bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pleuropulmonary involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a Latin American inception cohort (GLADEL)
Authors: Haye Salinas M J , Caeiro F , Saurit V , Alvarellos A , Wojdyla D , Scherbarth H R , de O e Silva A C , Tavares Brenol J C , Lavras Costallat L T , Neira O J , Iglesias Gamarra A , Vásquez G , Reyes Llerena G A , Barile-Fabris L A , Silveira L H , Sauza del Pozo M J , Acevedo Vásquez E M , Alfaro Lozano J L , Esteva Spinetti M H , Alarcón G S , Pons-Estel B A
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to examine the demographic and clinical features associated with the occurrence of pleuropulmonary manifestations, the predictive factors of their occurrence and their impact on mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Materials and methods

The association of pleuropulmonary manifestations with demographic and clinical features, the predictive factors of their occurrence and their impact on mortality were examined in GLADEL patients by appropriate univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

At least one pleuropulmonary manifestation occurred in 421 of the 1480 SLE patients (28.4%), pleurisy being the most frequent (24.0%). Age at SLE onset ≥30 years (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.10–1.83), the presence of lower respiratory tract infection (OR 3.19; 95% CI 2.05–4.96), non-ischemic heart disease (OR 3.17; 95% CI 2.41–4.18), ischemic heart disease (OR 3.39; 95% CI 2.08–5.54), systemic (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.37–2.91), ocular (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.16–2.14) and renal manifestations (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.09–1.83) were associated with pleuropulmonary manifestations, whereas cutaneous manifestations were negatively associated (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.29–0.76). Non-ischemic heart disease (HR 2.24; 95% CI 1.63–3.09), SDI scores ≥1 (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.10–2.17) and anti-La antibody positivity (OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.39–4.57) independently predicted their subsequent occurrence. Cutaneous manifestations were protective of the subsequent occurrence of pleuropulmonary manifestations (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43–0.90). Pleuropulmonary manifestations independently contributed a decreased survival (HR: 2.79 95% CI 1.80–4.31).

Conclusion

Pleuropulmonary manifestations are frequent in SLE, particularly pleuritis. Older age, respiratory tract infection, cardiac, systemic and renal involvement were associated with them, whereas cutaneous manifestations were negatively associated. Cardiac compromise, SDI scores ≥1 and anti-La positivity at disease onset were predictive of their subsequent occurrence, whereas cutaneous manifestations were protective. They independently contributed to a decreased survival in these patients.
Guidelines on constructing funnel plots for quality indicators: A case study on mortality in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Verburg Ilona WM , Holman Rebecca , Peek Niels , Abu-Hanna Ameen , de Keizer Nicolette F
Published: March 2017

Funnel plots are graphical tools to assess and compare clinical performance of a group of care professionals or care institutions on a quality indicator against a benchmark. Incorrect construction of funnel plots may lead to erroneous assessment and incorrect decisions potentially with severe consequences. We provide workflow-based guidance for data analysts on constructing funnel plots for the evaluation of binary quality indicators, expressed as proportions, risk-adjusted rates or standardised rates. Our guidelines assume the following steps: (1) defining policy level input; (2) checking the quality of models used for case-mix correction; (3) examining whether the number of observations per hospital is sufficient; (4) testing for overdispersion of the values of the quality indicator; (5) testing whether the values of quality indicators are associated with institutional characteristics; and (6) specifying how the funnel plot should be constructed. We illustrate our guidelines using data from the Dutch National Intensive Care Evaluation registry. We expect that our guidelines will be useful to data analysts preparing funnel plots and to registries, or other organisations publishing quality indicators. This is particularly true if these people and organisations wish to use standard operating procedures when constructing funnel plots, perhaps to comply with the demands of certification.
Changes of Posttraumatic Stress Responses in Evacuated Residents and Their Related Factors
Authors: Oe Misari , Takahashi Hideto , Maeda Masaharu , Harigane Mayumi , Fujii Senta , Miura Itaru , Nagai Masato , Yabe Hirooki , Ohira Tetsuya , Suzuki Yuriko , Yasumura Seiji , Abe Masafumi
Published: March 2017

The longitudinal posttraumatic stress responses and resilient factors after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant are yet unknown. Here we attempted to quantify the patterns of the course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and we explored the factors associated with psychological recovery. The subjects were 12 371 residents in the municipalities categorized as the forced evacuated area. We categorized the subjects’ PTSD symptoms into 4 groups: Chronic, Resistant, Recovered, and Non-recovered. We applied a logistic regression to clarify the factors related to psychological recovery. We observed that laughter showed significant odds ratio in the Recovered group and the Resistant group. Meanwhile, elderly residents and those with poor living circumstances showed significant odds ratios for the Recovered group and the Resistant group. Laughter in daily life was associated with the psychological health in the evacuation area.
Communicating With Residents About Risks Following the Fukushima Nuclear Accident
Authors: Murakami Michio , Sato Akiko , Matsui Shiro , Goto Aya , Kumagai Atsushi , Tsubokura Masaharu , Orita Makiko , Takamura Noboru , Kuroda Yujiro , Ochi Sae
Published: March 2017

The Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 posed major threats to public health. In response, medical professionals have tried to communicate the risks to residents. To investigate forms of risk communication and to share lessons learned, we reviewed medical professionals’ activities in Fukushima Prefecture from the prefectural level to the individual level: public communication through Fukushima Health Management Surveys, a Yorozu (“general”) health consultation project, communications of radiological conditions and health promotion in Iitate and Kawauchi villages, dialogues based on whole-body counter, and science communications through online media. The activities generally started with radiation risks, mainly through group-based discussions, but gradually shifted to face-to-face communications to address comprehensive health risks to individuals and well-being. The activities were intended to support residents’ decisions and to promote public health in a participatory manner. This article highlights the need for a systematic evaluation of ongoing risk communication practices, and a wider application of successful approaches for Fukushima recovery and for better preparedness for future disasters.
Fukushima Mothers’ Concerns and Associated Factors After the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Disaster
Authors: Ito Shinya , Goto Aya , Ishii Kayoko , Ota Misao , Yasumura Seiji , Fujimori Keiya ,   for the Pregnancy and Birth Survey Group of the Fukushima Health Management Survey
Published: March 2017

This study aimed to clarify the frequency of and temporal changes in the content of mothers’ free written opinions obtained in the Fukushima Health Management Survey Pregnancy and Birth Survey from 2011 to 2013. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to women who delivered babies in Fukushima Prefecture. The questionnaire asked about maternal and child health. Expression of mothers’ concerns about radiation decreased over time. Common to the top 5 codes across the 3 years were “radiation effect on fetus and infant” and “information provision including survey results.” Participants who wrote free opinions were significantly more likely to be aged ≥30 years and to have depressive symptoms. Our descriptive analysis of the qualitative data showed a clear shift in mothers’ concerns from radiation-related issues to their own physical and mental health. Mothers who expressed concerns were more likely to report negative physical and mental health.
The Fukushima Nuclear Accident Affected Mothers’ Depression but Not Maternal Confidence
Authors: Goto Aya , Bromet Evelyn J. , Ota Misao , Ohtsuru Akira , Yasumura Seiji , Fujimori Keiya ,   for the Pregnancy and Birth Survey Group of the Fukushima Health Management Survey
Published: March 2017

The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident caused widespread radiation contamination. Mothers of young children were at risk of negative emotional and mental health consequences. Using data from 2 independent prefecture-wide surveys of pregnant women, we examined the associations of disaster-related stressors with both maternal self-confidence and depressive symptoms. Two postal surveys were conducted targeting women who registered their pregnancies in Fukushima Prefecture (n = 6686 in 2012 and n = 6423 in 2013). The proportions of mothers with lower self-confidence in child rearing and with depressive symptoms were 53% and 25% in 2012 and 55% and 24% in 2013, respectively. After adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, evacuation and concern about radiation were significantly associated with depressive symptoms but not lower maternal confidence, although these 2 outcomes were significantly associated. Mothers in Fukushima showed resilience in parenting, whereas their experiences and concerns in the aftermath of nuclear disaster were associated with depressive symptoms.
Use of computed tomography imaging during long-term follow-up of nine feline tuberculosis cases
Authors: Major Alison , O’Halloran Conor , Holmes Andrea , Lalor Stephanie , Littler Rebecca , Spence Susanna , Schwarz Tobias , Gunn-Moore Danièlle
Published: March 2017

Case series summary

Feline tuberculosis is an increasingly recognised potential zoonosis of cats. Treatment is challenging and prognosis can vary greatly between cases. Pulmonary infection requires extended courses of antibiotics, but methodologies for sensitively monitoring response to treatment are currently lacking. In this case series, we retrospectively examined the serial computed tomography (CT) findings in nine cats that had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Changes in pathology (where applicable to tuberculosis) were correlated with the clinical presentation of each of the cats, the treatment protocol, and previous and contemporary diagnostic investigations. This study found that changes in CT findings during the medium- to long-term management of feline tuberculosis were highly variable between cats. The majority of cats had reduced pathology at re-examination during anti-tuberculous therapy, but pathology only resolved in a minority of cases. In some cases recurrence of pathology detected by CT imaging preceded clinical deterioration, allowing for rapid therapeutic intervention.

Relevance and novel information

When considered in combination with clinical findings, CT studies can aid in decision making regarding tapering of antibiotic protocols, or reintroduction of therapy in cases of recurrence or reinfection. This series also highlights that, in some cases, persistent abnormalities can be detected by CT, so complete resolution of CT pathology should not always be a goal in the management of feline tuberculosis.
In Vitro Neurotoxicity Resulting from Exposure of Cultured Neural Cells to Several Types of Nanoparticles
Authors: Larner Stephen F , Wang Jonathan , Goodman Jared , O’Donoghue Altman Megan B , Xin Meiguo , Wang Kevin K W
Published: March 2017

Laboratory and industrial production of various nanoparticles, single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs), fullerene (C60), cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots, carbon black (CB), and dye-doped silica nanospheres (NSs), has greatly increased in the past 15 years. However, little research has been done to analyze the toxicity of these materials. With recent studies showing that nano-substances can cross the blood–brain barrier, we examined the neurotoxicity of these manufactured nanoparticles. By employing the rat PC-12 neuronal-like cell line as the basis for our studies, we were able to evaluate the toxicity caused by these five nanoparticles. The level of toxicity was measured by testing for cell viability using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cell viability assay, morphological analysis of changes in cellular structures, and Western blot analyses of αII-spectrin breakdown products (SBDP) as cell death indicators. Our results showed cytotoxicity in nondifferentiated PC-12 cells exposed to CB (10–100 µg/mL), SWNTs (10–100 µg/mL), C60 (100 µg/mL), CdSe (10 µg/mL), CB (500 µg/mL), and dye-doped silicon NSs (10 µg/mL). Exposure to higher concentrations (100 µg/mL) of SWNTs, CB, and C60 increased the formation of SBDP150/145, as well as cell membrane contraction and the formation of cytosolic vacuoles. The incorporations of the nanoparticles into cell cytoplasm were observed using the fluorescent dye-doped NSs in both nondifferentiated and nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC-12 cells. When PC-12 cells are differentiated, they appeared to be even more sensitive to cytotoxicity of nanoparticles such as CB 10 nm (10–100 µg/mL), CB 100 nm (10–100 µg/mL), and CdSe (1–10 µg/mL).
Effect of the humidity on the friction and wear characteristics of Si3N4–hBN composite ceramics
Authors: Zhang Da , Chen Wei , Ai Xu , Lv Zheng-lin
Published: March 2017

The tribological behaviors of Si3N4–hBN composites sliding against austenitic stainless steel at different relative humidities (RH25∼35%, RH55∼65%, and RH90% or higher) were investigated by using an MMW-1 type vertical universal tribometer. The morphological and chemical characterizations of the worn surfaces of the specimens were conducted by using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, laser scanning microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the friction coefficients of Si3N4–10%hBN/ASS sliding pairs were lowered to about 0.03 under the relative humidity of RH55∼65%. This was mainly attributed to the formation of a surface film (consisting of B2O3, SiO2, and Fe2O3) on the wear surface of the SN10/ASS pairs. The surface film lubricated and protected the wear surfaces of pin and disc. Under the relative humidity of RH25∼35%, the formation of the surface film was limited because of less water molecules. Under the relative humidity of RH90% or higher, a part of the water molecules in the air can easily deposit on the wear surfaces, so that the microcracks on the wear surfaces would be promoted to expand, resulting in the inability to form a continuous and stable surface film. Besides, for Si3N4/austenitic stainless steel pair, no tribofilm was formed on the surfaces, and higher friction coefficient and wear rate were obtained. When hBN content increased to 20% or higher, rough wear surface was covered by the wear debris layer mainly due to their poor physical and mechanical properties.
Making the absent present: Political parties and emigrant issues in country of origin parliaments
Authors: Østergaard-Nielsen Eva , Ciornei Irina
Published: March 2017

A growing number of countries have granted their emigrant citizens the right to vote in homeland elections from afar. Yet, there is little understanding of the extent to which emigration issues are visible in the subsequent legislative processes of policymaking and representation. Based on an original data set of parliamentary activities in Spain, Italy, France and Romania, this article analyses why political parties pay attention to emigrants. To that end, we propose a conceptual framework which draws on both theories of issue salience and substantive representation. Bridging these two frameworks allows us bring in both parties (salience) and constituencies (representation) in the analysis of the linkage between electorates and parliaments at a transnational level. We test a series of hypotheses and find that parties are more likely to focus on emigration issues the stronger their electoral incentives and in the context of electoral systems allowing the emigrants to elect special emigrant representatives.
How is a new category “born”? On mechanisms of formation, cycles of recognition, and the looping effect of “national trauma”
Authors: Plotkin Amrami Galia
Published: March 2017

This article explores the mechanisms underlying the formation of a new category in the Israeli therapeutic field—“national trauma.” By comparing the two different paths of emergence of this category, the research reexamines the meaning of Hacking’s concept “looping effect” and, in particular, the issue of awareness of the categorized individuals and the categorizing knowledge-producers to the effects of a categorization. This study demonstrates that the formation of “national trauma” is both an intentional product of the efforts and ideology of practitioners and an unintentional outcome of their scientific and interventional activities. The comparative analysis allows us to elaborate the distinctions between the different social circles of recognition of new professional categories and different forms of affinity between the new category and an established social group. Understanding these distinctions is particularly valuable in relation to those problematic cases in which the new professional category is a highly contested object.
Channel complementarity and multiplexity in long-distance friends’ patterns of communication technology use
Authors: Ruppel Erin K , Burke Tricia J , Cherney Maura R
Published: March 2017

Understanding how people use communication technologies (CTs) in close relationships requires examining interdependencies in or patterns of CT use in those relationships. We combined channel complementarity theory and media multiplexity theory to investigate first-year college students’ ( N = 155) use of CTs (video chat, phone calls, and text messaging) in close, long-distance friendships over a 3- to 10-day period. Overall, CTs were used complementarily. However, complementary use of phone calls and text messaging was higher in closer friendships. In contrast, phone calls and video chat were complementary at low but not high levels of closeness. These findings suggest utility in combining channel complementarity theory and media multiplexity theory to understand the “web” of CTs used in daily communication in long-distance friendships and point to similarities in and differences between CTs that might affect complementarity.
Determinants of sports coverage: Newsworthiness in US media coverage of foreign athletes during the London 2012 Olympic Games
Authors: Hong Seong Choul , Oh Kyong-Soo
Published: March 2017

This study examined US media coverage of foreign nations and their athletes during the 2012 London Olympic Games. An analysis of NBC primetime telecasts and sports coverage in The New York Times found that foreign nations and their athletes were not significantly affected by any given nation’s performance during the Olympics. However, coverage of the Olympics was actually based on several contextual factors. While a few elite countries’ dominance in the Olympics secured US media coverage, military expenditures, linguistic proximity to the United States, and the number of sports celebrities and gold medals won often predicted a country’s visibility in US media.
Identity and power in co-produced activist research
Authors: Kara Helen
Published: March 2017

Methodologies such as participatory, feminist, or co-produced research aim to democratise research practice. These kinds of methodologies are devised and embraced by activists as they work to shift the balance of power. Activists and researchers can be uneasy bedfellows, and trying to be both activist and researcher can lead to identity confusion and communication problems. Yet within democratic research practice, researchers and others are often required to enact multiple identities. This article will highlight some of the relationships between activism, research, identity and power. An account of an incident that occurred during a piece of co-produced activist evaluation research, which threatened to undermine that research, illustrates some of the relationships between the enactment of multiple identities and power imbalances in the practice of co-produced activist research. The theoretical work of Karen Barad is used as a lens to help elucidate the complexity of this phenomenon and identify what, and how, we can learn from such incidents.
Subject-specific modelling of paired comparison data: A lasso-type penalty approach
Authors: Schauberger Gunther , Tutz Gerhard
Published: March 2017

In traditional paired comparison models heterogeneity in the population is simply ignored and it is assumed that all persons or subjects have the same preference structure. In the models considered here the preference of an object over another object is explicitly modelled as depending on subject-specific covariates, therefore allowing for heterogeneity in the population. Since by construction the models contain a large number of parameters we propose to use penalized estimation procedures to obtain estimates of the parameters. The used regularized estimation approach penalizes the differences between the parameters corresponding to single covariates. It enforces variable selection and allows to find clusters of objects with respect to covariates. We consider simple binary but also ordinal paired comparisons models. The method is applied to data from a pre-election study from Germany.
Using Mobile Phone Technology to Support Young Liver Transplant Recipients Moving to Adult Services
Authors: Coad Jane , Toft Alex , Claridge Lee , Ferguson James , Hind Jonathon , Jones Rebecca , McClean Patricia , McKiernan Patrick , Samyn Marianne , Taylor Rachel
Published: March 2017

Background:

The process and preparation of moving from child to adult services (transition) is a challenging period of time for young people and represents significant changes in care and support systems. The proliferation of mobile phone applications for health purposes suggests that it is an area for further investigation.

Objective:

The review explores the potential to use mobile phone technology to help support young liver transplant recipients moving to adult services. It represents the first review conducted in this specialism and considers a new model of support for young liver patients.

Methods:

A systematic rapid review of the published peer-reviewed literature.

Results:

Two searches were conducted: Search 1: the use of technology to support transition to adult services (6 studies) and Search 2: how best to support liver transplant recipients during transition (6 studies).

Discussion:

Research shows that to achieve positive transition young people need information about their condition and transition. The process needs to be guided by transition readiness, rather than the young persons’ age. Although parents and support networks should be in place and are valued, transition should build upon self-management and independence. Results suggest that there appears to be scope to use mobile phone technology to support transition. This is the first time a review has explored the types of issues or concerns facing liver transplant patients and how these can be addressed through mobile phone technology.
The Relationship Between Eyewitness Confidence and Identification Accuracy: A New Synthesis
Authors: Wixted John T. , Wells Gary L.
Published: March 2017

Summary

The U.S. legal system increasingly accepts the idea that the confidence expressed by an eyewitness who identified a suspect from a lineup provides little information as to the accuracy of that identification. There was a time when this pessimistic assessment was entirely reasonable because of the questionable eyewitness-identification procedures that police commonly employed. However, after more than 30 years of eyewitness-identification research, our understanding of how to properly conduct a lineup has evolved considerably, and the time seems ripe to ask how eyewitness confidence informs accuracy under more pristine testing conditions (e.g., initial, uncontaminated memory tests using fair lineups, with no lineup administrator influence, and with an immediate confidence statement). Under those conditions, mock-crime studies and police department field studies have consistently shown that, for adults, (a) confidence and accuracy are strongly related and (b) high-confidence suspect identifications are remarkably accurate. However, when certain non-pristine testing conditions prevail (e.g., when unfair lineups are used), the accuracy of even a high-confidence suspect ID is seriously compromised. Unfortunately, some jurisdictions have not yet made reforms that would create pristine testing conditions and, hence, our conclusions about the reliability of high-confidence identifications cannot yet be applied to those jurisdictions. However, understanding the information value of eyewitness confidence under pristine testing conditions can help the criminal justice system to simultaneously achieve both of its main objectives: to exonerate the innocent (by better appreciating that initial, low-confidence suspect identifications are error prone) and to convict the guilty (by better appreciating that initial, high-confidence suspect identifications are surprisingly accurate under proper testing conditions).
Idiopathic Carotidynia
Authors: Policha Aleksandra , Williams David , Adelman Mark , Veith Frank , Cayne Neal S.
Published: March 2017

Idiopathic carotidynia is a syndrome characterized by pain and tenderness over the carotid artery without an associated structural luminal abnormality. Controversy exists over whether this is a distinct disease entity or merely a symptom attributable to other causes of neck pain, such as carotid dissection or vasculitis. A 50-year-old woman presented with sudden-onset right neck pain. Imaging studies demonstrated transmural inflammation of the proximal internal carotid artery, without evidence of intraluminal pathology. The patient was placed on low-dose aspirin and ibuprofen. Her symptoms resolved within a week. At 3-month follow-up, her carotid artery appeared normal on duplex ultrasonography.
An optimal multiple stopping rule–based cooperative downloading scheme in vehicular cyber-physical systems
Authors: Jing Tao , Zeng Cheng , Qian Jin , Li Zhen , Huo Yan
Published: March 2017

In vehicular cyber-physical systems, vehicular users are the edge nodes which are far away from the network core. Content accessing and downloading for vehicular users are expected to heavily rely on the deployment of RoadSide Units in vehicular cyber-physical systems. Although vehicular users can obtain a good content downloading service in the coverage of RoadSide Units, user experience will get worse in highway scenarios, where RoadSide Units are sparsely deployed at service areas or gas stations. In other words, the download process has a property of intermittent connectivity because many no-signal areas (dark areas) exist on the road. In this article, we try to address such shortcomings by exploiting other edge nodes (vehicles) to download contents for clients in dark areas. Considering the cooperation intention of vehicles, we first propose an incentive mechanism to stimulate vehicles to participate in cooperative downloading. Next, with an objective of maximizing the utilization of benefits, we formulate the cooperative vehicle selection problem as an optimal multiple stopping problem and derive the optimal multiple stopping rule for cooperative downloading. Finally, an extensive simulation study has been performed to investigate the effectiveness of our scheme. The results reveal the impact of different parameters on system requirements and demonstrate that the proposed scheme can maximize the throughput of content downloading in dark areas.
Tentorial meningioma supplied by a marginal tentorial artery arising from the superior cerebellar artery: Anatomic and technical considerations
Authors: Lenck Stéphanie , Watanabe Kentaro , Saint-Maurice Jean-Pierre , Labidi Moujahed , Labeyrie Marc-Antoine , Froelich Sébastien , Houdart Emmanuel
Published: March 2017

Background and importance

The marginal tentorial artery runs over the free edge of the tentorium. Different origins have been described, always involving branches of the carotid artery. We report the superior cerebellar artery as an unknown origin of this artery. We developed our strategy in a case of a tentorial meningioma mainly supplied by this artery.

Clinical presentation

A 53-year-old man was admitted in our institution for the surgical treatment of a large tentorial and petroclival meningioma. A 2D conventional angiogram was insufficient to detect the tumoral blush. A 3D digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) of the vertebral artery highlighted a blush arising from a marginal tentorial artery fed by the superior cerebellar artery. Selective embolization of this branch led to significant devascularization of the tumor. A total tumor resection was performed 24 h after embolization without complication. The dural medial tentorial artery of the superior cerebellar artery is relatively unknown and courses at the inferior surface of the tentorium. We report the first case in which the marginal tentorial artery arises from this artery. Major bleeding may result from its section or its avulsion from the superior cerebellar artery during surgery; its preoperative diagnosis is thus essential. In this case, a 3D-DSA with dual volume visualization was more sensitive than a 2D conventional angiogram to detect such an anatomic variant.

Conclusion

The marginal tentorial artery may originate from the superior cerebellar artery. The recognition of this anatomic variant may be essential to avoid hemorrhagic complications during surgery of hypervascular tumors of the tentorium.
Impact of renal arterial morphology on fluoroscopy time in chimney endovascular aneurysm repair
Authors: Sugimoto Masayuki , Torsello Giovanni , Donas Konstantinos P
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of renal artery morphology on fluoroscopy time in chimney endovascular aneurysm repair.

Methods

Morphology of renal artery was retrospectively quantified in the preoperative CT angiography. Renal artery angulation, ostial diameter, severity of ostial stenosis, main renal artery length, and tortuosity were analyzed with a 3D workstation. The main measure outcome was fluoroscopic time as an indicator of complexity. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of longer fluoroscopy. Secondary endpoints were amount of contrast medium, patency of renal artery, and type Ia endoleak.

Results

The enrolled 38 patients (mean age 75.0 years; 34 males) were stratified at the median of fluoroscopic time of 35.2 min (interquartile range, 21.5) and classified in group A ( n = 19) and group B ( n = 19) having a fluoroscopic time of 24.5 (interquartile range, 5.9) and 46.4 (interquartile range, 16.0) min, respectively. The severity of ostial stenosis (OsSte) was significantly different between group A and B of 26.3 ± 13.4% and 41.6 ± 18.0%, respectively; P < .01. ROC curve analysis revealed that 35.5% was an optimal cut-off for OsSte. The difference of renal angulation (RAng) (−22.5° and −2.0°; interquartile ranges 49 and 35; P = .13), and main renal artery length (33.4 ± 11.8 mm and 33.7 ± 14.3 mm; P = .94) were not significantly different. In multivariate analysis after dichotomizing OsSte and RAng, OsSte > 35.5% was identified as the only significant predictor for the longer fluoroscopy (HR: 4.33; 95% CI: 1.02–18.4, P = .04). As for the secondary endpoints, no significant differences were observed between the groups. No correlation between longer fluoroscopy and renal patency or type Ia endoleak was observed.

Conclusion

Severity of ostial stenosis seems to be a significant predictor for longer fluoroscopic time.
Central poststroke pain: A systematic review
Authors: Singer Jonathan , Conigliaro Alyssa , Spina Elizabeth , Law Susan W , Levine Steven R
Published: March 2017

Background

Physical, psychological, and/or social impairment can result after a stroke and can be exacerbated by pain. One type of pain after stroke, central poststroke pain, is believed to be due to primary central nervous system mechanisms. Estimated prevalence of central poststroke pain ranges widely from 8% to 55% of stroke patients, suggesting a difficulty in reliably, accurately, and consistently identifying central poststroke pain. This may be due to the absence of a generally accepted definition.

Aim

We aimed to clarify the role of thalamic strokes and damage to the spinothalamic pathway in central poststroke pain patients. Also, we aimed to gain a current understanding of anatomic substrates, brain imaging, and treatment of central poststroke pain.

Summary of review

Two independent reviewers identified 10,144 publications. Based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we extracted data from 23 papers and categorized the articles’ aims into four sections: somatosensory deficits, pathway stimulation, clinical trials, and brain imaging.

Conclusions

Our systematic review suggests that damage to the spinothalamic pathway is associated with central poststroke pain and this link could provide insights into mechanisms and treatment. Moreover, historical connection of strokes in the thalamic region of the brain and central poststroke pain should be reevaluated as many studies noted that strokes in other regions of the brain have high occurrence of central poststroke pain as well.
Abiraterone acetate and prednisone in chemotherapy-naïve prostate cancer patients: rationale, evidence and clinical utility
Authors: Crawford E. David , Shore Neal D. , Petrylak Daniel P. , Higano Celestia S. , Ryan Charles J.
Published: March 2017

Abiraterone acetate 1000 mg/day, combined with prednisone 5 mg PO twice daily, is indicated for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Abiraterone acetate is the oral prodrug of abiraterone, a specific CYP17 inhibitor that blocks androgen biosynthesis within the adrenal glands, testes and tumor microenvironment. In a phase III trial of men with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic, chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC, treatment with oral abiraterone acetate plus prednisone led to a statistically significant improvement in the co-primary endpoints of overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival when compared with placebo plus prednisone. In long-term follow-up of phase III trials, the incidence of corticosteroid-associated adverse events was 25.5% in the abiraterone acetate plus prednisone arm compared with 23.3% in the placebo plus prednisone arm. The need for regular patient monitoring and appropriate management of symptoms during long-term use of prednisone must be placed in context with the improvement in survival seen with abiraterone plus prednisone. Within the multidisciplinary environment that is emerging to meet quality and cost imperatives, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone is suitable for use in the chemotherapy-naïve population with minimal symptoms as well as in patients who have been treated with docetaxel and may have symptomatic disease. Ongoing trials are evaluating the role of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone in patients with nonmetastatic CRPC and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, while further trials in the mCRPC setting are evaluating its use in combination regimens.
Peri-operative management of caesarean section for the occasional obstetric anaesthetist – an aide memoire
Authors: Lie Sui An , Mok May Un Sam
Published: March 2017

Anaesthesia practice for caesarean section (CS) has evolved in the past 20 years. This article aims to update occasional obstetric anaesthesiologists, obstetricians and clinicians involved in the management of pregnant women on the latest guidelines and recommendations for anaesthesia management, including pre-operative evaluation, informed consent, intra-operative and postoperative management for CS. In addition, this article will also summarise the management of CS associated emergencies such as difficult intubation, obstetric major postpartum haemorrhage, local anaesthetic toxicity and (pre-) eclampsia. At the end of the article, a charted summary will be provided as an aide memoire.
Percentile ranks and benchmark estimates of change for the Health Education Impact Questionnaire: Normative data from an Australian sample
Authors: Elsworth Gerald R , Osborne Richard H
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Participant self-report data play an essential role in the evaluation of health education activities, programmes and policies. When questionnaire items do not have a clear mapping to a performance-based continuum, percentile norms are useful for communicating individual test results to users. Similarly, when assessing programme impact, the comparison of effect sizes for group differences or baseline to follow-up change with effect sizes observed in relevant normative data provides more directly useful information compared with statistical tests of mean differences and the evaluation of effect sizes for substantive significance using universal rule-of-thumb such as those for Cohen’s ‘d’. This article aims to assist managers, programme staff and clinicians of healthcare organisations who use the Health Education Impact Questionnaire interpret their results using percentile norms for individual baseline and follow-up scores together with group effect sizes for change across the duration of typical chronic disease self-management and support programme.

Methods:

Percentile norms for individual Health Education Impact Questionnaire scale scores and effect sizes for group change were calculated using freely available software for each of the eight Health Education Impact Questionnaire scales. Data used were archived responses of 2157 participants of chronic disease self-management programmes conducted by a wide range of organisations in Australia between July 2007 and March 2013.

Results:

Tables of percentile norms and three possible effect size benchmarks for baseline to follow-up change are provided together with two worked examples to assist interpretation.

Conclusion:

While the norms and benchmarks presented will be particularly relevant for Australian organisations and others using the English-language version of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire, they will also be useful for translated versions as a guide to the sensitivity of the scales and the extent of the changes that might be anticipated from attendance at a typical chronic disease self-management or health education programme.
Clinical outcomes for the obese hospital inpatient: An observational study
Authors: Fusco KL , Robertson HC , Galindo H , Hakendorf PH , Thompson CH
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

The prevalence of obesity presents a burden for Australian health care. The aim of this study was to determine whether severely obese hospital inpatients have worse outcomes.

Methods:

This is an observational cohort study, using data from all adult patients admitted to hospital for all elective and emergency admissions of patients aged over 18 years to two large Australian urban hospitals. We measured their length of stay, intensive care unit admission rate, intensive care unit length of stay, mortality and readmission rates within 28 days of discharge and compared these outcomes in the severely obese and non-severely obese subjects using t-test or chi-square test as appropriate.

Results:

Between February 2008 and February 2012, 120,872 were admitted to hospital 193,800 times; 2701 patients were identified as severely obese (2.23%) and 118,171 patients were non-severely obese. If admitted as an emergency, severely obese patients have worse outcomes and consume more resources than other patients. These outcomes are still worse, but less so, if the obese patient is admitted as an elective patient suggesting that anticipation of any obesity-specific problems can have a beneficial effect.

Conclusion:

Upon admission or discharge of severely obese hospital inpatients, health care plans should be even more carefully laid than usual to reduce the risk of readmission.
Variation in Phytochemical Composition Reveals Distinct Divergence of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. From Other Aloe Species: Rationale Behind Selective Preference of Aloe vera in Nutritional and Therapeutic Use
Authors: Dey Priyankar , Dutta Somit , Chowdhury Anurag , Das Abhaya Prasad , Chaudhuri Tapas Kumar
Published: March 2017

In the present study, we have phytochemically characterized 5 different abundant Aloe species, including Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., using silylation followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry technique and compared the data using multivariate statistical analysis. The results demonstrated clear distinction of the overall phytochemical profile of A vera, highlighted by its divergent spatial arrangement in the component plot. Lowest correlation of the phytochemical profiles were found between A vera and A aristata Haw. (−0.626), whereas highest correlation resided between A aristata and A aspera Haw. (0.899). Among the individual phytochemicals, palmitic acid was identified in highest abundance cumulatively, and carboxylic acids were the most predominant phytochemical species in all the Aloe species. Compared to A vera, linear correlation analysis revealed highest and lowest correlation with A aspera ( R2 = 0.9162) and A aristata ( R2 = 0.6745), respectively. Therefore, A vera demonstrated distinct spatial allocation, reflecting its greater phytochemical variability.
Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna in a Child With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Li Yaxiong , Wang Xin , Li Yan
Published: March 2017

Hyperostosis frontalis interna is an unexplained irregular thickening of the inner table of the frontal bone. Hyperostosis frontalis interna was first identified in 1719 by Morgagni as a symptom of a more generalized syndrome characterized by virilism and obesity. Most current studies have shown hyperostosis frontalis interna to be a sex- and age-dependent phenomenon, and females manifest a significantly higher prevalence of hyperostosis frontalis interna than males. In this article, the authors report the clinical case of hyperostosis frontalis interna in a 7-year-old child who had severe traumatic brain injury in the past; review the related literature; and discuss the clinical, radiological, and therapeutic features of this condition.
Hunting for Value: How to Enable Value-in-use? A Conceptual Model
Authors: Petri Jan , Jacob Frank
Published: March 2017

Recently, researchers have prioritized studying service and value creation, which has led to extensive conceptual and empirical literature on the subject. However, models are missing that link existing research on value creation and apply it in a concrete service marketing business context. This article explores how value-in-use must be enabled before entering the relational business solution creation process. Drawing from extant literature, the authors develop a conceptual model with four interrelated elements—solution objectives, resource requirements, assessment and customer–provider interaction. These elements must be aligned iteratively to enable value-in-use. The current study integrates the proposed model into the overarching context of the solution process that culminates with experienced value-in-use. The findings significantly extend the current view of value-in-use as a determining variable when creating business solutions.
Evaluation of the role of captopril on clozapine-induced cardiotoxicity and hematotoxicity in adult male albino rats
Authors: Abdel Hamid Omaima I , Ahmed Marwa G , Hassaneine Hanan MA , Rashed Hayam E
Published: March 2017

Clozapine (CLZ) is considered the most effective drug in treatment of resistant schizophrenia. However, its cardiotoxic effect has raised concerns about its safety. Captopril is a well-known angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with unique antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of captopril against CLZ-induced myocarditis, and since both drugs have hematotoxic effects, this study aimed to clarify the effect of their combined use on the bone marrow. The study was conducted for 4 weeks on 50 adult male albino rats divided into five groups: group I (negative control), group II (positive control), group III treated with captopril 5 mg/kg/day, group IV treated with CLZ 25 mg/kg/day, and group V treated with captopril (5 mg/kg) 1 hour before CLZ (25 mg/kg/day). CLZ group showed a significant increase in serum troponin I, marked histopathological changes, and immunohistochemical staining of DNA degradation product 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG). It significantly increased malondialdehyde level and decreased glutathione peroxidase. Captopril coadministration decreased the histopathological hallmarks and biochemical marker of myocarditis and attenuated CLZ effects on the oxidative stress parameters and 8-OHdG, suggesting its protective action against CLZ-induced myocarditis. Complete blood count and bone marrow evaluation was normal indicating that captopril, in the protective dose given, didn’t increase the risk of CLZ-induced hematotoxicity
World Health Organization treatment guidelines for drug-resistant tuberculosis, 2016 update
Authors: Falzon Dennis , Schünemann Holger J. , Harausz Elizabeth , González-Angulo Licé , Lienhardt Christian , Jaramillo Ernesto , Weyer Karin
Published: March 2017

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global concern. Tuberculosis (TB) strains resistant to rifampicin and other TB medicines challenge patient survival and public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published treatment guidelines for drug-resistant TB since 1997 and last updated them in 2016 based on reviews of aggregated and individual patient data from published and unpublished studies. An international expert panel formulated recommendations following the GRADE approach. The new WHO guidelines recommend a standardised 9–12 months shorter treatment regimen as first choice in patients with multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) strains not resistant to fluoroquinolones or second-line injectable agents; resistance to these two classes of core second-line medicines is rapidly detectable with molecular diagnostics also approved by WHO in 2016. The composition of longer regimens for patients ineligible for the shorter regimen was modified. A first-ever meta-analysis of individual paediatric patient data allowed treatment recommendations for childhood MDR/RR-TB to be made. Delamanid is now also recommended in patients aged 6–17 years. Partial lung resection is a recommended option in MDR/RR-TB care. The 2016 revision highlighted the continued shortage of high-quality evidence and implementation research, and reiterated the need for clinical trials and best-practice studies to improve MDR/RR-TB patient treatment outcomes and strengthen policy.
Source-receiver Marchenko redatuming: Obtaining virtual receivers and virtual sources in the subsurface
Authors: Singh Satyan , Snieder Roel
Published: March 2017

By solving the Marchenko equations, one can retrieve the Green’s function (Marchenko Green’s function) between a virtual receiver in the subsurface and points at the surface (no physical receiver is required at the virtual location). We extend the idea behind these equations to retrieve the Green’s function between any two points in the subsurface, i.e., between a virtual source and a virtual receiver (no physical source or physical receiver is required at either of these locations). This Green’s function is called the virtual Green’s function, and it includes all primary, internal, and free-surface multiples. Similar to the Marchenko Green’s function, this virtual Green’s function requires the reflection response at the surface (single-sided illumination) and an estimate of the first-arrival traveltime from the virtual locations to the surface. These Green’s functions can be used to image the interfaces from above and below.