bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internal quality control in an academic cytopathology laboratory for the introduction of a new reporting system for endometrial cytology
Authors: Margari Niki , Pouliakis Abraham , Aninos Dionysios , Meristoudis Christos , Stamataki Magdalini , Panayiotides Ioannis , Karakitsos Petros 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate reproducibility of a reporting system for endometrial cytology.MethodsCytologic slides from 49 patients, prepared via liquid based cytology, were blindly examined by five cytopathologists of various experience levels, applying a recently introduced reporting system as previously reported. The agreement among cytopathologists was evaluated via Kappa (κ) statistics and the Kendall's Coefficient of Variation (W); cytologic results were compared with the relevant histologic report.ResultsSubstantial agreement among all five raters was found in the benign, ACE‐L and malignant categories, fair agreement in inadequate and ACE‐H categories, whereas only slight agreement in ACE‐U. For the three more experienced cytopathologists, an almost perfect agreement was found in inadequate, benign, and ACE‐L categories, substantial agreement in ACE‐H and malignant categories and fair agreement in ACE‐U category. Overall agreement for all five cytopathologists and for all categories was moderate, whereas it was very high for the three senior raters. Using the Kendall's test, both five cytopathologists (W = 0.81) and the three senior ones (W = 0.93) had very high agreement. Sensitivity: 83.33–92.59%, specificity: 83.33–94.74%, ROC area: 71.72–90.3%.ConclusionApplication of appropriate statistical tests shows that integration of a new reporting cytologic system is effective with an overall accuracy around 90%. Both statistical tests applied disclosed lower agreement rates among both all five raters and the three most experienced ones in the intermediate categories constituting the gray zone, thus delineating the need for better training of cytopathologists to correctly identify diagnostic criteria for classification of a given case into these categories.
Impacts of natural factors and farming practices on greenhouse gas emissions in the North China Plain: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Cong , Han Xiao , Bol Roland , Smith Pete , Wu Wenliang , Meng Fanqiao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRequirements for mitigation of the continued increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are much needed for the North China Plain (NCP). We conducted a meta‐analysis of 76 published studies of 24 sites in the NCP to examine the effects of natural conditions and farming practices on GHG emissions in that region. We found that N2O was the main component of the area‐scaled total GHG balance, and the CH4 contribution was <5%. Precipitation, temperature, soil pH, and texture had no significant impacts on annual GHG emissions, because of limited variation of these factors in the NCP. The N2O emissions increased exponentially with mineral fertilizer N application rate, with y = 0.2389e0.0058x for wheat season and y = 0.365e0.0071x for maize season. Emission factors were estimated at 0.37% for wheat and 0.90% for maize at conventional fertilizer N application rates. The agronomic optimal N rates (241 and 185 kg N ha−1 for wheat and maize, respectively) exhibited great potential for reducing N2O emissions, by 0.39 (29%) and 1.71 (56%) kg N2O‐N ha−1 season−1 for the wheat and maize seasons, respectively. Mixed application of organic manure with reduced mineral fertilizer N could reduce annual N2O emissions by 16% relative to mineral N application alone while maintaining a high crop yield. Compared with conventional tillage, no‐tillage significantly reduced N2O emissions by ~30% in the wheat season, whereas it increased those emissions by ~10% in the maize season. This may have resulted from the lower soil temperature in winter and increased soil moisture in summer under no‐tillage practice. Straw incorporation significantly increased annual N2O emissions, by 26% relative to straw removal. Our analysis indicates that these farming practices could be further tested to mitigate GHG emission and maintain high crop yields in the NCP.
Extensive wildfires, climate change, and an abrupt state change in subalpine ribbon forests, Colorado
Authors: Calder W. John , Shuman Bryan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEcosystems may shift abruptly when the effects of climate change and disturbance interact, and landscapes with regularly patterned vegetation may be especially vulnerable to abrupt shifts. Here we use a fossil pollen record from a regularly patterned ribbon forest (alternating bands of forests and meadows) in Colorado to examine whether past changes in wildfire and climate produced abrupt vegetation shifts. Comparing the percentages of conifer pollen with sedimentary δ18O data (interpreted as an indicator of temperature or snow accumulation) indicates a first‐order linear relationship between vegetation composition and climate change with no detectable lags over the past 2,500 yr (r = 0.55, P < 0.001). Additionally, however, we find that the vegetation changed abruptly within a century of extensive wildfires, which were recognized in a previous study to have burned approximately 80% of the surrounding 1,000 km2 landscape 1,000 yr ago when temperatures rose ~0.5°C. The vegetation change was larger than expected from the effects of climate change alone. Pollen assemblages changed from a composition associated with closed subalpine forests to one similar to modern ribbon forests. Fossil pollen assemblages then remained like those from modern ribbon forests for the following ~1,000 yr, providing a clear example of how extensive disturbances can trigger persistent new vegetation states and alter how vegetation responds to climate.
Cervical stability training with and without core stability training for patients with cervical disc herniation: A randomized, single‐blind study
Authors: Buyukturan B. , Guclu‐Gunduz A. , Buyukturan O. , Dadali Y. , Bilgin S. , Kurt E.E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims at evaluating and comparing the effects of cervical stability training to combined cervical and core stability training in patients with neck pain and cervical disc herniation.MethodsFifty patients with neck pain and cervical disc herniation were included in the study, randomly divided into two groups as cervical stability and cervical‐core stability. Training was applied three times a week in three phases, and lasted for a total duration of 8 weeks. Pain, activation and static endurance of deep cervical flexor muscles, static endurance of neck muscles, cross‐sectional diameter of M. Longus Colli, static endurance of trunk muscles, disability and kinesiophobia were assessed.ResultsPain, activation and static endurance of deep cervical flexors, static endurance of neck muscles, cross‐sectional diameter of M. Longus Colli, static endurance of trunk muscles, disability and kinesiophobia improved in both groups following the training sessions (p < 0.05). Comparison of the effectiveness of these two training methods revealed that the cervical stability group produced a greater increase in the right transverse diameter of M. Longus Colli (p < 0.05). However, static endurance of trunk muscles and kinesiophobia displayed better improvement in the cervical‐core stability group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsCervical stability training provided benefit to patients with cervical disc herniation. The addition of core stability training did not provide any additional significant benefit. Further research is required to investigate the efficacy of combining other techniques with cervical stability training in patients with cervical disc herniation.SignificanceBoth cervical stability training and its combination with core stability training were significantly and similarly effective on neck pain and neck muscle endurance in patients with cervical disc herniation.
Short-term toxicity of 1-methylnaphthalene to Americamysis bahia and 5 deep-sea crustaceans
Authors: Knap Anthony , Turner Nicholas R. , Bera Gopal , Renegar D. Abigail , Frank Tamara , Sericano Jose , Riegl Bernhard M. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

There are few studies that have evaluated hydrocarbon toxicity to vertically migrating deep-sea micronekton. Crustaceans were collected alive using a 9-m2 Tucker trawl with a thermally insulated cod end and returned to the laboratory in 10 °C seawater. Toxicity of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 1-methylnaphthalene to Americamysis bahia, Janicella spinacauda, Systellaspis debilis, Sergestes sp., Sergia sp., and a euphausiid species was assessed in a constant exposure toxicity test utilizing a novel passive dosing toxicity testing protocol. The endpoint of the median lethal concentration tests was mortality, and the results revealed high sensitivity of the deep-sea micronekton compared with other species for which these data are available. Threshold concentrations were also used to calculate critical target lipid body burdens using the target lipid model. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3415–3423. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC
Feedback control of laminar flow separation on NACA23012 airfoil by POD analysis and using perturbed Navier‐Stokes equations
Authors: Zare A. , Emdad H. , Goshtasbirad E. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe main purpose of this article is to develop a forced reduced‐order model based on the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)/Galerkin projection (on isentropic Navier‐Stokes equations) and perturbation method on the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations. The resulting forced reduced‐order model will be used in optimal control of the separated flow over a NACA23012 airfoil at Mach number of 0.2, Reynolds number of 800, and high incidence angle of 24°. The main disadvantage of the POD/Galerkin projection method for control purposes is that controlling parameters do not show up explicitly in the resulting reduced‐order system. The perturbation method and POD/Galerkin projection on the isentropic Navier‐Stokes equations introduce a forced reduced‐order model that can predict the time varying influence of the controlling parameters and the Navier‐Stokes response to external excitations. An optimal control theory based on forced reduced‐order system is used to design a control law for a nonlinear reduced‐order system, which attempts to minimize the vorticity content in the flow field. The test bed is a laminar flow over NACA23012 airfoil actuated by a suction jet at 12% to 18% chord from leading edge and a pair of blowing/suction jets at 15% to 18% and 24% to 30% chord from leading edge, respectively. The results show that wall jet can significantly influence the flow field, remove separation bubbles, and increase the lift coefficient up to 22%, while the perturbation method can predict the flow field in an accurate manner.
Integration of white matter network is associated with interindividual differences in psychologically mediated placebo response in migraine patients
Authors: Liu Jixin , Ma Shaohui , Mu Junya , Chen Tao , Xu Qing , Dun Wanghuan , Tian Jie , Zhang Ming 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIndividual differences of brain changes of neural communication and integration in the modular architecture of the human brain network exist for the repeated migraine attack and physical or psychological stressors. However, whether the interindividual variability in the migraine brain connectome predicts placebo response to placebo treatment is still unclear. Using DTI and graph theory approaches, we systematically investigated the topological organization of white matter networks in 71 patients with migraine without aura (MO) and 50 matched healthy controls at three levels: global network measure, nodal efficiency, and nodal intramodule/intermodule efficiency. All patients participated in an 8‐week sham acupuncture treatment to induce analgesia. In our results, 30% (n = 21) of patients had 50% change in migraine days from baseline after placebo treatment. At baseline, abnormal increased network integration was found in MO patients as compared with the HC group, and the increased global efficiency before starting clinical treatment was associated with their following placebo response. For nodal efficiency, significantly increased within‐subnetwork nodal efficiency and intersubnetwork connectivity of the hippocampus and middle frontal gyrus in patients' white matter network were correlated with the responses of follow‐up placebo treatment. Our findings suggested that the trait‐like individual differences in pain‐related maladaptive stress interfered with and diminished the capacity of chronic pain modulation differently, and the placebo response for treatment could be predicted from a prior white matter network modular structure in migraineurs. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5250–5259, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does hospital ownership influence hospital referral region health rankings in the United States
Authors: Hamadi Hanadi , Apatu Emma , Spaulding Aaron 
Published: July 2017

SummaryExtensive evidence demonstrates that a hospital's organizational ownership structure impacts its overall performance, but little is known concerning the influence of hospital structure on the health of its community. This paper explores the association between US hospital referral region (HRR) health rankings and hospital ownership and performance. Data from the 2016 Commonwealth Fund Scorecard on Local Health System Performance, the American Hospital Association dataset, and the Hospital Value‐Based Purchasing dataset are utilized to conduct a cross‐sectional analysis of 36 quality measures across 306 HRRs. Multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the association among hospital ownership, system performance measures—access and affordability, prevention and treatment, avoidable hospital use and cost, and healthy lives—and performance as measured by value‐based purchasing total performance scores. We found that indicators of access and affordability, as well as prevention and treatment, were significantly associated across all 3 hospitals' organizational structures. Hospital referral regions with a greater number of not‐for‐profit hospitals demonstrated greater indications of access and affordability, as well as better prevention and treatment rankings than for‐profit and government hospitals. Hospital referral regions with a greater number of government, nonfederal hospitals had worse scores for healthy lives. Furthermore, the greater the total performance scores score, the better the HRR score on prevention and treatment rankings. The greater the per capita income, the better the score across all 4 dimensions. As such, this inquiry supports the assertion that performance of a local health system is dependent on its community's resources of health care delivery entities and their structure.
Contributions of Interleukin‐33 and TSLP in a papain‐soaked contact lens‐induced mouse conjunctival inflammation model
Authors: Sugita Jobu , Asada Yosuke , Ishida Waka , Iwamoto Satoshi , Sudo Katsuko , Suto Hajime , Matsunaga Toru , Fukuda Ken , Fukushima Atsuki , Yokoi Norihiko , Ohno Tatsukuni , Azuma Miyuki , Ebihara Nobuyuki , Saito Hirohisa , Kubo Masato , Nakae Susumu , Matsuda Akira 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionPathological changes of severe chronic allergic conjunctivitis are driven not only via acquired immunity but also via innate immunity. Type 2 immune response‐initiating cytokines may play some roles as innate immunity‐dependent components of the ocular surface inflammation. To investigate the involvement of type 2 immune response‐initiating cytokines in innate immunity‐dependent, papain‐induced conjunctival inflammation model using IL‐25‐, IL‐33‐, and TSLP receptor (TSLPR)‐knockout (KO) mice with reference to basophils and ILC2.MethodsPapain‐soaked contact lenses (papain‐CLs) were installed in the conjunctival sacs of C57BL/6‐IL‐25 KO, IL‐33 KO, TSLPR KO, Rag2 KO, Bas‐TRECK, and wild‐type mice and their eyes were sampled at day 5. The eosinophil and basophil infiltration in papain‐CL model was evaluated histologically and cytokine expression was examined. To clarify the roles of basophils and ILC2, basophil/ILC2‐depletion experiments were carried out.ResultsPapain‐induced conjunctival inflammation exhibited eosinophil infiltration and upregulation of Th2 cytokine expression. Reduction of eosinophil and basophil infiltration and attenuated Th2 cytokine expression were observed in the papain‐CL model using IL‐33 KO and TSLPR KO mice. Depletion of basophils or ILC2s in the conjunctivae of the papain‐CL model reduced eosinophil infiltration.ConclusionsInnate immunity‐driven type 2 immune responses of the ocular surface are dependent on IL‐33, TSLP, basophils, and ILC2. These components may be possible therapeutic targets for refractory allergic keratoconjunctivitis.
Low maternal pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A during the first trimester of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Kaijomaa Marja , Rahkonen Leena , Ulander Veli‐Matti , Hämäläinen Esa , Alfthan Henrik , Markkanen Helene , Heinonen Seppo , Stefanovic Vedran 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the association between pregnancy‐associated placental protein A (PAPP‐A) levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.MethodA retrospective study included data from a group of patients in the first trimester of pregnancy with PAPP‐A levels below 0.3 multiples of median who attended the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2012; an age‐matched control group of patients with PAPP‐A levels 0.9–1.1 multiples of median was also enrolled. The incidences of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were 961 patients included in each of the groups. Significantly increased risks of aneuploidies (odds ratio [OR] 116.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.2–836.6) and spontaneous abortion (OR 7.7; 95% CI 2.7–22.0) were observed among patients with low PAPP‐A (both P<0.001). Preterm delivery (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.8–3.5), pre‐eclampsia (OR 10.9, 95% CI 4.3–27.6), and small for gestational age neonates (OR 4.9, 95% CI 3.2–7.5) were also observed more frequently among patients with low PAPP‐A (all P<0.001). There were 9 (0.9%) stillbirths recorded among patients with low PAPP‐A and none recorded in the control group.ConclusionLow PAPP‐A was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and aneuploidy. These risks should be considered when planning follow‐up for patients with low PAPP‐A pregnancies.
Evaluation of sonographic endometrial patterns and endometrial thickness as predictors of ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Yadav Poonam , Singla Anshuja , Sidana Anu , Suneja Amita , Vaid Neelam B. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate whether endometrial patterns and thickness could be used for the prediction of ectopic pregnancy (EP).MethodsA prospective study was conducted in a center in India between October 2007 and December 2008. It included 100 women with an early pregnancy confirmed by urine pregnancy testing but for whom an intrauterine gestational sac was not visualized on transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS). The women were divided into an EP group and an intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) group depending on the final diagnosis. The endometrial pattern and endometrial thickness were determined by TVS. Sensitivity and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to determine the predictive value.ResultsA heterogenous hyperechoic or trilaminar endometrial pattern was noted in 53 (77%) of 69 women in the EP group and 12 (39%) of 31 in the IUP group, and a homogenous hyperechoic pattern in 3 (4%) women in the EP group and 13 (42%) in the IUP group. An endometrial thickness of less than 9.8 mm was predictive of EP (P<0.001), and an endometrial pattern other than homogenous hyperechoic had a sensitivity and a negative predictive value of 81.3% for the diagnosis of EP.ConclusionEvaluation of endometrial thickness and pattern by TVS helps to identify women with a pregnancy of unknown location for close supervision.
Role of plasma exchange, leukocytapheresis, and plasma diafiltration in management of refractory macrophage activation syndrome
Authors: Kinjo Noriko , Hamada Kazuya , Hirayama Chika , Shimizu Masaki 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMacrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life‐threating complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s‐JIA). Steroid and cyclosporine (CsA) are effective for MAS, but, treatment for steroid‐ and CsA‐resistant patients is still challenging. We report the case of steroid and CsA resistant s‐JIA associated MAS misdiagnosed as Kawasaki disease (KD), who was successfully treated with the combination of plasma exchange (PE) and leukocytapheresis (LCAP) followed by plasma diafiltration (PDF). PE + LCAP effectively removed proinflammatory cytokines and reduced the number of peripheral white blood cells. Furthermore, PDF also removed proinflammatory cytokines as effectively as PE + LCAP. Early diagnosis of s‐JIA is necessary to avoid developing MAS. The measurement of serum ferritin and IL‐18 levels are useful for differentiating s‐JIA from KD. Apheresis therapies are an alternative option to induce remission for severe patients with steroid‐ or CsA‐resistant MAS.
Radiation therapists' perspectives on participating in research
Authors: Halkett Georgia K. B. , Berg Melissa , Ebert Martin A. , Cutt David , Davis Michael , Hegney Desley , House Michael , Judson Michelle , Kearvell Rachel , Krawiec Michele , Lester Leanne , Maresse Sharon , McLoone Peter , McKay Jan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe objectives of this research were to: (1) determine the extent of Australian radiation therapists (RTs) research participation; (2) evaluate the impact of research involvement on career perceptions (3) explore which research topics require investigation and (4) identify benefits and barriers to research participation.MethodsThis study used mixed methods to collect qualitative and quantitative data using an online survey from a larger workforce study of RTs and radiation oncology medical physicists. Participants practising in Australia completed questions about their research involvement. Chi‐square tests and logistic regression were used to analyse quantitative data and content analysis was used to explore qualitative data.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety‐six RTs answered the research questions. Forty‐six percent had been involved in research. Of these, 91% had been involved in departmental, 28% in national, 14% in international and 29% in informal or self‐directed research studies. Eleven RTs (8%) had received funding as a chief/principal investigator. Involvement in research was associated with a desire to make a career change. However, it also appeared to be associated with greater satisfaction with career progression and staying in the career. Respondents identified a range of potential research topics, benefits of participating in research and barriers which included lack of time, support and cost.ConclusionAlmost half of the RT participants identified that they were participating in research. Our data suggest that continued involvement in research, and opportunities to participate, improve RT job satisfaction. RTs' research activities are likely to be extended through provision of additional time and support.