bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Winning a Pay‐for‐Performance Bonus Improve Subsequent Quality Performance? Evidence from the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration
Authors: Ryan Andrew , Sutton Matthew , Doran Tim 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo test whether receiving a financial bonus for quality in the Premier Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) stimulated subsequent quality improvement.DataHospital‐level data on process‐of‐care quality from Hospital Compare for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure, and pneumonia for 260 hospitals participating in the HQID from 2004 to 2006; receipt of quality bonuses in the first 3 years of HQID from the Premier Inc. website; and hospital characteristics from the 2005 American Hospital Association Annual Survey.Study DesignUnder the HQID, hospitals received a 1 percent bonus on Medicare payments for scoring between the 80th and 90th percentiles on a composite quality measure, and a 2 percent bonus for scoring at the 90th percentile or above. We used a regression discontinuity design to evaluate whether hospitals with quality scores just above these payment thresholds improved more in the subsequent year than hospitals with quality scores just below the thresholds. In alternative specifications, we examined samples of hospitals scoring within 3, 5, and 10 percentage point “bandwidths” of the thresholds. We used a Generalized Linear Model to estimate whether the relationship between quality and lagged quality was discontinuous at the lagged thresholds required for quality bonuses.Principal FindingsThere were no statistically significant associations between receipt of a bonus and subsequent quality performance, with the exception of the 2 percent bonus for AMI in 2006 using the 5 percentage point bandwidth (0.8 percentage point increase, p < .01), and the 1 percent bonus for pneumonia in 2005 using all bandwidths (3.7 percentage point increase using the 3 percentage point bandwidth, p < .05).ConclusionsWe found little evidence that hospitals' receipt of quality bonuses was associated with subsequent improvement in performance. This raises questions about whether winning in pay‐for‐performance programs, such as Hospital Value‐Based Purchasing, will lead to subsequent quality improvement.
Health Care Utilization and Costs Associated with Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging among Workers with Acute Occupational Low Back Pain
Authors: Graves Janessa M. , Fulton‐Kehoe Deborah , Jarvik Jeffrey G. , Franklin Gary M. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo estimate health care utilization and costs associated with adherence to clinical practice guidelines for the use of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; within the first 6 weeks of injury) for acute occupational low back pain (LBP).Data SourcesWashington State Disability Risk Identification Study Cohort (D‐RISC), consisting of administrative claims and patient interview data from workers’ compensation claimants (2002–2004).Study DesignIn this prospective, population‐based cohort study, we compared health care utilization and costs among workers whose imaging was adherent to guidelines (no early MRI) to workers whose imaging was not adherent to guidelines (early MRI in the absence of red flags).Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe identified workers (age >18) with work‐related LBP using administrative claims. We obtained demographic, injury, health, and employment information through telephone interviews to adjust for baseline differences between groups. We ascertained health care utilization and costs from administrative claims for 1 year following injury.Principal FindingsOf 1,770 workers, 336 (19.0 percent) were classified as nonadherent to guidelines. Outpatient and physical/occupational therapy utilization was 52–54 percent higher for workers whose imaging was not adherent to guidelines compared to workers with guideline‐adherent imaging; utilization of chiropractic care was significantly lower (18 percent).ConclusionsNonadherence to guidelines for early MRI was associated with increased likelihood of lumbosacral injections or surgery and higher costs for out‐patient, inpatient, and nonmedical services, and disability compensation.
The spontaneously developing numb lower lip
Authors: Kingon AM 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA case of a patient with impaired sensation in the distribution of the left mental nerve, having had no recent dental treatment, is presented. The cause proved to be a secondary tumour with the primary lesion being an adenocarcinoma of the lung in an individual who had never smoked. The radiological appearance suggested a possible dental abscess. The need for diagnostic vigilance is emphasized.
The use of virtual planning and navigation in the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis
Authors: Jones RHB 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTemporomandibular joint ankylosis is not common in our community but can occur as a result of severe facial trauma or significant connective tissue disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, and unfortunately as a result of iatrogenic causes. Ankylosis surgery is aimed at gap arthroplasty and mobilization of the joints. However, the removal of the bony ankylosis and the production of a gap between the ramus of the mandible and the base of the skull is often difficult because of the size of the ankylosis and the anatomy on the inner aspect of the mandible. As a result of this, the author has found that surgical navigation has been useful with the removal of the ankylosis, both on the medial side of the mandible and the cranial base. Once the ankylosis has been freed and the mandible mobilized, the gap arthroplasty needs to be maintained or the release of the ankylosis will fail and the joints will re‐ankylose. It is important to maintain the space produced by the arthroplasty but this is difficult when autogenous materials such as temporalis muscle, dermis fat and other like materials are used. The gap ultimately closes under the influence of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles and the ankylosis may return. This case report presents three representative patients in whom ankylosis has been released and the gap reconstructed with a total alloplastic joint replacement. All patients have had their ankylosis removed with the aid of a navigation system and all patients have been reconstructed with bilateral Biomet prosthesis. One patient has had their implant selected using virtual planning and the production of templates to help with placement of the stock implant.
N‐substituted Piperazinopyridylsteroid Derivatives as Abiraterone Analogues Inhibit Growth and Induce Pro‐apoptosis in Human Hormone‐independent Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Brossard Dominique , Zhang Ying , Haider Shozeb M. , Sgobba Miriam , Khalid Mohamed , Legay Rémi , Duterque‐Coquillaud Martine , Galera Philippe , Rault Sylvain , Dallemagne Patrick , Moslemi Safa , El Kihel Laïla 
Published: August 2013

Nine new 17‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)pyridin‐5‐yl)steroids as abiraterone analogues were synthesized. Compounds 5d and 5g showed selective activities against 17α‐hydroxylase/C17,20‐lyase (CYP17A1) and aromatase (CYP19), respectively. IC50 values of 5d were 5.09 and >50 μm, whereas these values for 5g were >50 μm and 7.40 μm, respectively, for CYP17A1 and CYP19. Molecular modelling highlighted that the inhibitor designed to bind cytochrome P450 haem iron is a necessary condition but not the only rationale to explain inhibitory activity. These abiraterone analogues were then evaluated on hormone‐independent prostate cancer cell lines DU‐145 and PC‐3 and on hormone‐dependent breast and prostate cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and LNCaP, respectively. Compounds 5e, 5g and 5i have showed potent activities only on hormone‐independent prostate cancer cell lines DU‐145 and PC‐3 with 60–85% inhibition of both cell viability and growth at 10 nm with pro‐apoptotic mechanism as illustrated in PC‐3 cells by DNA ladder assay and Western blotting of Bax, Casp‐3 and its substrate, the poly (ADP–ribose) polymerase. We conclude that hybrid heterocycle steroids could be good lead compounds in the drug design especially against hormone‐independent prostate cancer.
Survival Rates and Bone Level Changes around Porous Oxide‐Coated Implants (TiUnite™)
Authors: Becker William , Hujoel Philippe , Becker Burton E. , Wohrle Peter 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPurposeThis prospective study evaluated implant survival rates and crestal bone changes for porous oxide‐coated (TiUnite, Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden), parallel‐walled implants.Materials and MethodsAll patients receiving TiUnite (porous oxide‐surfaced implants [POS]) implants were entered into a database (Triton Tracking System) starting February 1999. Survival rates were calculated from the date of implant placement and related to surgical method of placement (two‐stage buried, flapless, immediate placement, immediate placement flapless, one stage), bone quality, and implant characteristics. Failed and nonfailed implants were compared with respect to changes in mean proximal bone levels and the presence of radiolucent areas around the implant apex (shadows).ResultsFour hundred nine patients received 817 porous oxide‐coated implants, of which 38 failed. Using the last office visit as the censoring date, the cumulative survival date was 93%. The failure rate was independent of bone quality or quantity; implant diameter or length; and surgical method. For the 102 surviving implants, there was no significant change in the average crestal bone loss (+0.13 mm with a standard error, 0.17). For the 17 failing implants, the average crestal bone loss was −4.14 mm (standard error, 0.55). This difference between bone levels of failing and nonfailing implants was highly significant (p < .0001). There was no difference in the prevalence of radiographic shadows around failing and nonfailing implants at time of placement (p < .16).ConclusionResults from this prospective clinical study indicate that 7% of TiUnite surfaced implants failed for unknown reasons. Failing implants were characterized by significant bone loss but not by the presence of shadows.
Hyperglycaemia during exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Koskela Heikki O , Salonen Päivi H , Niskanen Leo 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroductionHyperglycaemia is a well‐known phenomenon among patients with an exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It may be associated with increased risks of death and complications.ObjectivesTo define the prevalence and determinants of hyperglycaemia in patients with an exacerbation of asthma or COPD.MethodsThis was a prospective, cross‐sectional study including 153 hospitalised patients with an exacerbation of asthma or COPD. All received inhaled beta‐2‐adrenergic bronchodilators and oral glucocorticoids in internationally recommend doses. Plasma glucose was measured seven times during the first day. Hyperglycaemia was defined as fasting glucose >6.9 mmol/L or postprandial glucose >11.1 mmol/L. In addition, the family history for diabetes and the Karnofsky performance score were assessed. Height, weight, waist circumference, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, temperature and heart rate were measured. Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (gHbA1c), C‐reactive protein, leucocytes, urea and arterial blood gas values were analysed.ResultsEighty‐two per cent of the patients demonstrated hyperglycaemia, with similar prevalence between asthma and COPD. Of the 130 patients without a previous diagnosis of diabetes, 79% showed hyperglycaemia. In binary logistic regression analysis, high gHbA1c, high C‐reactive protein and Karnofsky score less than 80% associated with the presence of fasting hyperglycaemia. High gHbA1c and current smoking associated with postprandial hyperglycaemia.ConclusionsHyperglycaemia is very common among hospitalised patients with an exacerbation of asthma or COPD. It is probably triggered by the medication and the patient's metabolic predisposition mainly determines its presence. Current smoking is the main treatable contributor to hyperglycaemia.
COPD assessment test (CAT): simple tool for evaluating quality of life of chemical warfare patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Lari Shahrzad M. , Ghobadi Hassan , Attaran Davood , Mahmoodpour Afsoun , Shadkam Omid , Rostami Maryam 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the serious late pulmonary complications caused by sulphur mustard exposure. Health status evaluations of chemical warfare patients with COPD are important to the management of these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the COPD assessment test (CAT) in evaluating the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of chemical warfare patients with COPD.MethodsEighty‐two consecutive patients with stable COPD were enrolled in this study. All subjects were visited by one physician, and the HRQOL was evaluated by the CAT and St. George Respiratory Questionnaires (SGRQs). In addition, a standard spirometry test, 6‐min walk distance test and pulse oxymetry were conducted. The severity of the COPD was determined using Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) staging and the body mass index, obstruction, dyspnoea and exercise (BODE) index.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 47.30 ± 7.08 years. The mean CAT score was 26.03 ± 8.28. Thirty‐five (43%) patients were in CAT stage 3. There were statistically significant correlations between the CAT and the SGRQ (r = 0.70, P = 0.001) and the BODE index (r = 0.70, P = 0.001). A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between the CAT score and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = −0.30, P = 0.03).ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that the CAT is a simple and valid tool for assessment of HRQOL in chemical warfare patients with COPD and can be used in clinical practice.
Histogenesis of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma and significance of P63 expression
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Wang Jian 
Published: August 2013

AbstrsctObjectiveTo investigation of the histogenesis and the significance of expression of P63 in pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma (SH).MethodsEighteen cases of SH were retrospectively studied, and P63, surfactant protein B (SPB), thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin (CKpan), vimentin, SMA, chromagranin (CgA), Syn and CD34 were immunohistochemically labelled with EnVision method.ResultsThere are mainly four types of structures in SH tissue: solid, papillary, angiomatous (haemorrhagic), and sclerotic pattern. The tumour cells are composed mainly of two types of cells: cuboidal tumour cells and polygonal cells. The immunohistochemistry showed that cuboidal tumour cells expressed P63 (+++) in 16 cases of SH (16/18 cases). Polygonal cells and cuboidal cells of all cases express both TTF‐1 and EMA at the same time (18/18 cases); cuboidal tumour cells express SPB (18/18 cases); polygonal tumour cells express vimentin (18/18 cases). In one case, a polygonal tumour cell weakly expressed Chromogranin (CgA) and Syn.ConclusionThe P63 positive cuboidal tumour cells may be pluripotent original respiratory epithelial cells, with multidirectional differentiation capacity. Immunohistochemically labelling of P63 may have important value for SH diagnosis.
Antiphospholipid IgM antibody response in acute and chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis mouse infection model
Authors: Goodridge Amador , Zhang Tianyi , Miyata Toshiko , Lu Sangwei , Riley Lee W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackground and AimsThe clinical management of tuberculosis (TB) could be greatly improved by an affordable biomarker test to monitor treatment response. Here, we examined changes in immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody response to lipids as a potential biomarker for monitoring TB treatment in an experimental mouse model.MethodsWe performed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to investigate changes in IgM antibody response against cardiolipin (CL), phosphatidylcholine (PTC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and sphingolipid (SL) in BALB/c mice that were treated after being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis for 4 weeks (acute infection) and 20 weeks (chronic infection). Cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)‐5, IL‐10, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1)] in lung and spleen homogenates as well as in blood were also compared.ResultsIn both acutely and chronically infected mice, lungs were sterilised of M. tuberculosis infection after 8 weeks of treatment. The IgM response to CL, PTC, PE, PI and SL were consistently elevated throughout the course of infection in chronically infected mice compared with acutely infected mice. In acutely infected mice, the IgM antibody response against CL significantly decreased after 8 weeks of treatment, but not against other lipids. In chronically infected mice, the IgM response showed no significant changes against any of the lipids after 8 weeks of treatment. Of the cytokines examined, only MCP‐1 levels in lungs decreased significantly after treatment.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that antilipid IgM antibody can remain elevated in chronically infected mice, but with treatment, only anti‐CL IgM antibody levels decreased together with M. tuberculosis bacterial burden in acutely infected mice. Treatment did not affect antilipid IgM levels in chronically infected mice.
Does Education Expansion Increase Intergenerational Mobility?
Authors: Zhong Hai 
Published: August 2013

Education expansion may lead to ‘over‐education’, where the social connections of parents may exert more significant influence on the return to education of children. With the assumption of a positive correlation between return on human capital and parental income in the presence of over‐education, we show that: (i) the expansion of education may cause horizontal inequity in education opportunities and inefficiency in human capital accumulation; (ii) the positive correlation between return on human capital and parental income causes a more persistent intergenerational immobility; (iii) an expansion of education (especially higher education) leads to more persistent intergenerational immobility.
Solar radiation directly affects larval performance of a forest insect
Authors: BATTISTI ANDREA , MARINI LORENZO , PITACCO ANDREA , LARSSON STIG 
Published: August 2013

Solar radiation can affect the performance of insect herbivores directly by increasing body temperature, or indirectly through alteration of either host plant quality or natural enemy activity.To test for the direct effect of solar radiation on larval performance, youngPinus sylvestristrees growing on the island ofGotland (Sweden) were assigned to one of four shading treatments for the whole duration of the first larval instar of the northern pine processionary mothThaumetopoea pinivora.There was a strong, linear relationship between shading and the temperature of the first‐instar colonies ofT. pinivora, resulting in higher growth of the larvae exposed to full sunlight, but there were no effects on developmental rate or larval mortality. Putative negative effects ofUVradiation on the larvae are not consistent with higher growth in full sunlight, but it is possible thatUVeffects might have modulated the response.Thaumetopoea pinivorahas a strong preference for light and open pine stands, i.e. habitats with frequent intense incoming solar radiation. The data in the present study suggest that the opportunity for young larvae to bask in the sun during cold spring weather is an important determinant of the spatial distribution ofT. pinivora.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 and retinoblastoma protein signalling is required for DNA damage‐mediated formation of senescence‐associated heterochromatic foci in tumour cells
Authors: Zhang Yu , Gao Yanyan , Zhao Li , Han Liping , Lu Yang , Hou Pingfu , Shi Xi , Liu Xin , Tian Baoqing , Wang Xiuli , Huang Baiqu , Lu Jun 
Published: August 2013

DNA‐damaging agents are able to induce irreversible cell growth arrest and senescence in some types of tumour cells, thus contributing to the static feature of cancer. However, senescent tumour cells may re‐enter the cell cycle, leading to tumour relapse. Understanding the mechanisms that control the viability of senescent cells may be critical for tumour suppression. Primary human fibroblasts undergoing oncogene‐induced or replicative senescence are known to form senescence‐associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF), which contribute to the stability of the senescent state. However, it is unclear whether SAHF formation is universal in tumour cells. We report that the DNA‐damaging agents doxorubicin and 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin were able to induce the formation of SAHF in some tumour cell types, and this induction was accompanied by activation of the retinoblastoma protein pathway. By contrast, tumour cells in which the retinoblastoma protein pathway could not be activated by doxorubicin or 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin failed to form SAHF. In parallel, tumour cells with deficient retinoblastoma protein were also unable to form SAHF. In addition, we show that the mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 pathway was involved in tumour cell SAHF formation in response to doxorubicin and 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin. Furthermore, HMG box transcription factor 1 (HBP1), a downstream target of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38‐mediated senescence pathway, was required for SAHF formation. Taken together, the results of the present study highlight the roles of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38/retinoblastoma protein pathway in tumour cell SAHF formation in response to DNA‐damaging agents, and provide new insights into the mechanisms of DNA damage‐mediated tumour suppression.Structured digital abstract
HBP1 physically interacts with RB by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2)
Role of conformational entropy in the activity and regulation of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A
Authors: Veglia Gianluigi , Cembran Alessandro 
Published: August 2013

Protein kinase A (PKA) is the archetypical phosphokinase, sharing a catalytic core with the entire protein kinase superfamily. In eukaryotes, the ubiquitous location of PKA makes it one of the most important cellular signaling molecules, involved in a myriad of events. The catalytic subunit of PKA (PKA‐C) is one of the most studied enzymes and was the first kinase to be crystallized; however, the effects of ligand binding, post‐translational modifications and mutations on the activity of the kinase have been difficult to understand with only structural data. Here, we review our latest NMR studies on PKA‐C, the results of which underscore the role of fast and slow conformational dynamics in the activation and inhibition of the kinase.
On the Political Economy of Public Deficits and Debt
Authors: Kirchgässner Gebhard 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn OECD countries, we have observed a considerable increase in public debt over recent decades caused by large and lasting deficits. What is the reason for this development and why is it rather different by country? There are two approaches to explain this. Traditional economic theory explains why it makes sense to allow deficits of public budgets in certain situations, which might result in a limited amount of public debt. It also shows the conditions for the sustainability of public finances namely that public debt stays below certain limits and, in particular, does not - in the long run - increase faster than GDP. Following the recommendations of this approach, public budget surpluses should be run in economic upswings to compensate for deficits in recessions. By contrast, politico-economic approaches explain why democratic governments have incentives to allow deficits even in periods of economic upswings. In the long run, this can lead to ever-increasing public debt. To prevent this, institutional provisions are necessary. In this respect, Swiss debt brakes at the national and cantonal levels as well as the new German rules are of particular interest.