bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dendrochronological analyses and climatic signals of Alchornea triplinervia in subtropical forest of southern Brazil
Authors: Granato‐Souza Daniela , Adenesky‐Filho Eduardo , Barbosa Ana Carolina Maioli Campos , Esemann‐Quadros Karin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe predominance of secondary forest‐species in Brazilian subtropical forests highlights the importance of understanding the ecology of these taxa, and dendrochronology provides valuable information about the growth and climate response of tree species. The wide distribution of Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), and the presence of growth rings in its wood, leds to its selection for this study. Samples were collected from 34 trees growing in rainy dense forest fragments in the cities of Blumenau and Brusque, in southern Brazil, and subjected to standard dendrochronological techniques. The local chronology spanned from 1889 to 2013 and the age of the trees ranged from 32 to 125 years. The mean age was 73 years and annual increment was 1.13 mm year−1; the diameter and age showed a weak correlation. The results suggest that A. triplinervia growth responded negatively to hot summers and increased rainfall in the previous spring and winter. The high perdiodicity trend characteristic of ENSO activity was reflected in wavelet power spectra of A. triplinervia chronology, affecting positively its growth after strong ENSO events (1970–2009). Negative influences occurred before 1970 during normal ENSO events. Also, there is evidence of the existence of a connection between Pacific and Atlantic sea surface temperatures influencing on tree growth.
The burden of non‐melanoma skin cancers in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Pondicherry Ashwini , Martin Richard , Meredith Ineke , Rolfe Jack , Emanuel Patrick , Elwood Mark 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesAs the New Zealand Cancer Registry does not require mandatory reporting of non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), the clinical burden of these diseases is unknown.MethodsA retrospective review of all patients with histopathology performed allowed us to estimate invasive BCC and SCC in the Auckland region in 2008 (population 1.44 million).ResultsDuring this period, a total of 21 236 NMSC were diagnosed among 13 996 patients, consisting of 5611 SCC lesions (26%) and 15 525 (74%) BCC. The Auckland incidence rates per 100 000 were 425 for SCC and 1177 for BCC. The overall rate of NMSC per 100 000 was 1906.5 (standardised to the census data of Australia 2001); 1385 for BCC and 522 for SCC. Using published data on incidence trends and population growth, we estimate that 29 000–33 000 NMSC would have been excised in Auckland in 2016, and 78 000–87 000 in New Zealand.ConclusionAuckland has the highest reported incidence of invasive NMSC in the world. We believe that high‐risk cutaneous SCC and complex BCC should be recorded. Our study provides information for clinicians and health economists on the scale of the problem.
The association between borderline pre‐operative anaemia in women and outcomes after cardiac surgery: a cohort study
Authors: Blaudszun G. , Munting K. E. , Butchart A. , Gerrard C. , Klein A. A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAnaemia is common before cardiac surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of anaemia is lower for women than for men by 10 g.l−1, potentially putting women at a disadvantage compared with men with regard to pre‐operative optimisation. Our hypothesis was that women with borderline anaemia (defined by us as haemoglobin concentration 120–129 g.l−1) would have a higher rate of red cell transfusion, morbidity and mortality than non‐anaemic women (haemoglobin ≥ 130 g.l−1). This retrospective observational study included all adult patients admitted for elective cardiac surgery from January 2013 to April 2016. During the study period, 1388 women underwent cardiac surgery. Pre‐operatively, 333 (24%) had a haemoglobin level < 120 g.l−1; 408 (29%) 120–129 g.l−1; and 647 (47%) ≥ 130 g.l−1. Compared with non‐anaemic women, women with borderline anaemia were more likely to be transfused (68.6% vs. 44.5%; RR 1.5, 95%CI 1.4–1.7; p < 0.0001) and were transfused with more units of red cells, mean (SD) 1.8 (2.8) vs. 1.3 (3.0); p < 0.0001. Hospital length of stay was significantly longer in the borderline anaemia group compared with non‐anaemic women, median (IQR [range]) 8 (6–12 [3–45]) vs. 7 (6–11 [4–60]); p = 0.0159. Short‐ and long‐term postoperative survival was comparable in both groups. Borderline anaemia is associated with increased red cell transfusion and prolonged hospital stay. Future research should address whether correction of borderline anaemia results in improved outcomes.
Effect of palpable vs. impalpable cricothyroid membranes in a simulated emergency front‐of‐neck access scenario
Authors: Pairaudeau C. F. , Mendonca C. , Hillermann C. , Qazi I. , Baker P. A. , Hodgson R. E. , Radhakrishna S. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe Difficult Airway Society 2015 guidelines recommend and describe in detail a surgical cricothyroidotomy technique for the can't intubate, can't oxygenate (CICO) scenario, but this can be technically challenging for anaesthetists with no surgical training. Following a structured training session, 104 anaesthetists took part individually in a simulated can't intubate, can't oxygenate event using simulation and airway models to evaluate how well they could perform these front‐of‐neck access techniques. Main outcomes measures were: ability to correctly perform the technical steps; procedural time; and success rate. Outcomes were compared between palpable and impalpable cricothyroid membrane scenarios. Anaesthetists’ technical abilities were good, as assessed by a video analysis checklist score. Mean (SD) procedural time was 44 (16) s and 65 (17) s for the palpable and impalpable cricothyroid membrane models, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). First‐pass tracheal tube placement was obtained in 103 out of the 104 palpable cricothyroidotomies and in 101 out of the 104 impalpable cricothyroidotomies (p = 0.31). We conclude that anaesthetists can be trained to perform surgical front‐of‐neck access to an acceptable level of competence and speed when assessed using a simulator.
Physicians’ perspective on the clinical meaningfulness of inflammatory bowel disease trial results: an International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) survey
Authors: Olivera P. , Sandborn W. J. , Panés J. , Baumann C. , D'Haens G. , Vermeire S. , Danese S. , Peyrin‐Biroulet L. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackgroundSeveral novel compounds are being developed for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In addition, biosimilar drugs are being approved. An increasing number of head‐to‐head, superiority and non‐inferiority trials in patients with IBD are expected in the future. The clinical relevance of the magnitude of the effect size is often debated.AimTo better understand physicians’ perspectives on the clinical meaningfulness of IBD trial results.MethodsWe conducted an online survey among all IOIBD (International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases) members, asking their opinion on the clinical relevance of the results of IBD trials.ResultsForty‐six IOIBD members responded to the survey (52.3%). In biologic‐naïve ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients, most of the participants considered a 15% difference with placebo for clinical remission and endoscopic remission to be clinically relevant.In head‐to‐head trials, most of participants considerer a 10% difference between groups for clinical remission and endoscopic remission to be clinically relevant. Half of respondents considered 10% to be an adequate margin in non‐inferiority trials. In bioequivalence studies, most of the participants considered adequate a ± 5% difference between a biosimilar and the originator for pharmacokinetic parameters, efficacy, safety and immunogenicity. Regarding safety, the difference between two drugs considered clinically relevant varied from 1% to 5%, depending on the type of adverse event.ConclusionsThis is the first survey exploring how physicians perceive IBD trial results, providing an estimation of the magnitude of the difference between treatment arms that may directly influence clinical practice.
A novel prognostic six‐CpG signature in glioblastomas
Authors: Yin An‐An , Lu Nan , Etcheverry Amandine , Aubry Marc , Barnholtz‐Sloan Jill , Zhang Lu‐Hua , Mosser Jean , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xiang , Liu Yu‐He , He Ya‐Long 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAimsWe aimed to identify a clinically useful biomarker using DNA methylation‐based information to optimize individual treatment of patients with glioblastoma (GBM).MethodsA six‐CpG panel was identified by incorporating genome‐wide DNA methylation data and clinical information of three distinct discovery sets and was combined using a risk‐score model. Different validation sets of GBMs and lower‐grade gliomas and different statistical methods were implemented for prognostic evaluation. An integrative analysis of multidimensional TCGA data was performed to molecularly characterize different risk tumors.ResultsThe six‐CpG risk‐score signature robustly predicted overall survival (OS) in all discovery and validation cohorts and in a treatment‐independent manner. It also predicted progression‐free survival (PFS) in available patients. The multimarker epigenetic signature was demonstrated as an independent prognosticator and had better performance than known molecular indicators such as glioma‐CpG island methylator phenotype (G‐CIMP) and proneural subtype. The defined risk subgroups were molecularly distinct; high‐risk tumors were biologically more aggressive with concordant activation of proangiogenic signaling at multimolecular levels. Accordingly, we observed better OS benefits of bevacizumab‐contained therapy to high‐risk patients in independent sets, supporting its implication in guiding usage of antiangiogenic therapy. Finally, the six‐CpG signature refined the risk classification based on G‐CIMP and MGMT methylation status.ConclusionsThe novel six‐CpG signature is a robust and independent prognostic indicator for GBMs and is of promising value to improve personalized management.
Implementation of Standardized Clinical Processes for TPMT Testing in a Diverse Multidisciplinary Population: Challenges and Lessons Learned
Authors: Weitzel Kristin W. , Smith D. Max , Elsey Amanda R. , Duong Benjamin Q. , Burkley Benjamin , Clare‐Salzler Michael , Gong Yan , Higgins Tara A. , Kong Benjamin , Langaee Taimour , McDonough Caitrin W. , Staley Benjamin J. , Vo Teresa T. , Wake Dyson T. , Cavallari Larisa H. , Johnson Julie A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlthough thiopurine S‐methyltransferase (TPMT) genotyping to guide thiopurine dosing is common in the pediatric cancer population, limited data exist on TPMT testing implementation in diverse, multidisciplinary settings. We established TPMT testing (genotype and enzyme) with clinical decision support, provider/patient education, and pharmacist consultations in a tertiary medical center and collected data over 3 years. During this time, 834 patients underwent 873 TPMT tests (147 (17%) genotype, 726 (83%) enzyme). TPMT tests were most commonly ordered for gastroenterology, rheumatology, dermatology, and hematology/oncology patients (661 of 834 patients (79.2%); 580 outpatient vs. 293 inpatient; P < 0.0001). Thirty‐nine patients had both genotype and enzyme tests (n = 2 discordant results). We observed significant differences between TPMT test use and characteristics in a diverse, multispecialty environment vs. a pediatric cancer setting, which led to unique implementation needs. As pharmacogenetic implementations expand, disseminating lessons learned in diverse, real‐world environments will be important to support routine adoption.
Prevalence of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women with persistent high‐risk HPV genotypes and negative cytology
Authors: Macdonald M. , Crossley J. , Ellis K. , Dudding N. , Lyon R. , Smith J. H. F. , Tidy J. A. , Palmer J. E. 
Published: January 2018

IntroductionPrimary HPV screening will be implemented into the English Cervical Screening Programme by 2019. Its impact upon women referred to colposcopy, with negative cytology but persistently positive high‐risk HPV (hrHPV), remains unreported from UK Sentinel sites. HPV primary screening was introduced in Sheffield, UK in April 2013; this paper reports its impact on the service.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed from June 2014 to July 2016 at the Jessop Wing Colposcopy Unit, Sheffield. UK. Data were obtained from the pathology and colposcopy databases and cross‐referenced with case‐notes and pathology results for women referred with persistently positive hrHPV, cytology negative samples. Patient demographics, hrHPV genotype, biopsy rates, histological diagnoses, management, and outcomes were collected and baseline statistics performed.ResultsDuring the study 1076 women were seen. Most frequent hrHPV genotypes were: hrHPV other, 41%; and HPV16, 33%. The majority (72%) were found to have normal colposcopy; 28% had an abnormal colposcopic assessment (11% low‐grade; 11% high‐grade; 6% inadequate). The majority were discharged (83%) and only 5% underwent LLETZ. No cancers were detected. High‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was found in 7%; overall risk of CIN2 was 1/29; 1/30 for CIN3. Presence of HPV16 was associated with a significantly higher risk of high‐grade CIN; 1/9.ConclusionThis is the first study to report results for women referred to colposcopy with cytology negative, persistently positive hrHPV. Disease prevalence is low, although women with HPV16 have a significantly higher likelihood of high‐grade disease compared to other HPV subtypes.
Workplace alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australia: Cluster non‐randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pidd Ken , Roche Ann , Cameron Jacqui , Lee Nicole , Jenner Linda , Duraisingam Vinita 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroduction and AimsThe workplace holds substantial potential as an alcohol harm reduction and prevention setting. Few studies have rigorously examined strategies to reduce workplace alcohol‐related harm. Hence, an in‐situ 3 year trial of a comprehensive alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australian manufacturing workplaces was undertaken.Design and MethodsInformed by a gap analysis, a multi‐site trial was undertaken. Three manufacturing industry companies, located at four separate worksites, with a minimum of 100 employees were recruited through a local industry network. Based on worksite location, two worksites were allocated to the intervention group and two to the comparison group. The pre‐specified primary outcome measure, risky drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT‐C) and other self‐report measures were collected pre‐intervention (T1), 12 months (T2) and 24 months post‐intervention (T3).ResultsNo significant intervention effect was observed for the primary outcome measure, risky drinking. Significant intervention effects were observed for increased awareness of alcohol policy and employee assistance. At T3, the odds of intervention group participants being aware of the workplace policy and aware of employee assistance were 48.9% (95% confidence interval 29.3–88.9%) and 79.7% (11.5%, 91.8%), respectively, greater than comparison group participants.Discussion and ConclusionsComprehensive tailored workplace interventions can be effective in improving workplace alcohol policy awareness. This is one of few workplace alcohol trials undertaken to‐date and the findings make an important contribution to the limited evidence base for workplace alcohol harm prevention initiatives.
Reconstructing geographical parthenogenesis: effects of niche differentiation and reproductive mode on Holocene range expansion of an alpine plant
Authors: Kirchheimer Bernhard , Wessely Johannes , Gattringer Andreas , Hülber Karl , Moser Dietmar , Schinkel Christoph C. F. , Appelhans Marc , Klatt Simone , Caccianiga Marco , Dellinger Agnes , Guisan Antoine , Kuttner Michael , Lenoir Jonathan , Maiorano Luigi , Nieto‐Lugilde Diego , Plutzar Christoph , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Willner Wolfgang , Hörandl Elvira , Dullinger Stefan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAsexual taxa often have larger ranges than their sexual progenitors, particularly in areas affected by Pleistocene glaciations. The reasons given for this ‘geographical parthenogenesis’ are contentious, with expansion of the ecological niche or colonisation advantages of uniparental reproduction assumed most important in case of plants. Here, we parameterized a spread model for the alpine buttercup Ranunculus kuepferi and reconstructed the joint Holocene range expansion of its sexual and apomictic cytotype across the European Alps under different simulation settings. We found that, rather than niche broadening or a higher migration rate, a shift of the apomict's niche towards colder conditions per se was crucial as it facilitated overcoming of topographical barriers, a factor likely relevant for many alpine apomicts. More generally, our simulations suggest potentially strong interacting effects of niche differentiation and reproductive modes on range formation of related sexual and asexual taxa arising from their differential sensitivity to minority cytotype disadvantage.
Intelligibility is equity: Can international students read undergraduate admissions materials?
Authors: Taylor Zachary W. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFewer international students have applied to and enrolled in US institutions, as 40 per cent of US institutions reported a drop in international applications since 2016. Subsequently, US institutions must ensure that their international admissions materials are as equitable and transparent as possible. Expanding previous work, this study examines the readability and translation of international undergraduate admissions materials of 335 four‐year public and non‐profit private US institutions. Results reveal these materials are written near a 14th‐grade reading comprehension level, only 1 per cent of institutions provide web‐embedded translation tools on their websites and 91 per cent of institutions provide English‐only content. Implications for practitioners, policymakers and future research are addressed.
Self‐responsibility, rationing and treatment decision making – managing moral narratives alongside fiscal reality in the obesity surgery clinic
Authors: Owen‐Smith Amanda , Coast Joanna , Donovan Jenny L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundAddressing the prevalence of severe obesity and its concomitant morbidities is widely acknowledged as one of the most pressing global health priorities. Nevertheless, a paucity of effective interventions and universal pressure on health‐care budgets means that access to obesity treatments is often limited. Although health‐care rationing can be conceived as a socially constructed process, little is known about how decisions emerge within the context of face‐to‐face doctor–patient interactions.MethodsIn this study, we used in‐depth interviews and clinic observations to investigate clinicians’ (n = 11) and patients’ (n = 22) experiences of the rationing of obesity surgery and to examine how broader cultural assumptions around personal responsibility for health emerged in the context of clinical interactions.ResultsPatients and clinicians worked within similar frameworks when it came to self‐responsibility for health and the appropriateness of providing publicly‐funded weight loss surgery. Issues around personal accountability dominated consultations, and patients were expected to provide narratives of the development of their obesity and to account for the failure of previous interventions. Clinicians faced the added pressure of having to prioritise a limited number of patients for surgery, which was predominantly managed through mandating pre‐referral weight loss targets.DiscussionAlthough clinicians sought to maintain an empathic attitude towards individual patients, in practice they were conflicted by their responsibility to ration health‐care resources and tended to rely on entrenched models of behaviour change to allocate treatment. As a result, the content of consultations was mostly focused on issues of personal responsibility, reflecting wider stigmatized attitudes towards extreme obesity.
Comparison of outpatient medically attended and community‐level influenza‐like illness—New York City, 2013‐2015
Authors: Russell Kate E. , Fowlkes Ashley , Stockwell Melissa S. , Vargas Celibell Y. , Saiman Lisa , Larson Elaine L. , LaRussa Philip , Di Lonardo Steve , Popowich Michael , St. George Kirsten , Steffens Andrea , Reed Carrie 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundSurveillance of influenza‐like illness (ILI) in the United States is primarily conducted through medical settings despite a significant burden of non‐medically attended ILI.ObjectivesTo assess consistency between surveillance for respiratory viruses in outpatient and community settings using ILI surveillance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project (IISP) and the Mobile Surveillance for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and Influenza‐Like Illness in the Community (MoSAIC) Study.MethodsThe Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project conducts ILI surveillance in 3 primary care clinics in New York City, and MoSAIC conducts community‐based ILI/ARI surveillance through text messaging among a cohort of New York City residents. Both systems obtain respiratory specimens from participants with ILI/ARI and test for multiple pathogens. We conducted a retrospective review of ILI cases in IISP and MoSAIC from January 2013 to May 2015 with descriptive analyses of clinical and laboratory data.ResultsFive‐hundred twelve MoSAIC and 669 IISP participants met an ILI criteria (fever with cough or sore throat) and were included. Forty percent of MoSAIC participants sought care; the majority primary care. Pathogens were detected in 63% of MoSAIC and 70% of IISP cases. The relative distribution of influenza and other respiratory viruses detected was similar; however, there were statistically significant differences in the frequency that were not explained by care seeking.ConclusionsOutpatient and community‐based surveillance in the one found similar timing and relative distribution of respiratory viruses, but community surveillance in a single neighborhood may not fully capture the variations in ILI etiology that occur more broadly.
Investigation of phase composition and microwave dielectric properties of MgO‐Ta2O5 ceramics with ultrahigh Qf value
Authors: Dang Mingzhao , Ren Haishen , Yao Xiaogang , Peng Haiyi , Xie Tianyi , Lin Huixing , Luo Lan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFour MgO‐Ta2O5 ceramics with the MgO/Ta2O5 mole ratio x = 1, 2, 3, and 4 were prepared by traditional solid‐state reaction method, and the influence of x on the phase composition, microstructure, and dielectric properties (the dielectric constant εr, the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τf and the quality factor Qf) of the materials was investigated using XRD, SEM, etc. The results indicated that the ceramics were composed of two crystalline phases MgTa2O6 and Mg4Ta2O9 in the composition range studied, and that the dielectric properties ln ε, 1/Qf, and τf changed proportionally to the fraction of main crystal phases, which meet perfectly with the mixing model proposed in this study. It is obvious that the proportion of the two crystal phases could be precisely controlled by x, and thereby, the dielectric properties can be conveniently and precisely tailored. Our research provided a new microwave dielectric ceramic with the composition of 2MgO‐Ta2O5, which has an ultrahigh Qf value (211 000 GHz), low dielectric constant εr (19.9), and near zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τf (8 ppm/°C).