bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early life events and motor development in childhood and adolescence: a longitudinal study
Authors: Grace Tegan , Bulsara Max , Robinson Monique , Hands Beth 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimFew studies have reported on early life risk factors for motor development outcomes past childhood. Antenatal, perinatal and neonatal factors affecting motor development from late childhood to adolescence were explored. As sex differences in motor development have been previously reported, males and females were examined separately.MethodsParticipants (n = 2868) were from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study. Obstetric and neonatal data were examined to determine factors related to motor development at 10 (n = 1622), 14 (n = 1584) and 17 (n = 1221) years. The Neuromuscular Development Index (NDI) of the McCarron Assessment of Motor Development determined offspring motor proficiency. Linear mixed models were developed to allow for changes in motor development over time.ResultsMaternal pre‐eclampsia, Caesarean section and low income were negatively related to male and female motor outcomes. Lower percentage of optimal birthweight was related to a lower male NDI. Younger maternal age, smoking during early pregnancy and stress during later pregnancy were related to lower female NDIs.ConclusionEvents experienced during pregnancy were related to motor development into late adolescence. Males and females were influenced differently by antenatal and perinatal risk factors; this may be due to sex‐specific developmental pathways.
Somatic assessments of 120 Swedish children taken into care reveal large unmet health and dental care needs
Authors: Kling Stefan , Vinnerljung Bo , Hjern Anders 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimFor decades, non‐Nordic countries have consistently reported high rates of somatic health problems among children placed in care by the authorities. This study examined the unmet health and dental care needs of Swedish children in foster and residential care.MethodsThe health of 120 consecutive children aged 0–17 years, who had recently been placed in foster or residential care in one Swedish region, was assessed by an experienced paediatrician using patient records, their medical history and a physical examination.ResultsFollowing the assessments, 51% of the subjects received at least one referral to a specialist or to primary care, either for a previously undetected medical condition or for a follow‐up of a previously detected condition noted in their patient records. The study showed that 40% of the girls and 33% of boys were overweight and completed vaccination rates were only 86% for children up to the age of six and 68% for 7‐ to 17‐year‐olds. Half of the 7‐ to 17‐year‐olds had untreated dental decay.ConclusionOur study revealed a large unmet need for health and dental care interventions among children placed in foster care and residential care and a systematic strategy is required to address those needs.
COLLECTIVE ACTION AND ASPIRATIONS: THE IMPACT OF COOPERATIVES ON ETHIOPIAN COFFEE FARMERS’ ASPIRATIONS
Authors: MOJO Dagne , FISCHER Christian , DEGEFA Terefe 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTAspirations motivate behaviours, serve to mobilize and direct energy into actions, and are regarded as important determinants of success. Given the importance of aspirations and their formation in social interaction, the objective of this article is to evaluate if cooperative membership can have effects on members' aspiration levels. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 305 Ethiopian coffee farmers on their aspired levels in five dimensions of their lives. Results, using a propensity score matching technique, show that membership in cooperatives significantly improves the aspiration levels of the members. The article emphasizes the utilization of this hidden but important benefit of cooperatives.
ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBILITIES FOR EXPANSION OF SERVICES IN TANZANIAN SAVINGS AND CREDITS CO‐OPERATIVE SOCIETIES: LEARNING FROM ECONOMIES OF SCALE
Authors: NDIEGE Benson Otieno , QIN Xuezhi , MASSAMBU Daud , TOWO Esther N. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTSavings and Credit Co‐operative Societies (SACCOS) increasingly recognized as the valuable tool for economic development in low‐income countries. However, recently researchers reported that one of their primary challenges to their expansion is the high level of inefficient. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between growth and efficiency of SACCOS using economies of scale concept. Then we address the role of management of the capital structure and allocation of resources in the expansion of SACCOS. The study used financial statement data from 60 SACCOS in Tanzania for the period of 2004–2011. The findings supports that most of SACCOS are small and cost inefficient because the industry is young, but, the efficiency increases as SACCOS expand. Second the allocation of resources in liquid, financial and non‐financial investment leads to no expansion in SACCOS. Thus, the growth of SACCOS via increasing loan to members, members’ savings, shares, and institutional capital should be encouraged as it increases the efficiency of SACCOS. Also, SACCOS should minimize the allocation of assets in other investments which are different from credit to members.
Cluster Adjusted Regression for Displaced Subject Data (CARDS): Marginal Inference Under Potentially Informative Temporal Cluster Size Profiles
Authors: Bible Joe , Beck James D. , Datta Somnath 
Published: December 2015

Summary
Ignorance of the mechanisms responsible for the availability of information presents an unusual problem for analysts. It is often the case that the availability of information is dependent on the outcome. In the analysis of cluster data we say that a condition for informative cluster size (ICS) exists when the inference drawn from analysis of hypothetical balanced data varies from that of inference drawn on observed data. Much work has been done in order to address the analysis of clustered data with informative cluster size; examples include Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW), Cluster Weighted Generalized Estimating Equations (CWGEE), and Doubly Weighted Generalized Estimating Equations (DWGEE). When cluster size changes with time, i.e., the data set possess temporally varying cluster sizes (TVCS), these methods may produce biased inference for the underlying marginal distribution of interest. We propose a new marginalization that may be appropriate for addressing clustered longitudinal data with TVCS. The principal motivation for our present work is to analyze the periodontal data collected by Beck et al. (1997, Journal of Periodontal Research 6, 497–505). Longitudinal periodontal data often exhibits both ICS and TVCS as the number of teeth possessed by participants at the onset of study is not constant and teeth as well as individuals may be displaced throughout the study.
Interpretable Functional Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Lin Zhenhua , Wang Liangliang , Cao Jiguo 
Published: December 2015

SummaryFunctional principal component analysis (FPCA) is a popular approach to explore major sources of variation in a sample of random curves. These major sources of variation are represented by functional principal components (FPCs). The intervals where the values of FPCs are significant are interpreted as where sample curves have major variations. However, these intervals are often hard for naïve users to identify, because of the vague definition of “significant values”. In this article, we develop a novel penalty-based method to derive FPCs that are only nonzero precisely in the intervals where the values of FPCs are significant, whence the derived FPCs possess better interpretability than the FPCs derived from existing methods. To compute the proposed FPCs, we devise an efficient algorithm based on projection deflation techniques. We show that the proposed interpretable FPCs are strongly consistent and asymptotically normal under mild conditions. Simulation studies confirm that with a competitive performance in explaining variations of sample curves, the proposed FPCs are more interpretable than the traditional counterparts. This advantage is demonstrated by analyzing two real datasets, namely, electroencephalography data and Canadian weather data.
Efficacy and toxicity of a paediatric protocol in teenagers and young adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: results from UKALL 2003
Authors: Hough Rachael , Rowntree Clare , Goulden Nick , Mitchell Chris , Moorman Anthony , Wade Rachel , Vora Ajay 
Published: December 2015

SummaryDespite the substantial outcome improvements achieved in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), survival in teenage and young adult (TYA) patients has remained inferior. We report the treatment outcomes and toxicity profiles observed in TYA patients treated on the UK paediatric ALL trial, UKALL2003. UKALL2003 was a multi‐centre, prospective, randomized phase III trial, investigating treatment intensification or de‐escalation according to minimal residual disease (MRD) kinetics at the end of induction. Of 3126 patients recruited to UKALL2003, 229 (7·3%) were aged 16–24 years. These patients were significantly more likely to have high risk MRD compared to 10–15 year olds (47·9% vs. 36·6%, P = 0·004). Nonetheless, 5‐year event‐free survival for the TYA cohort (aged 16–24 years) was 72·3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 66·2–78·4] overall and 92·6% (95% CI: 85·5–99·7) for MRD low risk patients. The risk of serious adverse events was higher in patients aged ≥10 years compared to those aged 9 or younger (P < 0·0001) and novel age‐specific patterns of treatment‐related toxicity were observed. TYA patients obtain excellent outcomes with a risk‐ and response‐adapted paediatric chemotherapy protocol. Whilst those aged 10 years and older have excess toxicity compared with younger patients, the age association is specific to individual toxicities.
The evolution of T‐cell depletion in haploidentical stem‐cell transplantation
Authors: Or‐Geva Noga , Reisner Yair 
Published: December 2015

SummaryT‐cell depletion (TCD) can prevent the onset of graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) in animal models of bone marrow transplantation; this manipulation enabled the successful application in the 1980s of T‐cell depleted bone marrow (BM) for the treatment of babies with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). However, in leukaemia patients, implementation of T‐cell depletion has been more difficult, especially due to high rate of graft‐rejection, leukaemia relapse and delayed immune reconstitution. These hurdles were gradually overcome by modifying the cell composition of the graft, and by reducing the toxicities associated with conditioning protocols. Although no ‘gold standard’ TCD method exists, T‐cell depletion in its modern forms could offer clinical benefit, even for patients with a matched sibling donor.
High PRDM16 expression identifies a prognostic subgroup of pediatric acute myeloid leukaemia correlated to FLT3‐ITD,KMT2A‐PTD, and NUP98‐NSD1: the results of the Japanese Paediatric Leukaemia/Lymphoma Study Group AML‐05 trial
Authors: Shiba Norio , Ohki Kentaro , Kobayashi Tohru , Hara Yusuke , Yamato Genki , Tanoshima Reo , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Tomizawa Daisuke , Park Myoung‐ja , Shimada Akira , Sotomatsu Manabu , Arakawa Hirokazu , Horibe Keizo , Adachi Souichi , Taga Takashi , Tawa Akio , Hayashi Yasuhide 
Published: December 2015

SummaryRecent reports described the NUP98‐NSD1 fusion as an adverse prognostic marker for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and PRDM16 (also known as MEL1) as the representative overexpressed gene in patients harbouring NUP98‐NSD1 fusion. PRDM16 gene expression levels were measured via real‐time polymerase chain reaction in 369 paediatric patients with de novo AML, of whom 84 (23%) exhibited PRDM16 overexpression (PRDM16/ABL1 ratio ≥0·010). The frequencies of patients with high or low PRDM16 expression differed widely with respect to each genetic alteration, as follows: t(8;21), 4% vs. 96%, P < 0·001; inv(16), 0% vs. 100%, P < 0·001; KMT2A (also termed MLL)‐ partial tandem duplication, 100% vs. 0%, P < 0·001; NUP98‐NSD1, 100% vs. 0%, P < 0·001. The overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) among PRDM16‐overexpressing patients were significantly worse than in patients with low PRDM16 expression (3‐year OS: 51% vs. 81%, P < 0·001, 3‐year EFS: 32% vs. 64%, P < 0·001) irrespective of other cytogenetic alterations except for NPM1. PRDM16 gene expression was particularly useful for stratifying FLT3‐internal tandem duplication‐positive AML patients (3‐year OS: high = 30% vs. low = 70%, P < 0·001). PRDM16 overexpression was highly recurrent in de novo paediatric AML patients with high/intermediate‐risk cytogenetic profiles and was independently associated with an adverse outcome.
Clinical features and prognostic factors in solitary plasmacytoma
Authors: Finsinger Paola , Grammatico Sara , Chisini Marta , Piciocchi Alfonso , Foà Robin , Petrucci Maria T. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThis study aimed to review the clinical features and outcome of 53 patients with solitary plasmacytoma managed at our Institution between 1976 and 2012. Thirty‐five patients had bone solitary plasmacytoma and 18 extramedullary solitary plasmacytoma. Tumour sizes were larger in patients with bone involvement (P = 0·003). Treatment consisted of local radiotherapy (n = 26), radiotherapy + chemotherapy (n = 15), surgery (n = 4) and chemotherapy (n = 8); the local control rate was 94·3%. Progression to multiple myeloma was recorded in 20/35 (57·1%) patients with bone involvement and in 1/18 (5·5%) patients with extramedullary disease (P = 0·0003). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 78·4%; bone solitary plasmacytoma patients had a significantly worseOS(71·9% vs. 88·2%, respectively;P = 0·029) and 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS; 53·0% vs. 88·5%;P = 0·0003) compared to extramedullary solitary plasmacytoma patients. On univariate analysis, bone disease and size (≥5 cm) impacted negatively onPFS(P = 0·0027 andP = 0·04, respectively). Bone disease also affectedOS(P = 0·04). In multivariate analysis bone location was the only independent prognostic factor forPFS(P = 0·0041) andOS(P = 0·021). Patients with bone solitary plasmacytoma have a significantly worse prognosis than extramedullary solitary plasmacytoma cases.
Instrumental and Conventional Interpretations of Behavior Are Associated With Distinct Outcomes in Early Childhood
Authors: Clegg Jennifer M. , Legare Cristine H. 
Published: December 2015

Four tasks (N = 191, 3‐ to 6‐year‐olds) examined the effect of instrumental versus conventional language cues on children's imitative fidelity of a necklace‐making activity, their memory and transmission of the activity, and their perceptions of functional fixedness. Children in the conventional condition imitated with higher fidelity, transmitted more of the modeled behavior, and showed higher levels of functional fixedness than children in the instrumental condition. There were no differences in children's memory of the activity between conditions demonstrating that memory alone does not explain differences in imitative fidelity. The data demonstrate that children's interpretation of behavior as instrumental or conventional has wide‐ranging implications for what children imitate, what they transmit to others, and how they reason about objects' functions.
Role of local eosinophilopoietic processes in the development of airway eosinophilia in prednisone‐dependent severe asthma
Authors: Sehmi R. , Smith S. G. , Kjarsgaard M. , Radford K. , Boulet L.‐P. , Lemiere C. , Prazma C. M. , Ortega H. , Martin J. G. , Nair P. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBackgroundIn severe asthmatics with persistent airway eosinophilia, blockade of interleukin‐5 has significant steroid‐sparing effects and attenuates blood and sputum eosinophilia. The contribution of local maturational processes of progenitors within the airways relative to the recruitment of mature cells from the peripheral circulation to the development of airway eosinophilia is not known. We hypothesize that local eosinophilopoiesis may be the predominant process that drives persistent airway eosinophilia and corticosteroid requirement in severe asthmatics.ObjectivesIn a cross‐sectional study, the number and growth potential of eosinophil‐lineage‐committed progenitors (EoP) were assayed in 21 severe eosinophilic asthmatics, 19 mild asthmatics, eight COPD patients and eight normal subjects. The effect of anti‐IL‐5 treatment on mature eosinophils and EoP numbers was made in severe eosinophilic asthmatics who participated in a randomized clinical trial of mepolizumab (substudy of a larger GSK sponsored global phase III trial, MEA115575) where subjects received mepolizumab (100 mg, n = 9) or placebo (n = 8), as six monthly subcutaneous injections.ResultsMature eosinophil and EoP numbers were significantly greater in the sputum of severe asthmatics compared with all other subject groups. In colony‐forming assays, EoP from blood of severe asthmatics demonstrated a greater response to IL‐5 than mild asthmatics. Treatment of severe asthmatics with mepolizumab significantly attenuated blood eosinophils and increased EoP numbers consistent with blockade of systemic eosinophilopoiesis. There was however no significant treatment effect on mature eosinophils, sputum EoP numbers or the prednisone maintenance dose.Conclusions and Clinical RelevancePatients with severe eosinophilic asthma have an exaggerated eosinophilopoeitic process in their airways. Treatment with 100 mg subcutaneous mepolizumab significantly attenuated systemic differentiation of eosinophils, but did not suppress local airway eosinophil differentiation to mature cells. Targeting IL‐5‐driven eosinophil differentiation locally within the lung maybe of relevance for optimal control of airway eosinophilia and asthma.
On the use of median‐joining networks in evolutionary biology
Authors: Kong Sungsik , Sánchez‐Pacheco Santiago J. , Murphy Robert W. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMedian‐joining (MJ) was proposed as a method for phylogeographical analysis and is enjoying increasing popularity. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy of the approach as originally intended. We show that median‐joining networks (MJNs) are theoretically untenable for evolutionary inference, and that confusion has afflicted their use for over 15 years. The approach has two obvious shortcomings: its reliance on distance‐based phenetics (overall similarity instead of character transformations) and the lack of rooting (no direction or history). Given that evolution involves both change and time, and the absence of rooting removes time (ancestor–descendant relationships) from the equation, the approach cannot yield defensible evolutionary interpretations. We also examine the impact of MJ analyses on evolutionary biology via an analysis of citations and conclude that the spread of MJNs through the literature is difficult to explain, especially given the availability of character‐based analyses.
Is biological mesh interposition a valid option for complex or recurrent rectovaginal fistula?
Authors: Mege D. , Frasson M. , Maggiori L. , Panis Y. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimMany surgical techniques are available for the treatment of rectovaginal fistula (RVF). There is hitherto little information on its treatment by biological mesh interposition. The aim of the present study was to analyse our results of RVF treatment using biological mesh interposition.MethodPatients with RVF undergoing biological mesh interposition were identified. Success was defined by the absence of a diverting stoma and/or any vaginal discharge of faeces, flatus or mucous discharge.ResultsTen women [median age 39 (24.5–65) years] were included. Nine (90%) had recurrent RVF, and the median number of previous attempts at closure was 2.5 (0−8). The main cause of RVF was Crohn's disease (40%). All patients had faecal diversion. No intra‐operative complications occurred from mesh interposition. Seven (70%) patients developed postoperative morbidity which was major (Dindo III) in two (20%). The primary success rate was 20% (2/10) but final success rate was achieved in 70% after reoperation with other procedures at 11.1 (2.7−13.1) months of follow‐up.ConclusionThe study has shown disappointing results with biological mesh interposition for RVF with a healing rate lower than achieved by gracilis muscle interposition.
A prospective randomized trial on the use of Coca‐Cola Zero®vs water for polyethylene glycol bowel preparation before colonoscopy
Authors: Seow‐En I. , Seow‐Choen F. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimThe study aimed to determine whether Coca‐Cola (Coke) Zero is a safe and effective solvent for polyethylene glycol (PEG).MethodBetween December 2013 and April 2014, 209 healthy adults (115 men, 95 women) scheduled for elective colonoscopy were randomized to use either Coke Zero (n = 100) or drinking water (n = 109) with PEG as bowel preparation. Each patient received two sachets of PEG to dissolve in 2 l of solvent, to be completed 6 h before colonoscopy. Serum electrolytes were measured before and after preparation. Bowel cleanliness and colonoscopy findings were recorded. Palatability of solution, adverse effects, time taken to complete and willingness to repeat the preparation were documented via questionnaire.ResultsMean palatability scores in the Coke Zero group were significantly better compared with the control group (2.31 ± 0.61 vs 2.51 ± 0.63, P = 0.019), with a higher proportion willing to use the same preparation again (55% vs 43%). The mean time taken to complete the PEG + Coke Zero solution was significantly faster (74 ± 29 min vs 86 ± 31 min, P = 0.0035). The quality of bowel cleansing was also significantly better in the Coke Zero group (P = 0.0297). There was no difference in the frequency of adverse events (P = 0.759) or the polyp detection rate (32% vs 31.2%). Consumption of either preparation did not significantly affect electrolyte levels or hydration status.ConclusionCoke Zero is a useful alternative solvent for PEG. It is well tolerated, more palatable, leads to quicker consumption of the bowel preparation and results in better quality cleansing.
The impact of complications on quality of life following colorectal surgery: a prospective cohort study to evaluate the Clavien–Dindo classification system
Authors: Bosma E. , Pullens M. J. J. , de Vries J. , Roukema J. A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimThis prospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the impact of complications on quality of life (QOL) in colorectal surgery. The Clavien–Dindo complication classification (CDCC) is promising, but has not been evaluated by relating the classification to patient‐reported outcome measures.MethodPatients undergoing colorectal surgery were evaluated prospectively 12 months postoperatively using the WHOQOL‐BREF questionnaire. Patient data were prospectively recorded and complications were classified using the CDCC. Postoperative QOL in patients with minor and severe complications and patients without complications was compared using a general linear model. Relationships between CDCC and QOL were examined using correlations and multivariate regression.ResultsOf 218 patients, 130 (59.6%) had complications. In patients with severe complications there was a greater decrease in overall QOL (P = 0.043), QOL‐physical (P < 0.001) and QOL‐psychological (P = 0.013) domains in the first six postoperative weeks, whereas patients with minor complications had QOL scores comparable to those of patients without complications. QOL recovered to preoperative levels in all groups at 12 months. Change in QOL at 6 weeks was significantly correlated with CDCC grade, especially in the physical domain (Spearman's rho −0.287, P < 0.001). The presence of severe complications was an independent predictor of overall QOL, QOL‐physical and QOL‐psychological at 6 weeks.ConclusionSevere complications are associated with reduced postoperative QOL at 6 weeks, but QOL recovers after 12 months. CDCC grade negatively correlates with change in QOL in the early postoperative period. These findings support the theoretical framework of the CDCC.