bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indicators for assessing quality of drug use: A systematic literature review
Authors: Song Jie , Zhang Lingli , Li Youping , Zeng Linan , Hu Die , Liang Yi , Liu Dan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectiveWe searched and described existing drug‐related indicators, and provided helps for using indicators for quality assessment of drug use and developing new indicators.MethodsWe searched 8 databases and 41 official WebPages of national pharmaceutical administration department or academic organizations to obtain literature on drug‐related indicators. Researchers extracted data including basic information (countries, issue time et al.), target population, categories, and various characters of indicators. We finally conducted a descriptive analysis to summarize these indicators.ResultsA total of 3598 literatures were retrieved, 39 of which were finally included. a) A total of 876 indicators were identified. Of which, 9.5% were structure indicator, 83.6% were process indicator and 6.9% were outcome indicator. b) Evaluation dimensions of indicators could be summarized as prescribing quality, patients' experience, pharmacy administration, drug‐therapy process and cost. c) In included indicator sets, 9 were developed for specific drug, 7 were for specific disease and 6 were for specific population. d) Instructions of indicator sets were identified. 7 terms of instructions were included such as rationale, prerequisite and definition of indicators.ConclusionsMost study suggest that prescribing quality is an essential dimension and process indicator was greatly considered in drug use evaluation. Drug‐related indicators for general adults were relatively well‐developed. There was an urgent need for investigation of drug use indicators for children and pregnant women.
US Physician and Midwife Adherence to Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor International Recommendations
Authors: Schorn Mavis N. , Dietrich Mary S. , Donaghey Beth , Minnick Ann F. 
Published: January 2017

IntroductionThe prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage has increased in the United States despite the international promotion of active management of the third stage of labor. Adherence to the international recommendations in the United States is unclear. It is also not known how the components of active management are related to other practices that may be used during the third stage of labor. The purpose of this study was to determine routine practice patterns for managing the third stage of labor in the United States.MethodsA randomized national survey was conducted of certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives, certified professional midwives, obstetricians, and family physicians who self‐reported third‐stage practices. Descriptive analyses and partial correlations were used to determine differences in practice patterns between midwives and physicians. A 2‐step clustering algorithm was used to identify clusters of third‐stage practices.ResultsA total of 1243 clinicians responded. Uterine massage after placenta expulsion was reportedly used at almost every birth by all provider types. Median use of cord traction and oxytocin administration by all provider types was 80% and 90% of births, respectively. Cluster analysis of these and other interventions used during the third stage of labor revealed 4 distinct clusters of practices ranging from primarily a hands‐off at one extreme to high‐intervention approaches at the other extreme. The other 2 clusters were defined by practices that fell between those extremes.DiscussionDetermination of how, and under what conditions, clinicians decide when to use particular techniques to manage the third stage of labor and how these techniques influence the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, is necessary. The clusters of practice combinations that emerged in this study suggest that there are extreme variations in clinician practices during management of the third stage of labor.
Assessment of skin pigmentation by confocal microscopy: Influence of solar exposure and protection habits on cutaneous hyperchromias
Authors: Martini Ana Paula M , Mercurio Daiane G , Maia Campos Patrícia M B G 
Published: February 2017

SummaryBackgroundCutaneous hyperchromias are disorders of skin pigmentation involving an increase of melanin production and its irregular accumulation in skin cells. It is known that the use of sunscreens helps to prevent changes in the skin pigmentation pattern, but the structural and morphological alterations that occur in the different types of hyperpigmentations need better elucidation.ObjectiveTo assess the influence of solar exposure and protection habits on the pattern of skin pigmentation using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM).MethodsForty volunteers aged 18‐39 years with skin hyperpigmentation participated in the study. Skin characterization was performed by imaging techniques and by assessing the habits of solar exposure and protection by applying questionnaires to the volunteers. RCM was used to record sequences of confocal sections at areas of interest and to examine cell shape and brightness in the basal cell layer of the lesion and in normal perilesional skin. Furthermore, high‐resolution images were obtained for analysis of the spots.ResultsSunlight influences the number and location of spots as the face of volunteers with higher solar exposure was covered with spots, whereas volunteers with less exposure had fewer spots located in the nose and cheeks region due to greater exposure of these areas to the sun.ConclusionThe data showed the importance of sun protection for preventing changes in the pattern of skin pigmentation, and RCM proved to be an important tool for skin characterization.
Hedging Longevity Risk in Life Settlements Using Biomedical Research‐Backed Obligations
Authors: MacMinn Richard D. , Zhu Nan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn the life settlement market, mortality risk is transferred from life insurance policyholders to third‐party life settlement firms. This risk transfer occurs in conjunction with an information transfer that is relevant not only for pricing, but also for risk management. In this analysis, we compare the efficiency of two different hedging instruments in managing the mortality risk of the life settlement firm. First, we claim and then demonstrate that conventional longevity‐linked securities do not perform as effectively in the secondary life market, that is, life settlement market, as in the annuity and pension markets due to the basis risk that exists between the general population and the life settlement subgroup. Second, we show that the unique risk exposure of the life settlement firm can be specifically targeted using a new instrument—the biomedical research‐backed obligations. Our finding connects two seemingly independent markets and can promote the healthy development of both.
Urethral Stenting for Obstructive Uropathy Utilizing Digital Radiography for Guidance: Feasibility and Clinical Outcome in 26 Dogs
Authors: Radhakrishnan A. 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundUrethral stent placement is an interventional treatment option to alleviate urethral outflow obstruction. It has been described utilizing fluoroscopy, but fluoroscopy is not as readily available in private practice as digital radiography.ObjectivesTo describe the use of digital radiography for urethral stent placement in dogs with obstructive uropathy.AnimalsTwenty‐six client‐owned dogs presented for dysuria associated with benign and malignant causes of obstructive uropathy that underwent urethral stent placement.MethodsRetrospective study.ResultsCauses of obstructive uropathy included transitional cell carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma, hemangiosarcoma, obstructive proliferative urethritis, compressive vaginal leiomyosarcoma, and detrusor‐sphincter dyssynergia. Survival time range was 1–48 months (median, 5 months). All dogs were discharged from the hospital with urine outflow restored. Intraprocedural complications included guide wire penetration of the urethral wall in 1 dog and improper stent placement in a second dog. Both complications were successfully managed at the time of the procedure with no follow‐up problems noted in either patient.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceUrethral stent placement can be successfully performed utilizing digital radiography. The complications experienced can be avoided by more cautious progression with each step through the procedure and serial radiography. The application of digital radiography may allow treatment of urethral obstruction to become more readily available.
Validating, deconstructing and refining Baveno criteria for ruling out high‐risk varices in patients with compensated cirrhosis
Authors: Jangouk Parastoo , Turco Laura , De Oliveira Ana , Schepis Filippo , Villa Erica , Garcia‐Tsao Guadalupe 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundGuidelines recommend variceal screening in patients with cirrhosis to identify varices at high risk of bleeding requiring primary prophylaxis. Non‐invasive criteria to rule out high‐risk varices will avoid unnecessary endoscopies. Recent Baveno VI criteria define patients with compensated cirrhosis in whom endoscopy can be avoided as those with a liver stiffness by transient elastography <20 kPa and a platelet count >150 000/mm3.AimsTo validate Baveno criteria in two cohorts with a different prevalence of high‐risk varices and to determine whether alternate parameters not including liver stiffness would be equal/more accurate in ruling out high‐risk varices.MethodsRetrospective study evaluating patients with liver stiffness >10 kPa who had liver stiffness and endoscopy within 1 year of each other.ResultsThis study included 161 patients from the US cohort (14 [9%] with high‐risk varices) and 101 patients from an Italian cohort (17 [17%] with high‐risk varices). Of patients meeting Baveno criteria (41 in the US, 16 in Italy), none had high‐risk varices and therefore 26% (US) and 16% (Italy) endoscopies could have been avoided. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were 100%. A stepwise strategy using platelet count >150 000 and MELD=6, increased the number of endoscopies avoided to 54% (US) while maintaining a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%. Excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value were validated in the Italian cohort and in another cohort of patients with a clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis.ConclusionsThis study validates Baveno VI criteria, particularly in sites with a low prevalence of high‐risk varices and describes a new accurate strategy that does not include liver stiffness.
Fluoroless Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias: A 5‐Year Experience
Authors: RAZMINIA MANSOUR , WILLOUGHBY MICHAEL CAMERON , DEMO HANY , KESHMIRI HESAM , WANG THEODORE , D'SILVA OLIVER J. , ZHEUTLIN TERRY A. , JIBAWI HAKEEM , OKHUMALE PAUL , KEHOE RICHARD F. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundCatheter ablations have been traditionally performed with the use of fluoroscopic guidance, which exposes the patient and staff to the inherent risks of radiation. We have developed techniques to eliminate the use of fluoroscopy during cardiac ablations and have been performing completely fluoroless catheter ablations on our patients for over 5 years.MethodsWe present a retrospective analysis of the safety, efficacy, and feasibility data from 500 consecutive patients who underwent nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation, targeting a total of 639 arrhythmias, including atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), atrial tachycardia (AT), atrial fibrillation (AF), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and ventricular tachycardia (VT). We perform fluoroless ablations using intracardiac electrograms, electroanatomic mapping, and for most cases intracardiac echocardiography. Our experience includes exclusively endocardial cardiac ablations.ResultsThe mean follow‐up was 20.5 months. Recurrence rate for AVRT was 6.5%, for AVNRT 2.5%, for macro‐reentrant AT 6.4%, for focal AT 5.4%, for AF 22.6%, for PVC 6.7%, and for VT 21.4%. Major complications occurred in five patients (1.0%); minor complications occurred in three patients (0.6%). No deaths occurred. Fluoroscopy was used in one instance, for 0.3 minutes, to confirm venous access.ConclusionsCompletely fluoroless catheter ablations may be routinely performed for all endocardial ablations without compromising safety, efficacy, or procedural duration.
Synthesis of bacteriophage lytic proteins against Streptococcus pneumoniae in the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Stoffels Laura , Taunt Henry N. , Charalambous Bambos , Purton Saul 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThere is a pressing need to develop novel antibacterial agents given the widespread antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria and the low specificity of the drugs available. Endolysins are antibacterial proteins that are produced by bacteriophage‐infected cells to digest the bacterial cell wall for phage progeny release at the end of the lytic cycle. These highly efficient enzymes show a considerable degree of specificity for the target bacterium of the phage. Furthermore, the emergence of resistance against endolysins appears to be rare as the enzymes have evolved to target molecules in the cell wall that are essential for bacterial viability. Taken together, these factors make recombinant endolysins promising novel antibacterial agents. The chloroplast of the green unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii represents an attractive platform for production of therapeutic proteins in general, not least due to the availability of established techniques for foreign gene expression, a lack of endotoxins or potentially infectious agents in the algal host, and low cost of cultivation. The chloroplast is particularly well suited to the production of endolysins as it mimics the native bacterial expression environment of these proteins while being devoid of their cell wall target. In this study, the endolysins Cpl‐1 and Pal, specific to the major human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, were produced in the C. reinhardtii chloroplast. The antibacterial activity of cell lysates and the isolated endolysins was demonstrated against different serotypes of S. pneumoniae, including clinical isolates and total recombinant protein yield was quantified at ~1.3 mg/g algal dry weight.
Dual herbivore attack and herbivore density affect metabolic profiles of Brassica nigra leaves
Authors: Ponzio Camille , Papazian Stefano , Albrectsen Benedicte R. , Dicke Marcel , Gols Rieta 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPlant responses to dual herbivore attack are increasingly studied, but effects on the metabolome have largely been restricted to volatile metabolites and defence‐related non‐volatile metabolites. However, plants subjected to stress, such as herbivory, undergo major changes in both primary and secondary metabolism. Using a naturally occurring system, we investigated metabolome‐wide effects of single or dual herbivory on Brassica nigra plants by Brevicoryne brassicae aphids and Pieris brassicae caterpillars, while also considering the effect of aphid density. Metabolomic analysis of leaf material showed that single and dual herbivory had strong effects on the plant metabolome, with caterpillar feeding having the strongest influence. Additionally, aphid‐density‐dependent effects were found in both the single and dual infestation scenarios. Multivariate analysis revealed treatment‐specific metabolomic profiles, and effects were largely driven by alterations in the glucosinolate and sugar pools. Our work shows that analysing the plant metabolome as a single entity rather than as individual metabolites provides new insights into the subcellular processes underlying plant defence against multiple herbivore attackers. These processes appear to be importantly influenced by insect density.
Outcomes of children, adolescents, and young adults following allogeneic stem cell transplantation for secondary acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes—The MD Anderson Cancer Center experience
Authors: Maher Ossama M. , Silva Jorge Galvez , Wu Jimin , Liu Diane , Cooper Laurence J.N. , Tarek Nidale , Worth Laura , Lee Dean A. , Petropoulos Demetrios , Franklin Anna R.K. , Zweidler‐Mckay Patrick , Wells Robert J. , Rondon Gabriela , Champlin Richard E. , Tewari Priti 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe conducted a retrospective analysis of outcomes for children and young adults with sAML/sMDS who underwent HSCT at our institution. Thirty‐two patients (median age 20 years) with sAML (n=24) and sMDS (n=8) received HSCT between 1990 and 2013. The median time from sAML/sMDS diagnosis to HSCT was 4.1 months (range: 1.2‐27.2 months). The transplant regimens were primarily busulfan based (n=19). BM was the primary donor source (n=15). Eleven recipients were transplanted with residual disease. At a median follow‐up of 62.3 months (range: 0.4‐250.9 months), 14 patients had disease recurrence. Acute GVHD, grade III/IV, occurred in three patients. Causes of death were as follows: disease relapse (n=12), infection (n=2), pneumonia (n=1), pulmonary hemorrhage (n=1), acute GVHD (n=1), and graft failure (n=1). A PS of ≥90% at the time of HSCT had a significant impact on PFS (P=.02). Patients achieving pretransplant primary CR (n=8) and those with sMDS and RA (n=6) had prolonged PFS (P=.04). On multivariate analysis, shorter time to transplantation (≤6 months from diagnosis of sAML/sMDS) was associated with superior OS (P=.0018) and PFS (P=.0005).
Staff experiences of appreciative management in the institutional care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Astala Lena , Roos Mervi , Harmoinen Merja , Suominen Tarja 
Published: February 2017

Purpose/DesignThis cross‐sectional descriptive study describes staff experiences of appreciative management.MethodsData were collected by way of e‐survey from staff (n = 87) working in the institutional care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Appreciative Management Scale (AMS 1.0) was used and data were analysed by statistical methods.FindingsOverall, respondents experienced appreciative management as being well implemented, with equality as the best implemented dimension and systematic management the worst. The promotion of well‐being at work was associated with age. Appreciation staff received from management had a positive correlation with systematic management, equality, appreciation of know‐how and the promotion of well‐being at work.ConclusionsThe knowledge of weak systematic management in this study may be utilised in developing management strategies. The managers should use the concept of appreciative management to help young and less experienced nurses to increase their competency and willingness to work in this field.
In vivo fascicle behavior of the flexor hallucis longus muscle at different walking speeds
Authors: Péter A. , Hegyi A. , Finni T. , Cronin N. J. 
Published: February 2017

Ankle plantar flexor muscles support and propel the body in the stance phase of locomotion. Besides the triceps surae, flexor hallucis longus muscle (FHL) may also contribute to this role, but very few in vivo studies have examined FHL function during walking. Here, we investigated FHL fascicle behavior at different walking speeds. Ten healthy males walked overground at three different speeds while FHL fascicle length changes were recorded with ultrasound and muscle activity was recorded with surface electromyography (EMG). Fascicle length at heel strike at toe off and at peak EMG activity did not change with speed. Range of FHL fascicle length change (3.5‐4.5 and 1.9‐2.9 mm on average in stance and push‐off phase, respectively), as well as minimum (53.5‐54.9 and 53.8‐55.7 mm) and maximum (58‐58.4 and 56.8‐57.7 mm) fascicle length did not change with speed in the stance or push‐off phase. Mean fascicle velocity did not change in the stance phase, but increased significantly in the push‐off phase between slow and fast walking speeds (P=.021). EMG activity increased significantly in both phases from slow to preferred and preferred to fast speed (P<.02 in all cases). FHL muscle fascicles worked near‐isometrically during the whole stance phase (at least during slow walking) and operated at approximately the same length at different walking speeds. FHL and medial gastrocnemius (MG) have similar fiber length to muscle belly length ratios and, according to our results, also exhibit similar fascicle behavior at different walking speeds.
The Role of Domestic Employment Policies in Shaping Precarious Work
Authors: Jokela Merita 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis article compares policy approaches regarding domestic employment in affluent countries and examines their impact on precarious work. Drawing on secondary literature and policy documents, this study identifies five policy approaches commonly applied in affluent countries to regulate and develop domestic employment: (1) affordable services; (2) simplifying use; (3) regulating employment; (4) regulating labour migration; and (5) no policy. The comparative analysis of different policy types shows that policy design is crucial in regulating employment conditions and the level of precariousness in paid domestic labour.Based on a literature review, three dimensions of precarious work are studied: (1) the nature of employment (formal/informal); (2) the employment relationship; and (3) the form of employment (temporary or permanent, part time or full time). I argue that the current policy measures in place may increase precariousness either directly by promoting, for example, informal and irregular work, or indirectly through households (offering incentives for households that weaken workers' positions). The analysis also identifies positive measures that contribute to creating more secure employment conditions in domestic work through formalizing the sector. While there are differences in the outcomes of the different policy types, the findings suggest that across welfare states, domestic employment policies are still mostly demand driven and sustain the traditional, special nature of domestic work – often at the workers' expense.
From the Cradle of ‘Solidarity’ to the Land of Cheap Labour and the Home of Precarious. Strategic Discourse on Labour Arrangements in Post‐socialist Poland
Authors: Rek‐Woźniak Magdalena , Woźniak Wojciech 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe labour market in Poland is characterized by low wages, long working hours, the largest share of fixed‐term contacts among EU countries, and a low share of unemployed entitled to very low benefits.In a country being the cradle of the Solidarność labour movement, union density is currently distinctively low and the position of labour unions weak, particularly in the private sector. The massive post‐accession migration can be partially explained by dissatisfaction with labour arrangements constructed throughout the socio‐economic transformation into capitalism.The article tracks the main features of strategic discourse surrounding labour market reforms in Poland after 1989. The analysis of documents published by subsequent Polish Governments allowed for reconstruction of the elements of discursive processes that paved the way for radical liberalization of the labour arrangements. The review of strategic documents was organized around three questions: the rationale and the construction of policy agenda, its normative and axiological fundaments and the discursive tools forcing consent around proposed measures.The consistency of beliefs in the proposed solutions disregarding changing internal (measurable outcomes of the policies) and external (growing criticism of neo‐liberalism in the aftermath of the global financial crisis) circumstances fit the criteria of ‘master’ discourse, as defined by Vivian A. Schmidt. We argue that these cognitive and normative aspects of Polish discourse mirrored, to a large extent, the processes occurring in the UK under Thatcher's rule as reconstructed by Schmidt.