bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thrombelastography coagulation index may be a predictor of venous thromboembolism in gynecological oncology patients
Authors: Liu Jingfu , Wang Na , Chen Yujuan , Lu Rong , Ye Xianren 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well‐recognized complication in gynecological oncology patients, and has an impact on the overall outcome. The purpose of this study was to identify whether thrombelastography (TEG) predicts VTE in gynecological oncology patients.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with gynecological oncology who were hospitalized at the Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital from May 2014 to April 2016. Univariate and logistic regression multivariate analyses were performed to determine the clinical and laboratorial factors for VTE in gynecological oncology patients. The sensitivity and specificity of predictors was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsThe study included 376 patients; 39 (10.37%) developed VTE. Logistic regression multivariate analysis revealed that TEG coagulation index (CI) value, D‐dimer, arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, surgery within four weeks and chemotherapy within four weeks were independent risk factors for VTE. The area under the curve values were 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.63–0.79, P = 0.000) for TEG CI and 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.58–0.76, P = 0.000) for D‐Dimer. The TEG CI cut‐off value was 2.55, which had 53.8% sensitivity and 75.4% specificity for VTE.ConclusionsThese results indicated that the TEG CI value may be predictive of VTE in gynecological oncology patients.
Validity of administrative data for identification of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Laratta Cheryl R. , Tsai Willis H. , Wick James , Pendharkar Sachin R. , Johannson Kerri A. , Ronksley Paul E. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and health‐care utilization. We determined the validity of an algorithm derived from administrative data for identifying OSA using the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) as the reference standard. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults in Alberta, Canada referred for facility and community‐based sleep diagnostic testing between July 2005 and August 2007. Validity indices were estimated for several case definitions of OSA derived from outpatient physician billing claims and hospital discharge codes. For each algorithm, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated against several reference standards for OSA (RDI ≥ 5 h−1, RDI ≥ 15 h−1 or RDI ≥ 30 h−1). For the 2149 patients included in the study, an algorithm requiring one hospital discharge code or two outpatient billing claims identifying OSA in a 2‐year period had a sensitivity of 24.1%, specificity of 67.8%, PPV of 74.8% and NPV of 18.3% (reference standard RDI ≥ 5 h−1). When comorbidities were included in the case definition, the specificity was 90.5% and PPV was 83.3% (reference standard RDI ≥ 5 h−1). Similar findings were observed using RDI ≥ 15 h−1 and ≥30 h−1 as the reference standard. We identify a claims‐based algorithm that identifies OSA with a high degree of specificity in patients referred for sleep diagnostic testing. This validated algorithm has a good PPV and may be useful when identifying patients with OSA for population studies within a single‐payer health‐care system.
The bigger they are the better they taste: size predicts predation risk and anti‐predator behavior in giant clams
Authors: Johnson G. C. , Karajah M. T. , Mayo K. , Armenta T. C. , Blumstein D. T. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe decision to hide from predators and the time allocated to hiding are economic decisions that integrate the benefits of escaping a predator and the costs of reduced resource acquisition. Body size is a factor that influences many antipredator decisions. Giant clams, Tridacna maxima, depend on photosynthesis as their main source of energy; thus, retracting their mantle into their shell inhibits energy acquisition and ultimately growth. We experimentally encouraged 95 individual clams to hide by touching them and found that after accounting for variation explained by observer, larger clams remained closed longer. When we looked at the response of these 95 clams to a total of four consecutive experimentally induced closings over about 10 min, we found that larger clams on average hid longer and that clams had individually consistent hiding times and generally habituated to repeated experiments. We then focused on a subset of 30 clams and continued this experiment every other day over 6 days for a total of four sessions. Over this longer duration, clams consistently habituated to repeated disturbance, but the effect of size disappeared. We also found that larger clams were bitten by predators more often than smaller clams. Large clams pay an immediate cost to hiding from benign stimuli and apparently learn to modify their behavior to repeated benign experiences.
Skin permeation of econazole nitrate formulated in an enhanced hydrophilic multiple emulsion
Authors: Suñer‐Carbó Joaquim , Boix‐Montañés Antonio , Halbaut‐Bellowa Lyda , Velázquez‐Carralero Nelvis , Zamarbide‐Ledesma Joanna , Bozal‐de‐Febrer Nuria , Calpena‐Campmany Ana Cristina 
Published: October 2016

SummaryLocal delivery of imidazolic antifungals is limited by its extreme lipophilicity. Multiple emulsions (ME) are a potential vehicle to enhance the delivery of econazole nitrate (ECN), an antifungal targeted to deep‐seated epidermal yeast infections. An 1% ECN hydrophilic ME was compared with a commercial formulation in terms of rheology, droplet size and in vitro antifungal activity against Candida species. Comparative in vitro drug release, human skin permeation and drug retention were investigated using vertical diffusion cells. Rheology demonstrated a pseudoplastic shear thinning with thixotropy facilitating skin residence. No significant aggregation or droplet size variations were observed during a 6‐month stability storage. Both formulations exhibited similar release levels achieving asymptotic values in 5 h. ECN skin permeation levels from the multiple emulsion resulted to be significantly higher than those of the commercial formulation, attributable to differences in formulation polarity and excipients composition. Conversely, similar drug accumulation levels in skin were obtained (40‐130 ppm). These concentrations resulted to be comparable with obtained MIC values (2‐78 ppm), confirming the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of both formulations. A similar skin retention and a higher permeation rate over the existing formulations is considered an improved approach to target the drug to deep epidermis.
The state of renal replacement therapy for children in South Africa: Data from the first report of the re‐established National Renal Registry
Authors: van Biljon Gertruida , Karusseit Victor O.L. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe South African Renal Registry (SARR) was re‐established in 2010. The first report was produced in 2014. It revealed that only 3182 patients out of 43.6 million people who were dependent on the state for medical care, received renal replacement therapy (RRT) in 2012 (73 per million population).AimTo describe the state of RRT for children in South Africa in 2012.MethodsFrom the SARR report and 2012 dataset, a cross‐sectional study was performed of children under 14 years of age who received chronic dialysis, and incident renal transplants in 2012. Patient demographics, treatment modalities and outcome were recorded and RRT rates computed.ResultsFifty‐nine children received dialysis in South Africa in 2012, a rate of 3.8 per million age‐related population (pmarp). The mean age was 9 years 11 months. The most common cause of end stage renal failure (ESRF) was acquired glomerular disorders (83%). Ninety percent of the children received treatment in two of the nine provinces. Six children (10%) were treated in the only private dialysis unit. Eleven patients received kidney transplants (19%): six private and five public sector patients. Sixteen patients (27.1%) died: seven due to cardiovascular and three due to cerebrovascular events.ConclusionThere was a low RRT rate of 3.8 pmarp for children in South Africa in 2012. Private sector patients were likely to receive more optimal treatment. The poor performance of the state health sector can largely be ascribed to a deficiency of funding for RRT facilities and trained personnel.
Therapist competencies necessary for the delivery of compassion‐focused therapy: A Delphi study
Authors: Liddell Alice E. , Allan Steven , Goss Ken 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesCompassion‐focused therapy (CFT) has shown promising results for a range of clinical presentations. This study explored the therapeutic competencies required to deliver CFT and organized these into a coherent framework.DesignThe Delphi method was used to explore and refine competencies for delivering CFT in three rounds of data collection.MethodsThe first round involved interviews with 12 experts in CFT. Data were analysed using template analysis to generate a draft competency framework. The main competencies were used to create a survey for rounds two and three involving CFT experts and practitioners. Data collected from the surveys were used to refine the competencies.ResultsThe CFT competency framework (CFT‐CF) that was produced comprised 25 main competencies within six key areas of competence. The areas were as follows: competencies in creating safeness, meta‐skills, non‐phase‐specific skills, phase‐specific skills, knowledge and understanding and use of supervision. The main competencies included several subcompetencies specifying knowledge, skills and attributes needed to demonstrate the main competence. Overall, there was consensus on 14 competencies and 20 competencies exceeded an 80% agreement level.ConclusionsSome of the CFT competencies overlapped with existing therapies, whilst others were specific to CFT. The CFT‐CF provides useful guidance for clinicians, supervisors and training programmes. Further research could develop the CFT‐CF into a therapist rating scale in order to measure the outcome of training and to assess treatment fidelity in clinical trials.Practitioner points

The compassion‐focused therapy competency framework (CFT‐CF) identifies therapeutic competencies that overlap with existing treatments as well as those specific to compassion‐focused therapy (CFT).

The CFT‐CF builds guidance for the competencies required to deliver CFT in a range of clinical settings.

The CFT‐CF provides guidance for those training CFT therapists.

The CFT‐CF could be used as a basis to develop a therapist rating scale.
Integrated analysis of rice transcriptomic and metabolomic responses to elevated night temperatures identifies sensitivity‐ and tolerance‐related profiles
Authors: Glaubitz Ulrike , Li Xia , Schaedel Sandra , Erban Alexander , Sulpice Ronan , Kopka Joachim , Hincha Dirk K. , Zuther Ellen 
Published: October 2016

AbstractTranscript and metabolite profiling were performed on leaves from six rice cultivars under high night temperature (HNT) condition. Six genes were identified as central for HNT response encoding proteins involved in transcription regulation, signal transduction, protein–protein interactions, jasmonate response and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Sensitive cultivars showed specific changes in transcript abundance including abiotic stress responses, changes of cell wall‐related genes, of ABA signaling and secondary metabolism. Additionally, metabolite profiles revealed a highly activated TCA cycle under HNT and concomitantly increased levels in pathways branching off that could be corroborated by enzyme activity measurements. Integrated data analysis using clustering based on one‐dimensional self‐organizing maps identified two profiles highly correlated with HNT sensitivity. The sensitivity profile included genes of the functional bins abiotic stress, hormone metabolism, cell wall, signaling, redox state, transcription factors, secondary metabolites and defence genes. In the tolerance profile, similar bins were affected with slight differences in hormone metabolism and transcription factor responses. Metabolites of the two profiles revealed involvement of GABA signaling, thus providing a link to the TCA cycle status in sensitive cultivars and of myo‐inositol as precursor for inositol phosphates linking jasmonate signaling to the HNT response specifically in tolerant cultivars.
Provoked and spontaneous confabulations in Alzheimer's disease: An examination of their prevalence and relation with general cognitive and executive functioning
Authors: El Haj Mohamad , Larøi Frank 
Published: October 2016

AimA dissociation can be made between confabulations that are produced when the subject is directly questioned (i.e., provoked confabulations) and context‐free, unprovoked confabulations (i.e., spontaneous confabulations). Unlike provoked confabulations, there is a paucity of research on spontaneous confabulations in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our paper assessed this issue by assessing both types of confabulation in participants with mild to moderate AD and controls.MethodsProvoked confabulations were evaluated with questions probing personal and general knowledge, whereas spontaneous confabulations were rated by nursing and medical staff.ResultsFindings showed more provoked confabulations in AD participants than in controls. Only occasional appearance of spontaneous confabulations was observed in the AD participants. Further, spontaneous confabulations in AD participants were significantly correlated with general cognitive functioning, but not with executive functioning.ConclusionOur findings suggest that spontaneous confabulations in AD are relatively rare, at least in the mild to moderate stage of the disease.
Placental metabolism: substrate requirements and the response to stress
Authors: Vaughan OR , Fowden AL 
Published: October 2016

ContentsThe placenta is a dynamic, metabolically active organ with significant nutrient and energy requirements for growth, nutrient transfer and protein synthesis. It uses a range of substrates to meet its energy needs and has a higher rate of oxygen (O2) consumption than many other foetal and adult tissues. Placental metabolism varies with species and alters in response to a range of nutritional and endocrine signals of adverse environmental conditions. The placenta integrates these signals and adapts its metabolic phenotype to help maintain pregnancy and to optimize offspring fitness by diversifying the sources of carbon and nitrogen available for energy production, hormone synthesis and foeto‐placental growth. The metabolic response of the placenta to adversity depends on the nature, severity and duration of the stressful challenge and on whether the insult is maternal, placental or foetal in origin. This review examines placental metabolism and its response to stresses common in pregnancy with particular emphasis on farm species like the sheep. It also considers the consequences of changes in placental metabolism for the supply of O2and nutrients to the foetus.
Do inhaled corticosteroids protect against lung cancer in patients with COPD? A systematic review
Authors: Raymakers Adam J.N. , McCormick Natalie , Marra Carlo A. , Fitzgerald J. Mark , Sin Don , Lynd Larry D. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTInhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are commonly prescribed to COPD patients, particularly those with more advanced stages of the disease. These patients are also at increased risk of lung cancer. A systematic review was undertaken to identify studies that examined the association between lung cancer risk and ICS therapy in COPD patients. The search strategy was created in MEDLINE and extended to EMBASE as well as other relevant databases. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were considered for inclusion. Studies were required to have incident lung cancer or deaths from lung cancer as an outcome in order to be included in the review. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Two observational studies directly addressed the specific research. Four RCTs presented sufficient data to calculate the relative risk of lung cancer in COPD patients. None of the identified RCTs showed a statistically significant association of ICS use with lung cancer risk. Observational studies showed a protective effect from ICS use, particularly at high doses. Given the observational evidence and the low numbers of lung cancer events in the RCTs, these results may be prone to type II error. The observational studies dealt with very specific patient populations and exposure definitions, which might not have adequately captured the complex relationship between ICS exposure and lung cancer risk. Results from RCTs suggest no effect of ICS on the risk of lung cancer. However, results from observational studies suggest the potential that ICS may confer a protective effect, particularly at high doses.
Investigating the mechanisms of glyphosate resistance in goosegrass (Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.) by RNA sequencing technology
Authors: Chen Jingchao , Huang Hongjuan , Wei Shouhui , Huang Zhaofeng , Wang Xu , Zhang Chaoxian 
Published: October 2016

SummaryGlyphosate is an important non‐selective herbicide that is in common use worldwide. However, evolved glyphosate‐resistant (GR) weeds significantly affect crop yields. Unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying resistance in GR weeds, such as goosegrass (Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.), an annual weed found worldwide, have not been fully elucidated. In this study, transcriptome analysis was conducted to further assess the potential mechanisms of glyphosate resistance in goosegrass. The RNA sequencing libraries generated 24 597 462 clean reads. De novo assembly analysis produced 48 852 UniGenes with an average length of 847 bp. All UniGenes were annotated using seven databases. Sixteen candidate differentially expressed genes selected by digital gene expression analysis were validated by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). Among these UniGenes, the EPSPS and PFK genes were constitutively up‐regulated in resistant (R) individuals and showed a higher copy number than that in susceptible (S) individuals. The expressions of four UniGenes relevant to photosynthesis were inhibited by glyphosate in S individuals, and this toxic response was confirmed by gas exchange analysis. Two UniGenes annotated as glutathione transferase (GST) were constitutively up‐regulated in R individuals, and were induced by glyphosate both in R and S. In addition, the GST activities in R individuals were higher than in S. Our research confirmed that two UniGenes (PFK, EPSPS) were strongly associated with target resistance, and two GST‐annotated UniGenes may play a role in metabolic glyphosate resistance in goosegrass.
Minimum number of myosin motors accounting for shortening velocity under zero load in skeletal muscle
Authors: Fusi Luca , Percario Valentina , Brunello Elisabetta , Caremani Marco , Bianco Pasquale , Powers Joseph D. , Reconditi Massimo , Lombardi Vincenzo , Piazzesi Gabriella 
Published: October 2016

Key points
Myosin filament mechanosensing determines the efficiency of the contraction by adapting the number of switched ON motors to the load.
Accordingly, the unloaded shortening velocity (V0) is already set at the end of latency relaxation (LR), ∼10 ms after the start of stimulation, when the myosin filament is still in the OFF state.
Here the number of actin‐attached motors per half‐myosin filament (n) during V0 shortening imposed either at the end of LR or at the plateau of the isometric contraction is estimated from the relation between half‐sarcomere compliance and force during the force redevelopment after shortening.
The value of n decreases progressively with shortening and, during V0 shortening starting at the end of LR, is 1–4.
Reduction of n is accounted for by a constant duty ratio of 0.05 and a parallel switching OFF of motors, explaining the very low rate of ATP utilization found during unloaded shortening.
AbstractThe maximum velocity at which a skeletal muscle can shorten (i.e. the velocity of sliding between the myosin filament and the actin filament under zero load, V0) is already set at the end of the latency relaxation (LR) preceding isometric force generation, ∼10 ms after the start of electrical stimulation in frog muscle fibres at 4°C. At this time, Ca2+‐induced activation of the actin filament is maximal, while the myosin filament is in the OFF state characterized by most of the myosin motors lying on helical tracks on the filament surface, making them unavailable for actin binding and ATP hydrolysis. Here, the number of actin‐attached motors per half‐thick filament during V0 shortening (n) is estimated by imposing, on tetanized single fibres from Rana esculenta (at 4°C and sarcomere length 2.15 μm), small 4 kHz oscillations and determining the relation between half‐sarcomere (hs) compliance and force during the force development following V0 shortening. When V0 shortening is superimposed on the maximum isometric force T0, n decreases progressively with the increase of shortening (range 30–80 nm per hs) and, when V0 shortening is imposed at the end of LR, n can be as low as 1–4. Reduction of n is accounted for by a constant duty ratio of the myosin motor of ∼0.05 and a parallel switching OFF of the thick filament, providing an explanation for the very low rate of ATP utilization during extended V0 shortening.
Dynamic creation and evolution of gradient nanostructure in single-crystal metallic microcubes
Authors: Thevamaran Ramathasan , Lawal Olawale , Yazdi Sadegh , Jeon Seog-Jin , Lee Jae-Hwang , Thomas Edwin L. 
Published: October 2016

A shocking transformation for silverClever processing of metals leads to technologically useful properties such as increased hardness and ductility. Thevamaranet al.fired specially synthesized silver cubes at a hard piece of silica, which produced a shock wave that dramatically changed the microstructure of the silver. The approach produced an extreme range in grain sizes that is useful for creating bendable yet strong metals.Science, this issue p.312