bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of postoperative pain from assessment of pain induced by venous cannulation and propofol infusion
Authors: Persson A. KM. , Pettersson F. D. , Dyrehag L‐E. , Åkeson J. 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundPostoperative pain may lead to delayed mobilization, persisting pain, and psychosocial distress. There are no simple and reliable techniques for prediction of postoperative pain. This study was designed to evaluate if pain induced by venous cannulation or propofol injection can be used to predict postoperative pain.MethodsThis prospective study included 180 patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pain intensity associated with peripheral venous cannulation and administration of propofol preoperatively and pain intensity, and use of opioid postoperatively was recorded.ResultsPatients scoring cannulation‐induced pain intensity > 2.0 VAS units were given postoperative opioid more often (65% vs. 36%; P < 0.001), earlier (12 min vs. 90 min; P < 0.001), and in higher doses (4.8 mg vs. 0 mg; P < 0.001), and also reported higher levels of postoperative pain intensity (5.8 vs. 2.9 VAS units; P < 0.001). There were also significant (P < 0.01) correlations with postoperative pain intensity (rs = 0.24), time to opioid administration (rs = −0.26), and total dose of opioid (rs = 0.25). Propofol‐induced pain intensity correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with postoperative pain intensity (rs = 0.19).ConclusionPain intensity associated with venous cannulation and propofol infusion can easily be evaluated at bedside before surgery without specific equipment or training. Patients scoring > 2.0 VAS units on venous cannulation were found to have 3.4 times higher risk of postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Low pain intensity associated with venous cannulation and propofol infusion indicate lower risk of postoperative pain.
A genome‐wide association study reveals a quantitative trait locus for days open on chromosome 2 in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Sasaki Shinji , Ibi Takayuki , Kojima Takatoshi , Sugimoto Yoshikazu 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDays open (DO), which is the interval from calving to conception, is an important trait related to reproductive performance in cattle. To identify quantitative trait loci for DO in Japanese Black cattle, we conducted a genome‐wide association study with 33 303 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using 459 animals with extreme DO values selected from a larger group of 15 488 animals. We identified a SNP on bovine chromosome 2 (BTA2) that was associated with DO. After imputation using phased haplotype data inferred from 586 812 SNPs of 1041 Japanese Black cattle, six SNPs associated with DO were located in an 8.5‐kb region of high linkage disequilibrium on BTA2. These SNPs were located on the telomeric side at a distance of 177 kb from the parathyroid hormone 2 receptor (PTH2R) gene. The association was replicated in a sample of 1778 animals. In the replicated population, the frequency of the reduced‐DO allele (Q) was 0.63, and it accounted for 1.72% of the total genetic variance. The effect of a Q‐to‐q allele substitution on DO was a decrease of 3.74 days. The results suggest that the Q allele could serve as a marker in Japanese Black cattle to select animals with superior DO performance.
Crossbred cow adoption and its correlates: Countable adoption specification search in Sri Lanka's small holder dairy sector
Authors: Edirisinghe Jagath C. , Holloway Garth J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractConsiderable specification choice confronts countable adoption investigations and there is need to measure, formally, the evidence in favor of competing formulations. This article presents alternative countable adoption specifications—hitherto neglected in the agricultural‐economics literature—and assesses formally their usefulness to practitioners. Reference to the left side of de Finetti's (1937) famous representation theorem motivates Bayesian unification of agricultural adoption studies and facilitates comparisons with conventional binary‐choice specifications. Such comparisons have not previously been considered. The various formulations and the specific techniques are highlighted in an application to crossbred cow adoption in Sri Lanka's small‐holder dairy sector.
Five‐year experience with infliximab: Follow up of the product familiarisation program
Authors: Nguyen Rebecca , Braue Anna , Baker Chris , Foley Peter 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis 5‐year retrospective analysis is of 22 patients who participated in the product familiarisation program (PFP) at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, prior to the listing of infliximab on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme. Criteria for inclusion were being an adult with chronic plaque psoriasis, having a psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score of at least 15 with an inadequate response or intolerance to three of the following: phototherapy, acitretin, cyclosporin and methotrexate. Participants were infused with infliximab 5 mg/kg on the standard induction (weeks 0, 2 and 6) and maintenance (8‐weekly) protocols. At each visit PASI and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scores were recorded. Success was determined as the proportion of patients achieving at least a 75% improvement in the PASI score from baseline (PASI 75). At 60 months after commencement of therapy, 31% of patients remained on infliximab. Those who did retained PASI 75 with a DLQI of 0 or 1. Of those who ceased infliximab, nine did so due to loss of efficacy, three for personal reasons, two for serious adverse events and one was lost to follow up. Adverse events included non‐melanoma skin cancers, infections and abnormal liver enzymes. Infliximab in the Australian context has proven to be a highly effective treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis, and patients who remained on the drug derived a high level of satisfaction, assessed both subjectively (DLQI) and objectively (PASI 75). The variable response indicates that psoriasis is a heterogeneous disease and investigation into potential patient selection for treatment in the future is warranted.
Monoclonal antibody against macrophage colony-stimulating factor suppresses circulating monocytes and tissue macrophage function but does not alter cell infiltration/activation in cutaneous lesions or clinical outcomes in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Authors: Masek-Hammerman K , Peeva E , Ahmad A , Menon S , Afsharvand M , Peng Qu R , Cheng J B , Syed J , Zhan Y , O'Neil S P , Pleasic-Williams S , Cox L A , Beidler D 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThis study’s objective was to assess the effects of PD-0360324, a fully human immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody against macrophage colony-stimulating factor in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Patients with active subacute CLE or discoid lupus erythematosus were randomized to receive 100 or 150 mg PD-0360324 or placebo via intravenous infusion every 2 weeks for 3 months. Blood and urine samples were obtained pre- and post-treatment to analyse pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic changes in CD14+ CD16+ monocytes, urinary N-terminal telopeptide (uNTX), alanine/aspartate aminotransferases (ALT/AST) and creatine kinase (CK); tissue biopsy samples were taken to evaluate macrophage populations and T cells using immunohistochemistry. Clinical efficacy assessments included the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). Among 28 randomized/analysed patients, peak/trough plasma concentrations increased in a greater-than-dose-proportional manner with dose increases from 100 to 150 mg. Statistically significant differences were observed between active treatment and placebo groups in changes from baseline in CD14+ CD16+ cells, uNTX, ALT, AST and CK levels at most time-points. The numbers, density and activation states of tissue macrophages and T cells did not change from baseline to treatment end. No between-group differences were seen in CLASI. Patients receiving PD-0360324 reported significantly more adverse events than those receiving placebo, but no serious adverse events. In patients with CLE, 100 and 150 mg PD-0360324 every 2 weeks for 3 months suppressed a subset of circulating monocytes and altered activity of some tissue macrophages without affecting cell populations in CLE skin lesions or improving clinical end-points.
A histomorphometric assessment of collagen‐stabilized anorganic bovine bone mineral in maxillary sinus augmentation – a prospective clinical trial
Authors: Alayan Jamil , Vaquette Cedryck , Farah Camile , Ivanovski Saso 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo histomorphometrically compare the use of collagen‐stabilized anorganic bovine bone (ABBM‐C) (test) to anorganic bovine bone + autogenous bone (ABBM + AB) (control) in maxillary sinus augmentation.Materials and MethodsForty (n = 40 sinuses) patients underwent sinus augmentation and received either control (20 sinuses) or test bone graft (20 sinuses). Bone samples were harvested from the augmented sinuses 5 months postgrafting. The samples were processed for histomorphometry, which assessed within the primary region of interest (ROI‐1), the area fraction of new bone (%NB), graft particle osseointegration (% OI), residual graft (%RG), and soft tissue components (% STM). The same analysis was also carried out in a second region of interest (ROI‐2) located in a zone 1 mm proximal to the previous maxillary sinus floor.ResultsIn both ROI‐1 and ROI‐2, the mean % NB, %RG, and %STM in the control group were similar to mean values in the test group. The % OI was significantly greater in the control group (42.0 +/− 26.8) when compared to the test group (19.6 +/− 27.3) in ROI‐2 (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were seen when ROI‐1 and ROI‐2 were compared except for improved %OI in ROI‐2 in the control group. The mean proportion of lamellar bone to woven bone in the control group (1.22 ± 1.48) was significantly greater than the test group (0.38 ± 0.29) (P < 0.05).ConclusionABBM‐C exhibited very similar histomorphometric parameters to the composite graft of ABBM + AB. The ABBM + AB group was more mature as indicated by the significantly greater proportion of lamellar bone when compared to the ABBM‐C. Improved % OI was seen in the zone proximal to the resident bony floor in the ABBM + AB group. Based on histological assessment, ABBM‐C is a suitable bone substitute for the purposes of maxillary sinus augmentation. Its clinical utility may be indicated in cases of sinus membrane perforation and insufficient autogenous bone in the local area.
Relationship between sarcopenic obesity‐related phenotypes and inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women
Authors: Dutra Maurílio Tiradentes , Avelar Bruna Pereira , Souza Vinícius Carolino , Bottaro Martim , Oliveira Ricardo Jacó , Nóbrega Otávio Toledo , Moreno Lima Ricardo 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAgeing is associated with changes in body composition that may result in sarcopenic obesity (SO). Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are important inflammatory markers related to ageing. SO has been examined as an important public health problem, but its association with inflammatory markers has yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SO‐related phenotypes and inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women. A total of 130 women (66·7 ± 5·2 years) underwent body composition evaluation using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Volunteers were classified according to a SO definition previously described in the literature. Waist circumference (WC) and handgrip strength (HG) were also measured. Blood samples were collected for CRP, tumour necrosis factor and IL‐6 measurements. All the inflammatory markers were higher in SO individuals when compared to non‐SO; however, only IL‐6 reached statistical significance (median 3·34 versus 1·37 pg ml−1; P<0·05). Also, CRP was significantly correlated (P<0·01) with body mass index (rs = 0·34), fat mass (FM; rs = 0·25) and WC (rs = 0·33). Similarly, IL‐6 levels were significantly correlated (P<0·05) to age (rs = 0·19), FM (rs = 0·19) and WC (rs = 0·17). HG was found to be significantly reduced among subjects with higher IL‐6 levels (P = 0·02). In summary, the combination of reduced muscle mass and excess body fat (i.e. SO) is associated with elevated inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women. Moreover, CRP and IL‐6 are associated with SO‐related phenotypes in this population.
Measuring breathing patterns and respiratory movements with the respiratory movement measuring instrument
Authors: Hagman Carina , Janson Christer , Malinovschi Andrei , Hedenström Hans , Emtner Margareta 
Published: September 2015

SummaryIntroductionThe respiratory movement measuring instrument (RMMI) is a laser‐based non‐invasive technique to measure breathing patterns and respiratory movements (RMs). Little knowledge is known about the ability of the RMMI to measure breathing patterns and the correlation between RMs and breathing volumes.ObjectivesOne aim was to investigate whether the RMMI could discriminate between normal versus abdominal versus high costal breathing patterns in different body positions. A second aim was to determine the correlation between RMs and breathing volumes in different body positions.MethodTwenty adult, healthy subjects (10 women) were included in the study. The RMMI was used to study the above‐mentioned breathing patterns in supine, sitting and standing positions. A subgroup of 12 subjects (6 women) simultaneously performed measurements of breathing volumes while RMs were recorded.ResultsThe RMMI was able to discriminate between different breathing patterns in different body positions (P<0·001). The upper thoracic contribution to RMs in the sitting position was 47% for natural breathing, 32% for abdominal breathing and 64% for high costal breathing; similar results were found in the supine and standing positions. A strong correlation was observed between RMs as measured by the RMMI and different breathing volumes in all three body positions (Spearman's rho 0·86–1·00).ConclusionThe RMMI can be used to measure and analyse different breathing patterns in different body positions, and the correlation between measured RMs and breathing volumes is strong.
Talking About a Gracious God: Speaking of God out of Experience
Authors: Guðmundsdóttir Arnfríður 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTalking about a gracious God in a meaningful way calls for a recognition of one's experience. Discovering a gracious God changed Luther's way of doing theology, and demonstrates how Luther's theology was shaped by his experience. Feminist theologians have made a conscious appeal to women's experience, particularly their experience of violence within a patriarchal social structure. This particular experience has to shape how we talk about a gracious God to victims/survivors of violence against women.
Grace Only? Or, All is Grace?
Authors: Stjerna Kirsi I. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractLutheran theology does not have a monopoly on grace. “Grace alone” statements do not suffice in unfolding what “all” grace is and does. In comparison to Catholic tradition, the Lutheran imagination of grace appears abstract and excludes experience. Feminist theology, in conversation with the tradition, promises to expand Lutheran hermeneutics and epistemology, starting with grace. In the footsteps of Tuomo Mannermaa, returning to Luther's transformative experience of grace, new avenues open up for reforming Lutheran grace‐language. With Luther, a holistic approach to grace can be developed, one that includes Mary the mother of God.
Is a Finite Life Such a Bad Idea? Transhumanism and Theological Anthropology
Authors: Henriksen Jan‐Olav 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCreaturely life is finite life. Transhumanism suggests that human life will be better and even fulfilled in a new way, if humans can overcome some of the finite conditions now given. I argue that there are theological, ethical, and biological points to be taken into consideration that may challenge the transhuman vision of a good life. The finite conditions of human life are what makes human life human, and these conditions are also part of why the deeper meaning of human life is realized in love for others, and not in the quest for making one's own life go on (almost) endlessly. In addition to looking at some material from popular culture and the philosopher Hans Jonas, the article also draws on recent discussions on transhumanism present in contemporary theology.
Can children identify and achieve goals for intervention? A randomized trial comparing two goal‐setting approaches
Authors: Vroland‐Nordstrand Kristina , Eliasson Ann‐Christin , Jacobsson Helén , Johansson Ulla , Krumlinde‐Sundholm Lena 
Published: September 2015

AimThe efficacy of two different goal‐setting approaches (children's self‐identified goals and goals identified by parents) were compared on a goal‐directed, task‐oriented intervention.MethodIn this assessor‐blinded parallel randomized trial, 34 children with disabilities (13 males, 21 females; mean age 9y, SD 1y 4mo) were randomized using concealed allocation to one of two 8‐week, goal‐directed, task‐oriented intervention groups with different goal‐setting approaches: (1) children's self‐identified goals (n=18) using the Perceived Efficacy and Goal‐Setting System, or (2) goals identified by parents (n=16) using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Participants were recruited through eight paediatric rehabilitation centres and randomized between October 2011 and May 2013. The primary outcome measure was the Goal Attainment Scaling and the secondary measure, the COPM performance scale (COPM‐P). Data were collected pre‐ and post‐intervention and at the 5‐month follow‐up.ResultsThere was no evidence of a difference in mean characteristics at baseline between groups. There was evidence of an increase in mean goal attainment (mean T score) in both groups after intervention (child‐goal group: estimated mean difference [EMD] 27.84, 95% CI 22.93–32.76; parent‐goal group: EMD 21.42, 95% CI 16.16−26.67). There was no evidence of a difference in the mean T scores post‐intervention between the two groups (EMD 6.42, 95% CI −0.80 to 13.65). These results were sustained at the 5‐month follow‐up.InterpretationChildren's self‐identified goals are achievable to the same extent as parent‐identified goals and remain stable over time. Thus children can be trusted to identify their own goals for intervention, thereby influencing their involvement in their intervention programmes.
Amenity and ecological management: A framework for policy and practice
Authors: Corney Helen , Ives Christopher D. , Bekessy Sarah 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAmenity is a term that has re‐emerged within both public policy and environmental management organisations in response to an increasing emphasis on the human benefits derived from ecosystems. However, practical implementation of amenity management has been difficult due to a lack of definitional clarity within operational and academic literature. This article discusses the need for definitional clarity and understanding of the component elements of amenity that are integral to ecological management and reviews the literature on the perceptions and definitions of amenity in varied contexts. This study argues that positive perceptions of amenity benefits of a place are influenced by both physical elements such as sight, sound and smell and social elements such as age, education and cultural values. These elements should be considered by management agencies in a structured manner in order for the full potential of amenity to be realised. We present a conceptual framework to provide definitional clarity to the concept of amenity and highlight the interactions among its constituent elements. For the management of human‐dominated landscapes, considering the relationship between amenity and biodiversity may improve the integration of ecological and social goals.
The use of Senate inquiries for threatened species conservation
Authors: Shumway Nicole , Seabrook Leonie 
Published: September 2015

SummaryGlobal biodiversity continues to decline at a steady rate, especially in Australia where 10% of the land mammal population has become extinct since European settlement. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) list of threatened species is Australia's version of the IUCN red‐list; however, not all species fit easily within the EPBC guidelines and criteria for listing. Recently, a high‐profile Senate inquiry was used to bring about the listing of the koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, although it had previously been deemed ineligible for threatened species status. We are concerned that the use of Senate Inquiries will become more frequent now that a precedent has been set. We suggest they are not an appropriate means of threatened species conservation because they are politically topical, not necessarily based on expert opinion and do not carry any need for legislative response. Successful species conservation should be based on sound ecological knowledge embedded within a transparent and logical decision framework.
Audit as Leviathan: Constructing Quality Registers in Swedish Health Care
Authors: Funck Elin K. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis paper explores the rise of an audit practice: the national quality registers in Swedish health care. Based on actor‐network theory, the study tells the story of an actor‐network formed by physicians in the 1970s who mobilized themselves around a common object; to develop the knowledge‐base of medical professionals. However, over time more actors became persuaded of the potential of the network and associate themselves with it, resulting in reformed registers. The study shows how the network develops into a macro‐actor, a Leviathan in health care, how this macro‐actor comes to affect health care practices and how it contributes towards maintaining a new governance regime.
Electricity Pricing in New Zealand and the Australian State of Queensland: Accounting for the Impact of Sector Restructuring
Authors: Hooks Jill , Tooley Stuart 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe electricity industries of New Zealand (NZ) and the Australian state of Queensland have undergone substantial structural and regulatory reform with the common intent to improve economic efficiency. Deregulation and privatisation have been key elements of the reform but have been approached differently by each jurisdiction. This study traces the link between structural and regulatory regimes and asset valuation, profits and, ultimately, pricing. The study finds that key drivers in recent price increases are the government‐owned generation and retail sector in NZ and the government‐owned distribution sector in Queensland. It is concluded that, contrary to the rationale for the imposition of regulatory controls in a non‐market environment, the regulatory regimes appear to have contributed to higher rather than lower pricing structures.