bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of expanded health system reform on governmental contributions and individual copayments in the new Chinese rural cooperative medical system
Authors: Dong Hengjin , Duan Shengnan , Bogg Lennart , Wu Yuan , You Hua , Chen Jianhua , Ye Xujun , Seccombe Karen , Yu Hai 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYIn 2002, the Chinese central government created a new rural cooperative medical system (NCMS), ensuring that both central and local governments partner with rural residents to reduce their copayments, thus making healthcare more affordable. Yet, significant gaps in health status and healthcare utilization persisted between urban and rural communities. Therefore, in 2009, healthcare reform was expanded, with (i) increased government financing and (ii) sharply reduced individual copayments for outpatient and inpatient care. Analyzing data from China's Ministry of Health, the Rural Cooperative Information Network, and Statistical Yearbooks, our findings suggest that healthcare reform has reached its preliminary objectives—government financing has grown significantly in most rural provinces, especially those in poorer western and central China, and copayments in most rural provinces have been reduced. Significant intraprovincial inequality of support remains. The central government contributes more money for poor provinces than for rich ones; however, NCMS schemes operate at the county level, which vary significantly in their level of economic development and per capital gross domestic products (GDP) within a province. Data reveal that the compensation ratios for both outpatient and inpatient care are not adjusted to compensate for a rural county's level of economic development or per capita GDP. Consequently, a greater financial burden for healthcare persists among persons in the poorest rural regions. A recommendation for next step in healthcare reform is to pool resources at prefectural/municipal level and also adjust central government contributions according to the GDP level at prefectural/municipal level. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Which catchment characteristics control the temporal dependence structure of daily river flows?
Authors: Chiverton Andrew , Hannaford Jamie , Holman Ian , Corstanje Ron , Prudhomme Christel , Bloomfield John , Hess Tim M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractHydrological classification systems seek to provide information about the dominant processes in the catchment to enable information to be transferred between catchments. Currently, there is no widely agreed‐upon system for classifying river catchments. This paper develops a novel approach to classifying catchments based on the temporal dependence structure of daily mean river flow time series, applied to 116 near‐natural ‘benchmark’ catchments in the UK. The classification system is validated using 49 independent catchments. Temporal dependence in river flow data is driven by the flow pathways, connectivity and storage within the catchment and can thus be used to assess the influence catchment characteristics have on moderating the precipitation‐to‐flow relationship. Semi‐variograms were computed for the 116 benchmark catchments to provide a robust and efficient way of characterising temporal dependence. Cluster analysis was performed on the semi‐variograms, resulting in four distinct clusters. The influence of a wide range of catchment characteristics on the semi‐variogram shape was investigated, including: elevation, land cover, physiographic characteristics, soil type and geology. Geology, depth to gleyed layer in soils, slope of the catchment and the percentage of arable land were significantly different between the clusters. These characteristics drive the temporal dependence structure by influencing the rate at which water moves through the catchment and/or the storage in the catchment. Quadratic discriminant analysis was used to show that a model with five catchment characteristics is able to predict the temporal dependence structure for un‐gauged catchments. This method could form the basis for future regionalisation strategies, as a way of transferring information on the precipitation‐to‐flow relationship between gauged and un‐gauged catchments. © 2014 The Authors. Hydrological Processes by published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The langmuir isotherm: A commonly applied but misleading approach for the analysis of protein adsorption behavior
Authors: Latour Robert A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe Langmuir adsorption isotherm provides one of the simplest and most direct methods to quantify an adsorption process. Because isotherm data from protein adsorption studies often appear to be fit well by the Langmuir isotherm model, estimates of protein binding affinity have often been made from its use despite that fact that none of the conditions required for a Langmuir adsorption process may be satisfied for this type of application. The physical events that cause protein adsorption isotherms to often provide a Langmuir‐shaped isotherm can be explained as being due to changes in adsorption‐induced spreading, reorientation, clustering, and aggregation of the protein on a surface as a function of solution concentration in contrast to being due to a dynamic equilibrium adsorption process, which is required for Langmuir adsorption. Unless the requirements of the Langmuir adsorption process can be confirmed, fitting of the Langmuir model to protein adsorption isotherm data to obtain thermodynamic properties, such as the equilibrium constant for adsorption and adsorption free energy, may provide erroneous values that have little to do with the actual protein adsorption process, and should be avoided. In this article, a detailed analysis of the Langmuir isotherm model is presented along with a quantitative analysis of the level of error that can arise in derived parameters when the Langmuir isotherm is inappropriately applied to characterize a protein adsorption process. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 949–958, 2015.
Gelatin–siloxane nanoparticles to deliver nitric oxide for vascular cell regulation: Synthesis, cytocompatibility, and cellular responses
Authors: Zhang Qin‐Yuan , Wang Zu‐Yong , Wen Feng , Ren Lei , Li Jun , Teoh Swee Hin , Thian Eng San 
Published: May 2014

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator in cardiovascular system to regulate vascular tone and maintain tissue homeostasis. Its role in vascular cell regulation makes it promising to address the post‐surgery restenosis problem. However, the application of NO is constrained by its high reactivity. Here, we developed a novel NO‐releasing gelatin–siloxane nanoparticle (GS–NO NP) to deliver NO effectively for vascular cell regulation. Results showed that gelatin–siloxane nanoparticles (GS NPs) could be synthesized via sol‐gel chemistry with a diameter of ∼200 nm. It could be modified into GS–NO NPs via S‐nitrosothiol (RSNO) modification. The synthesized GS–NO NPs could release a total of ∼0.12 µmol/mg NO sustainably for 7 days following a first‐order exponential profile. They showed not only excellent cytocompatibility, but also rapid intracellularization within 2 h. GS–NO NPs showed inhibition of human aortic smooth muscle cell (AoSMC) proliferation and promotion of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner, which is an important approach to prevent restenosis. With GS–NO NP dose at 100 µg/mL, the proliferation of AoSMCs could be slowed down whereas the growth of HUVECs was significantly promoted. We concluded that GS–NO NPs could have potential to be used as a promising nano‐system to deliver NO for vascular cell regulation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 929–938, 2015.
Comparison of the BISAP scores for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis in Chinese patients according to the latest Atlanta classification
Authors: Zhang Jia , Shahbaz Muhammad , Fang Ruliang , Liang Benjia , Gao Chao , Gao Huijie , Ijaz Muhammad , Peng Cheng , Wang Ben , Niu Zhengchuan , Niu Jun 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) is a new, convenient, prognostic multifactor scoring system. As there were no studies designed to validate this system according to the latest Atlanta classification in China and more data are needed before clinical application, we compared BISAP, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Ranson scoring systems in predicting the severity, pancreatic necrosis and mortality of acute pancreatitis (AP) using the latest 2012 Atlanta classification in a tertiary care center in China.MethodsThe medical records of all patients with AP admitted to our hospitals between January 2010 and June 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Severe AP was defined as the persistence of organ failure for more than 48 h. The capacity of the BISAP, APACHE II and Ranson's score system to predict severity, pancreatic necrosis and mortality was evaluated using linear‐by‐linear association. The predictive accuracy of the BISAP, APACHE II and Ranson's score was measured as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).ResultsOf 155 patients enrolled in the study, 16.7% were classified as having severe AP, and six (3.2%) died. There were statistically significant trends for increasing severity (P < 0.001), PNec (P < 0.001) and mortality (P < 0.001) with increasing BISAP. The AUC for severity predicted by BISAP was 0.793 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.700–0.886), APACHE II 0.836 (95% CI 0.744–0.928) and by Ranson score was 0.903 (95% CI 0.814–0.992). The AUC for PNec predicted by BISAP was 0.834 (95% CI 0.739–0.929), APACHE II 0.801 (95% CI 0.691–0.910) and by Ranson score was 0.840 (95% CI 0.741–0.939). The AUC for mortality predicted by BISAP was 0.791 (95% CI 0.593–0.989), APACHE II 0.812 (95% CI 0.717–0.906) and by Ranson score was 0.904 (95% CI 0.829–0.979).ConclusionsBISAP score may be a valuable source for risk stratification and prognostic prediction in Chinese patients with AP. A prospective and multicenter validation study is required to confirm our results and further our recognition of BISAP scores in AP.
Influence of viticulture practices on grape aroma precursors and their relation with wine aroma
Authors: Hernandez‐Orte Purificacion , Concejero Belen , Astrain Jesus , Lacau Blanca , Cacho Juan , Ferreira Vicente 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe effects of two different operations in the vineyard (basal leaf plucking and head trimming) on the synthesis of aromatic precursors in the grape and their impact on wine aroma have been studied and compared with a control sample. The study was carried out over two consecutive years with four different varieties. Glycosidic precursors were analysed in grapes and volatile compounds were studied in the wines. ANOVA studies were performed to study the effect of the vintage, variety and treatment for each of the compounds released from their precursors.RESULTSRegarding treatment, the highest values in the concentration of free aroma compounds were achieved in the leaf plucking grapes, except for Chardonnay. Significant and positive correlations between aromatic precursors of terpenes present in grapes and their released form in wines were found for all varieties. For norisoprenoids, significant and positive correlations were exclusively found for Chardonnay and for phenols and vanillins in the year 2010 the correlations were high in three of the four varieties studied.CONCLUSIONIn the assays of the 2 years, more precursors were synthesised in Merlot, Gewurztraminer and Tempranillo grapes if the vineyards were plucked. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of Psychotherapy on Trauma‐Related Cognitions in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Diehle Julia , Schmitt Katja , Daams Joost G. , Boer Frits , Lindauer Ramón J. L. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) incorporate trauma‐related cognitions. This adaptation of the criteria has consequences for the treatment of PTSD. Until now, comprehensive information about the effect of psychotherapy on trauma‐related cognitions has been lacking. Therefore, the goal of our meta‐analysis was to determine which psychotherapy most effectively reduces trauma‐related cognitions. Our literature search for randomized controlled trials resulted in 16 studies with data from 994 participants. We found significant effect sizes favoring trauma‐focused cognitive–behavioral therapy as compared to nonactive or active nontrauma‐focused control conditions of Hedges’ g = 1.21, 95% CI [0.69, 1.72], p < .001 and g = 0.36, 95% CI [0.09, 0.63], p = .009, respectively. Treatment conditions with elements of cognitive restructuring and treatment conditions with elements of exposure, but no cognitive restructuring reduced trauma‐related cognitions almost to the same degree. Treatments with cognitive restructuring had small advantages over treatments without cognitive restructuring. We concluded that trauma‐focused cognitive–behavioral therapy effectively reduces trauma‐related cognitions. Treatments comprising either combinations of cognitive restructuring and imaginal exposure and in vivo exposure, or imaginal exposure and in vivo exposure alone showed the largest effects.
Long‐Term Tillage and Cropping System Effects on Chemical and Biochemical Characteristics of Soil Organic Matter in a Mediterranean Semiarid Environment
Authors: Laudicina Vito Armando , Novara Agata , Barbera Vito , Egli Markus , Badalucco Luigi 
Published: May 2014

AbstractSeveral studies have reported how tillage and cropping systems affect quantity, quality, and distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) along the profile. However, the effect of soil management on the chemical structure of SOM and on its hydrophobic and hydrophilic components has been little investigated. In this work, the long‐term (19 years) effects of two cropping systems (wheat monoculture and wheat/faba bean rotation) and three tillage managements (conventional, reduced, and no tillage) on some chemical characteristics of SOM and their relationships with labile carbon (C) pools were evaluated. Soil samples were taken from the topsoil (0–15 cm) of a Chromic Haploxerert (central Sicily, Italy). After 19 years of different tillage and cropping systems management, total organic C significantly differed among treatments with the labile organic C pools showing the greater amount in no till and in wheat/faba bean plots. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic components of SOM, determined by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, were mainly affected by cropping system, whereas aromatic components of SOM by tillage. Soil organic matter components and characteristics showed significant correlations with the soil biochemical parameters, confirming the expected synergism between chemical and biochemical properties. This study demonstrated that (i) no tillage and crop rotation improve the chemical and biochemical properties of SOM of Vertisols under semiarid environment; and (ii) tillage management and cropping systems have affected, after 19 years, more the chemical and biochemical properties of SOM than its quantity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subthalamic stimulation improves motor function but not home and neighborhood mobility
Authors: Daneault Jean‐François , Duval Christian , Barbat‐Artigas Sébastien , Aubertin‐Leheudre Mylène , Jodoin Nicolas , Panisset Michel , Sadikot Abbas F. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTObjectiveSubthalamic (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a recognized therapy for alleviating motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about its impact on mobility, an important component of quality of life (QoL). To address this issue, we assessed the impact of STN DBS on life‐space mobility and QoL.MethodsTwenty surgical patients with PD were assessed using mobility and QoL scales and the United Parkinson's disease rating scale, and results were compared before surgery and 6 to 9 months postoperatively.ResultsSTN DBS significantly improved motor dysfunction but had a limited impact on measures of life‐space mobility and QoL.InterpretationSTN DBS improves motor function and some components of QoL. However, motor recovery does not translate into improved life‐space in the intermediate term. In addition to a focus on motor function, multidisciplinary attention to increasing mobility may further improve QoL in the intermediate and long‐term. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Evaluation of Warfarin Dose Requirements in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Sakaan Sami A. , Hudson Joanna Q. , Oliphant Carrie S. , Tolley Elizabeth A. , Cummings Carolyn , Alabdan Numan A. , Self Timothy H. 
Published: May 2014

Study ObjectivesThe effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on warfarin has gained attention because of an increased risk of thromboembolism and an increased risk of bleeding associated with warfarin treatment in these patients. Data suggest that patients with reduced kidney function require lower warfarin doses; however, relatively few patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) were included in previous studies. The goal of this study was to evaluate warfarin dosing requirements and time to reach therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) in patients with CKD stages 3–5 and ESRD compared with patients with normal kidney function (NKF).MethodsA historical cohort was identified to evaluate warfarin response in 210 hospitalized adults with varying degrees of kidney function initiated or maintained on warfarin for 4 or more consecutive days including 49 patients with NKF (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] higher than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2), 44 with CKD stage 3, 27 with CKD stage 4/5, and 90 with ESRD. The average daily dose (ADD), time to achieve a therapeutic INR, and adverse effects were compared.Measurements and Main ResultsThe ADD to maintain a therapeutic INR was 5.6 ± 1.7 mg in the NKF group, 4.3 ± 1.6 mg in CKD stage 3, 4.6 ± 1.9 mg in CKD stage 4/5, and 4.8 ± 1.9 mg in ESRD. The ADD was lower in CKD/ESRD patients compared with NKF patients (p=0.001), especially among whites. The time to reach a therapeutic INR in patients newly initiated on warfarin was significantly lower in the CKD/ESRD group when compared with the NKF group (p=0.02). No differences in bleeding episodes were observed during hospitalization or within 30 days of discharge in patients with CKD stage 3 or higher compared with patients with NKF.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that CKD and ESRD patients require ~20% lower warfarin doses to maintain a therapeutic INR and may require less time to achieve a therapeutic INR compared with patients with NKF.
Cumulative neonatal oxygen exposure predicts response of adult mice infected with influenza A virus
Authors: Maduekwe Echezona T. , Buczynski Bradley W. , Yee Min , Rangasamy Tiruamalai , Stevens Timothy P. , Lawrence B. Paige , O'Reilly Michael A. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryAn acceptable level of oxygen exposure in preterm infants that maximizes efficacy and minimizes harm has yet to be determined. Quantifying oxygen exposure as an area‐under‐the curve (OAUC) has been predictive of later respiratory symptoms among former low birth weight infants. Here, we test the hypothesis that quantifying OAUC in newborn mice can predict their risk for altered lung development and respiratory viral infections as adults. Newborn mice were exposed to room air or a FiO2 of 100% oxygen for 4 days, 60% oxygen for 8 days, or 40% oxygen for 16 days (same cumulative dose of excess oxygen). At 8 weeks of age, mice were infected intranasally with a non‐lethal dose of influenza A virus. Adult mice exposed to 100% oxygen for 4 days or 60% oxygen for 8 days exhibited alveolar simplification and altered elastin deposition compared to siblings birthed into room air, as well as increased inflammation and fibrotic lung disease following viral infection. These changes were not observed in mice exposed to 40% oxygen for 16 days. Our findings in mice support the concept that quantifying OAUC over a currently unspecified threshold can predict human risk for respiratory morbidity later in life. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:222–230. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Individualized Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain
Authors: Keays Susan L. , Mason Marjon , Newcombe Peter A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is associated with a wide range of local and global physical factors possibly contributing to pain and thus requires detailed assessment and individualized treatment. Yet, no cohort study was found that assessed the value of individualized physiotherapy, probably because this approach lends itself to clinical practice but not to scientific research. Most studies focus on a ‘knee’ or ‘hip’ treatment approach irrespective of individual global differences in lower limb alignment, movement patterns and muscle tightness. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of supplementing local treatment of PFP with individualized treatment targeting global contributing factors. Secondarily it aimed to subgroup the patients according to variations in lower limb alignment/laxity, movement patterns, biarticular muscle tightness and joint degeneration. Method. Forty‐one patients (60 knees) with PFP who had followed a programme of local quadriceps strengthening, quadriceps stretching and taping for one fortnight were prescribed an individualized programme based on assessment. This global assessment included lower limb postural alignment, movement patterns, muscle tightness and range of motion. Another fortnights treatment was prescribed accordingly and included specific, individualized postural and movement retraining, stretching and functional weight‐bearing, strengthening exercises. Seven outcome measures, namely four pain measures, isokinetic quadriceps strength, quadriceps length and eccentric knee control, assessed improvement. Results. All outcome measures showed further significant improvement following individualized treatment (p < 0.03). Patients fell into four broad physical subgroups: hypermobility (often with malalignment), hypomobility (with three of four tight muscle groups), faulty movement patterns (mostly dynamic knee valgus) and patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Conclusions. Individualized treatment supplementing local standard physiotherapy for PFP leads to further significant improvement over 2 weeks. This study highlights the importance of assessing patients globally in order to optimize treatment and ongoing improvement. Recognition of different subgroups may guide treatment that should include both local and deficit‐targeted global treatment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.