bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organizational rewards: considering employee need in allocation
Authors: Webb Day Jillian , L. Holladay Courtney , K. Johnson Stefanie , G. Barron Laura 
Published: February 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to investigate how employee need relates to rewards and employee perceptions of fairness within an organization in the USA using a pay-for-performance system.Design/methodology/approach– To evaluate the presence of a relationship between employee need and reward allocation in a pay-for-performance system, a questionnaire was administered to a sample of 292 employees from two departments at an academic medical center.Findings– The findings highlight the positive relationship between employee need and reward allocation that remains when controlling for employee performance evaluation ratings. Findings further show that employee communication with the manager about need explains this relationship.Research limitations/implications– The findings make two important contributions to research on reward allocation and performance management. First, the results show employee need is related to the allocation of rewards in organizational settings outside of collectivistic cultures or developing countries. Second, by demonstrating the role of employee communication with managers about need within the relationship between employee need and reward allocation, the paper provides a more detailed understanding of additional factors related to compensation decisions in a pay-for-performance system.Originality/value– Little research has explored the relationship between employee need and reward decisions at an individual level in organizational settings within individualistic cultures. The findings from this study address this gap by establishing the presence of this relationship in a pay-for-performance reward-based organization with service-based values. This finding is timely due to the current economic downturn experienced by organizations, and thereby the level of employee need observed in Western individualistic cultures.
Prevalence and risk of Down syndrome in monozygotic and dizygotic multiple pregnancies in Europe: implications for prenatal screening
Authors: Boyle B , Morris JK , McConkey R , Garne E , Loane M , Addor MC , Gatt M , Haeusler M , Latos‐Bielenska A , Lelong N , McDonnell R , Mullaney C , O'Mahony M , Dolk H 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo determine risk of Down syndrome (DS) in multiple relative to singleton pregnancies, and compare prenatal diagnosis rates and pregnancy outcome.DesignPopulation‐based prevalence study based on EUROCAT congenital anomaly registries.SettingEight European countries.Population14.8 million births 1990–2009; 2.89% multiple births.MethodsDS cases included livebirths, fetal deaths from 20 weeks, and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA). Zygosity is inferred from like/unlike sex for birth denominators, and from concordance for DS cases.Main outcome measuresRelative risk (RR) of DS per fetus/baby from multiple versus singleton pregnancies and per pregnancy in monozygotic/dizygotic versus singleton pregnancies. Proportion of prenatally diagnosed and pregnancy outcome.Statistical analysisPoisson and logistic regression stratified for maternal age, country and time.ResultsOverall, the adjusted (adj) RR of DS for fetus/babies from multiple versus singleton pregnancies was 0.58 (95% CI 0.53–0.62), similar for all maternal ages except for mothers over 44, for whom it was considerably lower. In 8.7% of twin pairs affected by DS, both co‐twins were diagnosed with the condition. The adjRR of DS for monozygotic versus singleton pregnancies was 0.34 (95% CI 0.25–0.44) and for dizygotic versus singleton pregnancies 1.34 (95% CI 1.23–1.46). DS fetuses from multiple births were less likely to be prenatally diagnosed than singletons (adjOR 0.62 [95% CI 0.50–0.78]) and following diagnosis less likely to be TOPFA (adjOR 0.40 [95% CI 0.27–0.59]).ConclusionsThe risk of DS per fetus/baby is lower in multiple than singleton pregnancies. These estimates can be used for genetic counselling and prenatal screening.
Neuro‐behçet's disease in South Korea: clinical characteristics and treatment response
Authors: Yoon Da‐Lim , Kim You Jae , Koo Bon San , Kim Yong‐Gil , Lee Chang‐Keun , Yoo Bin 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimNeuro‐behçet's disease (NBD) is a rare complication of Behçet's disease (BD) but is still important due to its morbidity and mortality. In this study, we sought to identify the characteristics of NBD by examining the clinical characteristics, and whether there were differences in the clinical characteristics or the treatment between relapsed and non‐relapsed groups.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical history of all patients diagnosed with BD at the Asan Medical Center in South Korea from January 1996 to May 2012. NBD was defined as neurological symptoms and compatible abnormalities identified by magnetic resononance imaging.ResultsAmong 624 BD patients, 22 were diagnosed with NBD. The common initial neurological symptoms were headache, gait disturbance and dysarthria. The common involved sites were the diencephalon, including internal capsule, the thalamus and basal ganglia, followed by the brainstem. An increased signal intensity on T2‐weighted images was the most common finding. All patients had an improved disease state after steroid treatment, regardless of combined treatment with cyclophosphamide. However, eight patients experienced a disease recurrence at 7.3 ± 5.1 months after treatment. There were no significant differences in treatment patterns between the relapsed group and the non‐relapsed group.ConclusionsNBD may present with various neurologic manifestations with multifocal diencephalon and brainstem involvement. Most NBD patients had a good clinical outcome after steroid treatment, with or without a cytotoxic agent, but showed a pattern of relapse–remission. Therefore, careful long‐term follow‐up is needed in most cases of NBD.
Pulmonary manifestation as initial presentation for systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Khor Chiew Gek , Kan Sow Lai , Tan Bee Eng 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe report a 29‐year‐old Malay man who had pulmonary manifestations as an initial presentation for systemic lupus erythematosus. He had prolonged hospitalization and was treated with intensive care therapy with immunosuppressants.
Caries experience, mutans streptococci and total protein concentrations in children with protein‐energy undernutrition
Authors: Ribeiro T Rodrigues , Alves K Shangela da Silva , de Miranda Mota AC , Costa D Pereira , de Carvalho C Barreto Mano , Santos CF , Monteiro AJ , Fonteles CSR 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe highest prevalence of protein‐energy undernutrition is observed during early childhood, being also a time in which the presence of dental caries can be unusually aggressive. The present study aimed to verify if different levels of undernutrition could influence the risk of early childhood caries (ECC), in the presence of other predisposing factors.MethodsOne hundred and twenty undernourished 12–70 month old children, with or without ECC, were selected. Undernourished children were classified as being mildly, moderately or severely undernourished. All children were examined for determination of decayed, missing and filled surfaces (dmfs). Total protein concentration in saliva was analysed by the Bradford method. For microbiological analysis, mitis salivarius‐bacitracin agar medium was used. A binary logistic regression model was applied to test the simultaneous influence of different variables over caries experience.ResultsThe risk of ECC was significantly higher with an increase in age (p = 0.000) and mutans streptococci counts (p = 0.032). Comparisons with the normal‐weight group showed that mildly (p = 0.004) and severely undernourished children (p = 0.037) had a higher risk of experiencing ECC, but this risk was not significantly elevated among moderately undernourished children (p = 0.158).ConclusionsOur results suggest that mildly and severely undernourished children have an increased risk of experiencing dental caries. Age is highly associated with the disease in this population.
Why group & save? Blood transfusion at low‐risk elective caesarean section
Authors: Stock Owen , Beckmann Michael 
Published: February 2014

Women undergoing elective caesarean section (CS) routinely have a group and save ordered as part of their preoperative assessment, whereas women with expected vaginal birth do not. Our aim was therefore to determine the rate of blood transfusion at elective CS compared with vaginal birth in a large Australian maternity hospital. A retrospective cohort study was performed using routinely collected de‐identified data of 35 477 women, over 4 years, who delivered at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. After excluding women with established risk factors for transfusion, the likelihood of blood transfusion following elective CS was significantly lower compared to vaginal birth (aOR 0.47 (0.29, 0.77)).
The NIFTY study: A multicentre randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial of nifedipine maintenance tocolysis in fetal fibronectin‐positive women in threatened preterm labour
Authors: Parry Emma , Roos Carolien , Stone Peter , Hayward Lynsey , Mol Ben Willem , McCowan Lesley 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveIn an unselected group of women with signs of preterm labour, maintenance tocolysis is not effective in the prevention of preterm birth and does not improve neonatal outcome. Among women with signs of preterm labour, those who are fetal fibronectin positive have an increased risk of preterm birth. We investigated whether maintenance tocolysis with nifedipine would delay delivery and improve neonatal outcome in women with threatened preterm labour and a positive fetal fibronectin status.Study DesignWomen with a singleton pregnancy in threatened preterm labour (24+0 to 33+6 weeks) with a positive fetal fibronectin test were randomised to nifedipine or placebo. Study medication was continued until 36 completed weeks' gestation. The primary endpoint was prolongation of pregnancy of seven days. Secondary endpoints were gestational age at delivery and length of NICU admission.ResultsOf the 60 participants, 29 received nifedipine and 31 placebo. Prolongation of pregnancy by >7 days occurred in 22/29 (76%) in the nifedipine group and 25/31 (81%) in the placebo group (relative risks, RR 0.94 [0.72–1.2]). Gestational age at delivery was 36.1 ± 5.1 weeks for nifedipine and 36.8 ± 3.6 weeks for placebo (P = 0.027). Length of NICU admission [median (interquartile ranges, IQR)] was 27 (24–41) days and 16 (8–37) days in nifedipine and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.17).ConclusionIn women with threatened preterm labour who are fetal fibronectin positive, maintenance tocolysis with nifedipine does not seem to prolong pregnancy, nor reduce length of NICU admission.
Clinicoplacental phenotypes vary with gestational age: an analysis by classical and clustering methods
Authors: Stanek Jerzy , Biesiada Jacek , Trzeszcz Martyna 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveAs the patterns and frequency of maternal and clinical conditions and outcomes and gross and histological placental features and lesions vary with gestational age at delivery, we aimed to study the impact of these changes on the placental diagnosis, hoping to uncover potential novel clusters of gestational age‐associated clinical and pathological diagnoses.DesignRetrospective statistical analysis of clinicoplacental database.PopulationWe analyzed 28 clinical (maternal and fetal) and 49 gross and microscopic placental variables from 3294 consecutively signed placentas received between 2001 and 2012, divided into three gestational age groups: 16–27 weeks, 697 cases; 28–36 weeks, 1365 cases; and 37+ weeks, in all 1232 cases.MethodsClassical statistics by chi‐squared and Fischer's tests, and the Ward agglomerative hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling techniques, were used.ResultsThe placental phenotypes clustered statistically significantly with severe preeclampsia in the second trimester; preterm premature rupture of membranes, placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction in the whole third trimester; and abnormally invasive placenta, thick meconium, maternal diabetes mellitus, and substance abuse in term pregnancies.ConclusionsThe applied statistical analyses made it possible to simultaneously compare the strength of clinicoplacental associations separately in three pregnancy intervals. Placental clinicopathological associations are strongest for the second trimester, i.e. severe preeclampsia and preterm ascending infection‐related conditions, but were not significant for other pregnancy complications such as mild preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or umbilical cord compromise.
Low intravitreal angiopoietin‐2 and VEGF levels in vitrectomized diabetic patients with simvastatin treatment
Authors: Tuuminen Raimo , Sahanne Sari , Loukovaara Sirpa 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the intravitreal levels of potent vasoactive, angiogenic and extracellular matrix remodelling factors in the diabetic patients with simvastatin treatment.MethodsThis is an institutional, prospective, observational case–control study. Type‐1 and type‐2 diabetic patients on lipophilic simvastatin (N = 14) compared with patients without statin medication (N = 50). Vitreous samples were subjected to protein measurements of angiopoietin (Ang)‐1 and Ang‐2, erythropoietin (EPO), transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by ELISA and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 by gelatin zymography.ResultsIntravitreal levels of Ang‐2 (p = 0.029), VEGF (p = 0.001) and proMMP‐9 (p = 0.015) were lower in simvastatin‐treated than in non‐statin‐treated controls. In diabetics with macular oedema (DME), intravitreal Ang‐2 (p = 0.006) and VEGF (p = 0.002) levels were lower in simvastatin‐treated patients compared with non‐statin‐treated controls. In those patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), intravitreal Ang‐2 (p = 0.002), TGF‐β1 (p = 0.037), VEGF (p = 0.001) and pro‐ and totalMMP‐9 (p = 0.004 and p = 0.007) levels were lower when receiving simvastatin medication.ConclusionsIn diabetic patients with DME or PDR, the intravitreal levels of permeability and proangiogenic factors Ang‐2 and VEGF were lower in simvastatin‐treated than in those without statin medication. Moreover, the levels of MMP‐9 and TGF‐β1, factors involved in the breakdown of basement membrane and fibroproliferation, were lower in patients with PDR having simvastatin medication. When acetylsalicylic acid was combined with simvastatin treatment, the intraocular levels of Ang‐2 and VEGF were significantly lower than in diabetics treated with simvastatin alone. These data provide a novel insight into the potential protective mechanisms underlying simvastatin medication in patients with diabetic retinopathy complications.
Neonatal seizures: magnetic resonance imaging adds value in the diagnosis and prediction of neurodisability
Authors: Osmond Elizabeth , Billetop Amiel , Jary Sally , Likeman Marcus , Thoresen Marianne , Luyt Karen 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo determine the aetiological associations, neurological sequelae and role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in term newborn infants with seizures.MethodsCohort study of infants ≥37 weeks' gestation delivered in a tertiary level centre, prospectively identified and followed longitudinally for 18–24 months.ResultsAn underlying aetiology was found in 95% of the 77 infants identified with seizures (3.0/1000 live births). The most common diagnosis was hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) (65%), followed by neonatal stroke (12%). Nine infants died, 28 of the 68 survivors developed neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), and 15 had recurrent seizures in the first 2 years, with both outcomes more likely in those with a diagnosis other than HIE. Abnormal MRI findings were found in 45 of the 70 infants imaged. The absence of major cerebral lesions was highly predictive of a normal neurological outcome.ConclusionWe report the first cohort of term infants with seizures fully investigated by MRI. The universal use of MRI enabled a cause to be identified in 95% of cases. The probability of having NDI or recurrence of seizures was extremely low with absence of major cerebral lesions on MRI. This study demonstrates the added value of MRI for diagnosis of aetiology and the prediction of neurological outcome.
Influences of protein ingestion on glucagon‐like peptide (GLP)‐1‐immunoreactive endocrine cells in the chicken ileum
Authors: Monir Mohammad M. , Hiramatsu Kohzy , Matsumoto Sachiko , Nishimura Kei , Takemoto Chihiro , Shioji Tomomi , Watanabe Takafumi , Kita Kazumi , Yonekura Shinichi , Roh Sang Gun 
Published: February 2014

AbstractInfluences of a specific dietary nutrient on glucagon‐like peptide (GLP)‐1‐containing cells in the chicken intestine are not yet clear. Significance of dietary protein level on GLP‐1‐containing cells in the chicken ileum was investigated. Chickens fed control or experimental diets of varying protein levels were examined using immunohistochemical and morphometrical techniques. We show that the protein ingestion had an impact on the activities of GLP‐1‐immunoreactive cells in the chicken ileum. Weight gains declined with decreasing dietary crude protein (CP) levels, but no significant differences were detected in the daily feed intake and villous height. GLP‐1‐immunoreactive cells with a round or oval shape were frequently observed in the lower CP level groups (4.5% and 0%). Frequencies of occurrence of GLP‐1‐immunoreactive cells were 41.1 ± 4.1, 38.5 ± 4, 34.8 ± 3.1 and 34.3 ± 3.7 (cells/mm2, mean ± SD) for dietary CP level of 18%, 9%, 4.5% and 0% groups, respectively and significant differences were recognized between the control and lower CP level groups (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between the daily protein intake and frequencies of occurrence of GLP‐1‐immunoreactive cells. The protein ingestion is one of the signals that influence GLP‐1‐containing cells in the chicken small intestine.
Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, vitamin A and vitamin E levels and resumption of postpartum ovarian activity in dairy cows
Authors: Aoki Mari , Ohshita Tomoko , Aoki Yasuhiro , Sakaguchi Minoru 
Published: February 2014

AbstractVitamins with antioxidative functions are commonly used as supplements to improve fertility in dairy cows. However, according to field test results uncertainty exists about the effect of these vitamins, especially in vitamin A and vitamin E, on ovarian functional activity. This study was performed to reveal the physiological characteristics of cows receiving enough feed and the ovaries of which were activated in the early postpartum period. Six of 12 primiparous cows showing the corpus luteum on 25 to 27 days after parturition were classified as early responders (PER); the remaining six were classified as late responders (PLR). Among 11 multiparous cows, nine were early responders (MER), and the remaining two were late responders (MLR). Plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the PER were lower than those in the PLR (P < 0.01). The ratio of plasma all‐trans‐retinol to intake α‐tocopherol or β‐carotene were increased in the following order: MER < PER < PLR (P < 0.01). The milk lactose (P < 0.025) and plasma glucose (P < 0.01) of the early responders tended to be lower than those of the late responders. These may have been associated with the availability of vitamins or energy balance. Thus, we suggest the possibility that the cows which were able to utilize antioxidants and energy from the feed efficiently may have earlier resumption of ovaries postpartum.
Impacts of genotyping strategies on long‐term genetic response in genomic selection
Authors: Nishio Motohide , Satoh Masahiro 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe present study investigated the effects of the choices of animals of reference populations on long‐term responses to genomic selection. Simulated populations comprised 300 individuals and 10 generations of selection practiced for a trait with heritability of 0.1, 0.3 or 0.5. Thirty individuals were randomly selected in the first five generations and selected by estimated breeding values from best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and genomic BLUP in the subsequent five generations. The reference populations comprise all animals for all generations (scenario 1), all animals for 6‐10 generations (scenario 2) and 2‐6 generations (scenario 3), and half of the animals for all generations (scenario 4). For all heritability levels, the genetic gains in generation 10 were similar in scenarios 1 and 2. Among scenarios 2 to 4, the highest genetic gains were obtained in scenario 2, with heritabilities of 0.1 and 0.3 as well as scenario 4 with heritability of 0.5. The inbreeding coefficients in scenarios 1, 2 and 4 were lower than those in BLUP, especially within cases with low heritability. These results indicate an appropriate choice of reference population can improve genetic gain and restrict inbreeding even when the reference population size is limited.
MYC and BCL2 protein expression predicts survival in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated with rituximab
Authors: Perry Anamarija M. , Alvarado‐Bernal Yuridia , Laurini Javier A. , Smith Lynette M. , Slack Graham W. , Tan King L. , Sehn Laurie H. , Fu Kai , Aoun Patricia , Greiner Timothy C. , Chan Wing C. , Bierman Philip J. , Bociek Robert G. , Armitage James O. , Vose Julie M. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Weisenburger Dennis D. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryDiffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease and “double‐hit” DLBCL, with both MYC and BCL2 translocations has a poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated whether MYC and BCL2 protein expression in tissue would predict survival in DLBCL. The study included 106 cases of de novo DLBCL treated with rituximab and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R‐CHOP) or CHOP‐like regimens. The results were validated on an independent cohort of 205 DLBCL patients. Patients with low expression of BCL2 (≤30%) and MYC (≤50%) had the best prognosis, whereas those with high BCL2 (>30%) and MYC (>50%) had the worst outcome. In multivariate analysis, the combination of the BCL2 and MYC was an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) (P = 0·015 and P = 0·005, respectively). The risk of death was nine times greater for patients with high BCL2 and MYC compared to those with low expression. High BCL2 and MYC was a strong predictor of poor OS (P < 0·001) and EFS (P = 0·0017) in patients with the germinal centre B‐cell (GCB) type, but not in the non‐GCB type. In DLBCL, high co‐expression of MYC and BCL2 was an independent predictor of poor survival, and could be used to stratify patients for risk‐adapted therapies.