bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical evaluation of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) and paraspinal minitubular microdiscectomy (PMTM) for lumbar disc herniation: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Liang Ze Yan , Zhuang Yuan Dong , Chen Chun Mei , Wang Rui 
Published: December 2019

IntroductionFor sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation (LDH), the standard surgical technique is conventional microdiscectomy. In recent years, minimally invasive techniques (eg, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED), paraspinal minitubular microdiscectomy (PMTM)) have gained increasing interest. PTED and PMTM are considered alternative minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of LDH. Due to insufficient evidence, the differences in efficacy between PTED and PMTM have been debated. A pragmatic, multicentre, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial has been designed to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of PTED versus PMTM for the treatment of LDH.Methods and analysisA total of 280 patients (18–70 years) presenting with significant symptoms of sciatica and failure after 3 months of conservative treatment will be recruited. Patients must have an indication for surgery based on MRI demonstrating LDH with nerve root compression. Patients will be randomised to PTED or PMTM treatment. The primary outcome is Oswestry Disability Index scores. Secondary outcomes include Visual Analogue Scale scores, Short Form 36 health survey scores, physical examination, length of hospital stay, costs and complications. Outcomes will be measured the day following surgery, at 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgical treatment. Physical examination will be conducted at 1 week, 1 month and 12 months after surgery. The non-inferiority margin for the primary outcome is 5.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the Ethics Committee of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China (2018YF010-02). Results of the research will be published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal and disseminated through presentation at scientific conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR1800015727; Pre-results.
Do oncology researchers adhere to reproducible and transparent principles? A cross-sectional survey of published oncology literature
Authors: Walters Corbin , Harter Zachery J , Wayant Cole , Vo Nam , Warren Michael , Chronister Justin , Tritz Daniel , Vassar Matt 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesAs much as 50%–90% of research is estimated to be irreproducible, costing upwards of $28 billion in USA alone. Reproducible research practices are essential to improving the reproducibility and transparency of biomedical research, such as including preregistering studies, publishing a protocol, making research data and metadata publicly available, and publishing in open access journals. Here we report an investigation of key reproducible or transparent research practices in the published oncology literature.DesignWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of a random sample of 300 oncology publications published from 2014 to 2018. We extracted key reproducibility and transparency characteristics in a duplicative fashion by blinded investigators using a pilot tested Google Form.Primary outcome measuresThe primary outcome of this investigation is the frequency of key reproducible or transparent research practices followed in published biomedical and clinical oncology literature.ResultsOf the 300 publications randomly sampled, 296 were analysed for reproducibility characteristics. Of these 296 publications, 194 contained empirical data that could be analysed for reproducible and transparent research practices. Raw data were available for nine studies (4.6%). Five publications (2.6%) provided a protocol. Despite our sample including 15 clinical trials and 7 systematic reviews/meta-analyses, only 7 included a preregistration statement. Less than 25% (65/194) of publications provided an author conflict of interest statement.ConclusionWe found that key reproducibility and transparency characteristics were absent from a random sample of published oncology publications. We recommend required preregistration for all eligible trials and systematic reviews, published protocols for all manuscripts, and deposition of raw data and metadata in public repositories.
Effect of social integration on the establishment of health records among elderly migrants in China: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Jing Zhengyue , Wang Yi , Ding Lulu , Tang Xue , Feng Yuejing , Zhou Chengchao 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesEssential public health service use among the migrants is the key obstacle of the equalisation of public health service in China. This study aims to investigate the status of the establishment of health records, and explore the effect of social integration on the establishment of health records among elderly migrants in China.Design and settingThis is a cross-sectional study of data from the 2015 National Internal Migrants Dynamic Monitoring Survey in China.Participants and methodsRespondents who not clear about whether they had established health records and who lived in the inflow area for less than 6 months were excluded. A total of 3158 migrants aged over 60 years were included in this study. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were employed to explore the association between social integration and establishment of health records.ResultsApproximately 41.6% of elderly migrants established health records in their inflow communities. Those elderly migrants from higher-income households were less likely to establish health records (p<0.001; OR=0.64; 0.51–0.80). Elderly migrants with local medical insurance (p<0.001; OR=2.03; 1.60–2.57), long-term settlement intention (p<0.001; OR=1.37; 1.15–1.63), and had more than three local friends (p<0.001; OR=1.54; 1.27–1.86) were more likely to establish health records.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a relationship between social integration and establishment of the health records among elderly migrants in China. Improving the social integration of elderly migrants might be helpful to enhance the equalisation of essential public health services.
Disparity in interaural time difference improves the accuracy of neural representations of individual concurrent narrowband sounds in rat inferior colliculus and auditory cortex
Authors: Luo Lu , Xu Na , Wang Qian , Li Liang 
Published: December 2019

The central mechanisms underlying binaural unmasking for spectrally overlapping concurrent sounds, which are unresolved in the peripheral auditory system, remain largely unknown. In this study, frequency-following responses (FFRs) to two binaurally presented independent narrowband noises (NBNs) with overlapping spectra were recorded simultaneously in the inferior colliculus (IC) and auditory cortex (AC) in anesthetized rats. The results showed that for both IC FFRs and AC FFRs, introducing an interaural time difference (ITD) disparity between the two concurrent NBNs enhanced the representation fidelity, reflected by the increased coherence between the responses evoked by double-NBN stimulation and the responses evoked by single NBNs. The ITD disparity effect varied across frequency bands, being more marked for higher frequency bands in the IC and lower frequency bands in the AC. Moreover, the coherence between IC responses and AC responses was also enhanced by the ITD disparity, and the enhancement was most prominent for low-frequency bands and the IC and the AC on the same side. These results suggest a critical role of the ITD cue in the neural segregation of spectrotemporally overlapping sounds. NEW & NOTEWORTHY When two spectrally overlapped narrowband noises are presented at the same time with the same sound-pressure level, they mask each other. Introducing a disparity in interaural time difference between these two narrowband noises improves the accuracy of the neural representation of individual sounds in both the inferior colliculus and the auditory cortex. The lower frequency signal transformation from the inferior colliculus to the auditory cortex on the same side is also enhanced, showing the effect of binaural unmasking.
Seduzidos pelo passado
Authors: Guarato Rafael 
Published: December 2019

Neste artigo, abordo o efeito sedutor que o passado provoca em textos dedicados ao trato historiográfico sobre dança no Brasil. Identifico como um dos elementos constitutivos desse fenômeno sedutor o caráter autoritário que as fontes têm exercido nos trabalhos acadêmicos e não acadêmicos sobre história da dança realizados no país. Para tanto, analiso produções bibliográficas publicadas entre as décadas de 1960-1990 que apresentam majoritariamente esse perfil e demonstro os procedimentos pelos quais as informações contidas nas fontes são replicadas acriticamente em livros. O estudo recorre a fontes escritas em jornais impressos e aos procedimentos metodológicos da história cultural.
Entre o céu e a terra
Authors: Silva Renato Rodrigues da 
Published: December 2019

As esculturas de Franz Weissmann de 1950 têm uma recepção ambígua: enquanto críticos internacionais recebem-nas como arte concreta, o circuito brasileiro define-as como neoconcretas. O primeiro grupo somente descreve os elementos formais dos trabalhos, mas críticos locais – começando por Ferreira Gullar – enfatizam seus efeitos expressivos, que caracterizam o Neoconcretismo. Neste artigo, analisamos como esses aspectos das esculturas tornaram-se significativos juntos: primeiro, aplicamos aquilo que a crítica literária norte-americana definiu como “close reading”; depois de descrever seus componentes primários, enfocamos os efeitos expressivos. Assim, as análises de Cubo Vazado, Coluna Concreta, Modelo Neoconcreto, Três Pontos, Ponte e Torre desvelam seu projeto construtivista – que fundamentaria o Neoconcretismo –, objetivando transformar um país que não estava capacitado para implementar uma modernidade tecnológica plena.
My Bed e To Meet My Past
Authors: Nunes Ana Luísa 
Published: December 2019

O artigo investiga a cama nas instalações My Bed (1998) e To Meet My Past (2002), de Tracey Emin. Para tanto, contextualizou-se a produção da artista, que é seguida pela análise das duas instalações e pela discussão de questões marcantes das obras, como a exposição da intimidade, a apropriação do imaginário doméstico e a transposição da esfera privada da vida para o espaço público das galerias de arte e museus. Foi investigado o peso que a autobiografia desempenha nos trabalhos, de modo a compreender como acontecimentos da vida da artista são incorporados ao seu processo criativo, poético e à reconstrução de suas memórias. A metodologia da pesquisa baseou-se na análise de livros, publicações acadêmicas e entrevistas realizadas com a artista.
Paul Melo e Castro. colonial and post-colonial goan literature in portuguese: woven palms, editor. cardiff: university of wales press, 2019.
Authors: Pinto Rochelle Carmen 
Published: December 2019

This is a review of the book, Colonial and Post-Colonial Goan Literature in Portuguese edited by Paul Melo e Castro, University Of Wales Press, 2019, ISBN 978-1-78683-390-7, E-ISBN 978-1-78683-391-4
CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc Score and the Risk of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmic Events and Mortality in MADIT‐CRT
Authors: Nof Eyal , Kutyifa Valentina , McNitt Scott , Goldberger Jeffrey , Huang David , Aktas Mehmet K. , Spencer Rosero , Goldenberg Ilan , Beinart Roy 
Published: December 2019

Background

We hypothesized that multiple cardiovascular comorbidities, incorporated in the
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score, may be useful in the assessment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (
VTAs
) and mortality risk in heart failure (
HF
) patients.

Methods and Results

We evaluated the association between the
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score (dichotomized as high at the upper quartile [≥5] and further assessed as a continuous measure) and the risk of
VTA
and death among 1804 patients enrolled in MADIT‐CRT (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy). A high
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score (n=464; 26%) was inversely associated with the risk of any
VTA
(hazard ratio [
HR
]: 0.64;
P
=0.001), fast
VTA
>200 beats/min (
HR
; 0.51;
P
<0.001), and appropriate implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator shocks (
HR
: 0.60;
P
<0.001). In contrast, a high score was directly correlated with mortality risk (HR: 1.92;
P
<0.001) and the risk of
HF
or death (
HR
: 1.60;
P
<0.001). Consistently, each 1‐U increment in
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c was associated with a significant 13% (
P
=0.003) reduction in
VTA
risk but a corresponding 33% (
P
<0.001) increase in mortality risk. Patients with a high
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score and left bundle‐branch block derived a pronounced 53% (
P
<0.001) reduction in the risk of
HF
or death with cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator versus implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator–only therapy.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that a high
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score can be used to identify patients with mild
HF
who have low
VTA
risk and high morbidity or mortality risk and may derive a pronounced clinical benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy without a defibrillator. These data suggest a possible role for the
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score in device selection among candidates for biventricular pacing.
Risks of Stroke and Mortality in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated With Rivaroxaban and Warfarin
Authors: Alberts Mark , Chen Yen-Wen , Lin Jennifer H. , Kogan Emily , Twyman Kathryn , Milentijevic Dejan 
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose—
Oral anticoagulation therapy is standard of care for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation to prevent stroke. This study compared rivaroxaban and warfarin for stroke and all-cause mortality risk reduction in a real-world setting.

Methods—

This retrospective cohort study (2011–2017) included de-identified patients from the Optum Clinformatics Database who started treatment with rivaroxaban or warfarin within 30 days following initial diagnosis of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Before nonvalvular atrial fibrillation diagnosis, patients had 6 months of continuous health plan enrollment and CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score ≥2. Stroke severity was determined by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, imputed based on machine learning algorithms. Stroke and all-cause mortality risks were compared by treatment using Cox proportional hazard regression, with inverse probability of treatment weighting to balance cohorts for baseline risk factors. Stratified analysis by treatment duration was also performed.

Results—
During a mean follow-up of 27 months, 175 (1.33/100 patient-years [PY]) rivaroxaban-treated and 536 (1.66/100 PY) warfarin-treated patients developed stroke. The inverse probability of treatment weighting model showed that rivaroxaban reduced stroke risk by 19% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.81 [95% CI, 0.73–0.91]). Analysis by stroke severity revealed risk reductions by rivaroxaban of 48% for severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 16–42; HR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.33–0.82]) and 19% for minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 1 to <5; HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.68–0.96]), but no difference for moderate stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 5 to <16; HR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.78–1.10]). A total of 41 (0.31/100 PY) rivaroxaban-treated and 147 (0.44/100 PY) warfarin-treated patients died poststroke, 12 (0.09/100 PY) and 67 (0.20/100 PY) of whom died within 30 days, representing mortality risk reductions by rivaroxaban of 24% (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.61–0.95]) poststroke and 59% (HR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.28–0.60]) within 30 days.

Conclusions—
After the initial diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, patients treated with rivaroxaban versus warfarin had significant risk reduction for stroke, especially severe stroke, and all-cause mortality after a stroke. Findings from this observational study may help inform anticoagulant choice for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Silver Mines and Mobile Miners in the Southwestern Borderlands of the Qing Empire
Authors: Kim Nanny 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis article explores mining as the motor of temporary and permanent migration into the Far Southwest of Ming and Qing China. It focuses on the workforce of borderland silver mines, specifically on travel routes and the geography of recruitment. Durations and costs of the journeys reflect the existence of efficiently organized networks. The men who set out for the mines did so in the expectation of making money and returning home with handsome gains. This provides insights into the sizeable and profitable non-agrarian sector in the late imperial economy.
<p><strong>Two remarkable new <em>Riccia</em> (Marchantiales, Ricciaceae) records for the bryophyte flora of Cape Verde Islands, an important biogeographical refuge area</strong></p>
Authors: SERGIO CECILIA , MELO IRENEIA 
Published: December 2019

Recent progresses of knowledge on Riccia diversity in Cape Verde islands are briefly surveyed. The occurrence of two remarkable Riccia species in this archipelago is examined, and their overall distribution is presented. Riccia atropurpurea Sim and R. congoana Steph. are noteworthy liverwort species, here reported for the first time for Cape Verde islands, from specimens collected in Fogo island. Main diagnosing characters and those of related taxa, habitat preferences, illustrations, scanning electron micrographs and updated ranges of the species are presented.
Market Structure and Competition in the Indian Microfinance Sector
Authors: Navin Nitin , Sinha Pankaj 
Published: December 2019

Executive Summary The Indian microfinance sector has experienced fundamental changes in the structure of ownership and management of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The current study seeks to evaluate the competition level of the Indian microfinance sector during the period 2005–2017 and attempts to find the cause-and-effect relationship between concentration and competition. Furthermore, it analyzes the performance of leading MFIs to explore if there is evidence of exploitation of clients by these institutions. The study is the first of its kind with explicit focus on the market structure of the Indian microfinance market. The study uses unbalanced panel data sets generated from the microfinance information exchange (MIX) data source. The representative sample includes firm specific data of 127 MFIs of different legal statuses and sizes. The dynamic equation model is estimated applying the difference generalized methods of moments (GMM). The results of the empirical investigation find a rise in the concentration with a decrease in competition in the Indian microfinance market during recent years. Intense competition in the past and introduction of new regulations in the wake of sectoral crisis are responsible for this transition. High concentration gives large MFI market powers to exploit the customers. However, the study fails to find any evidence of any such exploitation from the conduct of the leading MFIs. The survey highlights the potential connection between the drop in the competitiveness of the sector and the first appearance of new regulations in light of the sectoral crisis. It is imperative that regulators keep a tight vigil on the operations of leading MFIs and take necessary actions to ensure a healthy competitive environment in the sector. Furthermore, existing rules should be modified to help small MFIs as they play a very crucial role in the fulfilment of the primary objective of the microfinance.
Relationships among resistin, adiponectin, and leptin and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wang Li-Kun , Wang Hua , Wu Xue-Liang , Shi Li , Yang Rui-Min , Wang Yi-Cheng 
Published: December 2019

Objective To investigate the relationships among serum resistin, adiponectin, and leptin and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 120 patients with T2DM were divided into non-microangiopathy and microangiopathy groups. Sixty age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were used as a normal control (NC) group. Body height, body mass, waist circumference, and blood pressure were determined, and waist/hip ratio (WHR), body mass index, blood glucose, lipids, resistin, leptin, adiponectin, free fatty acids (FFA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1c, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were compared among the three groups. Results Serum levels of resistin, leptin, FFA, and hs-CRP were significantly higher and levels of adiponectin were significantly lower in patients in the non-microangiopathy (n = 60) and microangiopathy groups (n = 60) compared with the NC group (n = 60). Serum resistin and leptin levels in patients with T2DM were positively correlated with WHR, hs-CRP, FFA, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides, but negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Serum adiponectin levels in patients with T2DM were negatively correlated with WHR, hs-CRP, FFA, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides, but positively correlated with HDL-C. Conclusion Serum resistin, adiponectin, and leptin levels correlate with the occurrence of T2DM and microvascular complications.
Prognostic factors affecting survival and recurrence in patients with early cervical squamous cell cancer following radical hysterectomy
Authors: Li Dan , Xu Xiaoxian , Yan Dingding , Yuan Shuhui , Ni Juan , Lou Hanmei 
Published: December 2019

Objective This study aimed to investigate the clinical and histological features affecting the survival of patients with early cervical squamous cell cancer treated with radical hysterectomy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical and histological data for patients with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer treated by radical hysterectomy at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from August 2008 to January 2013. Results A total of 1435 patients were included in the study. Cox regression analysis identified tumor size >4 cm, lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI), lymph node ratio (LNR), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) >2.65 ng/mL as independent prognostic risk factors. Among 1096 patients without high pathological risk factors, the 5-year local recurrence rates for SCC-Ag ≤2.65 and >2.65 ng/mL were 6.6% and 25.7%, respectively. Among 332 patients with lymph node positivity, the overall survival rates for LNR ≤0.19 and >0.19 were 87.8% and 55.6%, respectively. Conclusions LVSI, tumor size >4 cm, LNR >0.19, and SCC-Ag >2.65 ng/mL may predict a poor prognosis in patients with early cervical squamous cell cancer treated with radical hysterectomy. SCC-Ag >2.65 ng/mL may be a useful prognostic factor guiding the use of postoperative radiotherapy in patients without pathologic risk factors.