bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of haemodialysis patients and haemodialysis performance in Nauru
Authors: Hsu Chia‐Tien , Leona Richard , Wu Ming‐Ju 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTAimThere is limited literature on haemodialysis in island countries in the Central Pacific. The primary aim of this study was to report on the epidemiology of haemodialysis patients and haemodialysis performance in Nauru.MethodsWe obtained registry data from the haemodialysis unit in Nauru to calculate the incidence rate, prevalence, and survival probability of haemodialysis patients in Nauru. We also reviewed medical records from January 2015 to February 2017 to evaluate the haemodialysis performance in Nauru.ResultsIn total, 177 patients received long‐term haemodialysis in the Nauru dialysis unit from 1987 to 2017. The 1‐year, 2‐year, and 5‐year survival probabilities during the 30‐year study period were 76.5%, 58.3% and 25.9%, respectively. From 2011 to 2014, the incidence rate and prevalence of treated end‐stage renal disease in Nauru were significantly higher than Australia. From 2015 to 2017, there were 36 patients with a median age of 55 years who received long‐term haemodialysis. Of these, 25 patients (69.4%) had diabetes. The median haemoglobin, serum albumin, and urea reduction ratio were 9.6 mg/dL, 35 g/L, and 64.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that lower serum albumin and lower urea reduction ratio were associated with mortality.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to report the haemodialysis status in Nauru. The epidemiology of haemodialysis patients in Nauru is unique in the Central Pacific. Improvement of primary health care in disease detection and prevention of progression should be considered to decrease the need for dialysis and optimise the care of haemodialysis patients in Nauru.
Post‐fire effects in xylem hydraulics ofPicea abies,Pinus sylvestrisandFagus sylvatica
Authors: Bär Andreas , Nardini Andrea , Mayr Stefan 
Published: November 2017

SummaryRecent studies on post‐fire tree mortality suggest a role for heat‐induced alterations of the hydraulic system. We analyzed heat effects on xylem hydraulics both in the laboratory and at a forest site hit by fire.Stem vulnerability to drought‐induced embolism and hydraulic conductivity were measured inPicea abies,Pinus sylvestrisandFagus sylvatica. Control branches were compared with samples experimentally exposed to 90°C or damaged by a natural forest fire. In addition, xylem anatomical changes were examined microscopically.Experimental heating caused structural changes in the xylem and increased vulnerability in all species. The largest shifts in vulnerability thresholds (1.3 MPa) were observed inP. sylvestris.F. sylvaticaalso showed heat‐induced reductions (49%) in hydraulic conductivity. At the field site, increased vulnerability was observed in damaged branches ofP. sylvestrisandF. sylvatica, and the xylem ofF. sylvaticawas 39% less conductive in damaged than in undamaged branches.These results provide evidence for heat‐induced impairment of tree hydraulics after fire. The effects recorded at the forest fire site corresponded to those obtained in laboratory experiments, and revealed pronounced hydraulic risks inP. sylvestrisandF. sylvatica. Knowledge of species‐specific hydraulic impairments induced by fire and heat is a prerequisite for accurate estimation of post‐fire mortality risks.
Exertional hypoxemia is more severe in fibrotic interstitial lung disease than in COPD
Authors: Du Plessis Jean P. , Fernandes Senan , Jamal Rakin , Camp Pat , Johannson Kerri , Schaeffer Michele , Wilcox Pearce G. , Guenette Jordan A. , Ryerson Christopher J. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveDespite its clinical and prognostic significance, few studies have evaluated the severity of exertional oxygen desaturation in fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD). Our objectives were to identify clinical and physiological variables that predict the extent of exertional oxygen desaturation in fibrotic ILD and to quantify the severity of desaturation compared to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsThis retrospective study compared the results of 6‐min walk test (6MWT) performed while breathing room air in fibrotic ILD patients and COPD patients eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation. Outcomes included the oxygen saturation (SpO2) nadir and the change in SpO2 from rest during a 6MWT. Predictor variables were identified on unadjusted analysis, followed by multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of desaturation.ResultsThe study included 134 patients with fibrotic ILD and 274 patients with COPD. The ILD and COPD cohorts had similar age, sex, frequency of major comorbidities, walk distance, baseline SpO2 and baseline Borg dyspnoea scores. DLCO was the strongest predictor of desaturation in both cohorts. Compared to patients with COPD, ILD patients had significantly lower SpO2 nadir values (88.1 ± 6.4 vs 91.0 ± 4.6) and greater decrease in SpO2 from baseline (7.4 ± 5.2 vs 4.5 ± 3.7) after adjusting for demographic features and pulmonary physiology (P < 0.0005), with greater between‐group differences at lower DLCO values.ConclusionPatients with fibrotic ILD have greater oxygen desaturation during 6MWT compared to patients with COPD when adjusting for demographic features and pulmonary physiology. These findings suggest the need for disease‐specific studies to evaluate the potential utility of ambulatory oxygen in fibrotic ILD.
MUC1‐ and Survivin‐based DNA Vaccine Combining Immunoadjuvants CpG and interleukin‐2 in a Bicistronic Expression Plasmid Generates Specific Immune Responses and Antitumour Effects in a Murine Colorectal Carcinoma Model
Authors: Liu C. , Xie Y. , Sun B. , Geng F. , Zhang F. , Guo Q. , Wu H. , Yu B. , Wu J. , Yu X. , Kong W. , Zhang H. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDNA vaccination is a promising cancer treatment due to its safety, but poor immunogenicity limits its application. However, immunoadjuvants, heterogeneous prime‐boost strategies and combination with conventional treatments can be used to improve the antitumour immune effects. A CpG motif and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) cytokine are often used as adjuvants. In this study, a DNA vaccine containing a CpG motif was constructed to evaluate its adjuvant effect. The results show that the cytotoxicity of the DNA vaccine was increased fivefold, and survival lifetime was prolonged twofold by the CpG motif adjuvant. To simplify the industrial production process, a bicistronic plasmid was constructed to carry the fusion genes of survivin/MUC1 (MS) and IL‐2 and with a CpG motif in its backbone. The results showed that the antitumour effect of the bicistronic vaccine was the same as that of the two vaccine co‐injected regime. Furthermore, the vaccine could suppress metastatic tumour foci by 69.1% in colorectal carcinoma‐bearing mice. Moreover, the vaccine induced survivin‐ and MUC1‐specific immune responses in splenocytes and induced the immune promoting factor CCL‐19 and GM‐CSF upregulated, while metastatic‐associated factor MMP‐9 and immunosuppressing factor PD‐L1 downregulated in tumour tissue. When combining the vaccine with the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin, the survival was prolonged by about 2.5‐fold. In conclusion, the DNA vaccine containing a CpG motif in bicistronic form showed good effects on colorectal cancer by inhibiting both tumour growth and metastasis, and combination with oxaliplatin could improve its antitumour effects.
Teaching univariate measures of location‐using loss functions
Authors: Paolino Jon‐Paul 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThis article presents a new method for introductory teaching of the sample mean, median and mode(s) from a univariate dataset. These basic statistical concepts are taught at various levels of education from elementary school curriculums to courses at the tertiary level. These descriptive measures of location can be taught as optimized solutions to certain loss functions. Although proving these require some understanding of derivatives as used in a first year calculus course, the attained insight is valuable for higher level statistical thinking. Using the statistical computing software R, we visually illustrate the minimization of these loss functions using some example datasets.
National Comparative Audit of Blood Transfusion: report on the 2014 audit of patient information and consent
Authors: Booth C. , Grant‐Casey J. , Lowe D. , Court E. L. , Allard S. ,   on behalf of the National Comparative Audit of Blood Transfusion Project Group for Patient Information and Consent
Published: November 2017

SUMMARYObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess current practices around obtaining consent for blood transfusion and provision of patient information in hospitals across the UK and identify areas for improvement.BackgroundRecommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) (2011) state that valid consent should be obtained for blood transfusion and documented in clinical records. A standardised source of information should be available to patients. Practices in relation to this have historically been inconsistent.MethodsThe consent process was studied in hospitals across the UK over a 3‐month period in 2014 by means of an audit of case notes and simultaneous surveys of patients and staff.ResultsIn total, 2784 transfusion episodes were reviewed across 164 hospital sites. 85% of sites had a policy on consent for transfusion. Consent was documented in 43% of case notes. 68% of patients recalled being given information on benefits of transfusion, 38% on risks and 8% on alternatives and 28% reported receiving an information leaflet. In total, 85% of staff stated they had explained the reason for transfusion, but only 65% had documented this. 41% of staff had received training specifically on transfusion consent in the last 2 years.ConclusionsThere is a need to improve clinical practice in obtaining valid consent for transfusion in line with existing national guidelines and local Trust policies, with emphasis on documentation within clinical records. Provision of patient information is an area particularly highlighted for action, and transfusion training for clinicians should be strengthened.
Transfusion strategy for weak D Type 4.0 based on RHD alleles and RH haplotypes in Tunisia
Authors: Ouchari Mouna , Srivastava Kshitij , Romdhane Houda , Jemni Yacoub Saloua , Flegel Willy Albert 
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUNDWith more than 460 RHD alleles, this gene is the most complex and polymorphic among all blood group systems. The Tunisian population has the largest known prevalence of weak D Type 4.0 alleles, occurring in one of 105 RH haplotypes. We aimed to establish a rationale for the transfusion strategy of weak D Type 4.0 in Tunisia.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSDonors were randomly screened for the serologic weak D phenotype. The RHD coding sequence and parts of the introns were sequenced. To establish the RH haplotype, the RHCE gene was tested for characteristic single‐nucleotide positions.RESULTSWe determined all RHD alleles and the RH haplotypes coding for the serologic weak D phenotype among 13,431 Tunisian donations. A serologic weak D phenotype was found in 67 individuals (0.50%). Among them, 60 carried a weak D Type 4 allele: 53 weak D Type 4.0, six weak D Type 4.2.2 (DAR), and one weak D Type 4.1. An additional four donors had one variant allele each: DVII, weak D Type 1, weak D Type 3, and weak D type 100, while three donors showed a normal RHD sequence. The weak D Type 4.0 was most often linked to RHCE*ceVS.04.01, weak D Type 4.2.2 to RHCE*ceAR, and weak D Type 4.1 to RHCE*ceVS.02, while the other RHD alleles were linked to one of the common RHCE alleles.CONCLUSIONSAmong the weak D phenotypes in Tunisia, no novel RHD allele was found and almost 90% were caused by alleles of the weak D Type 4 cluster, of which 88% represented the weak D Type 4.0 allele. Based on established RH haplotypes for variant RHD and RHCE alleles and the lack of adverse clinical reports, we recommend D+ transfusions for patients with weak D Type 4.0 in Tunisia.
Electronic remote blood issue combined with a computer‐controlled, automated refrigerator for major surgery in operating theatres at a distance from the transfusion service
Authors: Verlicchi Franco , Pacilli Pasqua , Bragliani Arianna , Rapuano Silvia , Dini Daniele , Vincenzi Daniele 
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUNDThe difficulty of supplying red blood cells within an adequate time to patients undergoing surgery is a known problem for transfusion services, particularly if the operating theater is located at some distance from the blood bank. The consequences frequently are that more blood is ordered than required; several units are allocated and issued; and unused units must be returned to the blood bank. Some sparse reports have demonstrated that remote blood issue systems can improve the efficiency of issuing blood.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis study describes a computer‐controlled, self‐service, remote blood‐release system, combined with an automated refrigerator, installed in a hospital at which major surgery was performed, located 5 kilometers away from the transfusion service. With this system, red blood cell units were electronically allocated to patients immediately before release, when the units actually were needed. Two 2‐year periods, before and after implementation of the system, were compared.RESULTSAfter implementation of the system, the ratio of red blood cell units returned to the transfusion service was reduced from 48.9% to 1.6% of the issued units (8852 of 18,090 vs. 182 of 11,152 units; p < 0.0001), and the issue‐to‐transfusion ratio was reduced from 1.96 to 1.02. An increase in the number of transfused red blood cell units was observed, probably mainly due to changes in the number and complexity of surgical procedures. No transfusion errors occurred in the two periods.CONCLUSIONThe current results demonstrate that the remote blood‐release system is safe and useful for improving the efficiency of blood issue for patients in remote operating theatres.
Triple phase computed tomography of the pancreas in healthy cats
Authors: Secrest Scott , Sharma Ajay , Bugbee Andrew 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWhile the availability and use of computed tomography (CT) continues to grow, no study has described the size and multiphase CT appearance of the normal feline pancreas. This information is important to not only allow more accurate identification and differentiation of disease, but it may also be useful in assessing pancreatic function. In this prospective analytical study, we described a triple phase CT protocol of the pancreas for use in sedated cats and the attenuation, enhancement pattern, size, and volume of the pancreas for a group of healthy cats. Fifteen healthy cats were enrolled in the study and a standardized protocol for acquiring arterial, portal, and delayed phase CT images of the pancreas was developed and described. The pancreas was hypo to isoattenuating to both the liver and spleen in all phases in the majority of cats with a homogenous enhancement pattern noted in all 15. Mean pancreatic attenuation was 48, 79, 166, and 126 Hounsfield units (HU) respectively on precontrast, arterial, portal, and delayed phase images. In addition, mean height, length, and width of the left lobe of the pancreas were larger than the right lobe in all 15 cats. There were no associations between volume and volume: body weight ratio with age (P = 0.6518, P = 0.6968) or sex (P = 0.7013, P = 0.2043). This baseline information may be beneficial for use in future studies characterizing pancreatic disease in cats as well as future research studies evaluating pancreatic endocrine function.
Bacteriophage Distributions and Temporal Variability in the Ocean’s Interior
Authors: Luo Elaine , Aylward Frank O. , Mende Daniel R. , DeLong Edward F. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT
Bacteriophages are numerically the most abundant DNA-containing entities in the oligotrophic ocean, yet how specific phage populations vary over time and space remains to be fully explored. Here, we conducted a metagenomic time-series survey of double-stranded DNA phages throughout the water column in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, encompassing 1.5 years from depths of 25 to 1,000 m. Viral gene sequences were identified in assembled metagenomic samples, yielding an estimated 172,385 different viral gene families. Viral marker gene distributions suggested that lysogeny was more prevalent at mesopelagic depths than in surface waters, consistent with prior prophage induction studies using mitomycin C. A total of 129 ALOHA viral genomes and genome fragments from 20 to 108 kbp were selected for further study, which represented the most abundant phages in the water column. Phage genotypes displayed discrete population structures. Most phages persisted throughout the time-series and displayed a strong depth structure that mirrored the stratified depth distributions of co-occurring bacterial taxa in the water column. Mesopelagic phages were distinct from surface water phages with respect to diversity, gene content, putative life histories, and temporal persistence, reflecting depth-dependent differences in host genomic architectures and phage reproductive strategies. The spatiotemporal distributions of the most abundant open-ocean bacteriophages that we report here provide new insight into viral temporal persistence, life history, and virus-host-environment interactions throughout the open-ocean water column.

IMPORTANCE
The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre represents one of the largest biomes on the planet, where microbial communities are central mediators of ecosystem dynamics and global biogeochemical cycles. Critical members of these communities are the viruses of marine bacteria, which can alter microbial metabolism and significantly influence their survival and productivity. To better understand these viral assemblages, we conducted genomic analyses of planktonic viruses over a seasonal cycle to ocean depths of 1,000 m. We identified 172,385 different viral gene families and 129 unique virus genotypes in this open-ocean setting. The spatiotemporal distributions of the most abundant open-ocean viruses that we report here provide new insights into viral temporal variability, life history, and virus-host-environment interactions throughout the water column.
Influence of early childhood burns on school performance: an Australian population study
Authors: Azzam Nadin , Oei Ju-Lee , Adams Susan , Bajuk Barbara , Hilder Lisa , Mohamed Abdel-Latif , Wright Ian M R , Holland Andrew J A 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesTo determine the influence of burn injuries on childhood performance in national standardised curriculum-based school tests.DesignBirth and health records of 977 children who were hospitalised with a burn injury between 2000 and 2006 in the state of New South Wales, Australia, were linked to performance scores in the National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy test, a compulsory nationwide curriculum-based test (CBT) and compared with children who were not hospitalised for burns and who were matched for birth year, gender, gestation and socioeconomic status.Main outcome measuresTest scores in years 3 (ages 8–9), 5 (ages 10–11) and 7 (ages 13–14) in numeracy, writing, reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation.ResultsMean age at first burn injury was 28 months (median: 20, range: 0–140). Children with burns were significantly more likely to have younger mothers (28.5 vs 29.6 years) (P<0.001), be indigenous (OR 2.5 (95% CI 2.1 to 3.1)) (P<0.001) and have siblings (OR 1.2 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.4)) (P<0.001). They were also less likely to meet national minimum standards in most domains of testing until year 5, even after adjustment for parental education levels, parental smoking, maternal age and indigenous status. Each 10% increase in total body surface area burnt was associated with a decrease in year 5 scores by 37.0% in numeracy and 71.9% in writing.ConclusionsMost childhood burn injuries occur before the start of formal schooling. Children who are hospitalised for burns perform more poorly in CBT even after accounting for family and socioeconomic disadvantage. Rehabilitation of children with burn injuries must address school performance to decrease any long-term negative societal impact of burns.
Diverging Patterns of Satisfaction across Europe
Authors: Kmetty Zoltán , Tardos Róbert 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBuilding on a decade-long comparative database of the European Social Survey the present study targets general aspects of satisfaction across larger regions of Europe with special regard to the socioeconomic changes in the recent decades. Conventionally cultivated measures like central tendency are supplemented by structural parameters of distribution based on a conceptual scheme distinguishing consensus and tightness of opinions. Dispersion-like indicators point to a stronger polarization of public mood under worse off contexts and, to a certain degree, conditions of vulnerability to economic downturn. A more rigid juncture of various mood components is also observable under less favourable circumstances. Disparities of income position in the first place, but features of cultural and ideological-political differentiation as well are intertwined with satisfaction polarization in a kind of stress syndrome exhibiting substantial divergences in both the East/West and the North/South regards.
Full-Time Employment and Marital Satisfaction among Women in East Asian Societies
Authors: Hori Makiko 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Using the 2006 East Asian Social Survey, the current study examines the relationship between wives’ employment status and their marital satisfaction in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The results show that full-time housewives are more satisfied as compared to full-time employed wives in Taiwan, while part-time employed wives are less satisfied than full-time employed wives in China. Wives’ marital satisfaction is also associated with their gender role attitudes, husband’s housework participation, and a number of family members in Japan and South Korea. The relationship between wives’ employment and their marital satisfaction varies even among four East Asian countries, where gender climate is relatively similar.