bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longer operative time is associated with higher risk of severe complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Analysis of 1511 cases from a Japanese nationwide database
Authors: Sugihara Toru , Yasunaga Hideo , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Fujimura Tetsuya , Nishimatsu Hiroaki , Kume Haruki , Ohe Kazuhiko , Matsuda Shinya , Fushimi Kiyohide , Homma Yukio 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate risk factors of severe adverse events after percutaneous nephrolithotomy with an emphasis on operation time, and to develop a nomogram for predicting them.MethodsThis was an observational retrospective study including 1511 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 332 hospitals identified from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database between 2007 and 2010. Severe adverse events were defined as follows: (i) in‐hospital mortality; (ii) postoperative medications including catecholamine, gamma‐globulin products, protease inhibitors and medications for disseminated intravascular coagulation; and (iii) postoperative interventions including central vein catheterization, dialysis and mechanical cardiopulmonary support. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out for the occurrence of severe adverse events, and a nomogram was generated from this model.ResultsOverall, 126 severe adverse events (8.34%) were identified. In the multivariate model, a linear trend between severe adverse events and operation time was observed (OR 4.72 for 120–179 min to 17.95 for ≥300 min compared with ≤119 min; each P < 0.05) after adjustment for sex, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index and type of admission. Female sex and emergency admission were also significant risk factors (OR 1.92 and 2.04, respectively), and hospital volume did not reach statistical significance. The nomogram based on these results was well fitted to predict a probability between 0.05 and 0.40 (concordance index 0.696).ConclusionsLonger operation time is a significant and independent risk factor for severe adverse events after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Our nomogram can be an effective tool for predicting postoperative complications.
Differential diagnosis between bacterial infection and neoplastic fever in patients with advanced urological cancer: The role of procalcitonin
Authors: Yaegashi Hiroshi , Izumi Kouji , Kitagawa Yasuhide , Kadono Yoshifumi , Konaka Hiroyuki , Mizokami Atsushi , Namiki Mikio 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIt is difficult to determine the cause of high fever in patients with advanced cancer, because they tend to have both neoplastic fever and concomitant bacterial infections with elevated white blood cells and C‐reactive protein levels. Procalcitonin has been reported to be a valuable marker for bacterial infections in a wide range of clinical scenarios. However, there have been no studies regarding the usefulness of procalcitonin to differentiate between febrile episodes caused by bacterial infections and neoplastic fever in patients with advanced urological cancer. In the present study, 37 febrile episodes were retrospectively analyzed. Although there were no differences in white blood cell number, C‐reactive protein level or body temperature between bacterial infections and non‐bacterial infections, procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in the former than the latter. Our findings suggest that measurement of procalcitonin might be valuable to determine the cause of febrile episodes in patients with advanced urological cancer, and can help clinicians to make appropriate decisions for treatment.
Newborn care in Nepal: the effects of an educational intervention on nurses' knowledge and practice
Authors: Shrestha S. , Petrini M. , Turale S. 
Published: April 2013

AimTo determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention for improving nurses' knowledge and practice regarding newborn care in Kathmandu, Nepal.BackgroundFour million neonatal deaths occur annually, especially in developing countries. In 2010 in Nepal, the neonatal mortality rate was 28/1000 births. Modern nursing and research education is still developing in Nepal, but the country's nurses are in a unique position to help combat avoidable morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to assist nurses working in maternity units to obtain and/or sustain knowledge and competence in practice to ensure the health and safety of vulnerable newborns, and thereby to help reduce mortality and morbidity.Theoretical FrameworkConcepts from the Transtheoretical Model of behaviour change developed in the USA informed this study in the belief that an educational intervention would assist in behaviour changes in nurses caring for newborns.DesignQuasi‐experimental, time‐series pre‐test/post‐test.SettingMaternity and women's hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal.ParticipantsConvenience sample of 30 nurses working in emergency room, delivery room and birthing centre.MethodsNurses were measured on study outcomes at multiple time points: before a self‐directed educational intervention and discussion, immediately, 1 and 3 months after intervention. Data were collected using three instruments: a demographics questionnaire, the Knowledge Survey Questionnaire and the Skills Learning Checklist (SLC). The SLC was completed during nursing practice in observations by the researcher.ResultsSignificant findings suggested that this educational intervention was effective for improving nurses' knowledge and practice regarding newborn care, and there was a positive correlation between knowledge and practice.ConclusionThis was the first study of its kind in Nepal, a small step in enhancing nurses' abilities to improve their knowledge and competence regarding care of newborns. However, continued education and guidance are required to sustain knowledge and competence in practice, and our educational intervention needs further testing with other populations of nurses. There are various policy implications required to enable this to happen. This includes health ministry funding and support for in‐service education; hospitals and universities working together to offer in‐service education, competency testing and revised curricula; and nurse registering authorities requiring ongoing nurse education programmes and competency testing.
An implementation framework for seru production
Authors: Liu ChenGuang , Stecke Kathryn E. , Lian Jie , Yin Yong 
Published: April 2013

AbstractSeru production, which merges the flexibility of job shops, efficiency of mass production, and environment friendly characteristics of sustainable manufacturing, largely for electronics assembly, is the latest manufacturing mode developed in Japan. It is receiving attention from Japanese practitioners and researchers. However, some attempts to implement seru production are unsuccessful, especially outside Japan. This is because of lack of knowledge of the specific means to implement seru production. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general framework and some basic principles that should be followed while implementing seru production for practitioners from a practical perspective. This work is based on a systematic analysis of many implementation experiences of seru production in Japanese manufacturing factories as well as a broad investigation of the popular literature information. The proposed framework can serve as a concise guide to help implement seru production in the manufacturing industry. In addition, constructive information is provided for researchers who would like to know and study the advanced manufacturing mode of seru production but do not understand the Japanese language.
Integrated value function construction with application to impact assessments
Authors: Stewart Theodor J. , Janssen Ron 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this article, an integrated structure is provided for processing various forms of imprecise preference information in the context of multicriteria impact assessments. Linear programing formulations generate best‐fit value function models and associated ranking of alternatives, both when preferences are overdetermined (leading to potential inconsistencies) or when preference information is incomplete. In the latter context, the algorithm identifies a range of possible rank orders for the decision alternatives under consideration, consistent with the information provided. The approach is primarily aimed at structuring opinions of experts concerning the desirability of different actions in terms of technical aspects, intended as input into the final political decision‐making process. It is demonstrated that the approach described here can be implemented with modest levels of effort by the experts. Experience is reported with the approach in the context of soil sanitation problem in the Netherlands, in which experts expressed satisfaction with the resulting rank ordering of alternatives.
On the incorporation of parameter uncertainty for inventory management using simulation
Authors: Muñoz David Fernando , Muñoz David Gonzalo , Ramírez‐López Adán 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe main purpose of this paper is to discuss how a Bayesian framework is appropriate to incorporate the uncertainty on the parameters of the model that is used for demand forecasting. We first present a general Bayesian framework that allows us to consider a complex model for forecasting. Using this framework, we specialize (for simplicity) in the continuous‐review system to show how the main performance measures that are required for inventory management (service levels and reorder points) can be estimated from the output of simulation experiments. We discuss the use of two estimation methodologies: posterior sampling (PS) and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). We show that, under suitable regularity conditions, the estimators obtained from PS and MCMC satisfy a corresponding Central Limit Theorem, so that they are consistent, and the accuracy of each estimator can be assessed by computing an asymptotically valid half‐width from the output of the simulation experiments. This approach is particularly useful when the forecasting model is complex in the sense that analytical expressions to obtain service levels and/or reorder points are not available.
In Vitro Characterization of Solvent/Detergent‐Treated Human Plasma and of Quarantine Fresh Frozen Plasma
Authors: Beeck H. , Hellstern P. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackground and objectives: Plasma pools, solvent/detergent(S/D)‐treated plasma produced from plasma pools, and single donor fresh frozen plasma that had been quarantined for at least 6 months (QFFP) differ in their composition regarding clotting factors, inhibitors and other important plasma proteins. There are poor data concerning stability of important clotting factors after thawing of frozen plasma units. Materials and methods: 12 plasma pools, 12 batches of S/D plasma produced from these respective plasma pools, and 12 units of QFFP were extensively analysed. The stability of fibrinogen and factors V, VII, and VIII after thawing, storage at room temperature and at +4°C was also examined. Results: We extensively analysed plasma pools before and after solvent/detergent treatment as well as quarantined single donor plasma units for parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis. After the S/D step, all clotting factor activities and the activities of most inhibitors and other plasma proteins were in the normal range in all batches. Protein S and plasmin inhibitor activities decreased by 35% and 76%, respectively. S/D treatment partly activated factor VII (FVII). However, there were no marked increases of other markers of activated hemostasis. The interindividual variations of all proteins analysed were significantly lower in the S/D plasmas than in the single donor plasma units. An 8‐hour storage lead to a marked decrease of FVIII activity, whereas there was no significant influence on fibrinogen and factors V and VII. Conclusions: There are no critical reductions of the activities of clotting factors, inhibitors, and other important plasma proteins due to S/D treatment. Efficacy and safety of S/D plasma is not hampered by reduced activities of protein S and plasmin inhibitor. Dosage calculation and the evaluation of clinical response is simplified by usage of the more standardized S/D plasma compared to QFFP.
A Randomized Trial of Solvent/Detergent and Standard Fresh Frozen Plasma in the Treatment of the Coagulopathy seen during Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
Authors: Freeman J. W. , Williamson L. M. , Llewelyn C. , Fisher N. , Allain J. P. , Bellamy M. , Baglin T. P. , Klinc J. , Ala F. A. , Smith N. , Neuberger J. , Wreghitt T. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackground: Viral transmission remains a residual risk in single unit blood component therapy. Virus inactivation of pooled fresh frozen plasma (FFP) by the solvent/detergent (SD) method can be used to reduce this risk but results in some loss of factor activity including factor VIII and (2‐anuplasmin. This study was aimed at assessing the clinical effectiveness solvent/detergent treated pooled fresh frozen plasma (SDFFP) in the correction of the coagulopathy seen during Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) as compared with standard FFP. Method: Twenty eight patients with an underlying derangement of coagulation and who were due to undergo OLT were randomized to receive either FFP or SDFFP. They were assessed for side effects, correction of coagulopathy, and seroconversion for viral markers. Results: Patients undergoing OLT showed equal correction of clotting factors and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) when treated with FFP or SDFFP. There was also a similar time course to return to baseline values in each group. There was no significant difference in correction of INR in either group. Usage of other blood components during the operation was identical in the two groups. No seroconversions were seen for HIV, HBC or HCV but only 12 patients were available for long term follow‐up. Conclusion: SDFFP is an efficacious and safe source of coagulation factors for patients with liver disease undergoing Orthotopic Liver Transplantation. No adverse effects were seen during its administration. Further work is required to ascertain long term possibilities of seroconversion.
Experimentation, Behaviour Change and Public Policy
Authors: John Peter 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCitizens will need to change their behaviour in pro‐social ways if governments are to address current challenges in public policy. But how best to promote behaviour change? The argument in this article is that a decentralised rather than a top‐down approach is particularly suitable, which can encourage innovation in the public sector and involve citizens in the implementation of policies. As a method of evaluating interventions, randomised controlled trials have a unique role to play in improving the design of policies, particularly if carried out responsively and adaptively. A culture of experimentation would value curiosity, feedback and the continual testing of interventions. The article includes three examples of experimentation: young people's political attitudes, voter turnout and donations for charity. As the popularity of ‘nudge’ interventions grows—shown by the success of the UK government's Behavioural Insights Team—the practice of experimentation in the public sector could become the norm.
A Miserable Little Compromise? Exploring Liberal Democrat Fortunes in the UK Coalition
Authors: Dommett Katharine 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAt the half way point of the UK coalition government attention is turning towards the general election, with both parties beginning to contemplate their electoral strategies. This article explores the predicament faced by the Liberal Democrats who, unlike their coalition partners the Conservatives, saw a dramatic decline in support soon after entering government. By exploring a collapse in trust, an apparent identity crisis, and the party's questionable influence, this article seeks to explain the Liberal Democrats' current polling situation and highlight the serious barriers to retaining, yet alone extending their constituency of voters at the 2015 general election.
Decentralizing Indonesian City Spaces as New ‘Centers’
Authors: Miller Michelle Ann 
Published: April 2013

AbstractSince the introduction of regional autonomy legislation in 1999, Indonesia has embarked on the world's biggest experiment with democratic decentralization. The intertwined processes of democratization and decentralization have dismantled Indonesia's centralized authoritarian system and reordered its governmental structures. These conjoined processes have set in motion conditions for the transformation of a number of Indonesia's secondary cities into regional ‘centers’ through the influx of new peoples, funding and ways of interacting within localized contexts and with the outside world. In this article I consider Indonesia's decentralization processes through the lens of the city, focusing on three key areas in the rising profile and development of urban centers. First, I look at the framing of Indonesian cities within contemporary urban discourses to highlight the array of urban spaces that coexist in the era of decentralization. Second, I describe how Indonesia's decentralization laws have structurally privileged cities by bypassing the provincial level and devolving most state powers directly to sub‐provincial administrations. Third, I explore how Indonesian cities compete and cooperate over limited state resources under the decentralized system and why some cities have been able to reinvent themselves as new centers in planning, practice and innovation, and why others continue to lag behind.
Evaluation of Intra‐Abdominal Pressure in Horses That Crib
Authors: Albanese Valeria , Munsterman Amelia S. , DeGraves Fred J. , Hanson R. Reid 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo measure intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) in horses that crib and compare it with IAP in horses that do not have this vice.Study DesignCohort study.AnimalsHealthy cribbing horses (cribbing cohort, n = 8) and 8 healthy noncribbing horses (noncribbing cohort).MethodsA microsensor catheter was introduced into the peritoneal cavity through the right paralumbar fossa, using local anesthesia, for measurement of IAP. These pressures were recorded in 1‐minute intervals for 2 hours, while the horses were standing tied in a stall. IAPs of cribbing horses were compared to the noncribbing cohort.ResultsBaseline IAPs were not significantly different between cribbing and noncribbing cohorts (P = .076); however, IAPs in the cribbing cohort were significantly increased when compared with the noncribbing cohort, during active cribbing behavior (P = .0016). Frequency of cribbing was not associated with increased IAP (P = .35). IAPs in the cribbing cohort remained significantly elevated compared with the noncribbing cohort, even after the behavior had ceased (P = .0002).ConclusionCribbing is associated with increased IAP in the horse, both during and after the behavior.
CYP2C19 Genetic Polymorphism in Saudi Arabians
Authors: Al‐Jenoobi Fahad I. , Alkharfy Khalid M. , Alghamdi Amal M. , Bagulb Khawla M. , Al‐Mohizea Abdullah M. , Al‐Muhsen Saleh , Halwani Rabih , Parvez Mohammad Khalid , Al‐Dosari Mohammed S. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to evaluate CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism in a Saudi Arabian population by determining the frequencies of CYP2C19*2, *3, *4, *6, *7 and *17 alleles and their relevant genotypes. Genomic DNA was isolated from 192 healthy Saudi Arabians, representing different geographical regions, and genotyping of the selected CYP2C19 variants was carried out by direct sequencing after PCR amplification. The allelic frequency of heterozygous CYP2C19*2 was 8.2% with only one individual found to carry the homozygous genotype of this defective allele. None of the other investigated poor metabolizer alleles (i.e. CYP2C19*3, *4, *6 and *7) was detected in the study population. About 46% of the examined volunteers were found to carry CYP2C19*17 genotype (37.5% heterozygous and 8.1% homozygous of the defective allele) with an overall CYP2C19*17 allelic frequency of 26.9%. In addition, a novel CYP2C19 SNP (G356A) and another very rare SNP (C336T) have been identified in this study with a frequency of about 50% for each. Further studies are required to evaluate the metabolic and clinical relevance of CYP2C19*17, G356A and C336T in the Saudi Arabian population.
Gambogic Acid as a Non‐Competitive Inhibitor of ATP‐Binding Cassette Transporter B1 Reverses the Multidrug Resistance of Human Epithelial Cancers by Promoting ATP‐Binding Cassette Transporter B1 Protein Degradation
Authors: Wang Xu , Deng Rongxin , Lu Yan , Xu Qin , Yan Ming , Ye Dongxia , Chen Wantao 
Published: April 2013

AbstractGambogic acid (GA) is known for its anti‐cancer activity in a phase II clinical trial. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of its anti‐multidrug resistance remain unclear. The present study was designed to study the relationship between GA and multidrug‐resistant protein ATP‐binding cassette transporter B1 (ABCB1). GA dose dependently inhibited ABCB1 activity levels in the in vitro Pgp‐Glo assay system and increased the cellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrate adriamycin. Although GA had no significant influence on ABCB1 mRNA in the real‐time PCR assay, Western blot detection indicated the compound reduced ABCB1 protein levels. Further study showed the proteasome inhibitor MG‐132 reversed the GA‐decreased ABCB1 level and prolonged half‐life of ABCB1. It was also found that GA coordinated with other anti‐cancer drugs (such as adriamycin, docetaxel, verapamil and protopanaxadiol) to enhance cellular cytotoxicity on human epithelial cancer cell lines with higher ABCB1 expression levels. These data suggest that GA functions as a non‐competitive inhibitor of ABCB1 by directly inhibiting and reducing its expression levels by promoting protein degradation through post‐translational proteasome pathway. The results of this study will aid in the understanding of the synergistic effects of combining GA with other drugs as a new anti‐multidrug‐resistant agent.
Comparative Study of Rapamycin and Temsirolimus Demonstrates Superimposable Anti‐Tumour Potency on Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Fagone Paolo , Donia Marco , Mangano Katia , Quattrocchi Cinzia , Mammana Santa , Coco Marinella , Libra Massimo , McCubrey James A. , Nicoletti Ferdinando 
Published: April 2013

AbstractRapamycin is a macrocyclic lactone currently used for the treatment of cancer and for the prevention of transplant rejection. The primary pharmacological mode of action of rapamycin occurs through the inhibition (blocking) of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). By doing so, rapamycin interferes with the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐Akt‐mTOR axis that controls several cellular functions involving cell growth, proliferation and angiogenesis. The frequent activation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway in advanced prostate cancer has provided a rationale for the use of mTOR inhibitors in this setting. We carried out a comparative study on the effects of rapamycin and temsirolimus on the in vitro and in vivo growth of the prostate cancer cell lines, LnCap and PC3. Our results demonstrate that rapamycin and temsirolimus exert similar in vitro and in vivo anti‐proliferative effects against prostate cancer cells.