bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Risk Factors of Surgical Site Infection Among Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section
Authors: Jasim Hanan Hussein , Sulaiman Syed Azhar Syed , Khan Amer Hayat , Dawood Omar Thanoon , Abdulameer Aseel Hadi , Usha R 
Published: August 2017

Background: Wound infections constitute a significant problem in surgical procedures. In cesarean sections (CS), this is particularly important as a wound infection not only results in increased morbidity but also has far-reaching implications by way of pelvic organ disease, disturbance of the bonding process between mother and baby in the puerperium, and a longer hospital stay with its inherent problems. Objective: This study was conducted with the aim to determine the incidence and risk factor associated with surgical site infection (SSI) following cesarean section. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted for 400 women undergoing cesarean section procedures during an 18-month period from January 2013 to June 2014 at Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Patients’ socio-demographic, clinical data and incidence of SSI following the CS were noted using a standardized data collection form. SPSS v 21 was used for data analysis. Results: In total, 18.8% of the study participants developed SSI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following: higher body mass index (≥30 kg/m2) (odds ratio [OR]: 0.555; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.313-0.985, P = .044), increase in the blood loss during surgery (≥500 mL) (OR: 0.757; 95% CI = 0.423-1.354, P = .034), prolonged hospital stay (≥4 days) (OR: 0.439; 95% CI = 0.260-0.740, P = .002), spinal anesthesia (OR: 1.543; 95% CI = 1.230-1.937, P = .021), breech baby presentation (OR:2.927 95% CI = 1.020-8.400, P = .046), and intrathecal analgesia (OR:1.567; 95% CI = 1.246-1.970, P = .001) had statistically significant association with incidence of SSI. Conclusions: Surgical site infections are common among women undergoing CS at Hospital Pulau Pinang. Special attention and enhanced clinical management of patients with identified risk factors for developing SSI may decrease its incidence.
Oral administration of curcumin attenuates visceral hyperalgesia through inhibiting phosphorylation of TRPV1 in rat model of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yang Mei , Wang Juan , Yang Chunxue , Han Hongxiu , Rong Weifang , Zhang Guohua 
Published: August 2017

Background Curcumin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. The present study was designed to explore the potential therapeutic effects of curcumin on visceral hyperalgesia and inflammation in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. We observed the effects of orally administered curcumin on the disease activity index, histological change in colon, colorectal distension-induced abdominal withdrawal reflex, the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and phosphorylated TRPV1 in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis rats. In addition, a HEK293 cell line stably expressing human TRPV1 (hTRPV1) was used to examine the effects of curcumin on the change in membrane expression of TRPV1 induced by phorbol myristate acetate (a protein kinase C activator). Results Repeated oral administration of curcumin inhibited the increase in abdominal withdrawal reflex score induced by dextran sulfate sodium without affecting dextran sulfate sodium-induced histological change of colon and the disease activity index. A significant increase in colonic expression of TRPV1 and pTRPV1 was observed in dextran sulfate sodium-treated rats and this was reversed by oral administration of curcumin. TRPV1 expression in L6-S1 dorsal root ganglion was increased in the small- to medium-sized isolectin B4-positive non-peptidergic and calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive peptidergic neurons in dextran sulfate sodium-treated rats and oral administration of curcumin mitigated such changes. In the HEK293 cell line stably expressing hTRPV1, curcumin (1, 3 µm) inhibited phorbol myristate acetate-induced upregulation of membrane TRPV1. Conclusion Oral administration of curcumin alleviates visceral hyperalgesia in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis rats. The anti-hyperalgesic effect is partially through downregulating the colonic expression and phosphorylation of TRPV1 on the afferent fibers projected from peptidergic and non-peptidergic nociceptive neurons of dorsal root ganglion.
Regulation of Orbital Fibrosis and Adipogenesis by Pathogenic Th17 Cells in Graves Orbitopathy
Authors: Fang Sijie , Huang Yazhuo , Zhong Sisi , Li Yangyang , Zhang Yidan , Li Yinwei , Sun Jing , Liu Xingtong , Wang Yang , Zhang Shuo , Xu Tianle , Sun Xiaodong , Gu Ping , Li Dan , Zhou Huifang , Li Bin , Fan Xianqun 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Context
T helper (Th)17 cells are correlated with many human autoimmune disorders, including Graves disease, and may play key roles in the pathogenesis of Graves orbitopathy (GO).

Objective
To study the phenotype of Th17 cells in patients with GO and healthy subjects, investigate the fibrosis and adipogenesis in orbital fibroblasts (OFs) modulated by interleukin (IL)-17A, and determine the interaction between Th17 cells and OFs.

Design/Setting/Participants
Blood samples and orbital tissues from GO patients and healthy controls were collected.

Main Outcome Measures
We conducted multicolor flow cytometry, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent stainings, Western blotting, a PathScan intracellular signaling assay, Luminex and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and protein mass spectrum.

Results
Interferon-γ– and IL-22–expressing Th17 cells are increased in GO patients, which are positively related to clinical activity score. Costimulatory molecules are highly expressed in GO orbits and most GO OFs are CD90+. IL-17A promotes TGF-β–induced fibrosis in CD90+ OFs but impedes 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2–induced adipogenesis in CD90− OFs. Th17 cells promote proinflammatory cytokine secretion in both CD90+ and CD90− OFs. Meanwhile, both CD90+ and CD90− OFs contribute to Th17 cell differentiation through prostaglandin E2 production, which can be attenuated by indomethacin. Furthermore, Th17 cells upregulate costimulatory molecule expression on OFs.

Conclusion
Our findings unravel the pathogenicity of IL-17A in the initiation and progression of GO. In-depth interpretation of the molecular basis of OFs delineated by CD90 and Th17–OF interaction will help to afford a novel approach to better therapeutic strategies for GO.
Ear care: an update for nurses (part 2)
Authors: Millward Kat 
Published: August 2017

Impacted cerumen can cause problems ranging from general discomfort to loss of hearing function. In the second of two articles, Kat Millward examines the best methods for softening and removing cerumen from the ear without causing any damage Our ears are essential for both hearing and balance. Up to 4% of the population will have difficulties with their ears relating to impacted cerumen and many of them will present in primary care with ear discomfort or hearing difficulties. In the second of two articles, we review the evidence and recommended best practice for managing impacted cerumen, including ear drops, irrigation, microsuction and instrumentation.
Portfolio optimization under dynamic risk constraints: Continuous vs. discrete time trading
Authors: Redeker Imke , Wunderlich Ralf 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe consider an investor facing a classical portfolio problem of optimal investment in a log-Brownian stock and a fixed-interest bond, but constrained to choose portfolio and consumption strategies that reduce a dynamic shortfall risk measure. For continuous- and discrete-time financial markets we investigate the loss in expected utility of intermediate consumption and terminal wealth caused by imposing a dynamic risk constraint. We derive the dynamic programming equations for the resulting stochastic optimal control problems and solve them numerically. Our numerical results indicate that the loss of portfolio performance is not too large while the risk is notably reduced. We then investigate time discretization effects and find that the loss of portfolio performance resulting from imposing a risk constraint is typically bigger than the loss resulting from infrequent trading.
Artificial Communication? The Production of Contingency by Algorithms
Authors: Esposito Elena 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDiscourse about smart algorithms and digital social agents still refers primarily to the construction of artificial intelligence that reproduces the faculties of individuals. Recent developments, however, show that algorithms are more efficient when they abandon this goal and try instead to reproduce the ability to communicate. Algorithms that do not “think” like people can affect the ability to obtain and process information in society. Referring to the concept of communication in Niklas Luhmann’s theory of social systems, this paper critically reconstructs the debate on the computational turn of big data as the artificial reproduction not of intelligence but of communication. Self-learning algorithms parasitically take advantage – be it consciously or unaware – of the contribution of web users to a “virtual double contingency.” This provides society with information that is not part of the thoughts of anyone, but, nevertheless, enters the communication circuit and raises its complexity. The concept of communication should be reconsidered to take account of these developments, including (or not) the possibility of communicating with algorithms.
Wie viel Grammatik braucht das Germanistikstudium?
Authors: Schäfer Roland , Sayatz Ulrike 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Typically, a majority of students in BA and MA programs in German language and literature studies (Germanistik or Deutsche Philologie) at German universities are future school teachers of German, not future linguists. For decades, linguists have been discussing how German grammar and linguistics should be taught to these students. Furthermore, it is often lamented that first-year students have not acquired sufficient skills in descriptive German grammar in their secondary education (Sekundarstufe), and that this stands in the way of teaching them German linguistics effectively. Our study makes an empirical contribution to this discussion. We assessed the proficiency of 220 BA students in a test composed of grammar exercises designed for students between the sixth and tenth grade. We show that, contrary to some earlier assessments, they achieve quite good results overall. However, it also becomes apparent from the results that studying linguistics does not significantly improve their performance in the test. Furthermore, exercises which require free analysis combining structural and functional aspects are handled significantly less well than more mechanical one-dimensional exercises. First, we argue that this is actually an ideal point of departure for deeper, more theory-driven linguistic analysis in university courses. Second, we propose that linguistics departments should continually perform similar assessments in order to be able to adapt their teaching methods and content to the previous skills and the intended career of the majority of their students.
Movement Demands and Perceived Wellness Associated With Preseason Training Camp in NCAA Division I College Football Players
Authors: Wellman Aaron D. , Coad Sam C. , Flynn Patrick J. , Climstein Mike , McLellan Christopher P. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Wellman, AD, Coad, SC, Flynn, PJ, Climstein, M, and McLellan, CP. Movement demands and perceived wellness associated with preseason training camp in NCAA Division I college football players. J Strength Cond Res 31(10): 2704–2718, 2017—The aims of this study were to examine the movement demands of preseason practice in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college football players using portable global positioning system (GPS) technology and to assess perceived wellness associated with preseason practice to determine whether GPS-derived variables from the preceding day influence perceived wellness the following day. Twenty-nine players were monitored using GPS receivers (Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia) during 20 preseason practices. Individual observations (n = 550) were divided into offensive and defensive position groups. Movement variables including low-, medium-, high-intensity, and sprint distance, player load, and acceleration and deceleration distance were assessed. Perceived wellness ratings (n = 469) were examined using a questionnaire which assessed fatigue, soreness, sleep quality, sleep quantity, stress, and mood. A 1-way analysis of variance for positional movement demands and multilevel regressions for wellness measures were used, followed by post hoc testing to evaluate the relational significance between categorical outcomes of perceived wellness scores and movement variables. Results demonstrated significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater total, high-intensity, and sprint distance, along with greater acceleration and deceleration distances for the defensive back and wide receiver position groups compared with their respective offensive and defensive counterparts. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in movement variables were demonstrated for individuals who responded more or less favorably on each of the 6 factors of perceived wellness. Data from this study provide novel quantification of the position-specific physical demands and perceived wellness associated with college football preseason practice. Results support the use of position-specific training and individual monitoring of college football players.
Neuregulin and Dopamine D4 Receptors Contribute Independently to Depotentiation of Schaffer Collateral LTP by Temperoammonic Path Stimulation
Authors: Izumi Yukitoshi , Zorumski Charles F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPrior studies have found that dopamine (DA), acting at D4 receptors, and neuregulin (NRG), likely acting at ErbB4 receptors, are involved in a form of depotentiation of long-term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral (SC) synapses in the hippocampus. Furthermore, DA and NRG actions are intertwined in that NRG induces DA release. We previously found that low-frequency stimulation (LFS) of temperoammonic (TA) inputs to area CA1 also depotentiates previously established SC LTP through a complex signaling pathway involving endocannabinoids, GABA, adenosine, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), but not glutamate. In the present studies, we found that TA-induced SC depotentiation in hippocampal slices from Sprague-Dawley albino rats also involves activation of both D4 receptors and NRG-activated ErbB receptors, but that the roles of these two modulator systems are independent with D4 receptor antagonism failing to alter chemical depotentiation by NRG1β. Furthermore, a selective D4 receptor agonist was unable to depotentiate SC LTP when administered alone, suggesting that D4 receptor activation is necessary but not sufficient for TA-induced SC depotentiation. Chemical depotentiation by NRG1β was inhibited by a Pan-ErbB antagonist and by picrotoxin (PTX), an antagonist of GABA-A receptors (GABAARs), indicating that NRG likely promotes SC depotentiation via effects on GABA and interneurons. These findings have implications for understanding the role of DA and NRG in cognitive dysfunction associated with neuropsychiatric illnesses.
Carcinogen susceptibility is regulated by genome architecture and predicts cancer mutagenesis
Authors: García‐Nieto Pablo E , Schwartz Erin K , King Devin A , Paulsen Jonas , Collas Philippe , Herrera Rafael E , Morrison Ashby J 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe development of many sporadic cancers is directly initiated by carcinogen exposure. Carcinogens induce malignancies by creating DNA lesions (i.e., adducts) that can result in mutations if left unrepaired. Despite this knowledge, there has been remarkably little investigation into the regulation of susceptibility to acquire DNA lesions. In this study, we present the first quantitative human genome‐wide map of DNA lesions induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the ubiquitous carcinogen in sunlight that causes skin cancer. Remarkably, the pattern of carcinogen susceptibility across the genome of primary cells significantly reflects mutation frequency in malignant melanoma. Surprisingly, DNase‐accessible euchromatin is protected from UV, while lamina‐associated heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery is vulnerable. Many cancer driver genes have an intrinsic increase in carcinogen susceptibility, including the BRAF oncogene that has the highest mutation frequency in melanoma. These findings provide a genome‐wide snapshot of DNA injuries at the earliest stage of carcinogenesis. Furthermore, they identify carcinogen susceptibility as an origin of genome instability that is regulated by nuclear architecture and mirrors mutagenesis in cancer.
Selection Constrains High Rates of Tandem Repetitive DNA Mutation inDaphnia pulex
Authors: Flynn Jullien M , Caldas Ian , Cristescu Melania E , Clark Andrew G 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTandemly repeated DNA is known to be highly abundant and highly divergent between species, but the genome-wide mutation rates in these mostly unmappable.....A long-standing evolutionary puzzle is that all eukaryotic genomes contain large amounts of tandemly-repeated DNA whose sequence motifs and abundance vary greatly among even closely related species. To elucidate the evolutionary forces governing tandem repeat dynamics, quantification of the rates and patterns of mutations in repeat copy number and tests of its selective neutrality are necessary. Here, we used whole-genome sequences of 28 mutation accumulation (MA) lines of Daphnia pulex, in addition to six isolates from a non-MA population originating from the same progenitor, to both estimate mutation rates of abundances of repeat sequences and evaluate the selective regime acting upon them. We found that mutation rates of individual repeats were both high and highly variable, ranging from additions/deletions of 0.29–105 copies per generation (reflecting changes of 0.12–0.80% per generation). Our results also provide evidence that new repeat sequences are often formed from existing ones. The non-MA population isolates showed a signal of either purifying or stabilizing selection, with 33% lower variation in repeat copy number on average than the MA lines, although the level of selective constraint was not evenly distributed across all repeats. The changes between many pairs of repeats were correlated, and the pattern of correlations was significantly different between the MA lines and the non-MA population. Our study demonstrates that tandem repeats can experience extremely rapid evolution in copy number, which can lead to high levels of divergence in genome-wide repeat composition between closely related species.
The forgotten realm of the new and emerging psychosocial risk factors
Authors: Chirico Francesco 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
In Europe, employers of all private and public enterprises have a legal obligation to protect their employers by all the different types of workplace hazards to the safety and health of workers. The most important methods developed for the work-related stress risk assessment are based on the Cox’s research commissioned by European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) and are the Management Standard HSE for work-related stress in United Kingdom, the START method in Germany, the Screening, Observation, Analysis, Expertise (SOBANE) in Belgium, and the National Institute for Prevention and Safety at Work (INAIL-ISPESL) model in Italy, the latter based on the British Management Standard. Unfortunately, the definition of “work-related stress” elaborated by EU-OSHA was criticized, because it is not completely equal to the broader “psychosocial risk,” which includes new and emerging psychosocial risk factors, such as the combined exposure to physical and psychosocial risks, job insecurity, work intensification and high demands at work, high emotional load related to burnout, work-life balance problems, and violence and harassment at work. All these new emerging psychosocial hazards could require different and additional methodologies to save workers’ health and safety. For this reason, the concept that stakeholders and policy makers should keep in mind in order to develop better national regulations and strategies is that work-related stress risk and psychosocial risk factors are not the same.
Programación matemática para medir eficiencia en el sector educativo
Authors: Castillo-Arias Ileana , Marín-Raventós Gabriela 
Published: August 2017

En este artículo se presenta un análisis de la eficiencia técnica y de escala de las unidades académicas de la Universidad de Costa Rica. La metodología utilizada es el Análisis Envolvente de Datos (DEA, por sus siglas en inglés), pues permite medir eficiencia relativa y proporciona información sobre cómo debe mejorar cada unidad académica que resulta ineficiente. Se reportan los resultados para tres agrupaciones: una basada en el proceso formativo, otra en el tamaño (de acuerdo a tres entradas) y la tercera basada en área de conocimiento. Se usan tres indicadores de entrada y tres de salida. Se realiza un análisis de sensibilidad por medio de la formulación de cuatro modelos.
Se hace énfasis en el modelo matemático utilizado, correspondiente al modelo orientado a salidas y con rendimientos de escala variables, el cual se resuelve con los datos normalizados.
An evaluation of cardiac murmurs in new-born
Authors: Pillai Preethi S. , Narayanan Neelima , Chacko Lyla 
Published: August 2017

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is defined as a structural abnormality of the heart or intrathoracic great vessels that is actually or potentially of functional significance. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of congenital heart disease in new-borns with cardiac murmurs and to study the spectrum of cardiac diseases in new-borns with cardiac murmur.Methods: All the new-borns with cardiac murmurs were evaluated with ECG, Chest X ray and ECHO. They were classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe heart disease.Results: Of the 3375 babies analysed, 80 babies had murmur. ECHO could not be done in 8 babies. Of the 72 babies, 75% of new-borns with murmur had cardiac disease. The prevalence of cardiac disease in this population is 16 per 1000 new-borns. The prevalence of cardiac disease in new-borns with murmur is 750 in 1000 new-borns .94.5% had acyanotic heart disease and 5.5% had cyanotic heart disease. VSD was the most common lesion. 13.9% had severe heart disease, 20.8% had moderate heart disease and 40.3% had mild cardiac disease. There was good correlation between the degree of murmur and the severity of the cardiac disease. Chest X ray contributed only 12.5% to diagnosis of cardiac disease and ECG contributed only 5.3% to the diagnosis. If both ECG and Chest X ray were abnormal,there was 100% association with significant cardiac disease. No correlation was found between gestational age and birth weight and severity of heart Disease.Conclusions: Present study has proved that any murmur in newborn requires evaluation with ECHO as 75% of new-borns with audible murmur had cardiac disease of which 34.7% was moderate to severe heart disease. Abnormal ECG and Chest X ray was 100% associated with severe heart disease.