bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demystified: Mergers and Acquisitions, Oil and Gas, and Ranching on the Southern Great Plains, 1921–1933
Authors: DAY MATTHEW 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article examines how concepts of mergers and acquisitions shaped potential horizontal mergers, namely stock swaps, and vertical mergers shaped oil and ranching on the Southern Great Plains in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Effectiveness of seminal plasma in in vitro fertilisation treatment: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Saccone G , Di Spiezio Sardo A , Ciardulli A , Caissutti C , Spinelli M , Surbek D , von Wolff M 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundWith in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, only 20–25% of the transferred embryos lead to a pregnancy.ObjectiveTo evaluate the beneficial effects of seminal plasma (SP) or semen applied at the time of oocyte aspiration or embryo transfer.Search strategyElectronic databases were searched from their inception up to August 2017.Selection criteriaWe included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of SP or semen in IVF treatment. Trials were considered if women were exposed to any kind of SP or semen (either SP/semen injection or sexual intercourse) around the time of oocyte pickup and embryo transfer.Data collection and analysisThe primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR).Main resultsEight RCTs on women undergoing IVF (2128 in total) were included in the meta‐analysis. Women randomized in the intervention group had a significantly higher CPR compared with controls (30.0 versus 25.1%; RR 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04–1.39). No significant differences were found in the secondary outcomes, including livebirth rate, biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, multiple pregnancies, and birth weight. The subgroup analyses (four RCTs, 780 participants), including only those RCTs in which prepared undiluted SP was injected just after oocyte pickup, conformed with the overall analysis for the primary outcome (46.3 versus 37.2%; RR 1.23; 95% CI, 1.05–1.45).ConclusionBecause intravaginal or intracervical SP application around the time of oocyte pickup is associated with higher CPR, local application SP may be considered as a potential treatment to improve implantation.Tweetable abstractSP at the time of oocyte pickup is associated with higher CPR.
Choosing public or private emergency departments in Australia
Authors: Walker Katherine , Ben‐Meir Michael 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEmergency medicine was once exclusively provided in public hospitals in Australia, but now over half a million consultations per annum are in private (7% total emergency consultations). Private EDs have excess capacity and are staffed by senior doctors (majority FACEM) with open access to investigations and broad specialist inpatient services. Public EDs struggle with rising attendances and overcapacity. Private hospitals have high levels of patient satisfaction and aim to optimise service provision. A major barrier to private ED attendances is out‐of‐pocket costs. Insurers deem private EDs outpatient services and therefore do not contribute any funding to these attendances. Additionally state governments provide no funding while Medicare items cover only 10–15% of costs. Out‐of‐pocket consultation costs to patients vary nationally ($110–$480) but never cover the full cost of providing services. Patients may also pay out‐of‐pocket costs for investigations. Private EDs can provide many benefits to patients and the community. Patients can see senior doctors immediately (at less cost per patient than public EDs). Demand can be directed away from resource‐poor public EDs. Private EDs could also provide extra surge capacity during disasters. There is a need for further strong advocacy for private emergency medicine at many levels, particularly regarding the lack of funding. Stakeholder relationships should be strengthened. Research and education about decision‐making in the choice between public and private ED attendance should be encouraged, particularly regarding paramedic advice to patients. Finally, patients who have purchased private insurance should be able to utilise it during evaluation of an acute illness.
The Financial Impact of Different Stormwater Fee Types: A Case Study of Two Municipalities in Virginia
Authors: Fedorchak Amanda , Dymond Randel , Campbell Warren 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEight stormwater user fees (SUFs) were applied to the City of Roanoke and the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia, to determine the effect each has on how land use type impacts the sources of revenue. Roanoke is larger and includes more industrial areas, but less multifamily impervious areas than Blacksburg, which translates differently in the SUFs. Residential parcels comprise the highest percentage of the revenue in all eight SUFs in Blacksburg and four in Roanoke. For both municipalities, two specific SUFs consistently comprised the highest percentage burden for residential homeowners while three other SUFs demonstrated the highest burden for commercial parcels. Open space parcels contain little impervious area, yet account for up to 27% of the revenue in the Blacksburg Area fee structure. Industrial parcels comprise more revenue in Roanoke, averaging 10.1‐4.5% in Blacksburg. Fee types that are easier to administer (e.g., Flat fees) may not fully represent the stormwater contribution from the parcels. SUF types that more accurately represent the stormwater burden on the municipality are also more administratively intensive and are more variable with fee factors.
Retrospective review of CT‐guided intervertebral disc biopsies performed at a tertiary referral centre for suspected osteodiscitis
Authors: Lopes Floro Kylie , Munckhof Wendy , Coucher John 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionPatients with osteodiscitis are often prescribed antibiotics prior to biopsy. There is controversy in the literature about whether antibiotic pre‐treatment prior to CT‐guided biopsy decreases the microbiological culture yield. Conclusions from previous studies are influenced by sample size error and selection bias. Our study, conducted in a large number of patients over a 10‐year period, clarifies this issue so that best clinical practice is assured.MethodsWe performed a retrospective audit of the clinical, radiological and microbiological features of adult patients who underwent CT‐guided biopsies for suspected osteodiscitis at a tertiary institution. Patients who had received intravenous antibiotic therapy in the month prior to biopsy or oral antibiotics 2 weeks prior to biopsy were considered as having had antecedent treatment.ResultsWe initially found no significant difference in the likelihood of a positive culture between patients who had received antecedent treatment and those who had not. However, when we performed a subgroup analysis, we found that using multiple antibiotics influenced the likelihood of a positive culture. A second subgroup analysis demonstrated that pre‐treatment reduced the likelihood of a positive culture. This discrepancy arose from the match between the antecedent antibiotics and the organisms’ antibiotic sensitivity profile.ConclusionAntibiotic treatment preceding CT‐guided biopsy reduces the likelihood of a positive microbiological culture results. However, due to the often poor match, between the pre‐treatment antibiotic and the organisms’ antibiotic sensitivity profile, this is often not clinically apparent. Furthermore, positive cultures sensitive to the pre‐treatment antibiotics can still be obtained.
Adjunctive therapies in Kawasaki disease
Authors: Tremoulet Adriana H. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDespite the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) at a dose of 2 g/kg, approximately 3–5% of children with acute Kawasaki disease (KD) may develop coronary artery aneurysms. IVIg‐resistance, defined as recrudescence of fever more than 36 h after IVIg completion, is a risk factor for coronary artery abnormalities. Thus, several adjunctive therapies are being evaluated for use in IVIg‐resistant KD patients and in patients with coronary artery abnormalities. In this review the role of some of these adjunctive therapies in treatment of children with KD is discussed.
An Evaluation of Alternative Market‐Based Transfer Prices
Authors: Johnson Nicole Bastian , Loeffler Clemens , Pfeiffer Thomas 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTWe investigate a transfer pricing problem between two divisions within a decentralized firm. An upstream division produces an intermediate good that is used by another division within the firm and is also sold in an external market, where the firm competes with a rival selling a differentiated substitute product. Assuming that headquarters has imperfect information about the upstream division's private information and that communication is restricted, we identify conditions under which the firm will prefer a market‐based transfer price based on the market price set by the firm's rival rather than on the market price set by the upstream division. The two transfer prices affect the price‐setting incentives of the upstream division and its rival differently, and convey different levels of private‐cost information to the downstream division, which impacts internal trade efficiency. The relative performance of the two transfer pricing regimes depends on the relative size of internal versus external demand for the upstream division's good and on the degree of uncertainty about the upstream division's costs. Overall, our analysis provides new insights about how alternative market‐based transfer prices can coordinate decentralized decision‐making in the absence of a perfectly competitive intermediate market.
Estimating dispersal kernels using genetic parentage data
Authors: Bode Michael , Williamson David H. , Harrison Hugo B. , Outram Nick , Jones Geoffrey P. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Dispersal kernels are the standard method in biology for describing and predicting the relationship between dispersal and distance. Statistically fitted dispersal kernels allow observations of a limited number of dispersal events to be extrapolated across a wider landscape, and form the basis of a wide range of theories and methods in ecology, evolution and conservation. Genetic parentage data are an increasingly common source of dispersal information, particularly for species where dispersal is difficult to observe directly. In particular, parentage analysis is now routinely applied to coral reef fish, whose larvae can potentially disperse over many kilometres, and are too small to track in situ.

It is not straightforward to estimate dispersal kernels from parentage data, and existing methods all have substantial limitations. These include the omission of important population processes such as density‐dependent mortality, and data on unassigned juveniles. Here we develop and proof a new likelihood estimator for fitting dispersal kernels to parentage data, applying it to simulated parentage datasets for coral reef fish on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).

The method incorporates a series of factors not previously considered in other methods: the partial sampling of adults and juveniles on sampled sites; the existence of unassigned dispersers from unsampled habitat patches; and post‐settlement processes (e.g. density‐dependent mortality) that follow dispersal but precede parentage sampling. Including these additional factors requires an estimate of adult populations on unsampled habitat patches, but the result is a superior estimate of dispersal kernels and mean dispersal distances.

Our power analyses suggest that the parentage datasets currently available for reef fishes are large enough to fit accurate dispersal kernels. Based on the analyses in one particular region of the GBR, parentage sampling should be distributed equally between adults and juveniles, and should sample more than 3% of the adult population. However, while the resulting dispersal kernels offer reasonable estimates of mean dispersal, they fail to capture important variation in realistic dispersal patterns.
Genome‐wide association analysis of residual feed intake in Junmu No. 1 White pigs
Authors: Bai C. , Pan Y. , Wang D. , Cai F. , Yan S. , Zhao Z. , Sun B. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryResidual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency. Pigs with low RFI have reduced feed costs without compromising their growth. For marker‐assisted selection, it is helpful to identify genes or genetic markers associated with RFI in animals with improved feed efficiency at an early age. Using Illumina's PorcineSNP60 BeadChip, we performed a pilot genome‐wide association study of 217 Junmu No. 1 white male pigs phenotyped for RFI. Two‐step and one‐step methods were used separately to identify associated SNPs. Both methods obtained similar results. Twelve SNPs were identified as significantly associated with RFI at a Bonferroni adjusted P‐level < 9.7 × 10−7, and 204 were found to have suggestive (moderately significant) association with RFI at P < 5 × 10−5. NMBR, KCTD16, ASGR1, PRKCQ, PITRM1, TIAM1 and RND3 were identified as candidate genes for RFI.
The MOSAICC study: Assessing feasibility for biological sample collection in epidemiology studies and comparison of DNA yields from saliva and whole blood samples
Authors: James Glen , McMullin Mary Frances , Duncombe Andrew S , Clarke Mike , Anderson Lesley A 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBiological sample collection is becoming more common in epidemiology research to obtain DNA for genetic analysis. There are many different DNA collection methods but little evidence on their relative effectiveness. Therefore, we took the opportunity of a prospective case‐control study in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) to compare DNA yield from 8.5 mL PAXgene tubes for whole blood collection versus 2 mL Oragene OG‐500 saliva collection kits. MPNs include polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythaemia, and primary myelofibrosis. These are rare diseases and our exploratory case–control study (MOSAICC) sought to improve knowledge regarding their aetiology and to determine optimal methodology for a larger UK‐wide study. Overall, 233 participants were recruited to the MOSIACC study, and we collected 187 blood and 214 saliva samples. The mean DNA yield from blood was 659.18 ng/μL, significantly higher than the mean DNA yield from saliva samples (275.79 ng/μL). The higher provision of saliva samples might reflect its non‐invasive and more convenient nature, compared to blood sample provision. The differences in mean DNA yields might reflect differences in clinical assistance, adherence to instructions, and health status of individuals. In conclusion, both sample collection techniques are simple, effective, and suitable for DNA collection for genetic analysis in future epidemiological research studies but OG‐500 kits offer a less invasive alternative for those who refuse to provide blood.
Moderate to late preterm intrauterine growth restriction: A restrospective, observational study of the indications for delivery and outcomes in an Australian perinatal centre
Authors: Stewart Bridie , Karahalios Amalia , Pszczola Rosalynn , Said Joanne 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundThe management of preterm intrauterine growth restriction is limited to fetal surveillance and timely delivery. Despite the existence of evidence‐based guidelines, uncertainty regarding the optimal timing of delivery is common, and management remains individualised for each patient.AimsTo provide recent Australian data on the indications for delivery of moderate to late preterm growth restricted infants and the outcomes of these deliveries.Materials and methodsRetrospective study of singleton live births delivered between 32 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks gestation over a three‐year period (2012–2014) at a Melbourne Metropolitan Hospital. ‘Small for gestational age’ (birthweight < 10th centile for gestation) identified intrauterine growth restricted infants. Indications for iatrogenic delivery were broadly categorised into maternal, fetal or pregnancy related. Obstetric and neonatal outcome variables were compared to other preterm infants using logistic regression.ResultsOf the 146 (18.6%) small for gestational age infants born during the study period, 103 were iatrogenic deliveries, most commonly due to fetal indications (53.4%). Small for gestational age infants had higher odds of hypoglycaemia (adjusted odds ratio = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.23–2.84, P = 0.003) and jaundice (1.52, 1.01–2.28, P = 0.043) than their appropriately grown counterparts; however, there was no increase in the risk of serious morbidity or mortality.ConclusionsIn this cohort, iatrogenic preterm delivery of small for gestational age infants between 32 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks gestation was most commonly due to fetal indications and did not increase the risk of serious, short‐term neonatal outcomes compared to their appropriately grown counterparts.
Randomised clinical trial: yoga vs a low‐FODMAP diet in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Schumann D. , Langhorst J. , Dobos G. , Cramer H. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome is the most frequent gastrointestinal disorder. It is assumed that lifestyle interventions might be a rational treatment approach.AimTo examine the effect of a yoga‐based intervention vs a low‐FODMAP diet on patients with irritable bowel syndrome.MethodsFifty‐nine patients with irritable bowel syndrome undertook a single‐blind, randomised controlled trial involving yoga or a low‐FODMAP diet for 12 weeks. Patients in the yoga group received two sessions weekly, while patients in the low‐FODMAP group received a total of three sessions of nutritional counselling. The primary outcome was a change in gastrointestinal symptoms (IBS‐SSS). Secondary outcomes explored changes in quality of life (IBS‐QOL), health (SF‐36), perceived stress (CPSS, PSQ), body awareness (BAQ), body responsiveness (BRS) and safety of the interventions. Outcomes were examined in weeks 12 and 24 by assessors “blinded” to patients’ group allocation.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found between the intervention groups, with regard to IBS‐SSS score, at either 12 (Δ = 31.80; 95%CI = −11.90, 75.50; P = .151) or 24 weeks (Δ = 33.41; 95%CI = −4.21, 71.04; P = .081). Within‐group comparisons showed statistically significant effects for yoga and low‐FODMAP diet at both 12 and 24 weeks (all P < .001). Comparable within‐group effects occurred for the other outcomes. One patient in each intervention group experienced serious adverse events (P = 1.00) and another, also in each group, experienced nonserious adverse events (P = 1.00).ConclusionsPatients with irritable bowel syndrome might benefit from yoga and a low‐FODMAP diet, as both groups showed a reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms. More research on the underlying mechanisms of both interventions is warranted, as well as exploration of potential benefits from their combined use.
Hybrid approach to laparoscopic decapsulation combined with splenic artery balloon occlusion in a patient with carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 producing splenic cysts
Authors: Maeda Eri , Okano Keiichi , Suto Hironobu , Asano Eisuke , Oshima Minoru , Kishino Takayoshi , Fujiwara Masao , Yamamoto Naoki , Sanomura Takayuki , Suzuki Yasuyuki 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionCarbohydrate antigen 19‐9 producing splenic cysts are relatively rare and usually occur in women and young individuals. This report describes the use of a novel splenic‐preserving surgical approach in the hybrid operating room to reduce the risk of bleeding.Materials and Surgical TechniqueA 27‐year‐old woman presented at our hospital with a chief complaint of chest pain. CT showed an encapsulated left pleural effusion and multiple splenic cysts. The patient was diagnosed with carbohydrate antigen 19‐9–producing splenic cysts and was treated with laparoscopic decapsulation. In the hybrid operating room, a balloon catheter was positioned in the splenic artery. Four ports were inserted into the abdomen, the cysts were punctured, and intracystic fluid was suctioned out. Combined splenic artery balloon occlusion was performed to control bleeding when the cyst wall was resected near the splenic parenchyma. Occlusion was performed to create intermittent blockage and consisted of 20‐min ischemia and 5‐min reperfusion. Then, the inner surface of the cyst wall was cauterized. The total operation time was 170 min (laparoscopic time, 110 min), and blood loss was 100 mL. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The patient has remained healthy, with no recurrence for 8 months.DiscussionLaparoscopic decapsulation for the treatment of splenic cysts can prevent life‐threatening bacterial infections by preserving the spleen, but this can increase the risk of bleeding from the left splenic parenchyma. Combining splenic artery occlusion with laparoscopic decapsulation is a useful approach in the hybrid operating room.
New Insights into SN‐38 Glucuronidation: Evidence for the Important Role of UDP Glucuronosyltransferase 1A9
Authors: Xiao Ling , Zhu Liangliang , Li Wenjuan , Li Conghu , Cao Yunfeng , Ge Guangbo , Sun Xiaoyu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractGlucuronidation of SN‐38 serves as an important metabolic pathway in determining the toxic effects of irinotecan. The role of UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) 1A9 in SN‐38 glucuronidation pathway is very confusing. This study re‐investigates the pathway through testing effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the selective inhibitor on SN‐38 glucuronidation in pooled human liver microsomes (HLM) and recombinant UGT1A1/UGT1A9. For UGT1A1, SN‐38 glucuronidation was little affected by BSA. Whether in the presence of BSA or not, the reactions both obey Michaelis–Menten kinetics with closed Vmax/Km values. For UGT1A9 and HLM, BSA can significantly accelerate SN‐38 glucuronidation activities and similar effects are further observed on kinetic patterns. In the absence of BSA, reactions by HLM and UGT1A9 both display substrate inhibition kinetics. When BSA is included in the incubations, the reactions exhibit Michaelis–Menten kinetics. To get the true contribution of UGT1A9 in SN‐38 glucuronidation, a relative activity factor (RAF) approach was additionally used. It is suggested that UGT1A9 and 1A1 contribute equally to SN‐38 glucuronidation in HLM. Furthermore, in the presence of BSA, magnolol, a selective UGT1A9 inhibitor, displays moderate inhibition against HLM. Results together conclude that UGT1A9 serves as an additional important contributor to hepatic SN‐38 glucuronidation.
Forensic Toxicology Perspectives of Methadone‐associated Deaths in Tehran, Iran, a 7‐year Overview
Authors: Akhgari Maryam , Amini‐Shirazi Noushin , Iravani Fariba Sardari 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMethadone has a long history of pain relief and successful substitute for maintenance treatment in heroin and narcotic addiction. The aim of the study was to assess the trends of methadone‐associated deaths in Tehran, Iran, in 2009–2015, from a forensic toxicology point of view. All methadone‐associated deaths during this 7‐year study period were evaluated according to demographic parameters and forensic toxicology analysis results. Results showed that 1274 cases of methadone‐associated deaths were investigated during the study period. The incidence rate of methadone‐associated deaths had risen 7.7 times in 2015 in comparison with 2009 (p < 0.05). The majority of cases were men (90.35%), aged from 20 to 40 years. About 80% of cases had shown positive results for other drugs and poisons in combination with methadone. Methamphetamine and tramadol were the most drugs detected in post‐mortem samples. Death rates among methadone users in Tehran, Iran, increased year by year during 2009–2015. These findings raise the attention to the concomitant use of drugs with the need for changes in regulation and regulatory policy to restrict access and use of controlled drugs.