bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unreamed Intramedullary Nailing is a Better Alternative than External Fixator for Gustilo Grade IIIB Tibial Fractures Based on a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang F. , Zhu Y. , Li W. , Chen W. , Tian Y. , Zhang Y. 
Published: May 2015

Background and Aims: There remains a controversy between unreamed intramedullary nailing and external fixation to treat Gustilo grade IIIB tibial fractures. To evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safeness of both methods for this type of fracture, we performed this meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Relevant original studies were searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Cochrane Central Database (all through February 2014). Studies included in this meta-analysis had to compare the effectiveness or complications and provided sufficient data of interest. The patients treated by both methods were similar statistically in demography and injury mechanism. The Stata 11.0 was used to analyze all data. Results: Six studies involving 163 participants were included. Unreamed intramedullary nailing was associated with reduced time to union (standardized mean difference, −1.14; 95% confidence interval, −2.04 to −0.24) and lower rates of superficial infection (odds ratio: 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.17–0.87) and malunion (odds ratio: 0.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.09–0.78). However, there were no significant differences in other adverse events including delayed union, non-union, deep infection, and fixation failure. Conclusion: The existing evidence supports unreamed intramedullary nailing to be a better method for treating Gustilo grade IIIB tibial fractures, and this might aid in the management of this sever injury.
Transplantation of human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in an animal model of diffuse traumatic axonal injury: survival and differentiation
Authors: Xu Leyan , Ryu Jiwon , Hiel Hakim , Menon Adarsh , Aggarwal Ayushi , Rha Elizabeth , Mahairaki Vasiliki , Cummings Brian J , Koliatsos Vassilis E 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Diffuse axonal injury is an extremely common type of traumatic brain injury encountered in motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, and in combat. Although many cases of diffuse axonal injury result in chronic disability, there are no current treatments for this condition. Its basic lesion, traumatic axonal injury, has been aggressively modeled in primate and rodent animal models. The inexorable axonal and perikaryal degeneration and dysmyelination often encountered in traumatic axonal injury calls for regenerative therapies, including therapies based on stem cells and precursors. Here we explore the proof of concept that treatments based on transplants of human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells can replace or remodel myelin and, eventually, contribute to axonal regeneration in traumatic axonal injury.

Methods
We derived human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from the human embryonic stem cell line H9, purified and characterized them. We then transplanted these human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into the deep sensorimotor cortex next to the corpus callosum of nude rats subjected to traumatic axonal injury based on the impact acceleration model of Marmarou. We explored the time course and spatial distribution of differentiation and structural integration of these cells in rat forebrain.

Results
At the time of transplantation, over 90 % of human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells expressed A2B5, PDGFR, NG2, O4, Olig2 and Sox10, a profile consistent with their progenitor or early oligodendrocyte status. After transplantation, these cells survived well and migrated massively via the corpus callosum in both injured and uninjured brains. Human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells displayed a striking preference for white matter tracts and were contained almost exclusively in the corpus callosum and external capsule, the striatopallidal striae, and cortical layer 6. Over 3 months, human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells progressively matured into myelin basic protein(+) and adenomatous polyposis coli protein(+) oligodendrocytes. The injured environment in the corpus callosum of impact acceleration subjects tended to favor maturation of human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Electron microscopy revealed that mature transplant-derived oligodendrocytes ensheathed host axons with spiral wraps intimately associated with myelin sheaths.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that, instead of differentiating locally, human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells migrate massively along white matter tracts and differentiate extensively into ensheathing oligodendrocytes. These features make them appealing candidates for cellular therapies of diffuse axonal injury aiming at myelin remodeling and axonal protection or regeneration.
Metabolic liver function measured in vivo by dynamic 18F-FDGal PET/CT without arterial blood sampling
Authors: Horsager Jacob , Munk Ole Lajord , Sørensen Michael 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Background
Metabolic liver function can be measured by dynamic PET/CT with the radio-labelled galactose-analogue 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-galactose (18F-FDGal) in terms of hepatic systemic clearance of 18F-FDGal (K, ml blood/ml liver tissue/min). The method requires arterial blood sampling from a radial artery (arterial input function), and the aim of this study was to develop a method for extracting an image-derived, non-invasive input function from a volume of interest (VOI).

Methods
Dynamic 18F-FDGal PET/CT data from 16 subjects without liver disease (healthy subjects) and 16 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in the study. Five different input VOIs were tested: four in the abdominal aorta and one in the left ventricle of the heart. Arterial input function from manual blood sampling was available for all subjects. K*-values were calculated using time-activity curves (TACs) from each VOI as input and compared to the K-value calculated using arterial blood samples as input. Each input VOI was tested on PET data reconstructed with and without resolution modelling.

Results
All five image-derived input VOIs yielded K*-values that correlated significantly with K calculated using arterial blood samples. Furthermore, TACs from two different VOIs yielded K*-values that did not statistically deviate from K calculated using arterial blood samples. A semicircle drawn in the posterior part of the abdominal aorta was the only VOI that was successful for both healthy subjects and patients as well as for PET data reconstructed with and without resolution modelling.

Conclusions
Metabolic liver function using 18F-FDGal PET/CT can be measured without arterial blood samples by using input data from a semicircle VOI drawn in the posterior part of the abdominal aorta.
Addressing preference heterogeneity in public health policy by combining Cluster Analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: Proof of Method
Authors: Kaltoft Mette Kjer , Turner Robin , Cunich Michelle , Salkeld Glenn , Nielsen Jesper Bo , Dowie Jack 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The use of subgroups based on biological-clinical and socio-demographic variables to deal with population heterogeneity is well-established in public policy. The use of subgroups based on preferences is rare, except when religion based, and controversial. If it were decided to treat subgroup preferences as valid determinants of public policy, a transparent analytical procedure is needed. In this proof of method study we show how public preferences could be incorporated into policy decisions in a way that respects both the multi-criterial nature of those decisions, and the heterogeneity of the population in relation to the importance assigned to relevant criteria. It involves combining Cluster Analysis (CA), to generate the subgroup sets of preferences, with Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), to provide the policy framework into which the clustered preferences are entered. We employ three techniques of CA to demonstrate that not only do different techniques produce different clusters, but that choosing among techniques (as well as developing the MCDA structure) is an important task to be undertaken in implementing the approach outlined in any specific policy context. Data for the illustrative, not substantive, application are from a Randomized Controlled Trial of online decision aids for Australian men aged 40-69 years considering Prostate-specific Antigen testing for prostate cancer.
We show that such analyses can provide policy-makers with insights into the criterion-specific needs of different subgroups. Implementing CA and MCDA in combination to assist in the development of policies on important health and community issues such as drug coverage, reimbursement, and screening programs, poses major challenges -conceptual, methodological, ethical-political, and practical - but most are exposed by the techniques, not created by them.
An altering distance function in fuzzy metric fixed point theorems
Authors: Wairojjana Nopparat , Došenović Tatjana , Rakić Dušan , Gopal Dhananjay , Kumam Poom 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to improve conditions proposed in recently published fixed point results for complete and compact fuzzy metric spaces (Ćirić in Chaos Solitons Fractals 42:146-154, 2009; Shen et al. in Appl. Math. Lett. 25:138-141, 2012). For this purpose, the altering distance functions are used. Moreover, in some of the results presented the class of t-norms is extended by using the theory of countable extensions of t-norms. The mentioned generalizations are illustrated by examples.
Co-creation of improved quality in disaster response and recovery
Authors: Whybark D Clay 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThere is a compelling argument that the number and intensity of disasters are increasing and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The causes are already evident. They include global climate change, increasing population density, human encroachment into disaster prone areas, recurrent famine, and the increasing intensity of weather events. Similarly, there is a general concern that the quality of the responses to these disasters is decreasing, particularly those causing the most damage. Recent examples include the Ebola epidemic, the Philippian tsunami, Hurricane Sandy, the Tibetan earthquake economic and famine refugee crises, and war-caused refugee situations around the world. Elements of the decrease in response quality include limited global logistics capacity, difficult inter-agency and/or international collaboration, and increased reliance on non-governmental organizations to provide the response. This essay is an appeal for more research on responder co-creation of and quality in the four broad phases of the disaster life cycle: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Customer service quality and benchmarking in public transport contracts
Authors: Hensher David A 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAs contracting of public transport services increases in sophistication, there is a growing focus on an increasing number of key performance indicators that emphasis service quality. Although contracts won under competitive tendering or by negotiation are assessed on a number of evaluation criteria, cost efficiency still remains the main basis for selecting a preferred operator. There has been a limited effort to identify the service quality influences that really matter to users of public transport. Ways of incorporating the packaging of service quality offer an improved and behaviourally richer way of representing the role of underlying dimensions of quality in establishing how well a contracted service is delivering services to satisfy customers. In this paper we present a way of doing this using a construct called a Customer Service Quality Index (CSQI), in which a stated preference survey together with actual experience in using public transport is used to obtain preference weights for each significant attribute defining service quality, and which is used then to establish a CSQI for each sampled user, and by aggregation, the performance on service quality of each operator. Such a measure should be considered by regulators when both assessing the merits of each operator’s bid in order to avoid the real risk that cost efficiency dominates at the expense of gains in service performance and in ongoing monitoring of performance.
Towards a theory-driven research agenda in six sigma quality innovation: linking research opportunities with organization theory typology
Authors: Narasimhan Ram , Nair Anand 
Published: May 2015

AbstractImplementations of Six Sigma quality innovation (SSQI) have resulted in performance benefits for several leading firms. While SSQI has its roots in the foundations of Total Quality Management (TQM) and ISO 9000 certification, it presents a set of unique organizational practices and ideas that provide an opportunity for interesting and important investigations of relevance to operations and supply chain management. With a few notable exceptions, the academic literature in operations management has not given sufficient attention to various aspects of SSQI. In this paper, we identify some potential areas for future research and develop research questions pertaining to these areas. We call for theory-driven investigations by presenting a framework for linking SSQI research issues with appropriate theoretical perspectives. Using the unit of analysis and the various perspectives for managerial action as a basis, the typology presents six categories of organization theories. The typology provides a convenient basis for categorizing the research issues in SSQI based on their underlying theoretical rationale. We use the linkages between the research issues in SSQI and the theoretical perspectives to develop research propositions that could potentially aid and instigate theory-driven research studies in quality innovation.
Sonic hedgehog processing and release are regulated by glypican heparan sulfate proteoglycans
Authors: Ortmann Corinna , Pickhinke Ute , Exner Sebastian , Ohlig Stefanie , Lawrence Roger , Jboor Hamodah , Dreier Rita , Grobe Kay 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT
All Hedgehog morphogens are released from producing cells, despite being synthesized as N- and C-terminally lipidated molecules, a modification that firmly tethers them to the cell membrane. We have previously shown that proteolytic removal of both lipidated peptides, called shedding, releases bioactive Sonic hedgehog (Shh) morphogens from the surface of transfected Bosc23 cells. Using in vivo knockdown together with in vitro cell culture studies, we now show that glypican heparan sulfate proteoglycans regulate this process, through their heparan sulfate chains, in a cell autonomous manner. Heparan sulfate specifically modifies Shh processing at the cell surface, and purified glycosaminoglycans enhance the proteolytic removal of N- and C-terminal Shh peptides under cell-free conditions. The most likely explanation for these observations is direct Shh processing in the extracellular compartment, suggesting that heparan sulfate acts as a scaffold or activator for Shh ligands and the factors required for their turnover. We also show that purified heparan sulfate isolated from specific cell types and tissues mediates the release of bioactive Shh from pancreatic cancer cells, revealing a previously unknown regulatory role for these versatile molecules in a pathological context.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Thiolato-Bridged AuI2CoIII Complex with Mixed Triphenylphosphine and d-Penicillamine
Authors: Hashimoto Yuji , Yoshinari Nobuto , Kuwamura Naoto , Konno Takumi 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
A thiolato-bridged AuI2CoIII trinuclear complex, [Co{Au(PPh3)(d-pen)}2]+ ([2]+), was synthesized by the reaction of a newly prepared gold(I) complex containing triphenylphospine and d-penicillamine (d-H2pen), [Au(PPh3)(d-Hpen)] ([H1]), with Co2+ in air. The structure and properties of [2]+ are reported in comparison with those of the corresponding polynuclear complexes having diphosphine or triphosphine ligands.
Femtosecond Time-resolved Near-infrared Spectroscopy of Oligothiophenes and Polythiophene: Energy Location and Effective Conjugation Length of Their Low-lying Excited States
Authors: Okino Shunnosuke , Takaya Tomohisa , Iwata Koichi 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The energies of low-lying singlet excited states of oligothiophenes, xT’s (x = 3 to 8), and polythiophene are determined using femtosecond time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy. The energies are linearly correlated with the reciprocal number of the thiophene rings for the oligomers 3T to 7T. The linear relation is not observed for 8T, indicating that the effective conjugation is formed over no more than seven rings in the excited states. Transient absorption spectra of polythiophene show that its thiophene chains are composed of planar segments with five or six thiophene rings.
O2-enhanced Catalytic Activity of Gold Nanoparticles in Selective Oxidation of Hydrosilanes to Silanols
Authors: Urayama Teppei , Mitsudome Takato , Maeno Zen , Mizugaki Tomoo , Jitsukawa Koichiro , Kaneda Kiyotomi 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
O2 acts as a nonconsumed activator for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the oxidation of hydrosilanes to silanols with water under O2 atmosphere, providing an acceleration of more than 200 times relative to the reaction rate under Ar atmosphere. The AuNP catalyst under aerobic conditions exhibits high activity in the oxidation with high turnover numbers (1230000). Various hydrosilanes including less-reactive bulky ones can be converted to the corresponding silanols in excellent yields. Moreover, the present AuNP catalyst is reusable while maintaining the high performance.
Cleaning House: The Impact of Information Technology Monitoring on Employee Theft and Productivity
Authors: Pierce Lamar , Snow Daniel C. , McAfee Andrew 
Published: May 2015

This paper examines how firm investments in technology-based employee monitoring impact both misconduct and productivity. We use unique and detailed theft and sales data from 392 restaurant locations from five firms that adopt a theft monitoring information technology (IT) product. We use difference-in-differences models with staggered adoption dates to estimate the treatment effect of IT monitoring on theft and productivity. We find significant treatment effects in reduced theft and improved productivity that appear to be primarily driven by changed worker behavior rather than worker turnover. We examine four mechanisms that may drive this productivity result: economic and cognitive multitasking, fairness-based motivation, and perceived increases of general oversight. The observed productivity results represent substantial financial benefits to both firms and the legitimate tip-based earnings of workers. Our results suggest that employee misconduct is not solely a function of individual differences in ethics or morality, but can also be influenced by managerial policies that can benefit both firms and employees. This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Economic aspects of biofilm-based wound care in diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Wolcott R. 
Published: May 2015

Objective: There has been a dramatic rise in the number of chronic wounds globally, which is placing an increased demand on decreasing health-care resources. With significant cuts in health-care budgets, wound care, providers will have to achieve better outcomes quicker and with fewer resources. By using new molecular methods to fully identify wound microbiota, commercially available antimicrobials can be used more efficiently, thereby improving outcomes and decreasing cost. Method: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients treated for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU); one group healed DFUs in 2005, the other in 2013. The 2005 patients were treated with standard of care methods common today. The second cohort from 2013 included patients treated using biofilm–based wound management anchored by molecular diagnostics. DNA methods were used to identify individual wound microbiota. Then personalised gels with commercially available antibiotics were applied topically to manage the microorganisms identified. Results: For the 2013 cohort, total charges per patient for the entire course of treatment was $4,756 (total payments $3,060; £1,987). For the 2005 cohort, each patient required treatments that culminated in total charges of $14,690 (total payments $11,444; £7,429). The economic difference per patient from 2013 compared to 2005 was a reduction in total charges of 68% (reduction in total reimbursement of 73%). Conclusion: In conjunction with other cohort analysis we previously reported, we feel this economic data demonstrates the benefits not only in wounds healed faster but also more wounds healed at a greatly reduced total cost.
Heterogeneity of wound outcome measures in RCTs of treatments for VLUs: a systematic review
Authors: Gethin G. , Killeen F. , Devane D. 
Published: May 2015

Objective: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) affect up to 4% of the population aged over 65 years. Outcomes of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in VLUs are important to guide clinical and resource decision making. Our objective was to identify what endpoints and wound bed outcomes were assessed in RCTs in VLUs; how these were assessed and what reference was made to validity and reliability of methods used. Method: A systematic review of all full text RCTs, published in English, from 1998–2013. Results: Our criteria were met by 102 studies. There were 78 different endpoints recorded, the majority (n=34) related to healing and were evaluated at 12 different times points. Size was the most frequently reported outcome measure (n=99), with photographs, tissue type, exudate, odour and pain also recorded. There was poor reporting of methods used to assess outcomes. Visual analogue scales predominated as a method of assessment, but 95% of studies made no reference to the validity or reliability of assessment methods. Conclusion: Future research in VLUs requires standards for measuring outcomes with acceptable inter-rater reliability and validated measures of patient-reported outcomes.
Osteopontin Regulates VEGFA and ICAM-1 mRNA Expression in Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Ortiz-Martínez Fernando , Sanmartín Elena , Pomares-Navarro Eloy , Pérez-Balaguer Ariadna , Andrés Leire , Sánchez-Payá José , Aranda Francisco I. , Lerma Enrique , Peiró Gloria 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Objectives:
To analyze the regulatory role of osteopontin on biomarkers associated with cell survival, invasiveness, and angiogenesis mechanisms in a clinical series and breast cancer cell lines.

Methods:
We analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of osteopontin, Bcl2, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in several breast cancer cell lines and in 148 breast carcinomas classified into intrinsic subtypes.

Results:
We found coexpression of osteopontin, Bcl2, ICAM-1, and VEGFA in triple-negative MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Furthermore, osteopontin silencing by small interfering RNA inhibited ICAM-1 and VEGFA expression and cell proliferation in MDA-MB-468 cells. In breast cancer specimens, we found a positive correlation between osteopontin, ICAM-1, and VEGFA mRNA expression, especially in triple-negative/basal-like tumors. Among patients with osteopontin-overexpressing tumors, VEGFA remained an independent prognostic indicator for recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48–5.87; P = .002) and death (hazard ratio, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.48–7.11; P = .003) (multivariate analysis, Cox regression).

Conclusions:
Our results support that osteopontin regulates ICAM-1 and VEGFA expression mainly in triple-negative/basal-like breast carcinomas, suggesting a relevant role in the pathogenesis and tumor progression of this molecular subtype. Moreover, VEGFA mRNA levels showed an independent prognostic value in patients with breast cancer.