bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prognostic significance of faecal calprotectin in patients with inactive inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Zhulina Y. , Cao Y. , Amcoff K. , Carlson M. , Tysk C. , Halfvarson J. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundFaecal calprotectin, an established biomarker used to assess mucosal inflammation, has been shown to correlate with endoscopic activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Longitudinal monitoring of faecal calprotectin, however, has rarely been employed beyond assessment of therapy response and post hoc analyses of clinical trials.AimTo study whether consecutive measurements of faecal calprotectin every third month are useful for monitoring patients with IBD in clinical remission.MethodsPatients aged 18 years or older, with a known diagnosis of IBD in clinical remission, were prospectively studied. Patients provided faecal samples every third month and were prospectively followed until the first clinical relapse or the end of the 2‐year follow‐up period. Measurements (EK‐CAL, Bühlmann Lab. AG, Switzerland) were done at the end of the study. A Cox model with time‐dependent covariates was used for analysis.ResultsAmong 104 patients, Crohn's disease (n = 49) and ulcerative colitis (n = 55), 37 had a relapse. A doubling of faecal calprotectin level between two consecutively collected samples was associated with a 101% increased risk of relapse (HR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.53–2.65; P < 0.001). The relative risk of relapse attenuated with time (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.75–0.86; P < 0.001), by a 20% decrease in risk of relapse per 3‐month period since the sample was obtained.ConclusionsBy consecutively measuring faecal calprotectin every third month, we quantified the risk of relapse related to faecal calprotectin change and observed attenuation of the risk across time. Our data suggest that longitudinal monitoring of faecal calprotectin is informative in predicting relapse in IBD.
‘It's different, but it's the same’: perspectives of young adults with siblings with intellectual disabilities in residential care
Authors: Jacobs Paula , MacMahon Ken 
Published: July 2016

Accessible summary

Siblings often play important roles in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

This study suggests that young adults who have siblings in residential care can feel isolated in their experience.

Adolescence appears to be a turning point and a time when siblings become aware of future caretaking responsibilities.

There is a need for support for siblings of children and adults with intellectual disabilities who live in residential care.

AbstractBackground: Siblings often play significant roles in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to give voice to young adults whose siblings have an intellectual disability and are in residential care.Materials and Methods: Six participants were interviewed, with interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology employed.Results: Emergent themes included family and sibling relationships and concerns for the future. However, ambivalence, in terms of conflicting feelings within participants themselves, was striking. Dissonances within narratives included identifying as ‘one family’ whilst living apart, experiencing guilt while being supportive of the residential placement, and emphasising the normality of the sibling experience whilst also feeling different and isolated.Conclusion: These findings reflect the particular complexity of sibling relationships when the person with an intellectual disability lives in residential care. There is a need to understand more about the perspectives of siblings, and the influence that residential care may have upon these.
Patch test results with rubber series in the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA), 2013/14
Authors: Uter Wolfgang , Warburton Katharine , Weisshaar Elke , Simon Dagmar , Ballmer‐Weber Barbara , Mahler Vera , Fuchs Thomas , Geier Johannes , Wilkinson Mark 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundContact allergy to rubber additives is common, particularly in patients with occupational dermatitis.ObjectivesTo descriptively analyse and compare patch test reactions in patients patch tested both with the baseline series and with an additional ‘rubber series’ as used in the department.MethodsPatch test data from those members of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) network (www.essca‐dc.org) who also contributed data on rubber series patch test results were retrospectively analysed.ResultsAmong 29 522 patients patch tested, 2870 were eligible, that is, patch tested both with the baseline series and with a special rubber series. Of these, 8.8% had positive reaction(s) to one of the baseline screening rubber allergens (as compared with 4.2% in all patients), most often to carba mix, 12.3% had positive reaction(s) to allergens from an additional rubber series, and 6.4% had positive reaction(s) to both.ConclusionsAdditional testing with a dedicated rubber series, containing break‐down single ingredients of mixes from the baseline series and additional rubber allergens, is warranted in patients with suspected contact allergy to rubber, to avoid false‐negative results.
Relative Difficulty of Understanding Foreign Accents as a Marker of Proficiency
Authors: Lev‐Ari Shiri , van Heugten Marieke , Peperkamp Sharon 
Published: July 2016

AbstractForeign‐accented speech is generally harder to understand than native‐accented speech. This difficulty is reduced for non‐native listeners who share their first language with the non‐native speaker. It is currently unclear, however, how non‐native listeners deal with foreign‐accented speech produced by speakers of a different language. We show that the process of (second) language acquisition is associated with an increase in the relative difficulty of processing foreign‐accented speech. Therefore, experiencing greater relative difficulty with foreign‐accented speech compared with native speech is a marker of language proficiency. These results contribute to our understanding of how phonological categories are acquired during second language learning.
Risk factors for local complications in children with community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Krenke Katarzyna , Krawiec Marta , Kraj Grażyna , Peradzynska Joanna , Krauze Agnieszka , Kulus Marek 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that could predict the development of local complications (parapneumonic effusion/pleural empyema, necrotizing pneumonia, and lung abscess) in children with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).MethodsDemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were prospectively collected and compared in children with noncomplicated and complicated CAP.ResultsTwo‐hundred and three patients aged from 2 months to 17 years were enrolled. There were 141 and 62 children with noncomplicated and complicated CAP, respectively. Significantly longer duration of fever and a higher level of acute phase reactants were demonstrated in complicated when noncomplicated to complicated CAP. Asymmetric chest pain as well as prehospital treatment with ibuprofen and acetaminophen were significantly more common in patients with complicated CAP (P < .001, P = .02 and P = .003, respectively). Preadmission cumulative dose of ibuprofen exceeding 78.3 mg/kg (median dose for the entire group) was associated with 2.5‐fold higher odds ratio (OR) for CAP complications [OR 2.54 CI (1.31–4.94); P = .008)]. In contrast, pneumococcal vaccination was associated with lower odds ratio [OR.03 CI (.23–.89); P = .03] for local complications.ConclusionsSome clinical and laboratory data including chest pain, longer duration of fever, higher acute phase reactants, and especially preadmission treatment with ibuprofen or acetaminophen were associated with local complications of CAP. The results of this study highlight the association between the dose of ibuprofen and local CAP complications.
Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in patients with COPD and asthma
Authors: Vukoja Marija , Kopitovic Ivan , Milicic Dragana , Maksimovic Olivera , Pavlovic‐Popovic Zora , Ilic Miroslav 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIntroductionNocturnal symptoms are common and important in both asthma and COPD but the relationship between sleep quality and diseases' characteristics has not been fully studied.ObjectiveTo compare sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in asthma and COPD patients and to explore its relation to diseases' characteristics.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we examined 217 consecutive asthma and COPD patients who underwent pulmonary function tests at The Center for Pathophysiology of Breathing and Sleep Medicine of The Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia between July 2014 and January 2015. All patients completed Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).ResultsStudy included 117 patients with asthma, 100 patients with COPD, and 102 healthy controls. There was no difference in PSQI and ESS between patients with asthma and COPD (4.9 ± 3.9 vs 5.8 ± 4.3, P = .09 and 4.8 ± 3.4 vs 4.7 ± 3.6, P = .69, respectively). PSQI and ESS did not correlate with lung function parameters. Patients with uncontrolled asthma had higher PSQI scores (uncontrolled 7.0 ± 3.7 vs partially controlled 4.6 ± 3.1 vs controlled 3.2 ± 3.7, P < .001). PSQI scores were higher in COPD group D and B compared to A and C (group D 6.9 ±4.6 vs B 6.8 ± 4.1 vs A 2.9 ± 1.3 vs C 3.1 ± 3.9, P < .001). Compared to asthma, COPD patients had longer sleep latency and used sleep regulating medications more often.ConclusionsThere is no difference in sleep quality and level of daytime sleepiness between patients with asthma and COPD. Poor sleep quality is related to level of asthma control and is associated with COPD groups B and D.
A Soft OR Approach to Fostering Systems Thinking: SODA Maps Plus Joint Analytical Process
Authors: Wang Shouhong , Wang Hai 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTHigher order thinking skills are important for managers. Systems thinking is an important type of higher order thinking in business education. This article investigates a soft Operations Research approach to teaching and learning systems thinking. It outlines the integrative use of Strategic Options Development and Analysis maps for visualizing and assessing systems thinking and the joint analytical process for systems thinking development. This approach has been applied in an MBA course, and has demonstrated its usefulness for students in developing systems thinking skills.
Manufacturing Squares: An Integrative Statistical Process Control Exercise
Authors: Coy Steven P. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIn the exercise, students in a junior‐level operations management class are asked to manufacture a simple product. Given product specifications, they must design a production process, create roles and design jobs for each team member, and develop a statistical process control plan that efficiently and effectively controls quality during production. During an in‐class exercise, students test their plan in a pilot study. After class, they are asked to determine whether their process is stable and capable, critique their plans, and recommend plan modifications before they commence mass production. This exercise provides students with a unique opportunity to combine several fundamental topics from an operations management course into one assignment. Furthermore, assessment of learning outcomes before and after the exercise suggests that it improves learning outcomes in several areas.
Process Variability and Capability in Candy Production and Packaging
Authors: Lembke Ronald S. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIn this short, in‐class activity, students use fun size packages of M&Ms to study process variability, including a real‐world application of Cpk. How process variability and legal requirements force the company to put “Not Labeled for Individual Retail Sale” on each fun size package is discussed, as is the economics of changes the company would have to make to its processes to avoid this requirement. Variability in the weights of each candy, as well as information about the candy shell and chocolate center are also presented.
Expression of GATA and POU transcription factors during the development of the planktotrophic trochophore of the polychaete serpulid Hydroides elegans
Authors: Wong Kimberly Suk‐Ying , Arenas‐Mena Cesar 
Published: July 2016

SUMMARYThe expression of transcription factors with endodermal and mesodermal roles in bilaterians is characterized during the development of Hydroides elegans, a serpulid polychaete with planktotrophic trochophore. GATA 4/5/6 is expressed in endodermal and mesodermal precursors during embryogenesis and in the midgut of trochophore larvae. HeGATA1/2/3a is expressed in animal hemisphere blastomeres 1d121 and 1d122, in dorsal ectoderm and in 4d endomesodermal derivatives that maintain their expression in trochophore larvae. HeGATA1/2/3b is not expressed during embryogenesis, but in several regions of the larva during postembryonic development. During very early gastrulation, Brn1/2/4 is first expressed in cells associated with the prospective oral/foregut side of the blastopore, and during larval development in 4d blastomere descendants. Comparison with orthologs in other metazoans suggests ancestral expression of GATA4/5/6 in the midgut of the last common ancestor of protostomes and deuterostomes. The conserved expression of Brn1/2/4 in the foregut precursors of Hydroides and sea urchins suggests an ancestral role in patterning the tripartite gut of planktotrophic larvae. Broader analysis of these and other regulatory genes reveals variability of developmental gene expression among polychaetes with lecithotrophic larvae, suggesting that they are evolutionarily derived from polychaetes with planktotrophic larvae.
Body‐color and behavioral responses by the mid‐instar nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to crowding and visual stimuli
Authors: Tanaka Seiji , Saeki Shinjiro , Nishide Yudai , Sugahara Ryohei , Shiotsuki Takahiro 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe effects of crowding and isolation on body color and behavior were observed for the mid‐instar nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Some of the solitarious (isolation‐reared) nymphs that were crowded for 1 or 4 h during the third instar developed black patterns at the fourth instar, but most individuals remained unaffected. Black patterns appeared in all individuals that were crowded for 1 day or longer, but even after 4 days of crowding the black patterning for some individuals was not as intense as that for the gregarious (crowd‐reared) controls. Isolation of gregarious nymphs caused the black patterns to recede or disappear at the last (fifth) nymphal instar, but it was necessary to isolate the nymphs from the beginning of the first instar to obtain body coloration looking like solitarious nymphs in most individuals. Solitarious nymphs that were allowed to see gregarious nymphs developed different intensities of black patterns depending on the body size and number of nymphs shown. The behavioral phase shift from one phase to another was observed when the nymphs were crowded or isolated for 2 days or longer, as previously reported for the last nymphal instars of the same strain. Behavioral gregarization was induced for isolated nymphs that were allowed to see a group of nymphs through a transparent double wall. These results suggested that body‐color phase shift occurred more rapidly for mid‐instar nymphs than for late instar nymphs but the rate of behavioral phase shift was similar for the two instars.
Species status of Incisitermes spp. (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in Japan
Authors: Ide Tatsuya , Kanzaki Natsumi , Ohmura Wakako , Takematsu Yoko , Okabe Kimiko 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe species status of Japanese populations of Incisitermes immigrans from Iwo and Minami Daito Islands was examined using mitochondrial 16S molecular barcode sequences. The molecular sequences of these two populations were compared to those of other Incisitermes spp. deposited in the GenBank database using a maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis. This analysis suggested that the Minami Daito population is indeed I. schwarzi, as suspected previously, while the sequence of the Iwo Island population was identical to that of authentic I. immigrans. In addition to I. minor, which is recorded from middle and southern Japan, the presence of three Incisitermes species in Japan was confirmed.
Why do reed beds decline and fail to re‐establish? A case study of Dutch peat lakes
Authors: Vermaat Jan E. , Bos Bas , Van Der Burg Peter 
Published: July 2016

Summary

The decline in emergent reed beds in eutrophic shallow lakes in Europe has been linked to multiple factors, such as adverse water and sediment quality, shoreline development and fixed water level preventing recolonisation, recreational disturbances and herbivory by geese and muskrat. This study analyses the relative importance of these factors in a historical context and tests experimentally what currently may prevent the re‐establishment of emergent reed beds.

We examined the historical extent of emergent reed stands (1925–2013) in relation to long‐term time series of lakeside housing development (1920–2013), abundance of greylag geese (Anser anser) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) as well as water quality (1977–2013) for the shallow lowland peat lake district of Reeuwijk in The Netherlands. In addition, we carried out a comparative survey to generalise our results and an exclosure experiment to test whether current muskrat grazing pressure may hamper restoration efforts.

A steady, linear decline in the extent of emergent reed beds over time corresponded significantly with a similar increase in lakeside house density. We found no correlation with herbivore stocks or water quality parameters.

In the exclosures, rapid expansion of common reed (Phragmites australis), branched bur‐reed (Sparganium erectum) and submerged pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.) occurred, suggesting muskrat herbivory as a factor‐limiting emergent reed re‐establishment in the foreshore.

A combined understanding of the different roles of slow, long‐term pressures (such as housing development) and present constraints (the continuous grazing pressure by muskrat despite a culling program) is crucial to the successful restoration of reed beds in shallow lakes.
Influence of apical enlargement and complementary canal preparation with the Self‐Adjusting File on endotoxin reduction in retreatment cases
Authors: Silva E. J. N. L. , Ferreira V. M. , Silva C. C. , Herrera D. R. , De‐Deus G. , Gomes B. P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimTo compare the effectiveness of large apical preparations and complementary canal preparation with the Self‐Adjusting File (SAF) in removing endotoxins from the root canal of teeth with apical periodontitis.MethodologyTen single‐rooted and single‐canaled teeth with post‐treatment apical periodontitis were selected. Endotoxin samples were taken after removal of the root filling (S1), after chemomechanical preparation (CMP) using 2.5% NaOCl and an R25 file (S2), after CMP using 2.5% NaOCl and an R40 file (S3) and after complementary CMP using the SAF system (S4). Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) was used to measure endotoxin levels. The Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare endotoxin levels at each clinical intervention (P < 0.05).ResultsAfter root filling removal, endotoxin was detected in 100% of the root canals (S1, 4.84 EU mL−1). CMP with the R25 file was able to significantly reduce endotoxin levels (P < 0.05). Increased levels of endotoxin removal were achieved by apical preparation with the R40 file (P < 0.05). Complementary CMP with SAF did not significantly reduce endotoxin levels (P > 0.05) following the use of the R40 instrument.ConclusionsApical enlargement protocols were effective in significantly reducing endotoxin levels. Complementary preparation with the SAF system failed to eliminate residual endotoxin contents beyond those obtained with the R40 instrument.
Perioperative blood transfusion in radical cystectomy: Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database
Authors: Sui Wilson , Onyeji Ifeanyi C , Matulay Justin T , James Maxwell B , Theofanides Marissa C , Wenske Sven , DeCastro Guarionex J 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesTo determine whether perioperative blood transfusion is associated with worse 30‐day postoperative outcomes in radical cystectomy patients.MethodsUtilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified 2934 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer (International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision codes 188–188.9) who underwent radical cystectomy (Current Procedure Terminology codes 51570, 51575, 51580, 51585, 51590, 51595, 51596) between 2005 and 2013. Patients were stratified by transfusion status and assessed based on four composite postoperative outcomes: morbidity, surgical site infection, mortality and readmission. Multivariate regression models were used to determine significant independent predictors of the composite outcomes.ResultsOverall, 40.1% of patients received a transfusion, and there were significant differences in baseline variables such as age, sex, body mass index, smoking history and comorbidities. Transfusion was associated with increased morbidity, surgical site infection, readmission, operative time and length of stay on unadjusted analyses. On multivariate regression, transfusion was associated with increased morbidity (OR 1.361, 95% CI 1.131–1.638) and surgical site infection (OR 1.371, 95% CI 1.070–1.757).ConclusionsPerioperative blood transfusion is associated with increased risk of postoperative infection and morbidity. Previous work in this area has focused on negative long‐term oncological outcomes, but this is the first study to examine short‐term postoperative outcomes. Future research should focus on the immunosuppressive mechanism of perioperative blood transfusion and on restrictive transfusion guidelines for oncology patients.
Ultrasound‐assisted prompted voiding for management of urinary incontinence of nursing home residents: Efficacy and feasibility
Authors: Suzuki Motofumi , Iguchi Yasuhiro , Igawa Yasuhiko , Yoshida Mikako , Sanada Hiromi , Miyazaki Hideyo , Homma Yukio 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and feasibility of ultrasound‐assisted prompted voiding for the management of urinary incontinence in nursing homes.MethodsNursing home residents who had received prompted voiding care for urinary incontinence were enrolled. The voided urinary volume and residual urinary volume were initially measured for a few days. The sum of the mean values of these volumes was considered as the optimal intravesical urinary volume for voiding. Thereafter, the participants underwent regular monitoring of intravesical urinary volume using an ultrasound device, and were prompted to void in a toilet when the monitored volume almost reached the optimal volume. The primary outcome for efficacy was the change in the absorbent cost before and after ultrasound‐assisted prompted voiding care over 12 weeks. The feasibility was assessed by the change in activity of daily living of residents and quality of life measures of the care workers.ResultsA total of 77 residents completed the 12‐week ultrasound‐assisted prompted voiding intervention. The absorbent cost decreased in 40 participants (51.9%), and the overall cost decreased by 11.8% from the baseline value (P = 0.006). The activity of daily living did not significantly change. The quality of life of the care workers significantly improved for subscales of role emotional (P = 0.020) and mental health (P = 0.007).ConclusionsThe management of urinary incontinence for nursing homes residents through ultrasound‐assisted prompted voiding seems to reduce the absorbent cost and to partially improve care workers' quality of life.