bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The immediate and longer‐term effectiveness of a speech‐rhythm‐based reading intervention for beginning readers
Authors: Harrison Emily , Wood Clare , Holliman Andrew J. , Vousden Janet I. 
Published: August 2017

Despite empirical evidence of a relationship between sensitivity to speech rhythm and reading, there have been few studies that have examined the impact of rhythmic training on reading attainment, and no intervention study has focused on speech rhythm sensitivity specifically to enhance reading skills. Seventy‐three typically developing 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups and received a speech‐rhythm‐based intervention, a phonological‐awareness‐based intervention, or a control intervention over 10 weeks. All children completed pre‐test, post‐test and delayed post‐test measures of speech rhythm sensitivity, single‐word reading, phonological awareness and vocabulary. The results show that it is possible to train speech rhythm sensitivity in this age group and that children who undertook the speech rhythm intervention showed a significant improvement in their word reading performance compared to children in the control group. Group differences were maintained 3 months later.
Pyomelanin from Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica reduces biofouling
Authors: Zeng Zhenshun , Guo Xing‐Pan , Cai Xingsheng , Wang Pengxia , Li Baiyuan , Yang Jin‐Long , Wang Xiaoxue 
Published: August 2017

SummaryMembers of the marine bacterial genus Pseudoalteromonas are efficient producers of antifouling agents that exert inhibitory effects on the settlement of invertebrate larvae. The production of pigmented secondary metabolites by Pseudoalteromonas has been suggested to play a role in surface colonization. However, the physiological characteristics of the pigments produced by Pseudoalteromonas remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified and characterized a genetic variant that hyperproduces a dark‐brown pigment and was generated during Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica biofilm formation. Through whole‐genome resequencing combined with targeted gene deletion and complementation, we found that a point mutation within the hmgA gene, which encodes homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase, is solely responsible for the overproduction of the dark‐brown pigment pyomelanin. In P. lipolytica, inactivation of the hmgA gene led to the formation of extracellular pyomelanin and greatly reduced larval settlement and metamorphosis of the mussel Mytilus coruscus. Additionally, the extracted pyomelanin from the hmgA deletion mutant and the in vitro‐synthesized pyomelanin also reduced larval settlement and metamorphosis of M. coruscus, suggesting that extracellular pyomelanin released from marine Pseudoalteromonas biofilm can inhibit the settlement of fouling organisms.
Metallic bionanocatalysts: potential applications as green catalysts and energy materials
Authors: Macaskie Lynne E. , Mikheenko Iryna P. , Omajai Jacob B. , Stephen Alan J. , Wood Joseph 
Published: August 2017

SummaryMicrobially generated or supported nanocatalysts have potential applications in green chemistry and environmental application. However, precious (and base) metals biorefined from wastes may be useful for making cheap, low‐grade catalysts for clean energy production. The concept of bionanomaterials for energy applications is reviewed with respect to potential fuel cell applications, bio‐catalytic upgrading of oils and manufacturing ‘drop‐in fuel’ precursors. Cheap, effective biomaterials would facilitate progress towards dual development goals of sustainable consumption and production patterns and help to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.
Soil and brownfield bioremediation
Authors: Megharaj Mallavarapu , Naidu Ravi 
Published: August 2017

SummarySoil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants, halogenated organic chemicals and toxic metal(loid)s is a serious global problem affecting the human and ecological health. Over the past half‐century, the technological and industrial advancements have led to the creation of a large number of brownfields, most of these located in the centre of dense cities all over the world. Restoring these sites and regeneration of urban areas in a sustainable way for beneficial uses is a key priority for all industrialized nations. Bioremediation is considered a safe economical, efficient and sustainable technology for restoring the contaminated sites. This brief review presents an overview of bioremediation technologies in the context of sustainability, their applications and limitations in the reclamation of contaminated sites with an emphasis on brownfields. Also, the use of integrated approaches using the combination of chemical oxidation and bioremediation for persistent organic pollutants is discussed.
Ultrasound‐guided regional blockade for lipoma excision: a new approach to an old technique
Authors: Tammam T. F. , Kamhawy G. A. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundLocal anesthesia for lipoma excision can be feasible with anesthetic injection in the fascial plane between the lipoma and the surrounding soft tissues under real‐time ultrasonography [ultrasound‐ guided lipoma plane (ULP) block]. The advantage of targeting a single anesthetic injection plane under ultrasound guidance may allow for technically easier block placement and long‐term analgesic effects.MethodsForty‐eight patients were randomly assigned to receive ULP block, group A (n = 24) or traditional block, group B (n = 24). Primary outcome measure was the number of needle passes required to perform the blockade. The level of procedure pain and the time to first request of analgesia were assessed.ResultsMedian (interquartile range) needle passes required to complete the blockade was significantly less in the group A 1(1, 1) in comparison with the group B 3 (2.5, 3); P = 0.0001. Group A required fewer needle redirections 1.5 (1, 2) than group B 2 (2, 2.5); P = 0.001. Group A showed significantly less procedure‐related pain 2 (2, 3) when compared with group B 4 (3, 4); P = 0.0001. The time to first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (21.3 ± 4.7 h) in comparison with group B (4.4 ± 1.2 h); P = 0.001.ConclusionUltrasound‐guided lipoma plane blockade reduces the number of needle passes required to complete the block and provides less procedure pain and longer pain relief compared with the traditional block in patients undergoing lipoma excision.
Identifying Emergency Department Patients at Low Risk for a Variceal Source of Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Authors: Klein Lauren R. , Money Joel , Maharaj Kaveesh , Robinson Aaron , Lai Tarissa , Driver Brian E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundAssessing the likelihood of a variceal versus nonvariceal source of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) guides therapy, but can be difficult to determine on clinical grounds. The objective of this study was to determine if there are easily ascertainable clinical and laboratory findings that can identify a patient as low risk for a variceal source of hemorrhage.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of adult ED patients with UGIB between January 2008 and December 2014 who had upper endoscopy performed during hospitalization. Clinical and laboratory data were abstracted from the medical record. The source of the UGIB was defined as variceal or nonvariceal based on endoscopic reports. Binary recursive partitioning was utilized to create a clinical decision rule. The rule was internally validated and test characteristics were calculated with 1,000 bootstrap replications.ResultsA total of 719 patients were identified; mean age was 55 years and 61% were male. There were 71 (10%) patients with a variceal UGIB identified on endoscopy. Binary recursive partitioning yielded a two‐step decision rule (platelet count > 200 × 109/L and an international normalized ratio [INR] < 1.3), which identified patients who were low risk for a variceal source of hemorrhage. For the bootstrapped samples, the rule performed with 97% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI] = 91%–100%) and 49% specificity (95% CI = 44%–53%).ConclusionAlthough this derivation study must be externally validated before widespread use, patients presenting to the ED with an acute UGIB with platelet count of >200 × 109/L and an INR of <1.3 may be at very low risk for a variceal source of their upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Effects of high alcohol intake, alcohol‐related symptoms and smoking on mortality
Authors: Whitfield John B. , Heath Andrew C. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Landers J. George , Martin Nicholas G. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground and AimsBoth high alcohol intake and alcohol dependence increase mortality, and both are associated with smoking. We aimed to compare the associations of quantity of alcohol, number of alcohol‐related symptoms and smoking history with all‐cause mortality, and to assess symptom count and smoking history as confounders or mediators of the effects of high alcohol intake.DesignSurvival was analysed by Cox regression with sex, body mass index, alcohol intake (overall and by beverage), maximum drinks on any day, alcohol symptom count and smoking status as potential predictors of age at death.SettingAustralia.ParticipantsParticipants were apparently healthy volunteers consisting of 33 593 Australian adult twins and their relatives who completed questionnaires or interviews between 1979 and 2005.MeasurementsData on alcohol use, smoking and occurrence of symptoms related to alcohol use disorders and death records from the Australian National Death Index.FindingsA total of 3764 participants were matched with deaths occurring within Australia up to July 2014. Individually, alcohol intake [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.0082, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0063–1.0102, per drink per week], beer intake (HR = 1.0159, 95% CI = 1.0123–1.0195, per drink per week), life‐time maximum number of drinks in 1 day (HR = 1.0176, 95% CI = 1.0130–1.0221, per drink), symptom count (HR = 1.0867, 95% CI = 1.0633–1.1106, per symptom) and smoking status (HR = 2.82, 95% CI = 2.52–3.16 for smokers of 10+ cigarettes/day versus never‐smokers) were each significant predictors of all‐cause mortality. After adjustment for the independently significant predictors alcohol symptom count and smoking status, alcohol intake was no longer significant (adjusted HR = 1.0012 per drink per week, 95% CI = 0.9979–1.0145).ConclusionsNumber of symptoms related to high alcohol intake and tobacco smoking appear to account for the positive association between alcohol consumption and premature mortality.
New cancer cases in France in 2015 attributable to different levels of alcohol consumption
Authors: Shield Kevin D. , Marant Micallef Claire , Hill Catherine , Touvier Mathilde , Arwidson Pierre , Bonaldi Christophe , Ferrari Pietro , Bray Freddie , Soerjomataram Isabelle 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground and aimsAlcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer. Thus, to inform policy decisions, this study estimated the number of new cancer cases in France in 2015 attributable to alcohol consumption generally and to light (< 20 g per day (g/day) among women; < 40 g/day among men), moderate (20 to < 40 g/day among women; 40 to < 60 g/day among men) and heavy drinking (≥ 40 g/day among women; ≥ 60 g/day among men), and the number of cancer cases that would have been prevented assuming a previous 10% decrease in alcohol consumption.DesignNew cancer cases attributable to alcohol were estimated using a population‐attributable fraction methodology, assuming a 10‐year latency period between exposure and diagnosis.Setting and participantsPopulation of France, 2015.MeasurementsAlcohol consumption was estimated by coordinating data from the Baromètre santé 2005, a national representative survey (n = 30 455), with data from the Global Information System on Alcohol and Health. Relative risks were obtained from meta‐analyses. Cancer data were estimated based on data from the French Cancer Registries Network. Uncertainty intervals (UI) were estimated using a Monte Carlo procedure.FindingsIn France in 2015, an estimated 27 894 (95% UI = 24 287–30 996) or 7.9% of all new cancer cases were attributable to alcohol. The number of alcohol‐attributable new cancer cases was similar for both men and women, with oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas having the largest attributable fraction (57.7%). Light, moderate, heavy and former alcohol drinking were responsible for 1.5, 1.3, 4.4 and 0.6% of all new cancer cases, respectively. Lastly, if there had been a previous 10% reduction in alcohol consumption, 2178 (95% UI = 1687–2601) new cancer cases would have been prevented.ConclusionsAlcohol consumption in France appears to cause almost 8% of new cancer cases, with light and moderate drinking contributing appreciably to this burden. A 10% drop in drinking in France would have prevented more than 2000 (estimated) new cancer cases in 2015.
Socio‐economic differentials in cannabis use trends in Australia
Authors: Chan Gary C. K. , Leung Janni , Quinn Catherine , Weier Megan , Hall Wayne 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAimTo test if the degree of change in cannabis use between 2001 and 2013 differed according to socio‐economic status.DesignRepeated cross‐sectional household surveys that were nationally representative.SettingAustralia.ParticipantsAdult samples from the 2001 and 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Surveys (n = 23 642 in 2001 and n = 21 353 in 2013), the largest nationally representative survey on drug use in Australia.MeasurementsFrequency of cannabis use coded as daily use, weekly use, less than weekly use and non‐current use; socio‐economic status (SES) as measured by personal income and educational level.FindingThere were significant differences in changes to levels of cannabis use between SES groups. Among participants who completed high school, the probability of daily use decreased from 0.014 to 0.009 (P < 0.001), and the probability of weekly use decreased from 0.025 to 0.017 (P < 0.001). These probabilities remained stable for participants who did not complete high school. The probability of weekly cannabis use decreased from 0.032 to 0.023 among participants with middle level income (P = 0.004), and from 0.021 to 0.013 among those with high income (P = 0.005). There were no significant changes in these probabilities among those with low income (0.026 in 2001 and 0.032 in 2013; P = 0.203).ConclusionThe decline in cannabis use in Australia from 2001 to 2013 occurred largely among higher socio‐economic status groups. For people with lower income and/or lower education, rates of frequent cannabis use remained unchanged.
Chlamydia testing and diagnosis following initiation of long‐acting reversible contraception: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rose Sally B. , Garrett Susan M. , Stanley James , Pullon Susan R. H. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundLong‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) effectively protects against pregnancy but provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).AimTo compare rates of chlamydia testing and diagnosis for women initiating long‐acting versus oral contraception.Materials and methodsRetrospective cohort study involving data collection for 6160 women initiating post‐abortion contraception at a large New Zealand regional public hospital abortion clinic (2009–2012), with chlamydia testing data obtained from the local laboratory during two‐year follow up. Negative binomial regression modelling examined the effect of contraceptive method on two outcome measures: chlamydia testing and chlamydia diagnosis (adjusting for potential covariates of age, ethnicity, past chlamydia infection, pregnancy history) in year one and two of follow up.ResultsTwo thousand seven hundred and twenty nine women (44%) received a LARC and 1764 (28.6%) were prescribed oral contraception. Adjusted testing rates differed by contraceptive method only in year one (P < 0.01): with higher rates among copper intrauterine device users (relative risk (RR) 1.2, 95% CI 1.06–1.35), and lower rates for implant users (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.99) compared with oral contraceptive users (reference group). No significant differences were observed in chlamydia diagnosis rates by contraceptive method (P > 0.05). Younger age, past chlamydia infection, Maori and Pacific ethnicity were associated with higher rates of chlamydia diagnosis (P < 0.01).ConclusionsKnown STI‐related risk factors (age, ethnicity, past infection) but not contraceptive method were independently related to rates of subsequent chlamydia diagnosis. This suggests that increased LARC uptake would not occur at the expense of chlamydia control. Regular screening and risk reduction advice (including condom use) are important chlamydia control measures for at‐risk groups.
Health utilities for controlled and uncontrolled chronic hand eczema in healthcare employees
Authors: Küster Denise , Haufe Eva , Rethberg Constanze , Bauer Andrea , Seidler Andreas , Schmitt Jochen 
Published: August 2017

SummaryBackgroundHealth utilities provide a universally applicable method for measuring the relative preferences or values of specific health states. Health economic studies use health utilities to estimate disease burden and the cost‐effectiveness of interventions. Chronic hand eczema (CHE) affects many individuals and adversely affects work productivity. Health utilities forCHEfrom the perspective of healthcare professionals are lacking.ObjectivesTo assess health utilities forCHEfrom the perspectives of employees in the healthcare sector and affected patients.MethodsA cross‐sectional study with volunteers from the healthcare sector (n = 126) and patients (n = 32) was conducted to establish health utilities (ranging from 1 = perfect health to 0 = death) for mild and severeCHE.ResultsThe median health utilities of the healthy volunteers derived with the time trade‐off method were 0.97 (mean: 0.92) for mildCHEand 0.77 (mean: 0.75) for severeCHE. The median health utilities for mild and severeCHEfrom the perspective of affected patients were 0.98 (mean: 0.91) and 0.82 (mean: 0.77), respectively. Differences in health utilities between the two study groups were not significant.ConclusionCHEconstitutes a considerable burden from the perspective of healthcare employees. Effective control ofCHEconstitutes an important public health goal.
Psoriasis or not? Review of 51 clinically confirmed cases reveals an expanded histopathologic spectrum of psoriasis
Authors: Chau Thinh , Parsi Kory K. , Ogawa Toru , Kiuru Maija , Konia Thomas , Li Chin‐Shang , Fung Maxwell A. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundPsoriasis is usually diagnosed clinically, so only non‐classic or refractory cases tend to be biopsied. Diagnostic uncertainty persists when dermatopathologists encounter features regarded as non‐classic for psoriasis.ObjectiveDefine and document classic and non‐classic histologic features in skin biopsies from patients with clinically confirmed psoriasis.MethodsMinimal clinical diagnostic criteria were informally validated and applied to a consecutive series of biopsies histologically consistent with psoriasis. Clinical confirmation required 2 of the following criteria: (1) classic morphology, (2) classic distribution, (3) nail pitting, and (4) family history, with #1 and/or #2 as 1 criterion in every caseResultsFifty‐one biopsies from 46 patients were examined. Classic features of psoriasis included hypogranulosis (96%), club‐shaped rete ridges (96%), dermal papilla capillary ectasia (90%), Munro microabscess (78%), suprapapillary plate thinning (63%), spongiform pustules (53%), and regular acanthosis (14%). Non‐classic features included irregular acanthosis (84%), junctional vacuolar alteration (76%), spongiosis (76%), dermal neutrophils (69%), necrotic keratinocytes (67%), hypergranulosis (65%), neutrophilic spongiosis (61%), dermal eosinophils (49%), compact orthokeratosis (37%), papillary dermal fibrosis (35%), lichenoid infiltrate (25%), plasma cells (16%), and eosinophilic spongiosis (8%).ConclusionsPsoriasis exhibits a broader histopathologic spectrum. The presence of some non‐classic features does not necessarily exclude the possibility of psoriasis.
Examination of associations between early life victimisation and alcohol's harm from others
Authors: Kaplan Lauren M. , Greenfield Thomas K. , Karriker‐Jaffe Katherine J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Study aims were to examine: (i) how physical and sexual victimisation in early life are associated with alcohol's harm from others; and (ii) whether respondents' current drinking is a mediator of the association between early life victimisation and alcohol's harm from others among men and women. Design and Methods. Data were from national computer‐assisted telephone interviews, using the landline sample (3335 men and 3520 women ages ≥18) from the 2010 US National Alcohol Survey. Harms from someone else's drinking included family/marital problems, financial troubles, assault and vandalism in the past 12 months. Victimisation was measured with severe physical abuse or sexual assault before age 18. Results. Severe physical or sexual victimisation before age 18 was reported by 3.4% of men and 8.1% of women. Significantly more men (5.2%) than women (2.4%) reported assault by other drinkers, and significantly more women reported family/marital (5.3%) and financial problems (2.8%) than did men (2.6 and 1% respectively). Severe early life victimisation was robustly associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing past‐year harms from other drinkers for both men and women. Men's drinking partially mediated associations between early life victimisation and recent assaults and vandalism by other drinkers. Discussion and Conclusions. Early life victimisation may increase risk of harms from someone else's drinking. Health services and interventions that screen for histories of victimisation may help decrease risk of later harms from others' drinking. Reductions in drinking among men with histories of victimisation also could help reduce their exposure to such harms. [Kaplan LM, Greenfield TK, Karriker‐Jaffe KJ. Examination of associations between early life victimisation and alcohol's harm from others.
Illegal quays: Elizabethan customs reforms and suppression of the coastal trade of Christchurch, Hampshire
Authors: Gadd Stephen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis article considers deficiencies in the designation and reassessment of Legal Quays (those authorized for foreign trade), and the detrimental impact of these and other Elizabethan customs reforms from the perspective of Christchurch, a small coastal town then in Hampshire. Throttling the flow of merchandise through such places drove trade, and consequently economic growth, to those other places that enjoyed a convenient Legal Quay. In places without such quays, regulation and the farming of customs caused (and also facilitated) the suppression not only of international trade but also of domestic maritime trade. Though otherwise encouraged by Crown policy, entrepreneurial endeavour in Christchurch was stifled by customs regulation, in particular by the logistical burden introduced with remote record‐keeping for coastal trade in the port books. The town seemed unable to break free of Southampton's controlling influence in order to realize its own apparent economic potential.