bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PP148 A Stakeholder-Informed Strategy For Effective Communication
Authors: Elston Lauren , Poole Ruth Louise , Fraser Barbara , Coldwell Ian , Myles Susan 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionEffective communication is vital for engaging stakeholders in health technology assessment (HTA), as well as the successful dissemination and adoption of HTA research and guidance. As a relatively new organization, Health Technology Wales (HTW) has an ideal opportunity to take an effective, strategic approach to communication and stakeholder engagement from the outset.MethodsHTW commissioned Pagoda Public Relations to develop an informed communications strategy and delivery framework. The strategy used OASIS methodology for public relations planning: Objectives, Audience insight, Strategy, Implementation, and Scoring (evaluation). Initial objectives were developed with input from the HTW team and members of the HTW Assessment Group and Appraisal Panel. Stakeholder insights were collected through an online survey and telephone interviews. These insights were used to inform the communications strategy and framework, outlining key audiences, key messages, communication objectives, methods, tactics, and evaluations.ResultsSeven key objectives were identified, each of which were supported by recommended actions. These were underpinned by the key aims and messages reflecting how we will achieve these objectives. National Health Service boards, government, clinicians, the technology and research sector, patients, and the general public were identified as priority audiences. Various different communication channels and activities were identified, aimed at various audiences. These included the website, social media, traditional media, and exhibitions or workshops, as well as targeted e-mail dissemination of guidance. Evaluation of HTW communications will be aligned with the wider HTW evaluation strategy, and evidence will be recorded through OutNav software (Matter of Focus Ltd).ConclusionsHTW is committed to a strategic, effective approach to communication and engagement. We now have an audience-informed communications strategy and plan that outlines our key objectives, and how to achieve and evaluate these objectives. Successful implementation will raise awareness of and value in profile and outputs of HTW, both in Wales and internationally.
VP35 Effectiveness and Safety of Cyanoacrylate Ablation for Varicose Veins
Authors: García-Carpintero Esther , Carmona Montserrat , Pablo Juan , Orrego Chalco , González-Enríquez Jesús , Imaz-Iglesia Iñaki 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionTreatment of varicose veins is currently performed by different interventionist alternatives that include surgical, endothermal and non-thermal ablation therapies. The main guidelines recommended endovenous thermal treatment as the first choice therapy; however present side effects related to thermal energy. Non-tumescent endovenous ablation techniques such as cyanoacrylate ablation (CA) started to develop to avoid these problems. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of CA for saphenous vein incompetence.MethodsA systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out. The search of scientific literature was performed in Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, CDR, WoS and Scopus databases. GRADE methodology was used to assess the quality of the evidence and Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess methodological quality of randomized control trials (RCT). Pooled risk ratio was calculated using a random effects model.ResultsTwo RCTs and one non-RCT comprising 1,077 participants were included. Additionally, 10 case series were included for safety assessment. Pooled analysis of closure rates by the two RCTs indicated there were not significant differences between CA and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Improvements in venous clinical severity score were reported by all comparative studies without significant differences among groups. The most frequently reported adverse events were ecchymosis, phlebitis, paraesthesia, and thrombosis. The pooled analysis showed significant differences only in ecchymosis rates, with lower probability of ecchymosis in CA groups. CA treatment showed lower pain rates and shorter intervention times and recovery compared to endothermal therapies.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of CA devices in the treatment of varicose veins is comparable to EVLA and RFA, while the rates of adverse effects are lower. Despite the limitations of the evidence, CA may be a promising alternative to existing treatments, with the advantages of better patient comfort.
VP40 Increasing Divergence Of IQWiG & G-BA Benefit Assessments Over Time?
Authors: Macaulay Richard , Mohamoud Zainab 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionSince 2011, new pharmacological therapies in Germany are subject to an early benefit assessment (EBA) upon launch. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) usually conducts an initial assessment, followed by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) issuing a final resolution. If the G-BA deem a new therapy offers no additional benefit over relevant comparators, it cannot attain premium-pricing through price negotiations. This research compares G-BA and IQWiG assessment outcomes over time.MethodsAll EBA resolutions were extracted from the G-BA website alongside corresponding IQWiG assessments (01/01/2011-19/09/2018) and key information compared. For extracted outcome data, the focus was the subgroup of greatest additional benefit.ResultsOf 261 identified EBAs with both G-BA and IQWiG assessment outcomes published, 59% (155/261) did not differ in their additional benefit. The G-BA concluded on an additional benefit where IQWiG deemed none in 13% (34/261) of cases, which was consistent pre-2015: 13% (11/87) and 2015-onwards: 13% (23/174). Conversely, IQWiG deemed an additional benefit where the G-BA concluded on none in 3% (8/261) of cases, none of which were pre-2015 (0/87) vs. 5% (8/261) for 2015-onwards. G-BA and IQWiG both agreed that additional benefit was offered but differed in its extent in 14% (37/261; in 23 cases: G-BA's rating was lower, 14 cases: G-BA's was higher) with 19% (17/87) pre-2015 vs. 8% (14/174) 2015-onwards.ConclusionsThe G-BA has deviated from IQWiG's initial assessment in around one-third of resolutions, with potential significant rebate negotiation consequences. The divergence in extent of additional benefit (where both agree on additional benefit) appears to be becoming less common over time. However, a slight converse time-trend appears regarding divergence on whether any additional benefit is offered, driven by increased incidence of G-BA deeming no additional benefit contrary to IQWiG. This emphasizes that companies should fully engage with the EBA consultation process post-IQWiG appraisal.
VP53 Long-Acting Insulin Analogues In Brazil: Clinical And Economic Impact
Authors: Marra Lays Pires , da Silva Pereira Daniel , de Oliveira Gustavo Laine Araújo 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionThe aim was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and economic impact of long-acting insulin analogues (LAIA) compared to NPH for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1).MethodsA search was performed in five electronic databases to find systematic reviews (SR) comparing at least a LAIA to NPH insulin for DM1. Budget impact analysis was performed from the perspective of Brazilian public health system (SUS), with NPH insulin as the base scenario. The costs were extracted from the Integrated System of Administration of General Services (SIASG). The market share was calculated per month, using a logarithmic function with maximum diffusion of 50% at the end of the time horizon - five years.ResultsA total of 160 studies were identified and seven SR of low to uncertain risk of bias were selected. LAIA have shown modest clinical benefit and its effect is more prominent for the control of severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Insulins glargine and detemir compared to NPH were associated with reduction in HbA1c levels between 0.16% and 0.40% and associated with lower risk of episodes of severe hypoglycemia. Insulin degludec compared to NPH showed no statistically significant difference in the reduction of HbA1c levels and in the episodes of severe hypoglycemia. The budget impact ranges from USD 210 million (detemir) to USD 670 million (degludec) over five years.ConclusionsThe use of LAIA as a basal insulin regimen for DM1 may benefit more patients with recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia. However, the fragility of the outcomes considered to evaluate the clinical impact of LAIA and the high budget impact with its use should be considered, and may compromise SUS sustainability. In view of these aspects, CONITEC recommended the incorporation of one of the LAIA, if the treatment is equal to or less than that of NPH insulin and according to the criteria established by a guideline.
Data analysis from cognitive games interaction in Smart TV applications for patients with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other types of dementia
Authors: López Juan Pedro , Moreno Francisco , Popa Mirela , Hernández-Peñaloza Gustavo , Álvarez Federico 
Published: December 2019

AbstractParkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are progressive nervous system disorders that affect physical and cognitive capacities of individuals, including memory loss, motion impairment, or problem-solving dysfunctions. Leisure activities are associated with reducing the risk of dementia and are preventive policies for delaying the cognitive impairment in later stages of those neurodegenerative diseases. Electronic games related to cognitive abilities are an easy and inexpensive alternative for stimulating brain activity in this kind of patients. The previous research demonstrated the acceptance of these activities in the environment of Connected TV when playing at home and in daily care centers. Interaction in Connected TV applications has its own particularities that influence the design of the interface, including the viewing distance, the type of interaction through a remote control or other techniques, the size of the screen, or the collectiveness of consumption. Iterative testing with patients of these groups revealed how the physical characteristics and cognitive impairment of these concrete end-users affect the human–computer interaction, offering guidelines and recommendations in good practices for the Smart TV interface design. On the other hand, data analytics extracted from the interaction and evolution of the game offer important information enabling the creation of estimation prediction models about the cognitive state of the patient.
Contribution of Snow Cover Decline to Projected Warming Over North America
Authors: Diro G. T. , Sushama L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractGiven the critical role that snow plays in modulating current climate, it is vital to examine the contribution of the projected snow decline to the future warming. This is investigated over North America using regional climate modeling experiments with prescribed current and future snow conditions. Results indicate that the decline in snow contributes to future warming by up to 2°C and 4°C, respectively, to annual and spring temperature increases. Results also show that decline in snow depth and cover lead to the attenuation (amplification) of cold (warm) extremes. The rate of intensification of warm extremes is higher over the snow‐abundant regions of northern Canada—where current snow cover fraction is close to one. The largest attenuation in cold extremes, on the other hand, is over snow marginal regions of the Great Plains and Prairies. These results demonstrate the spatiotemporal differences in projected changes exclusively associated with snow cover and depth decline.
Common‐Volume Dual‐Frequency Radar Observations of 150‐km Echoes and Implications
Authors: Patra A.K. , Chaitanya P. Pavan , Rao M. Durga , Kamaraj P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe present and discuss common‐volume dual‐frequency radar observations of 150‐km echoes made at 30 and 53 MHz from Gadanki by employing identical transmitter power and antenna beam width. These controlled experiments reveal that 150‐km echoes are stronger, broader in spectral width, and more frequent in their occurrence at 30 MHz than at 53 MHz. Echo intensities at 30 and 53 MHz are found to be consistent with the rocket‐borne observations of wave number spectrum of meter‐scale irregularities in the 150‐km region. The frequency dependence of spectral widths of the echoes while is found to be somewhat similar to that of electrojet type‐1 echoes it is opposite to that of electrojet type‐2 echoes and also to that of incoherent scattering in direction perpendicular to magnetic field. Spectral widths of the echoes observed by both radars are found to be independent of SNR. A detailed comparison of these observations with those made earlier suggests that instrument functions play an important role in manifesting SNR‐dependent/independent spectral width property of the 150‐km echoes. The narrow spectral properties and frequency dependence of echo intensity and spectral width clearly suggest that the irregularities responsible for the radar backscatter are linked with weak plasma turbulence and the meter‐scale irregularities responsible for radar echoes ought to be growing with direct injection of energy at the meter scale itself to overcome damping. We surmise the potential role of photoelectrons and atmospheric gravity waves in the underline plasma instability process.
Transparency and stability of low density stellar plasma related to Boltzmann statistics and to thermal bremsstrahlung
Authors: Ben-Aryeh Y. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe stability of low density stellar plasma is analyzed for a star with a spherical symmetry which is in equilibrium between the gravitational attractive forces and the repulsive pressure forces of an ideal electron gas where the analysis is developed by the use of Boltzmann statistics. Fundamental results are obtained for the radius and total mass of such star and its gravitational forces are large due to the extreme large volume. The absorption and emission of radiation for extremely low density star plasmas is very small over the entire electro-magnetic spectrum.
Vortex-induced vibration wind energy harvesting by piezoelectric MEMS device in formation
Authors: Lee Yin Jen , Qi Yi , Zhou Guangya , Lua Kim Boon 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA silicon chip integrated microelectromechanical (MEMS) wind energy harvester, based on the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) concept, has been designed, fabricated, and tested as a proof-of-concept demonstration. The harvester comprises of a cylindrical oscillator attached to a piezoelectric MEMS device. Wind tunnel experiments are conducted to measure the power output of the energy harvester. Additionally, the energy harvester is placed within a formation of up to 25 cylinders to test whether the vortex interactions of multiple cylinders in formation can enhance the power output. Experiments show power output in the nanowatt range, and the energy harvester within a formation of cylinders yield noticeably higher power output compared to the energy harvester in isolation. A more detailed investigation conducted using computational fluid dynamics simulations indicates that vortices shed from upstream cylinders introduce large periodic transverse velocity component on the incoming flow encountered by the downstream cylinders, hence increasing VIV response. For the first time, the use of formation effect to enhance the wind energy harvesting at microscale has been demonstrated. This proof-of-concept demonstrates a potential means of powering small off-grid sensors in a cost-effective manner due to the easy integration of the energy harvester and sensor on the same silicon chip.
[18F]SPA-RQ/PET Study of NK1 receptors in the Whole Body of Guinea Pig and Rat
Authors: Grönroos Tove J. , Forsback Sarita , Eskola Olli , Bergman Jörgen , Marjamäki Päivi , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Hietala Jarmo , Haaparanta-Solin Merja , Solin Olof 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThere is a substantial interest in the development of NK1 substance P antagonists as potential treatments for various neuropsychiatric and somatic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether [18F]SPA-RQ can be utilized as a tool for studying the whole body distribution and function of NK1 receptors in preclinical settings. The compound was injected into guinea pigs with or without premedication with a NK1 receptor antagonist (NK1A-2). For comparison, we included two rats in the study, as the affinity of antagonists for NK1 receptors is known to vary between species. The whole body biodistribution of the tracer was determined at several time points. The tracer showed specific binding in organs compatible with the known location of NK1-receptors. Premedication with a NK1 antagonist led to an inhibited uptake of [18F]SPA-RQ in several organs of guinea pigs, notably intestine, pancreas, urinary bladder, uterus, skin and lung. Specific binding was also seen in both cortex and striatum. In contrast, negligible specific binding was observed in the rat brain with [18F]SPA-RQ, whereas the tracer uptake in peripheral tissues was similar to that seen in guinea pigs. We conclude that [18F]SPA-RQ/PET is a useful tool to study the distribution and function of peripherally located NK1 receptors e.g. in different disease models.
First experimental evidence for olfactory species discrimination in two nocturnal primate species (Microcebus lehilahytsara and M. murinus)
Authors: Kollikowski Annika , Zimmermann Elke , Radespiel Ute 
Published: December 2019

AbstractOlfactory communication is highly important for nocturnal mammals, especially for solitary foragers, but knowledge is still limited for nocturnal primates. Mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) are nocturnal solitary foragers with a dispersed lifestyle and frequently use chemo-sensory signalling behaviour for governing social interactions. Different mouse lemur species can co-occur in a given forest but it is unknown whether olfaction is involved in species recognition. We first screened 24 captive mouse lemurs (9 M. murinus, 15 M. lehilahytsara) for their olfactory learning potential in an experimental arena and then tested the species discrimination ability with urine odour in an operant conditioning paradigm in four individuals. The majority of the screened animals (75%) did not pass the screening criteria within a 2-week test period. However, all four final test animals, two M. murinus and two M. lehilahytsara, were successfully trained in a 5-step-conditioning process to reliably discriminate conspecific from heterospecific urine odour (requiring an overall median of 293 trials). Findings complement previous studies on the role of acoustic signalling and suggest that olfaction may be an important additional mechanism for species discrimination.
Nafamostat and sepimostat identified as novel neuroprotective agents via NR2B N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism using a rat retinal excitotoxicity model
Authors: Fuwa Masahiro , Kageyama Masaaki , Ohashi Koji , Sasaoka Masaaki , Sato Ryuichi , Tanaka Masami , Tashiro Kei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn addition to its role in the treatment of pancreatitis, the serine protease inhibitor nafamostat exhibits a retinal protective effect. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this effect are unknown. In this study, the neuroprotective effects of nafamostat and its orally active derivative sepimostat against excitotoxicity were further characterised in vitro and in vivo. In primary rat cortical neurons, nafamostat completely suppressed N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced cell death. Intravitreal injection of nafamostat and sepimostat protected the rat retina against NMDA-induced degeneration, whereas the structurally related compounds, gabexate and camostat, did not. The neuroprotective effects of nafamostat and the NR2B antagonist ifenprodil were remarkably suppressed by spermidine, a naturally occurring polyamine that modulates the NR2B subunit. Both nafamostat and sepimostat inhibited [3H]ifenprodil binding to fractionated rat brain membranes. Thus, nafamostat and sepimostat may exert neuroprotective effects against excitotoxic retinal degeneration through NMDA receptor antagonism at the ifenprodil-binding site of the NR2B subunit.
Evaluation of the Occluding Characteristics of Nanosized Eggshell/Titanium Dioxide with or without Saliva
Authors: Onwubu Stanley Chibuzor , Mdluli Phumlani Selby , Singh Shenuka , Bharuth Vishal , Makgobole Mokgadi Ursula 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Objectives The study reports on the effectiveness of a ball-milled nanosized titanium dioxide composite (EB@TiO2) for DH management in comparison with commercial desensitizing paste with and without saliva.
Materials and Methods  Forty-nine dentine specimens were prepared from extracted bovine anterior teeth. Twenty-one of the specimens were brushed with three desensitizing toothpaste for 7 days, namely: Group 1; EB@TiO2, Group 2; Colgate Pro-relief; and Group 3; Sensodyne repair (n = 7). Twenty-four specimens were brushed with the toothpaste for 7 days and stored in artificial saliva (control) after brushing. Each specimen was subsequently posttreated in citric acid solution to test its stability in acidic condition. Field scanning electron microscope was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the dentine tubules occlusion. The biocompatibility of the composite was tested using BHK21 cell line.
Statistical Analysis One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the percentage occluded area ratio values for all specimens (α = 0.05). Independent t-test was further used to evaluate the occlusion differences with saliva and without saliva.
Results and Conclusions The number of dentine tubules decreased significantly after 7 days of brushing. Overall, the occlusion observe for EB@TiO2 were significantly better than for Colgate Pro-relief and Sensodyne repair (p < 0.05). BHK21 assay suggested that composite had no significant effect on the BHK21 cell line. This study demonstrated that the composite effectively occluded open dentine tubules within 7 days of brushing.