bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of renal pathology in Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis undergoing renal biopsy at a tertiary medical center
Authors: Cao Xiao-yu , Liu He , Xu Dong , Li Meng-tao , Wang Qian , Jiang Li , Hou Yong , Zhu Li-xiu , Zeng Xiao-feng 
Published: December 2019

Objective We investigated renal injury characteristics in Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who had undergone renal biopsy. Methods We searched the medical records of patients with SSc who were hospitalized at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1990 and August 2019. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and pathological results of these patients. Results We identified 25 patients who had undergone renal biopsy. Of these patients, 10 had scleroderma renal crisis (SRC); one underwent renal biopsy twice (for diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and for SRC); two had antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis; one had immunoglobulin M nephropathy; one had minimal change nephropathy; seven had lupus nephritis; one had scleroderma renal crisis with comorbid lupus nephritis; and two had drug-related kidney injury (caused by aristolochic acid in one and D-penicillamine in the other). Acute tubular necrosis was observed in the patient taking oral aristolochic acid, while minimal change nephropathy was observed in the patient with D-penicillamine-induced renal injury. Conclusions SRC was the most commonly encountered renal damage in patients with SSc. We recommend biopsy for patients undergoing treatment for SRC who have persistent renal injury with proteinuria, regardless of hematuria. Rheumatologists in Eastern countries should be aware of aristolochic acid nephropathy.
They Came, But Will They Come Back? An Observational Study of Re-Enrollment Predictors for the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline
Authors: Beebe Laura A. , Boeckman Lindsay M. , Klein Paola G. , Saul Jessie E. , Gillaspy Stephen R. 
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Although quitlines reach 1% to 2% of tobacco users annually, additional efforts are needed to increase their impact. We hypothesized that offering less intensive services would increase the rate of re-enrollment in any service, as well as re-enrollment in more intensive services. This study describes the enrollment patterns and identifies re-enrollment predictors for Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (OTH) participants. Design: This study used a comparative observational design. Setting: The setting for this study was the OTH, a telephone-based cessation program funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. The OTH participants could select either a multicall telephone-based cessation program (MC) or one or more individual services (IS), including a 2-week nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) starter kit, e-mail or text-based support, and a printed quit guide. Participants: A total of 35 648 first-time adult OTH participants eligible for the multicall program from October 2015 through September 2018 were included. Measures: Demographic and tobacco use variables and initial quitline service selection were collected at intake. Additional service utilization was tracked for 6 months following initial registration. Analysis: Pearson chi-square and t tests were used to test for significant differences between groups. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of re-enrollment. Results: Individual services were more frequently selected (n = 17 266) than MC (n = 14 326), despite all users being eligible for MC. A much higher proportion of IS registrants re-enrolled than MC registrants (16% vs 3%, P < .0001) Among the IS cohort, those who received an NRT follow-up call were 14.7 times more likely to re-enroll in IS, and 7.8 times more likely to re-enroll in MC, than those who were not reached by phone. Conclusions: Access to free NRT without a telephone-coaching requirement is a draw for tobacco users, especially those with lower income and the uninsured. The results suggest the value of increasing use of nonphone services in an effort to increase interest in quitting and reach.
Use of ultrabrief pulse width electroconvulsive therapy to induce therapeutic seizures in an elderly patient with a high seizure threshold: a case report
Authors: Plevin David , Waite Susan 
Published: December 2019

Objective: This case report describes a 73-year-old man suffering from unipolar major depression with melancholic features, in whom treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) proved difficult due to inadequate seizure generation. Methods: A number of augmentation strategies were trialled in an attempt to improve seizure quality. Pre-ECT and Post-ECT measurement of symptoms, quality of life and cognition were undertaken with a variety of validated scales. Results: The single most efficacious strategy to elicit therapeutic seizures was the use of right unilateral (RUL) electrode placement with an ultrabrief pulse width. The patient subsequently had a resolution of his depressive illness, with a concomitant improvement in cognitive functioning. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that a number of ECT augmentation strategies can be used in routine clinical practice for patients with high seizure thresholds. It highlights that UB pulse width may be considered earlier in the treatment course for patients in whom conventional brief pulse ECT fails to generate effective seizures.
Static and dynamic characterization of micro-electro-mechanical system repulsive force actuators
Authors: Zamanzadeh Mohammadreza , Azizi Saber 
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the static and dynamic response characterization of an electrostatic micro-electro-mechanical system mirror driven by repulsive force. The experimental analysis of the static response in different seasons of the year indicates that the capillary force caused by the thin layer of water underneath the mirror is the dominant factor for variation in the lifting threshold of the applied voltage. Dynamic characterization of the mirror reveals a large natural frequency of 2.6 kHz at the increasing rate of 8 Hz/V, indicating a four-fold increase compared to a previous design. This high natural frequency with an almost linear increase is desired for fast speed scanners and interferometers with high tunability benefited from the simplified signal processing circuit. Since the amplitude of the repulsive force micro-structure is no longer restricted to any geometrical limitation, the non-dimensionalizing parameters are chosen so that the nonlinear terms are small enough in order that the perturbation method is applicable in the vicinity of both primary and principal parametric resonances. The analytical analysis shows the way for inserting a bookkeeping parameter in a simple manner based on the evaluation of the magnitude of order in which the pre-assumed value is further validated by experimental results. The results of our investigations can be used to analytically evaluate the static and dynamic behavior of the system and have important applications in the design of various devices such as filters, interferometers, and switches.
Latrine Structure, Design, and Conditions, and the Practice of Open Defecation in Lodwar Town, Turkana County, Kenya: A Quantitative Methods Research
Authors: Busienei PJ , Ogendi GM , Mokua MA 
Published: December 2019

Background: Poor latrine conditions, structure, and design may deter latrine use and provoke reversion to open defecation (OD). Statistics show that only 18% of the households in Turkana County, Kenya, have access to a latrine facility with most of these facilities in poor structural designs and poor hygienic conditions, which encourages rampant OD practices. Aim: This article reports on quantitative aspects of a larger cross-sectional survey to assess latrine structure, design, and conditions, and the practice of OD in Lodwar. Methods: An observational study was carried out to examine latrine conditions, structure, and design in Lodwar, Kenya. A standardized questionnaire was also used to collect quantitative data. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select respondents for this study with the sample drawn from 4 administrative units of Lodwar town covering the low-, medium-, and high-income households. Data were managed using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) software. Results: Nineteen percent of the sampled households did not possess a latrine facility at their homesteads with 73% of the latrines constructed using poor materials (mud, mats, polythene bags, and grass). Twenty percent of the respondents were scared of using a latrine with the main reason being loose soils that do not support strong constructions. Eighty-seven percent of the respondents agreed that the presence of feces on the latrine floor encouraged the practice of OD and 321 (80%) respondents stated that the latrine construction materials influenced latrine ownership and its subsequent use. Conclusions: Respondents attributed rampant OD practices to poor latrine structure, design, and conditions. In addition, rampant cases of latrine sharing result in latrine filthiness, which eventually encourages OD practice. Inequality in sanitation, among counties, should be addressed in Kenya. The government should take charge of provision of good-quality communal latrines to the less-privileged societies like Turkana. Community empowerment and introduction of a small fee for cleaning and maintenance of these facilities will also improve their conditions. Ending the practice of OD will lead to increased positive public health and environmental outcomes in the study area
Socioeconomic Predictors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Under-Five Children in Rural Dembiya, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Gizaw Zemichael , Addisu Ayenew , Gebrehiwot Mulat 
Published: December 2019

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths and protozoan parasitic infections are endemic throughout the world. The problem of intestinal parasitic infection is higher among developing countries where children are the most vulnerable groups. Although health information related to parasitic infections is available globally, it is often limited in rural setups in least developed countries. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess socioeconomic predictors of intestinal parasitic infections among under-five children in rural Dembiya, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 224 randomly selected households with under-five children. We used questionnaire to collect data and direct stool examination to identify intestinal parasitic infections. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P < .05 was used to identify socioeconomic predictors of parasitic infections. Results: We found that 25.4% (95% CI = [20.2, 31.1]) under-five children had intestinal parasitic infection. Ascaris lumbricoides was the leading infection, which accounted 44 of 224 (19.6%). The prevalence of childhood intestinal parasitic infections was higher among households with no members whose education level is secondary and above (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI = [1.23, 9.17]). Similarly, intestinal parasitic infections were statistically associated with presence of 2 under-five children in a household (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI = [1.29, 9.82]), absence of frequent health supervision (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI = [1.72, 7.09]), larger family size (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = [1.09, 4.85]), and poor household economic status (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI = [1.23, 5.41]). Conclusions: Significant proportion of children was infected with intestinal parasitic infection in rural Dembiya. Educational status of family members, number of under-five children in a household, health supervision, family size, and wealth index were statistically associated with parasitic infections. Provision of anthelmintic drugs, health supervision, and health education targeted with transmission and prevention of infections are recommended.
Treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in a multidisciplinary team
Authors: Siennicka Anna , Darocha Szymon , Banaszkiewicz Marta , Kędzierski Piotr , Dobosiewicz Anna , Błaszczak Piotr , Peregud-Pogorzelska Małgorzata , Kasprzak Jarosław Damian , Tomaszewski Michał , Mroczek Ewa , Zięba Bożena , Karasek Danuta , Ptaszyńska-Kopczyńska Katarzyna , Mizia-Stec Katarzyna , Mularek-Kubzdela Tatiana , Doboszyńska Anna , Lewicka Ewa , Ruchała Marcin , Lewandowski Maciej , Łukasik Sylwia , Chrzanowski Łukasz , Zieliński Dariusz , Torbicki Adam , Kurzyna Marcin 
Published: December 2019

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) may be treated with pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and medical therapy (MT). Assessment in a multidisciplinary team of experts (CTEPH team) is currently recommended for treatment decision making. The aim of the present study was to report the effects of such an interdisciplinary concept. Methods and results: A total of 160 patients were consulted by the CTEPH team between December 2015 and September 2018. Patient baseline characteristics, CTEPH team decisions and implementation rates of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were analysed. Change in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class and survival rates were evaluated by treatment strategy. A total of 51 (32%) patients were assessed as operable and 109 (68%) were deemed inoperable. Thirty-one (61% of operable patients) underwent PEA. Patients treated with PEA, BPA(+MT) and MT alone were 50.9 ± 14.7, 62.9 ± 15.1 and 68.9 ± 12.7 years old, respectively. At the follow-up, PEA patients had the highest WHO functional class improvement. Patients treated with BPA(+MT) had significantly better survival than PEA ( p = 0.04) and MT patients ( p = 0.04; 2-year survival of 92%, 79% and 79%, respectively). Conclusions: The CTEPH team ensures that necessary diagnostic procedures are performed. A relatively low proportion of patients was assessed by the CTEPH team as operable and underwent surgery, which in survivors resulted in the best functional improvement. Although patients undergoing BPA(+MT) were older than patients treated with PEA, their survival was better than patients subjected to PEA or MT alone. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Teaching physicians the GPGP method promotes deprescribing in both inpatient and outpatient settings
Authors: Bilek Aaron Jason , Levy Yuval , Kab Haneen , Andreev Pavel , Garfinkel Doron 
Published: December 2019

Background In complex older patients, inappropriate medication use and polypharmacy (IMUP) are commonplace and increasing exponentially. Reducing IMUP is a challenge in multiple clinical contexts, including acute admission and family practice, due to several key barriers. In the global effort against this epidemic, educational programs geared toward changing physicians’ prescribing patterns represent an important means of promoting deprescribing. Methods This is a nonrandomized, controlled interventional study investigating polypharmacy outcomes and prescribing patterns in patients whose physicians were trained in the Good Palliative-Geriatric Practice (GPGP) method, an algorithm for the reduction of polypharmacy, with patients whose physicians were not. Training involved a one-time, full-day workshop led by a senior geriatrician. Two separate settings were examined. In the inpatient setting, one internal medicine ward was trained and compared with another ward which was not trained. In the family practice setting, 28 physicians were trained and compared with practices of 15 physicians not trained. Patients were above the age of 70, representative of the general geriatric population, and not terminally ill. Results In the inpatient arm, the intervention group ( n = 100) experienced a decrease in medications prescribed from admission to discharge of 18.5%, compared with a decrease of 1.9% in the control group ( n = 100, difference between groups p < 0.0001). In the outpatient arm, the intervention group ( n = 100) experienced a decrease in medication number of 6.1% compared with 0.07% in the control group ( n = 100, difference between groups p = 0.001) over a 6-month period. Preferential decreases in specific drug classes were observed in both groups, including benzodiazepines, psychotropics, and antihypertensives. Conclusions A one-time educational intervention based on GPGP can change prescribing patterns in both outpatient and inpatient settings leading to a moderate reduction in polypharmacy. Future work should focus on longitudinal interventions, and longer-term clinical outcomes such as morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
Arthroscopic Circumferential Labral Repair for Patients With Multidirectional Instability: A Comparative Outcome Study
Authors: Wall Andrew , McGonigle Owen , Gill Thomas J. 
Published: December 2019

Background: Circumferential tears of the glenohumeral labrum are an uncommon injury, comprising 2.4% of all labral lesions. Currently, the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic circumferential labral repair for patients with instability and combined anterior, posterior, and superior labral tears are not well-known. Hypothesis: Patients treated with arthroscopic circumferential shoulder labral repairs will have inferior clinical outcomes and higher failure rates compared with patients who have isolated arthroscopic anterior labral repairs. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to identify patients aged 18 years and older who underwent circumferential arthroscopic stabilization for recurrent instability as compared with an age-matched control group of arthroscopic primary anterior labral repairs. Age at surgery, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) score (mental and physical), and overall patient satisfaction with surgery were assessed for each group. Results: A total of 35 consecutive patients (36 shoulders) who underwent an arthroscopic 360° circumferential labral repair were compared with a matched group of 31 patients who underwent an isolated arthroscopic anterior labral repair. The mean follow-up period was 34.3 and 56.8 months, respectively. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups for overall satisfaction with the surgery or recurrent instability. At the time of the follow-up survey, 22% of the patients experienced pain and 25% of the patients experienced instability in the circumferential repair group, whereas 15% of the patients experienced some level of pain and 30% of patients experienced a subjective sense of subtle instability in the isolated repair group. The ASES scores were 87.3 in the combined labral repair group and 93.3 in the isolated anterior group ( P = .35), SST scores were 10.7 and 11.3 ( P = .70), SF-12 mental scores were 54.6 and 56.8 ( P = .80), SF-12 physical scores were 53.2 and 54.2 ( P = .98), and age at time of the surgery was 26.7 and 24.6 years ( P = .33), respectively. There was no difference between the 2 groups in pre- and postoperative range of motion ( P > .05). Conclusion: There was no difference in shoulder stability and function in patients after 360° combined labral repairs versus anterior labral repair alone. With proper patient selection, patients can expect similar outcomes despite the more extensive surgical procedure and complex postoperative rehabilitation protocol for circumferential repairs.
Mutational profile and benefit of gemtuzumab ozogamicin in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Fournier Elise , Duployez Nicolas , Ducourneau Benoît , Raffoux Emmanuel , Turlure Pascal , Caillot Denis , Thomas Xavier , Marceau-Renaut Alice , Chantepie Sylvain , Malfuson Jean-Valère , Lemasle Emilie , Cheok Meyling , Celli-Lebras Karine , Guerin Estelle , Terré Christine , Lambert Juliette , Pautas Cécile , Dombret Hervé , Castaigne Sylvie , Preudhomme Claude , Boissel Nicolas 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous disease both in terms of genetic background and response to chemotherapy. Although molecular aberrations are routinely used to stratify AML patients into prognostic subgroups when receiving standard chemotherapy, the predictive value of the genetic background and co-occurring mutations remains to be assessed when using newly approved antileukemic drugs. In the present study, we retrospectively addressed the question of the predictive value of molecular events on the benefit of the addition of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) to standard front-line chemotherapy. Using the more recent European LeukemiaNet (ELN) 2017 risk classification, we confirmed that the benefit of GO was restricted to the favorable (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.98) and intermediate (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-1.00) risk categories, whereas it did not influence the outcome of patients within the adverse risk subgroup (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.61-1.43). Interestingly, the benefit of GO was significant for patients with activating signaling mutations (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.28-0.65), which correlated with higher CD33 expression levels. These results suggest that molecular aberrations could be critical for future differentially tailored treatments based on integrated genetic profiles that are able to predict the benefit of GO on outcome.
Certainties and uncertainties in accessing toxicity of non-extractable residues (NER) in soil
Authors: Harmsen Joop , Hennecke Dieter , Hund-Rinke Kerstin , Lahr Joost , Deneer John 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Discussion concerning the bioavailability and ecotoxicological relevance of non-extractable residues (NER) in soil is still ongoing. Is NER formation a detoxification process or a hidden hazard? The use of radiolabelled chemicals enables detection of NER, but the identity of NER is usually unknown. Regulations require clear measurable parameters and the approach of Ortega-Calvo et al. (Environ Sci Technol 49:10255–10264, 2015) defines these.

Results
Following that approach, we studied the fate of three ecotoxic, NER-forming chemicals over a period of 6 months after application to three different soils. Initial 14C experiments showed formation of NER for all chemicals. For the chemical 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), NER-formation was reproducible in all soils. We applied a recently standardized method using Tenax® to remove the bioavailable fraction of the chemical at test start and test end. Removing the bioavailable fractions also removed toxicity. Further experiments without radiolabelled TNT clearly showed that the toxicity measured in applied soils was caused by the bioavailable chemical and not by NER.

Conclusions
The tool developed can be used if the fate of the chemical including NER formation is well known and reproducible. The other selected chemicals, cypermethrin and carbendazim, showed unexpected behaviour in 14C-fate experiments. The degree of biodegradation was not reproducible for cypermethrin and unexpected losses occurred with carbendazim. This indicated a very large uncertainty when using non-radiolabelled compounds in NER experiments and thus the tool is not suitable in non-radiolabelled experiments.