bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of glucose meter performance at the antenatal diabetes clinic: exploration of patient-related and pre-analytical factors
Authors: Parwaiz Mariam , Lunt Helen , Florkowski Christopher M , Logan Florence J , Irons Lindsay , Perwick Carol , Frampton Christopher M A , Moore M Peter 
Published: September 2013

Background To assess glucose meter performance in a diabetes antenatal clinic, focussing on clinical and pre-analytical factors that might impact on the quantification of meter accuracy and precision. Methods The Freestyle Lite and the Performa glucose meters were assessed by trained researchers. Finger stick glucose was measured and compared with plasma venous glucose, obtained from a concomitantly collected antecubital fossa sample. Venous plasma was separated on-site then sent to the laboratory for measurement of glucose using the hexokinase method (comparative method). Additional data collected included: (i) timing of and also (ii) quantity of last carbohydrate intake; (iii) time periods between collection, preparation and analysis of the venous sample; (iv) the haemolysis index of the plasma sample and (v) haematocrit. Results There were 104 participants. Both meters fulfilled ISO 15197 standards, with 99% and 97% of Freestyle Lite and Performa results, respectively, falling within acceptable limits for this standard. Both meters showed minor proportional bias, reading low at higher glucose values. Consensus error grid analysis showed 100% of results from the Freestyle Lite and 99% from the Performa falling within Zone A, thus the observed differences in measured capillary and venous plasma glucose were sufficiently minor that they would have little effect on clinical action. No association was observed between [capillary-plasma] glucose difference and the five variables outlined above. Conclusions The two glucose meters tested showed a reassuringly acceptable level of performance, when assessed by a research team in the setting of a diabetes antenatal clinic.
Pneumonectomy: risk factor or innocent bystander?
Authors: Warwick Richard , Mediratta Neeraj , Shackcloth Michael , Page Richard , McShane James , Shaw Matthew , Poullis Michael 
Published: September 2013

Background Pneumonectomy is associated with a higher operative mortality rate and worse 5-year survival after resection for non-small-cell lung cancer, compared to lobectomy. We investigated whether pneumonectomy is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality and poor long-term survival, after risk factor adjustment. Methods We analyzed a prospectively validated thoracic surgery database. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed for patients who had undergone lobectomy ( n = 1484) or pneumonectomy ( n = 266). Logistic and Cox multivariate regression analysis and propensity matching were performed on hospital mortality and long-term survival data. Results Univariate analysis demonstrated that pneumonectomy was a significant risk factor for hospital death ( p = 0.02) and long-term survival ( p < 0.001). Logistic regression failed to demonstrate pneumonectomy as a risk factor for hospital mortality. Cox regression analysis failed to identify pneumonectomy as a statistically significant risk factor. Propensity analysis ( n = 266 in each group with 1:1 matching) demonstrated that pneumonectomy was not associated with hospital mortality ( p = 0.37) or poorer long-term survival ( p = 0.19) compared to lobectomy. Conclusion Pneumonectomy is not an independent risk factor for hospital mortality or long-term survival, after adjustment for confounding factors.
Differentiation of lung neoplasms with lepidic growth and good prognosis from those with poor prognosis using computer-aided 3D volumetric CT analysis and FDG-PET
Authors: Morimoto Daisuke , Takashima Shodayu , Sakashita Naohiro , Sato Yoshinobu , Jiang Binghu , Hakucho Tomoaki , Miyake Chie , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Tomita Yasuhiko , Nakanishi Katsuyuki , Hosoki Takuya , Higashiyama Masahiko 
Published: September 2013

Background Many studies have reported that transverse computed tomography (CT) imaging findings correlate with prognosis of patients with small peripheral lung neoplasm with lepidic growth. However, no studies have examined this correlation with the aid of three-dimensional (3D) CT data. Purpose To determine the most efficacious imaging factor for differentiation of lepidic growth type lung neoplasms with good prognosis from those with poor prognosis. Material and Methods We evaluated CT findings, nodule patterns, SUVmax on FDG-PET/CT, as well as nodule volume and ratios of solid parts to nodule volume that were semi-automatically measured on CT images of 64 pulmonary nodules of ≤2 cm in 60 consecutive patients (24 men and 36 women; mean age, 65 years). For logistic modeling, we used all of the significant factors observed between the neoplasms with good and with poor prognosis as independent variables to estimate the statistically significant factors for discriminating invasive adenocarcinomas with lepidic growth (lesions with poor prognosis, n = 42) from the other neoplasms, including preinvasive lesions (lesions with good prognosis, n = 22), resulting in a recommendation for the optimal criterion for predicting lesions with poor prognosis. Results The logistic regression model identified the ratio of the solid part to the whole volume of a pulmonary nodule as the only significant factor ( P = 0.04) for differentiating lepidic growth type lung neoplasms with good prognosis from those with poor prognosis. A ratio of 0.238 or more showed the highest discriminatory accuracy of 84% with 91% sensitivity and 76% specificity. Conclusion Computer-aided analyses of pulmonary nodules proved most useful for establishing the optimal criterion for differentiation of lepidic growth type lung neoplasms with good prognosis from those with poor prognosis.
Effect of smoke-free legislation on smoking cessation rates in teachers in Manisa, Turkey
Authors: Coskun Aysin Sakar , Goktalay Tugba , Havlucu Yavuz , Dinc Gonul ,   the HAYAT Project Team
Published: September 2013

Objective: This study investigated the attitudes of Turkish adults towards the ban on smoking in public areas and compared annual smoking cessation rates before (pre-2009) and after (post-2009) the ban became law, using data from a survey of teachers. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from teachers in Manisa, Turkey. Annual smoking rates were calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify when a significant change occurred in the annual smoking cessation rate. Results: Questionnaire response rate was 79.6% (579/727); 47.8% (277) of respondents were male. Smoking prevalence among men and women was 32.7% and 24.7%, respectively, and 97.3% of nonsmokers and 75.5% of current everyday smokers supported the law changes. Results of the Joinpoint analysis showed no significant change in annual smoking cessation rate between 2001–2002 and 2006–2007; but there were significant reductions in smoking rates between 2007–2008 and 2010–2011. Conclusions: Teachers in Turkey have a positive attitude to the law on smoking. The smoking cessation rate in teachers was significantly increased by changes in legislation.
Low-dimensional Characterisation of Liquidity of Individual Stocks in the Indian Market
Authors: Chatterjee Devlina , Mukhopadhyay Chiranjit 
Published: September 2013

There is no single, definitive and universally accepted measure of a stock’s ‘liquidity’. The literature proposes a large number of proxy measures for liquidity. Suitable low dimensional characterisation of liquidity may improve understanding and enable better market regulation. We present factor analyses of stock-specific liquidity measures, using cross-sectional data from the National Stock Exchange of India, for two time periods reflecting different market conditions. Day-wise analyses of eleven liquidity proxies suggest five factors, interpretable as spread, depth, volume, price elasticity and relative activity. Consistency in the results obtained from the two periods suggests that the factor structure is stable. JEL Classification: G11, C38
Market-wide Herding and the Impact of Institutional Investors in the Indian Capital Market
Authors: Lakshman M.V. , Basu Sankarshan , Vaidyanathan R. 
Published: September 2013

The article tries to identify the presence of ‘market-wide herding’ in the Indian capital market and whether institutional investors impact such herding. In particular, the article looks at the impact of Foreign Institutional Investors flows as well as mutual funds on herding. The work also looks at the the impact of index return and volatility on herding. JEL Classification: G140, G180, C580, G120
Albuminuria and renal function as predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality in a general population of patients with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide observational study from the Swedish National Diabetes Register
Authors: Svensson Maria K , Cederholm Jan , Eliasson Björn , Zethelius Björn , Gudbjörnsdottir Soffia 
Published: September 2013

Objective: Reduced renal function and albuminuria predict cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality in type 2 diabetes (T2D). In addition, we evaluated the role of co-existing congestive heart failure (CHF) and other CV risk factors on CV events in a large observational population-based cohort of T2D patients. Research design and methods: We included 66,065 patients with T2D who were reported to the National Diabetes Register (NDR) in Sweden between 2003–2006 with a follow-up of 5.7 years. Data on outcomes were collected from the cause of death and hospital discharge registers. Results: A total of 10% of patients experienced a CV event and 3.7% of these were fatal. Increasing levels of albuminuria and renal impairment were independently associated with increasing risk of CV events and all-cause mortality also when adjusting for CHF. In normoalbuminuric patients, a reduction in renal function is an important predictor of CV events and all-cause mortality. Glycaemic control (high HbA1c), smoking and hyperlipidaemia had important effects on risk for CV events in patients with albuminuria, while high blood pressure, but not glycaemic control, had an effect in patients with normoalbuminuric renal impairment. Conclusion: Albuminuria and renal impairment are independent risk factors for CV outcomes and mortality in T2D, albuminuria being the strongest risk factor and relevant at all levels of renal function. In normoalbuminuric patients, a reduction in renal function is an important predictor of CV events and all-cause mortality.
Collective memory as a metaphor: The case of speeches by Israeli prime ministers 2001–2009
Authors: Gavriely-Nuri Dalia 
Published: September 2013

This paper presents a critical reading of the metaphor “collective memory”, coined by the French sociologist Maurice Halbwachs in the 1920s. The main argument is that collective memory scholars have lost awareness of the concept’s metaphoric character and have come to perceive the concept as expressing a concrete reality. In the research context, automatic adoption of collective memory as a concrete entity rather than a metaphor has shaped a “fixed” or “static” picture of historical events. In the political context, ignoring collective memory as a metaphor prevents our seeing the manipulative uses of collective memory to create the illusion of an ostensibly consolidated and unified “collective,” adhering to a coherent repertoire of memories. The corpus includes all the speeches delivered by two Israeli prime ministers, Ariel Sharon (in office 2001–2005) and Ehud Olmert (in office 2006–2009). The methodology was inspired by Charteris-Black’s critical metaphor analysis, an approach incorporating Critical Discourse Analysis and corpus linguistics. The analysis also used the Cultural Approach to Critical Discourse Analysis (CCDA).
A novel anti-CD37 antibody-drug conjugate with multiple anti-tumor mechanisms for the treatment of B-cell malignancies
Authors: Deckert Jutta , Park Peter U. , Chicklas Sharon , Yi Yong , Li Min , Lai Katharine C. , Mayo Michele F. , Carrigan Christina N. , Erickson Hans K. , Pinkas Jan , Lutz Robert J. , Chittenden Thomas , Lambert John M. 
Published: September 2013

Key PointsAn anti-CD37 antibody-drug conjugate can kill B-lymphoma cells via direct inhibition, effector function, and payload delivery. Targeting CD37 with an antibody-drug conjugate results in selective depletion of malignant human B cells.
Towards an understanding of PREMS and PROMS in COPD
Authors: Hodson Matthew , Andrew Sharon , Michael Roberts C. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryEvaluation of healthcare is evolving, with the patient perspective increasingly sought to provide a more patient centred service. Self-report questionnaires are being used to gather information about patients' health-related quality of life; outcomes with, and experience of a treatment, and perceptions of the care delivered by the healthcare team. Patient satisfaction measures may be familiar to clinicians and researchers, as they are used routinely in many clinical settings. Patient satisfaction measures have a ceiling effect, masking the negative healthcare experience. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are measures that that provide a patient-centric view of healthcare. In this article, we aim to untangle for the reviewer, the distinctions between patient satisfaction, PROMs and PREMs measures with a focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and introduce work in progress around the development of a new PREM for COPD.
Choosing a ventilator for home mechanical ventilation
Authors: Gregoretti C. , Navalesi P. , Ghannadian S. , Carlucci A. , Pelosi P. 
Published: September 2013

Educational aimsTo discuss the basic principles of ventilator functionTo help the reader to recognise the different features of a home care ventilatorTo outline the advantages and drawbacks of the different home care ventilatorsTo provide some recommendations to facilitate the clinical management of patients on home care ventilatorSummaryMechanical ventilation, applied either invasively through a tracheotomy tube or noninvasivelyviaa mask, is increasingly used for long-term management of many forms of severe chronic respiratory failure in the home setting. In recent years, the quality of the ventilators for long-term home mechanical ventilation has improved considerably and, concomitantly, the number of machines available has also increased. This broader range of commercially available machines is clearly an advantage; however, it makes the choice of the optimal device for a specific patient more difficult. The aim of the present article is to provide useful information to help and guide the choice of device for long-term mechanical ventilation in the home setting.
Complex sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Verbraecken Johan 
Published: September 2013

SummaryComplex sleep apnoea syndrome (CompSAS) is a type of central apnoea characterised by the development or persistence of central apnoeas or hypopnoeas during application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; central apnoea index ≥5 events·h−1). These patients present with predominantly obstructive apnoeas during diagnostic sleep studies. No clinical characteristics have been identified which can distinguish them from patients with a normal response during CPAP titration. Probably, this pattern is provoked by the application of high CPAP pressures in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients with enhanced chemoreceptor sensitivity, or in patients with pronounced sleep fragmentation. Negative feedback is sent to the respiratory centre,viathe Hering-Breuer reflex, which can lead to central apnoea. However, these explanations remain hypothetical at present. In a broader perspective, any occurrence of significant central apnoea activity during attempts to restore airway patency could be classified as CompSAS. Treatment modalities consist of prevention on the one hand (avoidance of high pressures and permissive flow limitation), and advanced ventilation techniques (adaptive servo ventilation) on the other hand.
Nitrogen-metabolism related genes in barley - haplotype diversity, linkage mapping and associations with malting and kernel quality parameters
Authors: Matthies Inge E , Weise Stephan , Förster Jutta , Korzun Viktor , Stein Nils , Röder Marion S 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Several studies report about intra-specific trait variation of nitrogen-metabolism related traits, such as N(itrogen)-use efficiency, protein content, N-storage and remobilization in barley and related grass species. The goal of this study was to assess the intra-specific genetic diversity present in primary N-metabolism genes of barley and to investigate the associations of the detected haplotype diversity with malting and kernel quality related traits.

Results
Partial sequences of five genes related to N-metabolism in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were obtained, i.e. nitrate reductase 1, glutamine synthetase 2, ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase, aspartate aminotransferase and asparaginase. Two to five haplotypes in each gene were discovered in a set of 190 various varieties. The development of 33 SNP markers allowed the genotyping of all these barley varieties consisting of spring and winter types. Furthermore, these markers could be mapped in several doubled haploid populations. Cluster analysis based on haplotypes revealed a more uniform pattern of the spring barleys as compared to the winter barleys. Based on linear model approaches associations to several malting and kernel quality traits including soluble N and protein were identified.

Conclusions
A study was conducted to investigate the presence of sequence variation of several genes related to the primary N-metabolism in barley. The detected diversity could be related to particular phenotypic traits. Specific differences between spring and winter barleys most likely reflect different breeding aims. The developed markers can be used as tool for further genetic studies and marker-assisted selection during breeding of barley.
Molecular cloning and RNA interference-mediated functional characterization of a Halloween gene spook in the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera
Authors: Jia Shuang , Wan Pin-Jun , Zhou Li-Tao , Mu Li-Li , Li Guo-Qing 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Ecdysteroid hormones ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone play fundamental roles in insect postembryonic development and reproduction. Five cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), encoded by Halloween genes, have been documented to be involved in the ecdysteroidogenesis in insect species of diverse orders such as Diptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. Up to now, however, the involvement of the Halloween genes in ecdysteroid synthesis has not been confirmed in hemipteran insect species.

Results
In the present paper, a Halloween gene spook (Sfspo, Sfcyp307a1) was cloned in the hemipteran Sogatella furcifera. SfSPO has three insect conserved P450 motifs, i.e., Helix-K, PERF and heme-binding motifs. Temporal and spatial expression patterns of Sfspo were evaluated by qPCR. Sfspo showed three expression peaks in late second-, third- and fourth-instar stages. In contrast, the expression levels were lower and formed three troughs in the newly-molted second-, third- and fourth-instar nymphs. On day 3 of the fourth-instar nymphs, Sfspo clearly had a high transcript level in the thorax where PGs were located. Dietary introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of Sfspo into the second instars successfully knocked down the target gene, and greatly reduced expression level of ecdysone receptor (EcR) gene. Moreover, knockdown of Sfspo caused lethality and delayed development during nymphal stages. Furthermore, application of 20-hydroxyecdysone on Sfspo- dsRNA-exposed nymphs did not increase Sfspo expression, but could almost completely rescue SfEcR expression, and relieved the negative effects on nymphal survival and development.

Conclusion
In S. furcifera, Sfspo was cloned and the conservation of SfSPO is valid. Thus, SfSPO is probably also involved in ecdysteroidogenesis for hemiptera.
Do accurate HIV and antiretroviral therapy knowledge, and previous testing experiences increase the uptake of HIV voluntary counselling and testing? Results from a cohort study in rural Tanzania
Authors: South Annabelle , Wringe Alison , Kumogola Yusufu , Isingo Raphael , Manyalla Rose , Cawley Caoimhe , Zaba Basia , Todd Jim , Urassa Mark 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Despite the introduction of free antiretroviral therapy (ART), the use of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services remains persistently low in many African countries. This study investigates how prior experience of HIV and VCT, and knowledge about HIV and ART influence VCT use in rural Tanzania.

Methods
In 2006–7, VCT was offered to study participants during the fifth survey round of an HIV community cohort study that includes HIV testing for research purposes without results disclosure, and a questionnaire covering knowledge, attitudes and practices around HIV infection and HIV services. Categorical variables were created for HIV knowledge and ART knowledge, with “good” HIV and ART knowledge defined as correctly answering at least 4/6 and 5/7 questions about HIV and ART respectively. Experience of HIV was defined as knowing people living with HIV, or having died from AIDS. Logistic regression methods were used to assess how HIV and ART knowledge, and prior experiences of HIV and VCT were associated with VCT uptake, with adjustment for HIV status and socio-demographic confounders.

Results
2,695/3,886 (69%) men and 2,708/5,575 women (49%) had “good” HIV knowledge, while 613/3,886 (16%) men and 585/5575 (10%) women had “good” ART knowledge. Misconceptions about HIV transmission were common, including through kissing (55% of women, 43% of men), or mosquito bites (42% of women, 34% of men).
19% of men and 16% of women used VCT during the survey. After controlling for HIV status and socio-demographic factors, the odds of VCT use were lower among those with poor HIV knowledge (aOR = 0.5; p = 0.01 for men and aOR = 0.6; p < 0.01 for women) and poor ART knowledge (aOR = 0.8; p = 0.06 for men, aOR = 0.8; p < 0.01 for women), and higher among those with HIV experience (aOR = 1.3 for men and aOR = 1.6 for women, p < 0.01) and positive prior VCT experience (aOR = 2.0 for all men and aOR = 2.0 for HIV-negative women only, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Two years after the introduction of free ART in this setting, misconceptions regarding HIV transmission remain rife and knowledge regarding treatment is worryingly poor, especially among women and HIV-positive people. Further HIV-related information, education and communication activities are urgently needed to improve VCT uptake in rural Tanzania.