calcium or magnesium ions transfer from the liquid to the zirconia. Zircon also precipitates when the zirconium from the TBC reacts with the silicon in the liquid CMAS.
Determination of oxygen nonstoichiometry in SrFeO3−δ by solid‐state Coulometric titration
Authors: Yoo Jiho , Yoo Chung‐Yul , Yu Ji‐Haeng , Jacobson Allan J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe oxygen nonstoichiometry of SrFeO3−δ was determined by solid‐state Coulometric titration at 750°C‐1040°C and 10−18≤pO2(atm)≤0.5. At T≤850°C, a hysteresis in the oxygen nonstoichiometry (δ) isotherms indicates the presence of a two‐phase region corresponding to a mixture of a perovskite and an oxygen vacancy ordered phase. The variation of δ with temperature at fixed pO2 values and the variation of log(pO2) with reciprocal temperature at fixed δ are reported. The pO2 at the p‐n transition in the electrical conductivity increases as the temperature increases, and the transition in the conductivity isotherm occurs at a composition of SrFeO2.505(1) at 950°C and SrFeO2.508(1) at 900°C. Since strontium exclusively occupies the A‐site, a simple point defect model that assumes noninteracting defects can describe the isotherms but only at 1040°C; nonideal behavior is observed at lower temperatures. The partial molar thermodynamic quantities for oxygen in SrFeO3−δ were determined.
Studies on dielectric relaxation in ceramic multiferroic Gd1−xYxMnO3
Authors: Ramaiyan Mahadevan Sarguna , Varadarajan Sridharan , Awasthi Anand Mohan , Natarajan Subramanian 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDielectric study over a broadband was carried out from 10 to 70 K on ceramic Gd1−xYxMnO3 (x=0.2, 0.3 and 0.4). For all the compositions, a prominent sharp peak about ~18 K was observed in the temperature dependence of both ε′(T) and ε″(T) at all frequencies, indicating a long‐range ferroelectric (FE) transition. Using Cole‐Cole fit to the permittivity data, the relaxation time τ and the dielectric strength ∆ε were estimated. Temperature variation of τ(T) in the Arrhenius representation is found to be nonlinear (non‐Debyean relaxation), with increasing barrier‐activation energy over successive temperature‐windows. Interestingly, for all the compositions, we witness a jump in τ(T) about the ferroelectric transition temperature, concurred by a broad‐maximum in ∆ε(T),signifying the critical slow down of relaxations near long‐range FE‐correlations.
The kinetic analysis of irreversible consecutive solid state reactions: The effect of zinc on the formation of cordierite
Authors: Clark Simon M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMany reactions in the solid state occur in multiple reaction steps. Here, I present a method of determining the kinetics of a two‐step consecutive reaction from isothermal, time resolved, powder diffraction data. This method is illustrated with a study of the kinetics of the formation of cordierite from a glass precursor with and without doping with zinc.
Thermal properties of simulated Hanford waste glasses
Authors: Rodriguez Carmen P. , Chun Jaehun , Crum Jarrod V. , Canfield Nathan L. , Rönnebro Ewa C.E. , Vienna John D. , Kruger Albert A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant will vitrify the mixed hazardous wastes generated from 45 years of plutonium production at the Hanford Site in Washington State. The molten glasses will be poured into stainless steel containers or canisters and subsequently cooled for storage and disposal. For appropriate facility design and operations to handle such highly energy‐consuming processes, knowledge of the material properties is required. The thermal properties (heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity) of representative high‐level and low‐activity waste glasses were studied as functions of temperature in the range of 200°C‐800°C (relevant to the cooling process). Simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry‐thermal gravimetry (DSC‐TGA), Xe‐flash diffusivity, pycnometry, and dilatometry were implemented. The study showed that simultaneous DSC‐TGA would be a reliable method for obtaining the heat capacity of various glasses in the temperature range of interest. Accurate thermal properties from this study were shown to provide a more realistic guideline for capacity and time constraints of the heat removal process when compared to the original conservative design‐basis engineering estimates. The estimates, though useful for design in the absence of measured physical properties, can now be supplanted and the measured thermal properties can be used in design verification activities.
The Devout and the Disabled: Religious and Cultural Accommodation‐as‐Human‐Variation
Authors: Zala Miklos I. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis article shows that we can identify a subset of religious and cultural accommodation cases that follow the structure of a particular disability model: the Human Variation Model. According to this model, disadvantageous disability arises because most social arrangements are tailored to the needs of individuals with typical characteristics; people with atypical features are frequently left out from these arrangements. Hence, the latter need personalised resources tailored to them, or their social and/or material environment ought to change according to their atypical characteristics. I argue, however, that not everyone's claim stemming from an atypical characteristic merits accommodation – it would be simply unreasonable to provide personalised resources to everyone or modify the environment to accommodate everyone's needs. In other words, these human variation claimants must be ‘reasonably accommodated’. Nevertheless, members of certain social groups have a justifiable claim to receive such accommodation and those in religious and cultural groups could be among them for two specific sociological reasons.
Temperamental markers in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Macari Suzanne L. , Koller Judah , Campbell Daniel J. , Chawarska Katarzyna 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundAlthough temperament has been recognized as an important contributor to childhood psychopathology, its role in emergent autism spectrum phenotypes is not well understood. This study examined whether toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display temperamental vulnerabilities compared to toddlers with other developmental challenges, whether these characteristics are distinct from core autism symptoms, if they are stable over time, and if they contribute to social outcomes in preschool.MethodsParents of 165 toddlers with ASD, 58 nonverbal ability‐ and chronological age‐ (CA) matched developmentally delayed (DD) toddlers, and 92 CA‐matched typically developing (TD) toddlers completed the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire‐Supplemental (TBAQ‐S) at 26 months (SD = 6; Time 1). TBAQ‐S data were also available for a subset of toddlers with ASD (n = 126) at 43 months (SD = 9; Time 2).ResultsCompared to the DD and TD groups, toddlers with ASD exhibited vulnerabilities within the Effortful Control domain as well as the Surgency domain. They also displayed greater Negative Emotionality compared to TD peers. In the ASD group, temperamental characteristics were not concurrently related to autism severity or developmental level and individual differences were highly stable over time. Changes in Perceptual Sensitivity, Inhibitory Control, and Low‐Intensity Pleasure from age 2 to 3.5 uniquely predicted autism symptom severity and adaptive social skill level at Time 2.ConclusionsTemperamental vulnerabilities in toddlers with ASD are stable over time and involve attentional and behavioral control as well as affective reactivity. They contribute uniquely to social outcomes in preschool and are likely to signal risk for developing later maladaptive attentional, affective, and behavioral symptoms. Considering biologically based dimensions may shed light on noncore facets of the early ASD phenotype that are potentially relevant to the emergence of comorbid conditions later in childhood.