bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accountability, Rhetoric, and Political Interests: Twists and Turns of NHS Performance Measurements
Authors: Chang Li‐cheng 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis study draws upon institutional theory to examine the extent to which the political interests of New Labour influenced the application of NHS performance measurements devised for accountability purposes between 1997 and 2007. This study adopts an interpretative perspective and emphasises the ‘ethos’ of New Labour's policy initiatives to convey its beliefs and moral superiority to the electorate. It argues that the performance measurements constituted by political interests served as a source of power deployed by New Labour to strengthen its credibility as being an accountable person. Where political interests were in play, multi‐dimensional performance measurements did not necessarily promote a balanced pursuit of performance improvements but led to various distortions and dysfunctional behaviour which hindered the stated aims of the NHS reforms and undermined the ethos of New Labour.
Performance Auditing and Adjudicating Political Disputes
Authors: Funnell Warwick 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPerformance audits have provided governments with new opportunities to take advantage of the public sector auditor's moral legitimacy as an agent of accountability who is independent of government. With particular reference to a recent performance audit by the Australian Auditor‐General which the Prime Minister called for after he was accused of lying to the Parliament, and adopting insights from Suchman's theory of legitimacy, this paper confirms that after an extended, intense period of resistance governments now recognise performance audits and the Auditor‐General's considerable reputation for integrity as potentially potent ways to enhance their political legitimacy.
Framing Performance Management of Acute‐Care Hospitals by Interlacing NPM and Institutional Perspectives: A New Theoretical Framework
Authors: Kelly Rosemarie , Doyle Gerardine , O'Donohoe Sheila 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper develops a theoretical framework which combines ideas underlying new public management (NPM) with new institutional sociology (NIS) to explore the development of performance management during a period of healthcare reform. The framework distinguishes three categories of explanatory variables; NPM antecedents, the institutional environment and institutional elements within a three tier level of analysis; economic/political, organisational field and organisational unit level. Evidence to support the relevance and appropriateness of this framework is gathered within the Irish health service using in‐depth interviews, a questionnaire and documentary data. The application of the framework highlights that all antecedents of NPM can be influential and that all institutional elements can play a role at the three different levels of analysis.
Listeria monocytogenes has a functional chitinolytic system and an active lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase
Authors: Paspaliari Dafni K. , Loose Jennifer S. M. , Larsen Marianne H. , Vaaje‐Kolstad Gustav 
Published: January 2015

Chitinases and chitin‐active lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are most commonly associated with chitin metabolism, but are also reported as virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes, a well‐known virulent bacterium, possesses two chitinases (ChiA and ChiB) and a multi‐modular lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LmLPMO10). These enzymes have been related to virulence and their role in chitin metabolism is poorly understood. It is thus of interest to functionally characterize the individual enzymes in order to shed light on their roles in vivo. Our results demonstrate that L. monocytogenes has a fully functional chitinolytic system. Both chitinases show substrate degradation rates similar to those of the nonprocessive endo‐chitinase SmChiC from Serratia marcescens. Compared to the S. marcescens LPMO chitin‐binding protein CBP21, LmLPMO10 shows a similar rate but different product profiles depending on the substrate. In LPMO‐chitinase synergy experiments, CBP21 is able to boost the activity of both ChiA and ChiB more than LmLPMO10. Product analysis of the synergy assays revealed that the chitinases were unable to efficiently hydrolyse the LPMO products (chitooligosaccharide aldonic acids) with a degree of polymerization below four (ChiA and SmChiC) or three (ChiB). Gene transcription and protein expression analysis showed that LmLPMO10 is neither highly transcribed, nor abundantly secreted during the growth of L. monocytogenes in a chitin‐containing medium. The chitinases on the other hand are both abundantly secreted in the presence of chitin. Although LmLPMO10 is shown to promote chitin degradation in tandem with the chitinases in vitro, the secretome and transcription data question whether this is the primary role of LmLPMO10 in vivo.
A lack of functional NK1 receptors explains most, but not all, abnormal behaviours of NK1R‐/‐ mice1
Authors: Porter A. J. , Pillidge K. , Tsai Y. C. , Dudley J. A. , Hunt S. P. , Peirson S. N. , Brown L. A. , Stanford S. C. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMice lacking functional neurokinin‐1 receptors (NK1R‐/‐) display abnormal behaviours seen in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattentiveness). These abnormalities were evident when comparing the behaviour of separate (inbred: ‘Hom’) wildtype and NK1R‐/‐ mouse strains. Here, we investigated whether the inbreeding protocol could influence their phenotype by comparing the behaviour of these mice with that of wildtype (NK1R+/+) and NK1R‐/‐ progeny of heterozygous parents (‘Het’, derived from the same inbred strains). First, we recorded the spontaneous motor activity of the two colonies/genotypes, over 7 days. This continuous monitoring also enabled us to investigate whether the diurnal rhythm in motor activity differs in the two colonies/genotypes. NK1R‐/‐ mice from both colonies were hyperactive compared with their wildtypes and their diurnal rhythm was also disrupted. Next, we evaluated the performance of the four groups of mice in the 5‐Choice Serial Reaction‐Time Task (5‐CSRTT). During training, NK1R‐/‐ mice from both colonies expressed more impulsive and perseverative behaviour than their wildtypes. During testing, only NK1R‐/‐ mice from the Hom colony were more impulsive than their wildtypes, but NK1R‐/‐ mice from both colonies were more perseverative. There were no colony differences in inattentiveness. Moreover, a genotype difference in this measure depended on time of day. We conclude that the hyperactivity, perseveration and, possibly, inattentiveness of NK1R‐/‐ mice is a direct consequence of a lack of functional NK1R. However, the greater impulsivity of NK1R‐/‐ mice depended on an interaction between a functional deficit of NK1R and other (possibly environmental and/or epigenetic) factors.
Groundwater Flow Field Distortion by Monitoring Wells and Passive Flux Meters
Authors: Verreydt G. , Bronders J. , Van Keer I. , Diels L. , Vanderauwera P. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDue to differences in hydraulic conductivity and effects of well construction geometry, groundwater lateral flow through a monitoring well typically differs from groundwater flow in the surrounding aquifer. These differences must be well understood in order to apply passive measuring techniques, such as passive flux meters (PFMs) used for the measurement of groundwater and contaminant mass fluxes. To understand these differences, lab flow tank experiments were performed to evaluate the influences of the well screen, the surrounding filter pack and the presence of a PFM on the natural groundwater flux through a monitoring well. The results were compared with analytical calculations of flow field distortion based on the potential theory of Drost et al. (1968). Measured well flow field distortion factors were found to be lower than calculated flow field distortion factors, while measured PFM flow field distortion factors were comparable to the calculated ones. However, this latter is not the case for all conditions. The slotted geometry of the well screen seems to make a correct analytical calculation challenging for conditions where flow field deviation occurs, because the potential theory assumes a uniform flow field. Finally, plots of the functional relationships of the distortion of the flow field with the hydraulic conductivities of the filter screen, surrounding filter pack and corresponding radii make it possible to design well construction to optimally function during PFM applications.
Effects of frequent hemodialysis on blood pressure: Results from the randomized frequent hemodialysis network trials
Authors: Kotanko Peter , Garg Amit X. , Depner Tom , Pierratos Andreas , Chan Christopher T. , Levin Nathan W. , Greene Tom , Larive Brett , Beck Gerald J. , Gassman Jennifer , Kliger Alan S. , Stokes John B. ,   FHN Trial Group
Published: January 2015

AbstractHypertension is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and persists among most patients with end‐stage renal disease despite the provision of conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis (HD). We analyzed the effects of frequent HD on blood pressure in the randomized controlled Frequent Hemodialysis Network trials. The daily trial randomized 245 patients to 12 months of 6× (“frequent”) vs. 3× (“conventional”) weekly in‐center hemodialysis; the nocturnal trial randomized 87 patients to 12 months of 6× weekly nocturnal HD vs. 3× weekly predominantly home‐based hemodialysis. In the daily trial, compared with 3× weekly HD, 2 months of frequent HD lowered predialysis systolic blood pressure by −7.7 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): −11.9 to −3.5] and diastolic blood pressure by −3.9 mmHg [95% CI: −6.5 to −1.3]. In the nocturnal trial, compared with 3× weekly HD, 2 months of frequent HD lowered systolic blood pressure by −7.3 mmHg [95% CI: −14.2 to −0.3] and diastolic blood pressure by −4.2 mmHg [95% CI: −8.3 to −0.1]. In both trials, blood pressure treatment effects were sustained until month 12. Frequent HD resulted in significantly fewer antihypertensive medications (daily: −0.36 medications [95% CI: −0.65 to −0.08]; nocturnal: −0.44 mediations [95% CI: −0.89 to −0.03]). In the daily trial, the relative risk per dialysis session for intradialytic hypotension was lower with 6×/week HD but given the higher number of sessions per week, there was a higher relative risk for intradialytic hypotensive requiring saline administration. In summary, frequent HD reduces blood pressure and the number of prescribed antihypertensive medications.
Effect of personalized nutritional counseling in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Garagarza Cristina Antunes , Valente Ana Tentúgal , Oliveira Telma Sobral , Caetano Cristina Guerreiro 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMonitoring nutritional parameters is an integral part of hemodialysis (HD) patient treatment program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the personalized nutritional counseling (PNC) on calcium–phosphorus metabolism, potassium, albumin, protein intake, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), body composition parameters and fluid overload in HD patients. This was a multicenter longitudinal intervention study with 6 months of follow‐up and 731 patients on maintenance HD from 34 dialysis units in Portugal were enrolled. Biochemical and body composition parameters were measured at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months after the PNC. Patient's mean age was 64.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63.8–66.0) years and mean HD time was 59.8 (95% CI: 55.3–64.3) months. Regarding data comparison collected before PNC vs. 6 months after, we obtained, respectively, the following results: patients with normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) ≥ 1 g/kg/day = 66.5% vs. 73.5% (P = 0.002); potassium > 5.5 mEq/L = 52% vs. 35.8% (P < 0.001); phosphorus between 3.5 and 5.5 mg/dL = 43.2% vs. 52.5% (P < 0.001); calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio ≤ 50 mg/dL = 73.2 % vs. 81.4% (P < 0.001); albumin ≥ 4.0 g/dL = 54.8% vs. 55% (P = 0.808); presence of relative overhydration = 22.4% vs. 25% (P = 0.283); IDWG > 4.5% = 22.3% vs. 18.2% (P = 0.068). PNC resulted in a significant decrease in the prevalence of hyperkalemia, hypophosphatemia and also showed amelioration in Ca/P ratio, nPCR and an increase in P of hyphosphatemic patients. Our study suggests that dietetic intervention contributes to the improvement of important nutritional parameters in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.
Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive human Mac‐2‐binding protein as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma development in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Tamaki Nobuharu , Kurosaki Masayuki , Kuno Atsushi , Korenaga Masaaki , Togayachi Akira , Gotoh Masanori , Nakakuki Natsuko , Takada Hitomi , Matsuda Shuya , Hattori Nobuhiro , Yasui Yutaka , Suzuki Shoko , Hosokawa Takanori , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Itakura Jun , Takahashi Yuka , Mizokami Masashi , Narimatsu Hisashi , Izumi Namiki 
Published: January 2015

AimsWisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA)‐positive human Mac‐2‐binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) is a new glycol marker related to liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate WFA+‐M2BP as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis C.MethodsThis case–control study included 14 patients with chronic hepatitis C who developed HCC and 52controls, matched for age, gender, and fibrosis stage. WFA+‐M2BP was measured at biopsy and follow‐up. Time zero was set at the date of liver biopsy.ResultsWFA+‐M2BP increased stepwise with progression of liver fibrosis (p < 0.001). Cumulative incidence of HCC development was significantly higher in patients with WFA+‐M2BP ≥4.2 (p < 0.001) or in those with time‐course changes in WFA+‐M2BP (ΔWFA+‐M2BP/year) ≥0.3 (p = 0.03). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that WFA+‐M2BP ≥4.2 [hazard ratio (HR): 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–15, p = 0.04], ΔWFA+‐M2BP/year ≥0.3 (HR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.5–19, p = 0.008), and AFP ≥10 ng/ml (HR: 4.7, 95% CI: 1.1–19, p = 0.03) were independent predictive factors of HCC development. Based on these data, we developed a simple scoring system to predict HCC development using these three factors. Using these scores, patients were classified into four groups; cumulative incidence of HCC development significantly increased with increasing scores (p < 0.001).ConclusionsWFA+‐M2BP measurements and time‐course changes in WFA+‐M2BP can be used to identify patients at high risk of HCC development. Real‐time monitoring of WFA+‐M2BP can be a novel predictor of HCC development.
Relative efficacy and safety of simeprevir and telaprevir in treatment‐naïve hepatitis C‐infected patients in a Japanese population: A Bayesian network meta‐analysis
Authors: Quigley Joan M. , Bryden Peter A. , Scott David A. , Kuwabara Hiroyo , Cerri Karin 
Published: January 2015

AimSimeprevir (SMV) is an oral, once‐daily protease inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection. In phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCT) conducted in Japan, SMV, in combination with peginterferon‐α and ribavirin (PEG IFN/RBV), demonstrated potent efficacy in HCV genotype 1‐infected patients relative to PEG IFN/RBV and was generally well tolerated. Telaprevir (TVR) in combination with PEG IFN/RBV is licensed for the treatment of HCV in Japan. In the absence of head‐to‐head comparisons of TVR and SMV in a Japanese population, we undertook a network meta‐analysis (NMA) to examine the relative efficacy and safety of SMV and TVR in combination with PEG IFN/RBV.MethodsA systematic review identified SMV and TVR RCT in Japanese treatment‐naïve patients. Bayesian NMA was performed assuming fixed study effects.ResultsThree studies met our inclusion criteria: two SMV and one TVR. SMV showed a higher mean odds ratio (OR) of achieving SVR versus TVR (OR, 1.68 (95% credible interval 0.66–4.26)). SMV showed a lower mean OR of discontinuation: overall, 0.35 (0.12–1.00); and due to AE, 0.87 (0.23–3.34) versus TVR. SMV showed a lower mean OR of experiencing anemia 0.20 (0.07–0.56) and rash 0.41 (0.17–0.99) but a higher mean OR of experiencing pruritus 1.26 (0.46–3.47) versus TVR.ConclusionIn this indirect treatment comparison, SMV, in combination with PEG IFN/RBV, showed a favorable risk–benefit profile compared with TVR with PEG IFN/RBV in Japanese treatment‐naïve HCV patients.
Comparison of improved prognosis between hepatitis B‐ and hepatitis C‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Minami Tatsuya , Tateishi Ryosuke , Shiina Shuichiro , Nakagomi Ryo , Kondo Mayuko , Fujiwara Naoto , Mikami Shintaro , Sato Masaya , Uchino Koji , Enooku Kenichiro , Nakagawa Hayato , Asaoka Yoshinari , Kondo Yuji , Yoshida Haruhiko , Koike Kazuhiko 
Published: January 2015

AimTreatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been advanced. The aim of this study was to compare the change of the prognosis between hepatitis B‐related HCC (B‐HCC) and hepatitis C‐related HCC (C‐HCC) in the last two decades.MethodsWe enrolled 166 B‐HCC patients who underwent percutaneous ablation between 1990 and 2009. Patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment time period: 1990–1995 (cohort 1, n = 19), 1996–2002 (cohort 2, n = 49) and 2003–2009 (cohort 3, n = 98). We enrolled 1219 C‐HCC patients who underwent percutaneous ablation during the same period (n = 190, 413 and 616, respectively.). Interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide analog use was investigated. Prognosis was evaluated for each cohort using the Kaplan–Meier method and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model.ResultsTwo (11%), 24 (49%) and 80 (82%) B‐HCC patients received nucleoside/nucleotide analogs during the follow‐up period in cohorts 1–3, respectively. Among them 1, 18 and 62 patients achieved viral remission, respectively. Thirty‐four (18%), 35 (8%) and 84 (14%) C‐HCC patients received interferon therapy, respectively. The 5‐year B‐HCC (P < 0.001) survival rates were 52.6%, 61.1% and 81.6% for cohorts 1–3, respectively. However, the survival rates were 55.6%, 58.8% and 61.1% for C‐HCC (P = 0.12), respectively. The B‐HCC prognosis improved dramatically (P < 0.001) over time, whereas the prognosis of C‐HCC improved moderately (P = 0.01).ConclusionThe prognosis of B‐HCC has improved dramatically over time, whereas that of C‐HCC has improved moderately.
Right posterior segment graft in living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Hori Tomohide , Kirino Izumi , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: January 2015

AimLiving donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is widely performed for end‐stage liver disease. Liver volume is important for donor safety and recipient survival. In adult‐to‐adult LDLT, left lobe graft is frequently insufficient for the recipient, while right lobe graft carries a higher donor risk. The right posterior segment graft (RPSG) was introduced to increase donor selection options. However, only a few institutions have reported LDLT with an RPSG.MethodsIn total, 587 adult recipients underwent LDLT at Kyoto University Hospital from 2001 to 2011. Here, we retrospectively report 14 LDLT with RPSG. All donors underwent volumetric analyses and detailed investigation of the hepatic vein (HV), portal vein (PV), hepatic artery (HA) and biliary duct (BD). Anatomical anomalies were detected in four donors’ BD. The mean Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score was 22.6 ± 12.4 points. ABO blood groups were characterized as incompatible in three cases. The mean graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio was 0.897 ± 0.203.ResultsDonors’ postoperative courses were uneventful. To adjust diameters and lengths between grafts and recipients, dual anastomoses for PV reconstruction and graft interpositions for PV and HA reconstruction were required in one case each. HA thrombosis occurred in two cases and PV thrombosis in one. Biliary complications occurred in two cases. Though there was no significant difference in survival following RPSG versus other grafts, critical complications were observed in recipients.ConclusionThe RPSG is a useful option in LDLT. However, careful consideration is required for RPSG harvest and LDLT performance, both before and during surgery.
Risk factors for herpes zoster in rheumatoid arthritis patients: the role of tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitors
Authors: Segan J. , Staples M. P. , March L. , Lassere M. , Chakravarty E. F. , Buchbinder R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAimTo determine whether exposure to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α inhibitors increases the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsWe performed a cohort study of people withRAparticipating in the Australian Rheumatology Association Database. We identified self‐reported cases ofHZand verified using medical records. For the primary analysis, we only included doctor‐verified cases. ForTNF‐α inhibitor exposed groups, we excludedHZepisodes that occurred beforeTNF‐α inhibitor initiation, and for the control group we excludedHZepisodes that occurred prior to 2000 orRAdiagnosis. The risk ofHZamong participants exposed versus not exposed toTNF‐α inhibitors was compared using Cox proportional hazards models including significant covariates affecting the risk. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated forTNFinhibitors as a class and for individual agents.ResultsAmong 2157 activeRAparticipants, there were 442 self‐reported cases ofHZ. From 346 responses from doctors, 249 cases were verified and four were false positives (false positive rate 1.6%). Crude incidence of verifiedHZin the entireRAcohort was 15.9/1000 person‐years (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.5–18.8). An increased risk ofHZwas found for allTNF‐α inhibitors combined (fully adjustedHR1.71; 95%CI: 1.00–2.92) and adalimumab (fully adjustedHR2.33; 95%CI: 1.22–4.45), but in the fully adjusted model was not increased with etanercept (fully adjustedHR1.65; 95%CI: 0.90–3.03). No increased risk was found with infliximab (HR1.29; 95%CI: 0.37–4.47).ConclusionsTNF‐α inhibitors are associated with an increased risk ofHZin people withRAcompared with those who have not been exposed.