bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of gelatin/sericin/carboxymethyl chitosan medical tissue glue
Authors: Liang Min , Li Zhenzhu , Gao Cengceng , Wang Fuping , Chen Zhongmin 
Published: November 2017

Background: The development and application of medical glue has been continuously expanding and advancing. However, there are few glues that combine low-cost with excellent biocompatibility. Methods: We have prepared a medical tissue glue using a gelatin (Gel), sericin (SS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) blend solution, cross-linked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC). The combination’s characteristics and microstructure morphology were observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Bond strength tests were used to measure the bond strength of the glue. To assay blood compatibility, a hemolytic test, dynamic coagulation test and platelet adherence test were also investigated. Further, the cellular behavior of L-929 and a systemic acute toxicity test on the Gel/SS/CMCS tissue glue were also investigated by MTT and H&E staining. Results: Characterization analysis showed that there was stable binding between raw materials, forming an amide bond with homogeneous holes. The bond strength of the tissue glue reached 2.50 ± 0.04 N in 10 minutes, slightly higher than the alpha-cyanoacrylate biological glue (2.25 ± 0.05 N). Blood compatibility tests revealed that the glue had outstanding blood compatibility. Further, cytotoxicity test and systemic acute toxicity test both showed that the glue was without cytotoxicity and not toxic to the body. Conclusions: The Gel/SS/CMCS tissue glue we prepared at low cost had excellent biocompatibility and structural characteristics. It could be a better candidate for tissue engineering in biomedical applications applied in clinical practice to promote skin wound healing and to further reduce the formation of skin wound scars.
Autogenous forearm loop arteriovenous fistula creation
Authors: Tang Weng Jun , Mat Saad Arman Zaharil 
Published: November 2017

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula is a lifeline for end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis. The quality of the vein and artery to be used plays a crucial role in attaining a functioning, reliable and long-lasting arteriovenous fistula. The aim of the study is to present an alternative for haemodialysis access to preserve the upper arm vasculature for future use – the forearm loop arteriovenous fistula. Methods: From October 2015 to September 2016, 202 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), stages 4 and 5, underwent arteriovenous fistula creation at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, Malaysia. Nine patients, with severe atherosclerosis of the distal artery, but with satisfactory veins, underwent forearm loop arteriovenous fistula creation. Maturation of the fistula was based on the classification by the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF KDOQI). Results: All nine patients who underwent forearm loop arteriovenous fistula have had diabetes mellitus for more than 10 years. Only one fistula failed to mature within 6 weeks. Two arteriovenous fistulas thrombosed at 3 and 5 months, respectively, after the commencement of haemodialysis. However, the other six matured fistulas are still functioning well after a year of regular usage. Conclusions: Distal forearm arteries in diabetics may be severely atherosclerotic. Forearm loop arteriovenous fistula can be considered as the primary access for cases decided as inconvenient for fistula creation due to severe occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the forearm arteries; in order to preserve upper arm veins for future access procedures.
Prevalence of medical adhesive-related skin injury at peripherally inserted central catheter insertion site in oncology patients
Authors: Zhao Huihan , He Yu , Huang Huiqiao , Ling Ying , Zhou Xuemei , Wei Qin , Lei Yonghong , Ying Yanping 
Published: November 2017

Introduction: The aim of our study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors of medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI) at peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) insertion site in oncology patients. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study lasting two weeks was carried out in four inpatient departments. Skin assessment data and photographs of skin were collected during PICC maintenance. Other related information came from medical records. The skin injuries were classified by dermatologists and PICC specialized nurses. MARSI prevalence was calculated and the associated factors were analyzed statistically. Results: All 419 patients were included. The prevalence of total MARSI at PICC insertion site was 125, (29.83%), including mechanical skin injury (73, 17.42%), contact dermatitis (CD) (39, 9.31%), moisture-associated skin damage (11, 2.63%), folliculitis (2, 0.48%). Multivariate analysis identified two independent risk factors for MARSI including age ≥50 y (p = 0.031, odds ratio [OR] = 4.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.389, 20.620]) and hematologic malignancies (p = 0.000, OR = 2.514, 95% CI [1.590,3.97]. Oxaliplatin and arsenic trioxide infusion through PICC, history of skin allergies was associated with CD, with p = 0.020, OR = 3.492, 95% CI (1.220, 9.990); p = 0.003, OR = 4.565, 95% CI (1.661,12.547); p = 0.000, OR = 12.333, 95% CI (3.669, 41.454), respectively. Conclusions: MARSI at PICC insertion site is a frequent event among oncology patients. Epidemiological data and independent risk factors are presented in our study, which provide a basis for future study in this area.
Preoperative ultrasound for runoff-venous decompression of peripheral nerves for arteriovenous access-related pain in the upper limb
Authors: Matsuda Hiroaki , Oka Yoshinari , Yoshida Ryuichi , Katsura Yuki , Takeuchi Hidemi , Fujimoto Yasuo , Takatsu Shigeko , Miyazaki Masashi 
Published: November 2017

Introduction: Arteriovenous access (AVA)-related pain treated successfully with runoff-venous decompression of the causative nerve, following ultrasound (US)-assisted preoperative evaluation, has never been reported. Case presentation: A 57-year-old man suffering from constant exhausting pains along the outflow cephalic vein of the radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula at the wrist and the antecubital fossa, was treated surgically after the diagnosis of AVA-related pain derived from cephalic vein compression on two peripheral cutaneous nerves, the superficial radial nerve (SRN) and the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN). Technique: The SRN and LACN, which ran along and/or provided sensory innervation to the painful regions in the upper limb, were traced using ultrasonography in the short axis and proved to be compressed by and in contact with veins where the pain existed, at the wrist and the antecubital fossa. Once diagnostic US-guided blocks of both were performed and pain disappeared, they were identified as the causative nerves. The cephalic venous decompression surgeries that separated and transposed the veins away from the SRN and the LACN were performed sequentially under pneumatic tourniquet inflation to improve nerve visualization. Results: The pains disappeared after the operations. An adequate length of the runoff cephalic vein was maintained for needle cannulations during hemodialysis. Conclusions: Outflow venous compression to the peripheral nerves may be a cause of AVA-related pain. US-guided assessments of the nerves may improve the safety and efficiency of venous decompression surgeries to treat AVA-related pains.
Selective placement of autogenous arteriovenous fistulae in an over 80-year-old population
Authors: Werner-Gibbings Keagan , Ischia Liesl , Butcher William , Ward-Harvey Richard , Stewart Jonathan , Jackson Mark J. 
Published: November 2017

Introduction: With improved life expectancy and quality of life, elderly patients constitute a progressively larger fraction of consumers utilising renal replacement therapy (RRT). Although substantial data exist for younger cohorts, minimal evidence exists for outcomes of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and central catheters (CVC) placed in those patients over 80 years. We examined outcomes of primary AVF placement in this cohort to ascertain durability and benefits of AVF in the over 80-year-old population. Methods: Retrospective analysis was undertaken of all autogenous AVFs and CVCs placed in patients aged over 80 years at Gold Coast University Hospital between March 2010 and February 2016. Prospectively collected demographic data, co-morbidities and operative factors were analysed. Results: Sixty-five AVF and 12 CVC patients were identified. Mean age at intervention was 83.9 years and 76% of the patients were male. The majority of procedures were autogenous radio-cephalic AVF; median post-operative length of stay was 2 days. Cumulative AVF patient survival at 12 and 24 months was 82% and 72%, respectively. This was significantly better than survival rates of CVC patients, with 12-month survival of 45%. Primary patency at 6, 12 and 24 months was 58%, 39% and 31%. There were 113 follow-up procedures in 41 patients required to maintain patency. Conclusions: Although patency rates are inferior and re-intervention rates higher than in younger patients, AVF can be a durable option for RRT in selected elderly patients with improved mortality rates compared with CVC. Age alone should not preclude primary AVF placement.
Cephalad dislocation of PICCs under different upper limb positions: influence of age, gender, BMI, number of lumens
Authors: Cho Chie-Hee , Schlattmann Peter , Nagel Sebastian , Schmittbuttner Nina , Hartung Frederic , Teichgraber Ulf K. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose: To evaluate parameters that influence the amount of movement of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tips regarding upper limb movement. Methods: In a prospective 12-month observational study, 200 PICCs were implanted in 162 patients (mean age 56.8 ± 15.2 years) by interventional radiologists into the basilic vein of the mid-aspect of the upper arm. Three PICC tip positions were documented with a chest x-ray: patient supine with an abducted (90°), an adducted arm, and in an upright position with an adducted arm. Multivariable analyses were performed, based on the three positions: body mass index (BMI), number of lumens, age, gender, side of the implantation, and brand. Results: Up to 88% of the PICCs dislocated in a mean of 19 mm cephalad when the patient was positioned from a supine in an upright position. The greatest influence upon dislocation was the position change from supine to upright. The side of the implanted PICC (left vs. right) had no influence. Conclusions: Cephalad dislocations of mean 19 mm regularly occur in the upright position induced by gravity. This needs to be taken in account and the PICC should be safely positioned one vertebra lower in the superior vena cava superior with a last confirmation of the PICC placement in an upright position.
Drug eluting balloon angioplasty for assisted maturation of failing fistulae
Authors: Mallios Alexandros , Hull Jeffrey , Boura Benoit , Costanzo Alessandro , Combes Myriam 
Published: November 2017

Objective: To present our experience of balloon-assisted maturation with drug-eluting balloon dilation in patients with recurrent failing arteriovenous fistulae. Case series: Three patients (all males, mean age 71 years) with a complex history of failed attempts at native fistula creation underwent surgical creation of arteriovenous fistulae. Two patients had a two-stage brachio-brachial fistula and 1 had a brachio-cephalic fistula that also required subsequent elevation. After a few weeks of preserved patency with a thrill detected clinically, all patients had a gradual deterioration of flow manifested with loss of thrill and multiple severely stenotic lesions of neo-intimal hyperplasia seen on duplex ultrasound. All 3 non-maturing native arteriovenous fistulae had 1 or more angioplasties with regular balloons that were initially successful; however, they rapidly deteriorated with a loss of thrill and a recurrence of multiple stenosis. Drug-eluting balloon dilation was used subsequently as a last resort to save these failing fistulae. All procedures were successful with the preservation of patency and adequate fistula flow (>600 mL/min) during the follow-up period (4-8 months, mean 6 months), and all patients received successful dialysis with 2-needle cannulation of their fistulae. There were no adverse events during the study period. Conclusions: Drug-eluting balloon angioplasty was to salvage nonmaturing fistulae with durable results in complex patients where conventional treatment had previously failed. Drug-eluting balloons may provide a useful treatment option for patients prone to multiple access failures due accelerated neo-intimal hyperplasia.
Microsurgery for “wrist” arteriovenous fistula creation in children: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Akturk Afram , Bakx Roel , Oosterveld Michiel J.S. , Wilde Jim C.H. , Idu Mirza M. 
Published: November 2017

Introduction: Creating functional arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) at the wrist is challenging in paediatric patients because of the small calibre of the blood vessels. Methods: We report our experience with AVF surgery in children younger than 15 years of age using microsurgical techniques. Twenty-five patients underwent AVF surgery between 2003 and 2015 (20 for haemodialysis, 4 for plasmapheresis and 1 for parenteral nutrition). Median (range) age was 9 (2-15) years and median weight was 24 (8-61) kg. Results: The one-month occlusion rate was 8%. The primary and secondary patency rates at 1, 2, 3 years were: 60%, 49%, 42%, and 82%, 72%, 54%, respectively. The median (range) maturation time was 4.53 (0.5-11.2) months. We found no statistically significant effect of patient age, body weight, type of AVF and indication for AVF creation on the primary and secondary patency rates. Conclusions: Microsurgical AVF creation at the wrist can be performed with satisfactory results and should be the preferred technique in the paediatric population.
Мапирање токова вредности пословних процеса као основа интегрисане процене стратешких и оперативних перформанси предузећа // Value stream mapping of business process as the basis of integrated assessment of strategic and operational enterprise performance
Authors: Нoвићeвић Блaгoje 
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Мапирање токова вредности пословних процеса је најбољи могући облик представљања токова вредности и најлакши начин идентификовања пословних проблема током њиховог оперативног извршавања и проналажења алата и техника за њихово решавање. Мапа токова вредности најбољи је инструмент за препознавање и разумевање постојећих пословних процеса, тражење потенцијалних начина њиховог унапређења и истраживање нових напреднијих пословних процеса од стране свих нивоа менаџмента, до извршних тимова. Она, истовремено, представља незаобилазну информациону основу за интегрисану процену стратешких и оперативних перформанси пословних процеса и предузећа као целине.Summary: Value stream mapping of business processes is the best form of presenting value stream of business processes and the easiest way to identify business problems during their operational execution and finding the tools and techniques for their solution. Value stream map is the best instrument for identifying and understanding existing business processes, searching for potential ways of their improvement and research for new business processes advanced by all levels of management to the executive teams. It also represents the indispensable information basis for integrated assessment of strategic and operational performances of business processes and enterprise as a whole.
Услови и ограничења улагања малих и средњих предузећа у неопипљиву имовину као одговор на кризу реалног сектора / Conditions and limitations on investments of small and medium enterprises in intangible assets as a response to the crises of the real sector
Authors: Петковић Саша , Новарлић Борис 
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Пословно окружење за мала и средња предузећа у Републици Српскојизузетно је неповољно. Неизграђеност предузетничке инфраструктуре, каои правне регулативе, уз негативне ефекте глобалне финансијске и кризе реалног сектора, додатно оптерећују пословање предузећа како у РепублициСрпској, тако и у ширем региону. У савременим условима пословања, предузећа требају да улажу у нематеријалну имовину знатно више наго што је тослучај сада. Нематеријална имовина представља императив којим се креирапростор за развој и реализацију предузетничке конкурентности. Циљ овограда јесте да се прегледом литературе истражи дејство интерних фактора предузетништва у малим и средњим предузећима, као и да се анализира пословно окружење малих и средњих предузећа у Републици Српској. Посебанаспект анализе везан је за анализу могућности и ограничења улагања у нема-теријалну имовину, кроз изградњу пословне културе предузећа, а која подразумијева увођење предузетничке културе и маркетиншке оријентације. Summary: Business environment for small and medium size enterprises in RepublikaSrpska is extremely unfavorable. Lack of entrepreneurial infrastructure as wellas legal framework, alongside global fi nancial crisis and crisis of real sector withit all puts additional burden on work of enterprises in Republika Srpska as wellas in the region. Enterprises, in modern business environment, need to invest inintangible assets much more than it is case at the moment. Intangible assets arethe imperative which creates space for development and accomplish entrepreneurialcompetitiveness. The aim of this paper is to, through literature review, investigateeff ects of internal entrepreneurial factors in small and medium size enterprisesas well as to analyze business environment in Republika Srpska. Special aspectof the analysis relates to analysis of the possibilities and limitations of investmentin intangible assets, throughout business culture development, which impliesintroduction of entrepreneurial culture and marketing orientation.
Проблем односа власника и менаџера при постојању асиметричних информација // The relationship between owners and managers in the existence of asymmetric information
Authors: Томаш Далибор П. 
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Одвајање власништва од управљања у предузећима имало је за посљедицу да су менаџери много иформисанији од самих власника предузећа, односно да је понашање једних и других посљедица постојања асиметричних информација. У таквим околностима, менаџери не морају увијек тежитимаксимизацији профита, када власницима компанија надзор над понашањем менаџера представља велики трошак. Односно, како власници нису умогућности да у потпуности надзиру рад својих менаџера, менаџери честонастоје максимирати своје циљеве, на штету власника. Овакав облик асиметричних информација ствара проблем „принципал – агент“, који се јављакада благостање једне особе, у нашем случају власника, зависи од тога штаради менаџер.Због тога смо, у нашег раду, жељели да истражимо домете досадашњихтеорија које су се бавиле овим проблемом, те да покушамо доказати да ме-наџери не раде у интересу власника. Уједно, жељели смо и да покушамо даразвијемо микроекономски модел, који ће укључивањем различитих метода награђивања менаџера, понудити рјешење принципал – агент проблема у акционарским друштвима.Сумирајући резултате наше анализе, на основу три модела која смо развили за потребе овог рада, дошли смо до закључка да механизам награђивања менаџера, који је његов бонус везао за учешће у профиту, нуди добар начин за рјешење принципал-агент проблема, јер у једном моделу „помирује“ интересе и менаџера и власника. Summary: Separation of ownership from management in enterprises has resulted inmany managers are informed of the owners of those companies, or the behaviorof both the consequences of the existence of asymmetric information. In theseconditions, managers do not always seek to maximize profi ts, when control ofthe behavior of managers is a big expense for the owners of the company. Respectively,as the owners are unable to fully supervise the work of its managers, managersoft en seek to maximize their goals at the expense of the owner. Th is form anasymmetric information creates „principal - agent“ problem, which occurs whenthe welfare of a person, in our case, the owner, depends on what works manager.Because of that, in our work, we wanted to explore the reaches of existingtheories dealing with this problem and to try to prove that managers do not workin the interest of the owner. Also, we wanted to try to develop a microeconomic model, which will involve various methods of rewarding managers, off er a solutionto the principal - agent problem in corporation.Summarizing the results of our analysis, based on three models that we developedfor this study, we concluded that the mechanism of rewarding managers,that his bonus was tied to participation in profi ts, off ers a good way to solve theprincipal-agent problem, because in a model of „reconcile“ the interests of managersand owners.
The debt buildup process: Bosnia and Herzegovina – Republic of Srpska versus other European countries // Процес стварања дуга: Босна и Херцеговина – Република Српска у односу на остале европске земље
Authors: Bole Velimir , Prašnikar Janez , Trobec Domen 
Published: November 2017

Summary: Financial and economic crisis from 2008 created debt problems throughout the world, in developed and developing coutries. Although the problems cause by the crisis were similar for all coutries there were some specific diferences between them. Here, effects of firm’s indebtedness in the Republic of Srpska are analysed in comparison with 15 European countries before and after the crisis, which serve as a benchmark. In the RS and also other considered countries in the collapse year (2009), the relative debt increases of under and over median firms differed drastically. In the main crisis year of 2009 the RS had 2 percentage points higher impact (relative to the Core European countries) of the financial accelerator or/and correspondingly different effect of the shape of firm investment distribution on the debt increase. In 2009, country specific effects on the debt build-up process disappeared for all other observed countries except the RS, while in the year after the collapse they disappeared in the RS and picked upped again in all other countries, showing lagging of the impact of the crisis as well as a milder effect in the RS.Резиме: Финансијска и економска криза из 2008. године је створила проблем дуга широм свијета, како у развијеним земљама, тако и у онима у развоју. Иако су проблеми изазвани кризом били слични за све земље, постоје неке специфичне разлике између њих. Ефекти задужености фирми у Републици Српској су анализирани у поређењу са 15 европских земаља, прије и послије кризе, које служе као мјерило. У Републици Српској као и у другим посматраним земљама у години колапса (2009.) повећања релативног дуга мањих и већих фирми се драстично разликују. У главној кризној години (2009.) Република Српска је имала за два процентна поена већи утицај финансијског акцелератора (у односу на главне европске земље) и / или одговарајуће другачији ефекат облика дистрибуције инвестиција фирме на повећање дуга. У 2009. год специфични ефекти земље на процес стварања дуга су нестали за све посматране земље осим Републике Српске, док су у години након колапса нестали у Републици Српској, а поново се јавили у свим осталим земљама, што показује одлагање ефеката кризе, те блаже ефекте у Републици Српској.