bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in sexagenarians after aortic biological vs mechanical valve replacement: a single-center study in China
Authors: Wang Li-Wen , Xu Ning , Huang Shu-Ting , Chen Liang-Wan , Cao Hua , Chen Qiang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis article aimed to study the quality of life and anxiety of sexagenarian patients who underwent aortic biological vs mechanical valve replacement in a single center in China.MethodsThe clinical data of 78 patients aged 60 to 70 years who underwent aortic prosthetic valve replacement were retrospectively analyzed in our hospital from June 2017 to February 2018. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the type of prosthetic valve they received (biological valve group vs mechanical valve group). The SF-36 was completed by all patients at discharge and at one-year follow-up, and the cardiac anxiety questionnaire (CAQ) was also completed at one-year follow-up.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in general clinical data or SF-36 score at discharge. However, at one-year follow-up, the SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the biological valve group than in the mechanical valve group, and the CAQ scores in fear and anxiety, avoidance and attention in the mechanical valve group were significantly higher than those in the biological valve group.ConclusionsBased on the postoperative quality of life and anxiety scores of sexagenarian patients who underwent biological vs mechanical valve replacement in this study, a biological valve has more value than a mechanical valve for sexagenarians undergoing aortic valve replacement.
The effects of usual Care in Psychosocial Intervention Trials of patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review
Authors: Deter Hans-Christian , Orth-Gomér Kristina 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMany intervention studies of coronary artery disease (CAD) have found health benefits for patients in the “treatment as usual” (TAU) group like in the specific psychotherapy group. In this pilot study, we wanted to examine and discuss the role and reasons for TAU effects.MethodsBy means of a systematic review, we examined the control conditions from psychotherapeutic RCTs with CAD patients related to depressive symptoms, mortality and recurrence rate of events. The review question was limited to factors influencing the TAU effectiveness in such psychotherapeutic outcome studies.ResultsWe found a decrease in depressive symptoms in TAU patients (mean ES: 0.65) and very differing mortality and recurrence rates of events. The effects were dependant on the year the study was published (1986–2016), the follow-up time of the study (0.25–7.8 years) and the treatment arms. A small dose of additional counselling, medical attention, and teaching of therapeutic techniques with clinical competence may reinforce the therapeutic alliance. These factors would be possible moderators of control group efficacy related to the reduction in depressive symptoms and a decrease in mortality and events.ConclusionIn the reviewed studies, we found that the control condition was beneficial for CAD patients, but this benefit was highly variable. Specified psychotherapeutic interventions showed an additional independent effect of treatment on depression and effects on morbidity and mortality. There is a need to identify patients at risk of remaining depressed or under severe stress during usual care. These patients may require additional psychosocial intervention.
Relative survival in early-stage cancers in the Netherlands: a population-based study
Authors: Dinmohamed Avinash G. , Lemmens Valery E. P. P. , de Hingh Ignace H. J. T. , Visser Otto 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this nationwide, population-based study, we assessed 10-year relative survival among 225,305 patients with ten early-stage cancers diagnosed in the Netherlands during 2004–2015. This study aimed to ascertain which early-stage cancer is associated with minimal or no excess mortality and likely to be diagnosed in individuals who are otherwise more healthy or health-conscious than their counterparts in the general population. Ten-year relative survival marginally exceeded 100% in patients with early-stage prostate cancer, while it was close to 100% for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and stage I cancers of the breast, skin (melanoma), testis, and thyroid. In contrast, patients with early-stage oral/pharyngeal, bladder, lung, and pancreatic cancers experienced considerable excess mortality, reflected by a 10-year relative survival of 74.9%, 69.4%, 45.5%, and 33.9%, respectively. Collectively, the life expectancy of patients with DCIS and early-stage cancers of the prostate, breast, skin (melanoma), testis, and thyroid parallels the expected survival of an age-, sex-, and calendar year-matched group from the general population. Our study findings add to the controversy surrounding overdiagnosis of particular early-stage cancers that are generally not destined to metastasis or cause excess mortality.
The ankle brachial index in people with and without diabetes: intra‐tester reliability
Authors: Casey Sarah Louise , Lanting Sean Michael , Chuter Vivienne Helaine 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe ankle‐brachial index (ABI) is widely used for determining the presence and severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and current guidelines suggest it should be used to monitor possible progression in affected individuals. It is therefore important that the technique demonstrates adequate reliability for repeated measurements. Existing studies suggest that the ABI is reliable in the general population however, there is a lack of evidence for the reliability of the ABI in people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the intra‐tester reliability of the ABI in people with and without diabetes.MethodsEighty‐five participants (40 with and 45 without diabetes) underwent ankle and brachial systolic blood pressure measurements by a single clinician during two testing sessions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), their 95% limits of agreement, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were determined.ResultsIntra‐tester reliability of the ABI was found to be good (ICC: 0.80), however sub‐group analysis of participants with and without diabetes found that ABI was slightly less reliable in people with diabetes (ICC: 0.78) than in those without (ICC: 0.82). The relatively large limits of agreement (− 0.16 to 0.16), standard error of measurement (0.03 overall, 0.04 for the diabetes group), and minimal detectable change (0.08 overall, 0.11 for the diabetes group) suggest that a large change in ABI is required for it to demonstrate a true change rather than the result of measurement variability. The minimal detectable change for the ABI was 0.08 overall, and 0.11 for the diabetes group.ConclusionsThe ABI demonstrated good reliability in all groups analysed. However, the wide limits of agreement and considerable standard error of measurement obtained support the use of multiple methods of vascular assessment for ongoing monitoring of lower limb vascular status.
Modified Sijunzi decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the remission phase: study protocol for a series of N-of-1 double-blind, randomised controlled trials
Authors: Chen Yi-ming , Deng Jie-min , Wen Yi , Chen Bin , Hou Jiang-tao , Peng Bin , Zhang Shi-jing , Mi Hong , Jiang Qi-long , Wu Xia-lin , Liu Feng-bin , Chen Xin-lin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Modified Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) has been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission. However, more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to evaluate its effectiveness. Therefore, a series of single-case randomised controlled trials (N-of-1 trials) is proposed to compare the efficacy of modified SJZD with mesalazine for treating UC in remission.

Methods
This is a single-site, hospital-based, double-blind N-of-1 trial for 10 single subjects. Three cycles of N-of-1 trials are planned. There are two treatment periods in each cycle. Modified SJZD combined with mesalazine placebo or mesalazine combined with modified SJZD placebo will be randomised during each 8-week treatment period. There is no washout period in the study. Subjects will be selected by the researcher strictly in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Discussion
Paired t tests and mixed-effect models will be used to analyse the visual analogue scale (VAS) for clinical symptoms and the quality of life questionnaire responses. The findings will be interpreted with caution. We anticipate that the results will show that modified SJZD is effective for patients with UC in remission.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ID: ChiCTR1900024086. Registered on 24 June 2019.
Propranolol for familial cerebral cavernous malformation (Treat_CCM): study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors:   the Treat-CCM Investigators, Lanfranconi Silvia , Scola Elisa , Bertani Giulio Andrea , Zarino Barbara , Pallini Roberto , d’Alessandris Giorgio , Mazzon Emanuela , Marino Silvia , Carriero Maria Rita , Scelzo Emma , Faragò Giuseppe , Castori Marco , Fusco Carmela , Petracca Antonio , d’Agruma Leonardo , Tassi Laura , d’Orio Piergiorgio , Lampugnani Maria Grazia , Nicolis Enrico Bjorn , Vasamì Antonella , Novelli Deborah , Torri Valter , Meessen Jennifer Marie Theresia Anna , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Dejana Elisabetta , Latini Roberto 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations characterized by clusters of enlarged leaky capillaries in the central nervous system. They may result in intracranial haemorrhage, epileptic seizure(s), or focal neurological deficits, and potentially lead to severe disability. Globally, CCMs represent the second most common intracranial vascular malformation in humans, and their familial form (FCCMs) accounts for one-fifth of cases. Neurosurgical excision, and perhaps stereotactic radiosurgery, is the only available therapeutic option. Case reports suggest that propranolol might modify disease progression.

Methods
Treat_CCM is a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE), parallel-group trial involving six Italian clinical centres with central reading of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and adverse events. Patients with symptomatic FCCMs are randomized (2:1 ratio) either to propranolol (40–80 mg twice daily) in addition to standard care or to standard care alone (i.e. anti-epileptic drugs or headache treatments). The primary outcome is intracranial haemorrhage or focal neurological deficit attributable to CCMs. The secondary outcomes are MRI changes over time (i.e. de novo CCM lesions, CCM size and signal characteristics, iron deposition, and vascular leakage as assessed by quantitative susceptibility mapping and dynamic contrast enhanced permeability), disability, health-related quality of life, depression severity, and anxiety (SF-36, BDI-II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory).

Discussion
Treat_CCM will evaluate the safety and efficacy of propranolol for CCMs following promising case reports in a randomized controlled trial. The direction of effect on the primary outcome and the consistency of effects on the secondary outcomes (even if none of them yield statistically significant differences) of this external pilot study may lead to a larger sample size in a definitive phase 2 trial.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrails.gov, NCT03589014. Retrospectively registered on 17 July 2018.
The effect of omega-3 and vitamin D co-supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profiles in reproductive-aged women with pre-diabetes and hypovitaminosis D: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rajabi-Naeeni Masoumeh , Dolatian Mahrokh , Qorbani Mostafa , Vaezi Amir Abbas 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Prediabetes can predispose the individual to type 2 diabetes in the long-term. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation on glycemic control and serum lipid profiles in women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D.

Methods
The present factorial, triple-blind, clinical trial was conducted on 168 women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. The participants were assigned to four groups based on block randomization method: the placebo group received omega-3 and vitamin D placebos; the omega-3 group took omega-3 supplements and vitamin D placebos; the vitamin D group received omega-3 placebos and vitamin D supplements and the co-supplementation group. The groups received every 2 weeks 50,000 IU pearls of vitamin D and twice-daily doses of 1000-mg omega-3 tablets or placebos for 8 weeks. Dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric indices and blood biochemical tests were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Analysis was performed using two-way mixed ANOVA.

Results
A significant reduction was observed in fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-beta cell function, weight and waist circumference in the co-supplementation group compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels increased significantly in the co-supplementation group compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). Despite the fact that homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels decreased after intervention in the co-supplementation group, there was no significant difference between the groups in these outcomes.

Conclusion
Vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation improved fasting serum glucose, insulin, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, homeostasis model assessment-beta cell function, weight and waist circumference in women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. This co-supplementation can therefore be recommended for glycemic control in these women.
Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code: IRCT20100130003226N17. Registered on 9 Feb. 2019
Ghrelin, a novel therapy, corrects cytokine and NF-κB-AKT-MAPK network and mitigates intestinal injury induced by combined radiation and skin-wound trauma
Authors: Kiang Juliann G. , Smith Joan T. , Cannon Georgetta , Anderson Marsha N. , Ho Connie , Zhai Min , Cui Wanchang , Xiao Mang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundCompared to radiation injury alone (RI), radiation injury combined wound (CI) further enhances acute radiation syndrome and subsequently mortality. We previously reported that therapy with Ghrelin, the 28-amino-acid-peptide secreted from the stomach, significantly increased 30-day survival and mitigated hematopoietic death by enhancing and sustaining granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) in the blood and bone marrow; increasing circulating white blood cell depletion; inhibiting splenocytopenia; and accelerating skin-wound healing on day 30 after CI. Herein, we aimed to study the efficacy of Ghrelin on intestinal injury at early time points after CI.MethodsB6D2F1/J female mice were exposed to60Co-γ-photon radiation (9.5 Gy, 0.4 Gy/min, bilateral), followed by 15% total-body-surface-area skin wounds. Several endpoints were measured: at 4–5 h and on days 1, 3, 7, and 15.ResultsGhrelin therapy mitigated CI-induced increases in IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-18, KC, and TNF-α in serum but sustained G-CSF, KC and MIP-1α increases in ileum. Histological analysis of ileum on day 15 showed that Ghrelin treatment mitigated ileum injury by increasing villus height, crypt depth and counts, as well as decreasing villus width and mucosal injury score. Ghrelin therapy increased AKT activation and ERK activation; suppressed JNK activation and caspase-3 activation in ileum; and reduced NF-κB, iNOS, BAX and Bcl-2 in ileum. This therapy recovered the tight junction protein and mitigated bacterial translocation and lipopolysaccharides levels. The results suggest that the capacity of Ghrelin therapy to reduce CI-induced ileum injury is mediated by a balanced NF-κB-AKT-MAPK network that leads to homeostasis of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.ConclusionsOur novel results are the first to suggest that Ghrelin therapy effectively decreases intestinal injury after CI.
Generalizations of Zygmund-type integral inequalities for the polar derivative of a complex polynomial
Authors: Milovanović Gradimir V. , Mir Abdullah 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSome Zygmund-type integral inequalities for the polar derivatives of complex polynomials, inspired by the classical Bernstein-type inequalities that relate the uniform norms of polynomials and their derivatives on the unit circle, are investigated. The obtained results sharpen as well as generalize some already known$L^{\delta }$Lδ-estimates between polynomials and their polar derivatives.
Positive periodic solution for prescribed mean curvature generalized Liénard equation with a singularity
Authors: Xin Yun , Cheng Zhibo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe main purpose of this paper is to investigate the existence of a positive periodic solution for a prescribed mean curvature generalized Liénard equation with a singularity (weak and strong singularities of attractive type, or weak and strong singularities of repulsive type). Our proof is based on an extension of Mawhin’s continuation theorem.
Global existence and exponential decay of solutions for generalized coupled non-degenerate Kirchhoff system with a time varying delay term
Authors: Mezouar Nadia , Boulaaras Salah 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe paper studies a system of nonlinear viscoelastic Kirchhoff system with a time varying delay and general coupling terms. We prove the global existence of solutions in a bounded domain using the energy and Faedo–Galerkin methods with respect to the condition on the parameters in the coupling terms together with the weight condition as regards the delay terms in the feedback and the delay speed. Furthermore, we construct some convex function properties, and we prove the uniform stability estimate.
A fast multiscale Galerkin algorithm for solving boundary value problem of the fractional Bagley–Torvik equation
Authors: Chen Jian 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a fast multiscale Galerkin algorithm is developed for solving the boundary value problem of the fractional Bagley–Torvik equation. For this purpose, we employ multiscale orthogonal functions having vanishing moments as the basis of the trial space, and we propose a truncation strategy for the coefficient matrix of the corresponding discrete system which leads to a fast algorithm. We show the algorithm has nearly linear computational complexity (up to a logarithmic factor). Numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the efficiency, accuracy and convergence of the proposed algorithm. Also, comparisons with some other existing methods are made to confirm the reliability of the algorithm
M lump and interaction between M lump and N stripe for the third-order evolution equation arising in the shallow water
Authors: Ilhan Onur Alp , Manafian Jalil , Alizadeh As’ad , Mohammed Sizar Abid 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we use the Hirota bilinear method for investigating the third-order evolution equation to determining the soliton-type solutions. The M lump solutions along with different types of graphs including contour, density, and three- and two-dimensional plots have been made. Moreover, the interaction between 1-lump and two stripe solutions and the interaction between 2-lump and one stripe solutions with finding more general rational exact soliton wave solutions of the third-order evaluation equation are obtained. We give the theorem along with the proof for the considered problem. The existence criteria of these solitons in the unidirectional propagation of long waves over shallow water are also demonstrated. Various arbitrary constants obtained in the solutions help us to discuss the graphical behavior of solutions and also grants flexibility in formulating solutions that can be linked with a large variety of physical phenomena. We further show that the assigned method is general, efficient, straightforward, and powerful and can be exerted to establish exact solutions of diverse kinds of fractional equations originated in mathematical physics and engineering. We have depicted the figures of the evaluated solutions to interpret the physical phenomena.
A new model of economic order quantity associated with a generalized conformable differential-difference operator
Authors: Ibrahim Rabha W. , Elobaid Rafida M. , Obaiys Suzan J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe economic order quantity (EOQ) is the order quantity that minimizes the total holding costs and ordering costs. In this effort, we propose a design for EOQ by employing a conformable differential-difference operator, which accepts to minimize the EOQ.
Leader strategies for motivating innovation in individuals: a systematic review
Authors: Soleas Eleftherios K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInnovation is a topic of intense interest and is seen as key to confronting the vast majority of issues facing humanity. To consolidate the knowledge about approaches promoting innovation, this study conducted a systematic review integrating an all-database (n = 375) search through EBSCOhost completed on April 6th, 2019 in addition to search engine use. Three hundred three studies were full-text reviewed yielding 82 final studies eligible for the inclusion in findings extraction. The findings were synthesized and then organized into the Expectancy–value–cost (EVC) motivation framework to isolate promotive and hindering factors. It is clear that there is an unbalanced primacy in the innovation literature in favor of business and corporate settings with very little representation from the arts or social justice sectors. There is also a common trend of using surveys of individuals in organizations within a single discipline, while interviews are rare. The paucity of studying costs of innovation in the literature is symptomatic of the primarily positive psychology approach taken by studies, rather than a framework like EVC which also considers detractive factors like costs. Numerous studies provide support for the notion that more internal motivations like intrinsic (e.g., interest) and attainment (e.g., importance, fulfillment) were more influential than external motivators like rewards as targets of strategies. Leaders should focus, whenever possible, on topics that engaged curiosity, interest, and satisfaction and, if they choose to use rewards, should focus their strategies to give related rewards; otherwise, they risk sundering the internal motivation to innovate for already interested workers.
Feasibility of setting up a pre-operative optimisation ‘pre-hab’ service for lung cancer surgery in the UK
Authors: Ricketts William M. , Bollard Karen , Streets Emma , Hutton Kristi , Hornby Catherine , Lau Kelvin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPre-operative optimisation ‘pre-hab’ is a growing area in peri-operative medicine. This is usually undertaken with the aim of reducing post-operative complications. In the case of early-stage lung cancer, surgery is the treatment modality with the best-proven cure rates. With this in mind, we set up a pre-hab service, not merely to reduce the risk of post-operative complications, but to enable patients of borderline fitness for surgery to safely undergo this potentially lifesaving treatment. We believe this service to be one of the first of its kind in the UK, here we describe the challenges we faced in setting it up and the outcomes from our first 50 patients.