bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decisions on driving after brain injury/disease: Feasibility and construct validity of a new simulator assessment tool
Authors: Samuelsson Kersti , Wressle Ewa 
Published: September 2020

Introduction Driving is a complex activity involving a high level of cognitive abilities and thus might be affected after a brain injury/disease. The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility and construct validity of a driving simulator tool as a complement to existing driving assessments of patients with cognitive dysfunctions after a brain injury/disease. Method A descriptive and prospective research design was achieved. For construct validation, decisions were based on results from the Useful Field of View, Nordic Stroke Driver Screening Assessment, Trail Making Test and, when necessary for the decision, an on-road observation. Results from the simulator tool were not included in the clinical decision process. Results A total of 129 patients from four different rehabilitation services were included. The results showed a significant difference in test results between those who were considered medically fit versus unfit to drive. A factor analysis revealed four components, all including attention in combination with processing speed, visuospatial function, simultaneous capacity and executive function; these are all represented in the simulator tool. A correlation analysis showed that simulator subtest 3 (response/divergent response to stimuli) had the strongest correlation with most of the other tests included. Conclusions The simulator was found to be feasible and valid and found to include components other than those measured in the other tests.
Profession as a major drive of work engagement and its effects on job performance among healthcare employees in Greece: A comparative analysis among doctors, nurses and administrative staff
Authors: Bakertzis Efstathios , Myloni Barbara 
Published: September 2020

Objectives The current research explores how employees’ work engagement in the Greek healthcare sector influences their job performance level in each profession. A secondary objective is to examine the correlation between work engagement and demographics. Method In order to achieve these objectives, a questionnaire containing Likert 5 point-scale questions was used to collect data from 269 participants. Our sample, drawn from the healthcare sector, consisted of 85 doctors, 139 nurses, and 45 administrative staff. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between work engagement and job performance among the different professional groups. Results Our findings showed that a strong correlation exists between work engagement and job performance among doctors, but this relationship is weak among administrative staff and nurses. Additionally, though doctors scored higher on engagement and lower on job performance as compared to administrative staff and nurses, a reverse trend was found among the last two employee categories. Engagement levels were also found to increase with age, though not necessarily with experience. Conclusions The most important conclusion is that although work engagement levels significantly affect employee job performance as hypothesised, the relationship is much stronger among doctors than among nurses or administrative staff. This implies profession has a major role in driving work engagement and, thereby, performance. Furthermore, age seems to be significantly linked to the level of work engagement, indicating that more mature employees are more likely to be engaged with their work as compared to less mature ones.
Dipyridamole Potentiates the Endothelium-Dependent and -Independent Vasomotion in Isolated Human Small Arteries
Authors: Pedrinelli Roberto 
Published: September 2020

Background To investigate the effects of dipyridamole, a drug with phosphodiesterase-, adenosine reuptake-inhibiting, and prostacyclin-stimulating activity on the biological actions of nitric oxide, 30 norepinephrine-precontracted subcutaneous arterioles were prepared from specimens removed during surgery. Methods and Results Specimens were mounted on a myograph and relaxed through either acetylcholine, a muscarinic agonist that stimulates endothelial nitric oxide production, or sodium nitroprusside, an endothelium-independent vasodilator. Studies were performed under control conditions and after dipyridamole which potentiated in a concentration-dependent manner the vasorelaxation induced both by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, indicating an endothelium-independent mechanism of action. The contribution of nitric oxide to the relaxation produced by acetylcholine was confirmed by N-monomethyl-L-arginine, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. In contrast, indomethacin, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, was ineffective, indicating that prostacyclin stimulation could not explain the effect of dipyridamole. CGS 21680 C, an A2-selective adenosine receptor agonist insensitive to tissue deaminase, did not influence the relaxations induced by acetylcholine, suggesting that interference with adenosine metabolism was not implicated in the potentiating action of dipyridamole. Conclusion Dipyridamole potentiated the vasorelaxing effect of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside in human subcutaneous arterioles; neither prostacyclin stimulation nor A2 adenosine receptor stimulation could explain this effect. The data are consistent with an increase in intracellular cyclic 3’ 5'-guanosine monophosphate levels secondary to the phosphodiesterase-inhibiting properties of the drug.
Effect of Oxygen Free Radicals on Cardiac Contractile Activity and Sarcolemmal Na+–Ca2+ Exchange
Authors: Matsubara Taku , Dhalla Naranjan S. 
Published: September 2020

Background Although oxygen free radicals have been shown to induce myocardial cell damage and cardiac dysfunction, the exact mechanism by which these radicals affect the heart function is not clear. Since the occurrence of intracellular Ca2+ overload is critical in the genesis of cellular damage and cardiac dysfunction, and since the sarcolemmal Na+–Ca2+ exchange is intimately involved in Ca2+ movements in myocardium, this study was undertaken to examine the effects of oxygen free radicals on the relationship between changes in cardiac contractile force development and sarcolemmal Na+–Ca2+ exchange activity. Methods and Results Isolated rat hearts were perfused with a medium containing xanthine plus xanthine oxidase for different times, and changes in contractile force as well as sarcolemmal Na+–Ca2+ exchange activity were monitored. Perfusion of the heart with xanthine plus xanthine oxidase resulted in a transient increase followed by a marked decrease in contractile activity; the resting tension was markedly increased. The xanthine plus xanthine oxidase-induced depression in developed tension, rate of contraction, and rate of relaxation, except the transient increase in contractile activity, was prevented by the addition of catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase, in the perfusion medium. A time-dependent depression in sarcolemmal Na+–Ca2+ was also evident upon perfusing the heart with xanthine plus xanthine oxidase. This depression in Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake was associated with a decrease in the maximal velocity of reaction without any changes in the affinity of Na+–Ca2+ exchanger for Ca2+. The presence of catalase, unlike superoxide dismutase, prevented the decrease in sarcolemmal Na+–Ca2+ exchange activity in hearts perfused with xanthine plus xanthine oxidase. Conclusion The results support the view that a depression in the sarcolemmal Na+–Ca2+ exchange activity may contribute to the occurrence of intracellular Ca2+ overload and subsequent decrease in contractile activity. Furthermore, these actions of xanthine plus xanthine oxidase in the whole heart appear to be a consequence of H2O2 production rather than the ‘ generation of superoxide radicals.
Reduction of Myocardial Necrosis after Glycosaminoglycan Administration: Effects of a Single Intravenous Administration of Heparin or N-Acetylheparin 2 Hours before Regional Ischemia and Reperfusion
Authors: Gralinski Michael R. , Driscoll Edward M. , Friedrichs Gregory S. , DeNardis Michael R. , Lucchesi Benedict R. 
Published: September 2020

Background We determined if a single administration of heparin or nonanticoagulant N-acetylheparin could reduce myocardial injury resulting from a 90-minute occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) and 6 hours of reperfusion in the anesthetized canine. Methods and Results Heparin (2 mg/kg), N-acetylheparin (2 mg/kg), or vehicle, 0.9% sodium chloride (control), was administered intravenously to separate groups of animals 2 hours before LCX occlusion. To ensure parity of LCX ischemia, only animals with ischemic zone regional blood flow < 0.16 mL/min/g tissue were included in the final analysis. Hemodynamics did not differ among the three study groups. Infarct size as a percentage of the left ventricular area at risk was obtained for each group. Myocardial infarct size was 43.0 ± 3.9% in the vehicle, 28.8 ± 5.8% in the heparin ( P < .05 vs vehicle) and 24.7 ± 4.6% ( P < .05 vs vehicle) in the N-acetylheparin-treated animals. Conclusion Pretreatment with heparin or its nonanticoagulant derivative, N-acetylheparin, provides significant protection to the regionally ischemic and reperfused canine myocardium independent of either plasma glycosaminoglycan concentration or alterations in the coagulation system.
Late-phase hypercyanescence during indocyanine green angiography for assessment of myopic choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Zhang Taoran , Wang Wei , Li Mingming , Huang Yingxiang 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) is a major diagnostic modality but the clinical implications of specific staining patterns in active myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) are unclear. We examined the associations of ICGA cyanofluorescence patterns with disease characteristics and response to an as-needed intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) treatment regimen among active mCNV patients. Methods: Twenty-four subjects with active mCNV treated by IVR were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Information from medical records were reviewed, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography (FA) findings, ICGA cyanofluorescence patterns, and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) results. The CNV lesion size, CNV thickness, and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured from these images. Results: Two staining patterns were identified on late-phase ICGA images, hypercyanescence (9/24, 37.5%) and non-hypercyanescence (15/24, 62.5%). There were no differences in baseline BCVA, CNV thickness, and CRT between ICGA pattern groups; however, the hypercyanescence group demonstrated a larger CNV lesion size ( p = 0.035) and required more IVR injections than the non-hypercyanescence group (2.67 ± 1.58 vs 1.07 ± 0.27, p = 0.016), while the non-hypercyanescence group demonstrated better final BCVA improvement ( p = 0.041). Hypercyanescence could be divided into two types, a uniform type and rim type. A pseudopodia-like protrusion of CNV enlargement with a rim-enhanced type hypercyanescence at the protrusion rim was predictive of required retreatment. Conclusions: Hypercyanescence on late-phase ICGA may assist in identifying more active mCNV requiring intensive treatment.
Hip resurfacing arthroplasty in young patients: international high-volume centres’ report on the outcome of 11,382 metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasties in patients ⩽50 years at surgery
Authors: Van Der Straeten Catherine , Gross Thomas P , Amstutz Harlan , Brooks Peter J , Samuel Linsen T. , Su Edwin P , Pritchett James W , Kim Paul , Shimmin Andrew , Walter William L. , Sugano Nobuhiko , McMinn Derek , Daniel Joseph , Treacy Ronan , Cobb Justin , Latham Jeremy , De Smet Koen , Girard Julien , Günther Klaus-Peter , Winter Eugen , Strenzke Joseph , Schulte-Mattler Martin , Völker Raimund , Moroni Antonio , Micera Giovanni , Calistri Alessandro , van Susante Job , Araujo Sergio , Quelhas Monjardim , Aleixo Hugo , Ribas Manel , Gonzalez-Adrio Rafael , Marin-Peña Oliver , Lage Lafayette 
Published: September 2020

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients younger than 50 years poses significant challenges including postoperative limitations of activity and higher failure rates. Sub-par outcomes of hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) in registries remain controversial due to multiple confounders. Favourable HRA results in some studies are often regarded as irreproducible. The aim of this study is to analyse HRA outcomes in a large international cohort. Patients and methods: We compiled a database of 11,382 HRA patients ⩽50 years from an international group of 27 experienced HRA centres from 13 countries. 18 different metal-on-metal (MoM) HRA designs were included with a mean follow-up of 7.6 years. Outcomes were implant survivorship, revision rates, causes for revision, clinical scores and metal ion levels. Outcomes were compared between genders, sizes, implant types and pre-operative diagnoses. Results: Overall cumulative Kaplan-Meier survivorship was 88.9% at 22 years (95% CI: 88.3–89.5%). 2 HRA designs (DePuy Articular Surface Replacement (ASR), and Corin Cormet Hip Resurfacing System (CORMET)) led to inferior results while all others yielded similar survivorships. Excluding ASR and CORMET, implant survivorship in 11,063 cases was 95% at 10 years and 90% at 22 years. In men, implant survivorship was excellent: 99% at 10 years and 92.5% at 21 years. In females, implant survivorship was 90% at 10 years and 81.3% at 22 years. The overall revision rate was 3.6% with most common reasons for revision being implant loosening and adverse local tissue reactions. The best survivorship was found in patients with osteoarthritis (95% CI, 92.1–93.3% at 22 years), the poorest was among dysplastic hips (78.3%; 95% CI, 76.5–80.1% at 20 years, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Comparable revision rates demonstrated here may mitigate some concerns for safety and longevity of MoM HRA implants. Higher demands for activity and functionality in younger patients make HRA a potential alternative to THA.
Pain during physical examination of a healing upper extremity fracture
Authors: Gonzalez Amanda I. , Kortlever Joost T. P. , Crijns Tom J. , Ring David , Reichel Lee M. , Vagner Gregg A. 
Published: September 2020

The evidence that symptom intensity and magnitude of limitations correlate with thoughts and emotions means that subjective signs, such as pain with physical examination, reflect both physical and mental health. During a 1-month evaluation of a rapidly healing upper extremity fracture with no risk of nonunion, 117 people completed measures of adaptiveness to pain and pain during the physical examination. Greater pain during examination correlated with less adaptive responses to pain and older age. This finding raises questions about using tenderness to assess fracture union. Level of evidence: II
Tool and machinery-related hand injuries: a review of national Hospital Episodes Statistics and data from a tertiary hand unit
Authors: Green Rebecca , Uzoho Chukwudi , Arrowsmith Jill , Bainbridge Chris , Johnson Nick A. 
Published: September 2020

We sought to identify national trends in tool and machinery-related hand injuries. Hospital Episodes Statistics data in England from 1998 to 2017 were analysed. Data from our hand unit from 2011 to 2017 were also reviewed to establish the types of tool and machinery causing injury. During the 19-year study period 210,291 admissions occurred as a result of tool and machinery-related injuries. The overall incidence rate and mean age increased. The largest increase in incidence rate was in the oldest age group (75 years+). The incidence rate in children fell. During the period studied, 2150 patients underwent surgery in our unit for tool and machinery-related injuries. The hand was involved in 2069 (96%) of the injuries. Adult injuries were caused by a similar proportion of types of tool or machinery in all age groups. This study demonstrates a clear and sustained trend of increasing incidence of tool and machinery-related injuries in adults. The largest increase is in older patients. Level of evidence: IV
Simple trapeziectomy versus trapeziectomy with flexor carpi radialis suspension: a 17-year follow-up of a randomized blind trial
Authors: Brennan Adrian , Blackburn Julia , Thomson Jane , Field Jeremy 
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there were any significant differences in the long-term outcomes of patients who participated in a randomized trial of trapeziectomy alone compared with trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI). Sixty-five patients were invited for a follow-up visit at a mean of 17 years (range 15–20) postoperatively. Twenty-eight patients attended, who had 34 operations, 14 trapeziectomy alone and 20 with LRTI. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of satisfaction with surgery or functional outcomes, with most measurements showing minimal or no differences in means between the two groups. There was no difference in the space between the metacarpal and scaphoid. Radial abduction was the only parameter that was significantly greater in the patients with simple trapeziectomy (median 79°) compared with trapeziectomy with LRTI (median 71°) ( p = 0.04). Even at 17 years there is no significant benefit of LRTI over trapeziectomy alone for thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Level of evidence: I
Effect of Plyometric Training on Sport Performance in Adolescent Overhead Athletes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Eraslan Leyla , Castelein Birgit , Spanhove Valentien , Orhan Ceren , Duzgun Irem , Cools Ann 
Published: September 2020

Context: Plyometric training has been shown to be beneficial in adolescent overhead athletes. However, existing research on the effects of plyometrics on sport performance has been limited. Objective: To systematically review the current literature to investigate whether plyometric training intervention improves upper- and lower-body sport performance. Data Sources: Two electronic databases (MEDLINE and Web of Science) were searched using specific Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms up to February 2019, and hand-searching was performed by looking to relevant studies that were cited in other studies. Study Selection: A total of 932 items were identified and were further assessed for the eligibility in the systematic review. For a study to be eligible, each of the following inclusion criteria had to be met: (1) participants were aged 13 to 18 years and selected from a sports or athletic population and the study (2) involved the evaluation of a plyometric training intervention with an aim to improve sports performance; (3) must have included a control intervention and/or control group; (4) included a quantitative objective measure of sport performance variables concerning throwing, jumping, running, and sprinting; and (5) was published in English. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Data Extraction: A first screening was conducted based on title and abstract of the articles. In the second screening, the full text of the remaining articles was evaluated for the fulfillment of the inclusion criteria. Results: A total of 14 studies were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included studies ranged from low to moderate. There is moderate evidence that plyometric training intervention improves throwing and jumping performances. There is also preliminary evidence that plyometric training intervention improves sprint performance. Conclusion: The current evidence suggests that sport performance consisting of throwing capacity, jumping ability, and sprint performance significantly improved due to plyometric training interventions in adolescent overhead athletes.
Arabic version of pharmacy survey on patient safety culture: Hospital pharmacy settings
Authors: Abdallah Wael , Johnson Craig , Nitzl Christian , Mohammed Mohammed Amin 
Published: September 2020

Objective: The objective was to assess the validity and reliability of a translated Arabic language version of the pharmacy survey on patient safety culture released by the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in 2012 and to utilize this to assess staff attitudes and perceptions of the patient safety culture in hospital pharmacies of Kuwait. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional timeframe. Data were gained from three of the largest public hospital pharmacies and three of the largest private hospital pharmacies in Kuwait. The primary and secondary outcome measures were descriptive statistics, internal consistency, construct validity, model fit, and calculation of the positive response rate for all composites and items. Results: The results demonstrated that 9 of the 11 composites had a Cronbach’s alpha (α) of >0.7, and all composites had factor loadings above 0.6. The standardized root mean residual score appropriately fitted the data with a value of 0.072. The intercorrelations among the patient safety composites ranged from 0.29 to 0.83. The proportion of pharmacy staff who categorized the grade of patient safety as “Good,” Very good,” or “Excellent” was 93%. Conclusion: The Arabic version of the pharmacy survey on patient safety culture questionnaire indicated suitable levels of reliability and validity. Also, the results demonstrated that the pharmacy staff surveyed in Kuwait have a positive perception of patient safety culture in their organizations.