bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical Quality Is More Than Volume: The Association between Changing Urologists and Complications for Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: DuGoff Eva H. , Bekelman Justin E. , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Armstrong Katrina , Pollack Craig Evan 
Published: January 2014

ObjectivesTo examine the association of changing urologists on surgical complications in men with prostate cancer.Data Sources/Study SettingRegistry and administrative claims data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare database from 1995 to 2005.Study DesignA cross‐sectional observational study of men with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy.MethodsSubjects were classified as having “changed urologists” if they had a different urologist who diagnosed their cancer from the one who performed their surgery. “Doubly robust” propensity score weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the effect of changing urologists on 30‐day surgical complications, late urinary complications, and long‐term incontinence.Principal FindingsMen who changed urologists between diagnosis and treatment had significantly lower odds of 30‐day surgical complications compared with men who did not change urologists (odds ratio: 0.82; 95 percent confidence interval: 0.76–0.89), after adjustment. Changing urologists was associated with lower risks of 30‐day complications for both black and white men compared with staying with the same urologist for their diagnosis and surgical treatment.ConclusionsUrologist changing is associated with the observed variation in complications following radical prostatectomy. This may suggest that patients are responding to aspects of surgical quality not captured in surgical volume.
Estimation of Standardized Hospital Costs from Medicare Claims That Reflect Resource Requirements for Care: Impact for Cohort Studies Linked to Medicare Claims
Authors: Schousboe John T. , Paudel Misti L. , Taylor Brent C. , Mau Lih‐Wen , Virnig Beth A. , Ensrud Kristine E. , Dowd Bryan E. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo compare cost estimates for hospital stays calculated using diagnosis‐related group (DRG) weights to actual Medicare payments.Data Sources/Study SettingMedicare MedPAR files and DRG tables linked to participant data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) from 1992 through 2010. Participants were women age 65 and older recruited in three metropolitan and one rural area of the United States.Study DesignCosts were estimated using DRG payment weights for 1,397 hospital stays for 795 SOF participants for 1 year following a hip fracture. Medicare cost estimates included Medicare and secondary insurer payments, and copay and deductible amounts.Principal FindingsThe mean (SD) of inpatient DRG‐based cost estimates per person‐year were $16,268 ($10,058) compared with $19,937 ($15,531) for MedPAR payments. The correlation between DRG‐based estimates and MedPAR payments was 0.71, and 51 percent of hospital stays were in different quintiles when costs were calculated based on DRG weights compared with MedPAR payments.ConclusionsDRG‐based cost estimates of hospital stays differ significantly from Medicare payments, which are adjusted by Medicare for facility and local geographic characteristics. DRG‐based cost estimates may be preferable for analyses when facility and local geographic variation could bias assessment of associations between patient characteristics and costs.
Propensity Score Methods and Unobserved Covariate Imbalance: Comments on “Squeezing the Balloon”
Authors: Ali M. Sanni , Groenwold Rolf H. H. , Klungel Olaf H. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn their recent Health Services Research article titled “Squeezing the Balloon: Propensity Scores and Unmeasured Covariate Balance,” Brooks and Ohsfeldt (2013) addressed an important topic on the balancing property of the propensity score (PS) with respect to unmeasured covariates. They concluded that PS methods that balance measured covariates between treated and untreated subjects exacerbate imbalance in unmeasured covariates that are unrelated to measured covariates. Furthermore, they emphasized that for PS algorithms, an imbalance on unmeasured covariates between treatment and untreated subjects is a necessary condition to achieve balance on measured covariates between the groups. We argue that these conclusions are the results of their assumptions on the mechanism of treatment allocation. In addition, we discuss the underlying assumptions of PS methods, their advantages compared with multivariate regression methods, as well as the interpretation of the effect estimates from PS methods.
Effect of Salts of Organic Acids on Listeria monocytogenes, Shelf Life, Meat Quality, and Consumer Acceptability of Beef Frankfurters
Authors: Morey Amit , Bowers Jordan W. J. , Bauermeister Laura J. , Singh Manpreet , Huang Tung‐Shi , McKee Shelly R. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate anti‐listerial efficacy of salts of organic acids, and their impact on the quality of frankfurters. Beef frankfurters were manufactured by incorporating organic acids in 5 different combinations: (1) control (no marinade addition; C); (2) sodium lactate (2% wt/wt; SL); (3) potassium lactate (2% wt/wt; PL); (4) sodium citrate (0.75% wt/wt; SC); and (5) sodium lactate (2% wt/wt)/sodium diacetate (0.25% wt/wt; SL/SD). Cooked frankfurters were inoculated with streptomycin‐resistant (1500 μg/mL) L. monocytogenes (7 log10 CFU/frank). Inoculated and noninoculated frankfurters were vacuum packaged and stored at 4 °C. Samples were taken weekly up to 10 wk for estimation of L. monocytogenes as well as aerobic plate count (APC) and psychrotrophs (PSY), respectively. Total of 2 independent trials of the entire experiment were conducted. Noninoculated beef frankfurters were evaluated weekly by untrained sensory panelists for 7 wk. SL, PL, and SC treatments did not (P > 0.05) adversely affect consumer acceptability through 8 wk although, SL/SD treatment was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less preferred across all sensory attributes. SL/SD treatment negatively affected product quality, but was able to control APC, PSY, and L. monocytogenes levels. SC performed similar to the control throughout the 8, 9, and 10 wk storage periods, providing no benefit for inhibiting L. monocytogenes (increasing from 7 logs CFU/frank to 10 logs CFU/frank throughout storage) or extending shelf life of the beef frankfurters. In conclusion, 2% SL and PL, and 2% SL/0.25% SD may be effective L. monocytogenes inhibitors (maintaining inoculation levels of 7 logs CFU/frank during storage), but changes in SL/SD treatment formulation should be studied to improve product quality.
Thermomechanical and Morphological Properties of Nanocomposite Films from Wheat Gluten Matrix and Cellulose Nanofibrils
Authors: Rafieian Fatemeh , Shahedi Mohammad , Keramat Javad , Simonsen John 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe aim of this investigation was the optimization of preparing gluten film containing cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). An optimization procedure using central composite design (CCD) with three factors (CNF, glycerol, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentrations) was used in order to investigate the effect of these parameters on the mechanical (tensile strength—TS, elongation at break—εb) and thermal properties of gluten films and to establish a formulation to depict the relationship between the mentioned factors and mechanical properties. Through regression analysis, it was found that TS and εb well fitted by quadratic polynomial equations (R2 = 0.99 and 0.98, respectively) and the glycerol concentration was the most significant factor influencing them. The optimization was based on maximizing TS and εb. The optimum conditions determined using response surface methodology (RSM) were defined as: CNF concentration, 11.129 g/100 g, glycerol concentration, 35.440 g/100 g and SDS concentration, 6.259 g/100 g. The predicted responses for these film preparation conditions were a TS of 3.630 MPa and εb of 86.033%. The verification experiments were conducted under optimal conditions to compare predicted and actual values of dependent variables. This experiment indicated that both predicted and actual values (TS of 3.721 MPa and εb of 88.935%) almost coincide each other and therefore the estimated models were reasonable and of high accuracy to predict dependent variables values. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed non‐agglomerated and well dispersed CNF in the gluten matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that there is not any significant difference (P > 0.05) between the glass transition temperature (Tg) of optimum nanocomposite (−29.12 °C) and control film (−29.64 °C) and their thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) thermograms showed similar degradation behavior.
Nonthermal Inactivation of Soy (Glycine Max Sp.) Lipoxygenase by Pulsed Ultraviolet Light
Authors: Janve Bhaskar A. , Yang Wade , Marshall Maurice R. , Reyes‐De‐Corcuera José I. , Rababah Taha M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study investigated pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) illumination at different distances from the PUV source on soybean lipoxygenase (LOX) (0.4 mg/mL in 0.01 M Tris‐HCl buffer, pH 9) activity. Samples (5 mL) were illuminated for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 s at 3 distances 6, 8.5, and 11 cm from the PUV lamp's quartz window. The temperature of 33.5 ± 1.8°C was observed for the highest treatment time of 16 s at the shortest distance of 6 cm, and resulted in a 3.5 log reduction (99.95%) in initial LOX activity. Illumination time and distance from the lamp significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected LOX inactivation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) was performed on treated LOX samples and further protein profile for treated LOX filtrate (≤10 kDa), was analyzed by reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). The protein profile analysis revealed that LOX protein degradation was influenced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by PUV illumination time.
Impact of primer choice on characterization of orchid mycorrhizal communities using 454 pyrosequencing
Authors: Waud Michael , Busschaert Pieter , Ruyters Stefan , Jacquemyn Hans , Lievens Bart 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAlthough the number of studies investigating mycorrhizal associations in orchids has increased in recent years, the fungal communities associating with orchids and how they differ between species and sites remain unclear. Recent research has indicated that individual orchid plants may associate with several fungi concurrently, implying that to study mycorrhizal associations in orchids the fungal community should be assessed, rather than the presence of individual dominant fungal species or strains. High‐throughput sequencing methods, such as 454 pyrosequencing, are increasingly used as the primary tool for such analyses. However, many studies combine universal primers from previous phylogenetic or ecological studies to generate amplicons suitable for 454 pyrosequencing without first critically evaluating their performance, potentially resulting in biased fungal community descriptions. Here, following in silico primer analysis we evaluated the performance of different combinations of existing PCR primers to characterize orchid mycorrhizal communities using 454 pyrosequencing by analysis of both an artificially assembled community of mycorrhizal fungi isolated from diverse orchid species and root samples from three different orchid species (Anacamptis morio, Ophrys tenthredinifera and Serapias lingua). Our results indicate that primer pairs ITS3/ITS4OF and ITS86F/ITS4, targeting the internal transcribed spacer‐2 (ITS‐2) region, outperformed other tested primer pairs in terms of number of reads, number of operational taxonomic units recovered from the artificial community and number of different orchid mycorrhizal associating families detected in the orchid samples. Additionally, we show the complementary specificity of both primer pairs, making them highly suitable for tandem use when studying the diversity of orchid mycorrhizal communities.
A model of emulation funds
Authors: Chen Zhe , Foster F. Douglas , Gallagher David R. , Lee Adrian D. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractEmulation funds are a potentially cost‐effective way for multimanager funds to improve their investment performance by delaying and netting trade signals from underlying managers. We develop a model to represent the expected sources of differential performance in an emulation fund relative to its underlying multimanager portfolio. The model formalises the expected interaction between potential savings and opportunity costs and allows us to observe complexities in the emulation process that are hidden without a benchmark. Finally, the functional representation of the model allows sensitivity analysis of the emulation fund to key parameters and enables us to determine theoretically optimal lag periods.
What drives mortgage fees in Australia?
Authors: Liu Benjamin , Roca Eduardo 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe investigate the factors that affect total, ongoing and origination fees of mortgages in Australia during the period 1996 to 2011. We find that banks charge significantly higher total and ongoing fees than mortgage corporations although they require lower origination fees. We also find that fee levels are dependent on loan size, loan‐to‐value ratio and loan features like term of the loan and presence of an offset account. Further, we confirm that lenders trade‐off higher (lower) interest rates with lower (higher) fee levels. Finally, our results show that mortgage fees are significantly affected by market conditions.
Infectious endophthalmitis in Boston keratoprosthesis: incidence and prevention
Authors: Behlau Irmgard , Martin Kathryn V. , Martin Jacqueline N. , Naumova Elena N. , Cadorette James J. , Sforza J. Tammy , Pineda Roberto , Dohlman Claes H. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPurposeTo determine the cumulative worldwide incidence of infectious endophthalmitis and associated vision loss after Boston keratoprosthesis (B‐KPro) Type I/II implantation and to propose both safe and inexpensive prophylactic antibiotic regimens.MethodsTwo retrospective methods were used to determine the incidence, visual outcomes and aetiologies of infectious endophthalmitis associated with the B‐KPro divided per decade: (i) systematic review of the literature from 1990 through January 2013 and (ii) a surveillance survey sent to all surgeons who implanted B‐KPros through 2010 with 1‐year minimum follow‐up. In addition, a single‐Boston surgeon 20‐year experience was examined.ResultsFrom 1990 through 2010, there were 4729 B‐KPros implanted worldwide by 209 U.S. surgeons and 159 international surgeons. The endophthalmitis cumulative mean incidence declined from 12% during its first decade of use to about 3% during its second decade in the Unites States and about 5% internationally during the second decade. There remains a large incidence range both in the United States (1–12.5%) and internationally (up to 17%). Poor compliance with daily topical antibiotics is an important risk factor. While Gram‐positive organisms remained dominant, fungal infections emerged during the second decade.ConclusionsDaily prophylactic topical antibiotics have dramatically reduced the endophthalmitis incidence. Although Gram‐positive organisms are the most common aetiology, antimicrobials must be inclusive of Gram‐negative organisms. Selection of prophylactic regimens should be tailored to local antibiotic susceptibility patterns, be cost‐effective, and should not promote the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. An example of a broad‐spectrum, low‐cost prophylactic option for non‐autoimmune patients includes trimethoprim/polymyxinB once daily.
A novel optic nerve photograph alignment and subtraction technique for the detection of structural progression in glaucoma
Authors: Marlow Elizabeth D. , McGlynn Margaret M. , Radcliffe Nathan M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPurposeTo highlight changing features over time within a single static image through the auto‐alignment and subtraction of serial optic nerve photographs.MethodsSubtraction maps were generated from auto‐aligned (EyeIC, Narbeth, PA) baseline and follow‐up images using Adobe Photoshop software. They demonstrated progressive retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) defects, optic disc haemorrhage (DH), neuroretinal rim loss (RL) and peripapillary atrophy (PPA). A masked glaucoma specialist identified features of progression on subtraction map first, then assessed feature strength by comparison with original images using alternation flicker. Control images with no progression and parallax‐only images (as determined by flicker) were included.ResultsEighty eyes of 67 patients were used to generate subtraction maps that detected glaucoma progression in 87% of DH (n = 28, sensitivity (Se) 82%, specificity (Sp) 98%) and 84% of PPA (n = 30, Se 80%, Sp 98%) cases. The lowest rate of detection was seen with RL at 67% (n = 31, Se 65%, Sp 100%). The subtraction technique was most sensitive for detecting parallax (n = 39, Se 98%, Sp 94%). Features of glaucoma progression appeared equally strong in flicker and subtraction images, but parallax was often enhanced on subtraction maps. Among control images selected for absence of features of glaucomatous change (n = 9) in original flicker images, no features were detected on subtraction maps.ConclusionsAuto‐alignment and subtraction of serial optic nerve photographs reliably detects features of glaucoma progression with a single static image. Parallax identification may also be facilitated. Auto‐alignment and subtraction of serial optic nerve photographs may prove especially useful in education and printed publications when dynamic imaging is not feasible.
Hermenegildo Arruga (1886–1972): a versatile ophthalmologist who simplified cerclage to retinal surgery
Authors: Ascaso Francisco J. , Grzybowski Andrzej 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHermenegildo Arruga Liró (1886–1972) was a versatile Spanish ophthalmologist who specialized in retinal surgery. He designed numerous surgical instruments and introduced significant improvements in ophthalmic surgical techniques. Thus, he was among the first ophthalmologists to advocate the intracapsular cataract extraction. Furthermore, he refined several surgical procedures such as dacryocystorhinostomy, corneal transplantation, evisceroenucleation and pterygium excision. Arruga perfected Gonin's operation and contributed significantly for retinal detachment surgery to be put in place. Later, he adopted the injection of air at the end of surgery. In the 1950s, Arruga simplified the technique of equatorial cerclage using a suture to encircle the equator of the eye.
Cardiovascular risk factors associated with age‐related macular degeneration: the Tromsø Study
Authors: Erke Maja G , Bertelsen Geir , Peto Tunde , Sjølie Anne K , Lindekleiv Haakon , Njølstad Inger 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPurposeTo examine associations between cardiovascular risk factors and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsA population‐based, cross‐sectional study of Caucasians aged 65–87 years was conducted in Norway in 2007/2008. Retinal photographs were graded for AMD. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed based on questionnaires addressing habits of smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, health and medication; and physical examination comprising anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and blood sampling. Cardiovascular disease status was obtained from a validated end‐point registry.ResultsGradable photographs were available for 2631 participants, of whom 92 (3.5%) subjects had late AMD. In the multivariable analysis of late AMD, significant interactions were found between sex and the variables age, triglyceride level, use of lipid‐lowering drugs and physical exercise. Current daily smoking was significantly related to late AMD in both sexes (odds ratio (OR) 4.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69–9.76 and OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.17–11.04, women and men, respectively) compared with never smokers. Higher number of pack years was associated with the presence of large drusen (>125 μm) (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.09 per 5 years). Higher systolic blood pressure (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.12 per 5 mmHg), overweight (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.13–7.29) and obesity (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.06–8.03), physical exercise duration (OR 0.41, 95% 0.18–0.96 for 30 min or more compared with less) and frequency (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23–0.92 for weekly or more often compared to less) were associated with late AMD in women only.ConclusionsSmoking was strongly associated with AMD, in line with results from other populations. Also, late AMD was related to higher systolic blood pressure, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity in women.
Vascular considerations in glaucoma patients of African and European descent
Authors: Huck Andrew , Harris Alon , Siesky Brent , Kim Nathaniel , Muchnik Michael , Kanakamedala Priyanka , Amireskandari Annahita , Abrams‐Tobe Leslie 
Published: January 2014

AbstractGlaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in individuals of African descent (AD). While open‐angle glaucoma (OAG) disproportionately affects individuals of AD compared with persons of European descent (ED), the physiological mechanisms behind this disparity are largely unknown. The more rapid progression and greater severity of the disease in persons of AD further raise the concern for identifying these underlying differences in disease pathophysiology between AD and ED glaucoma patients. Ocular structural differences between AD and ED patients, including larger optic disc area, cup:disc ratio and thinner corneas, have been found. AD individuals are also disproportionately affected by systemic vascular diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes mellitus. Abnormal ocular blood flow has been implicated as a risk factor for glaucoma, and pilot research is beginning to identify localized ocular vascular differences between AD and ED OAG patients. Given the known systemic vascular deficits and the relationship between glaucoma and ocular blood flow, exploring these concepts in terms of glaucoma risk factors may have a significant impact in elucidating the mechanisms behind the disease disparity in the AD population.
Prediction of Skin Sensitizers using Alternative Methods to Animal Experimentation
Authors: Johansson Henrik , Lindstedt Malin 
Published: January 2014

AbstractRegulatory frameworks within the European Union demand that chemical substances are investigated for their ability to induce sensitization, an adverse health effect caused by the human immune system in response to chemical exposure. A recent ban on the use of animal tests within the cosmetics industry has led to an urgent need for alternative animal‐free test methods that can be used for assessment of chemical sensitizers. To date, no such alternative assay has yet completed formal validation. However, a number of assays are in development and the understanding of the biological mechanisms of chemical sensitization has greatly increased during the last decade. In this MiniReview, we aim to summarize and give our view on the recent progress of method development for alternative assessment of chemical sensitizers. We propose that integrated testing strategies should comprise complementary assays, providing measurements of a wide range of mechanistic events, to perform well‐educated risk assessments based on weight of evidence.