bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative clinical factors and visual outcomes following orbital decompression with dysthyroid optic neuropathy
Authors: Tagami Mizuki , Honda Shigeru , Azumi Atsushi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
To investigate preoperative clinical factors and visual outcomes of Japanese patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) after urgent orbital decompression.

Methods
This retrospective, observational case series study investigated 44 patients who exhibited several preoperative clinical factors that might be associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression due to DON. Additionally, the visual acuity of DON patients was compared between the patients preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results
All 44 patients received steroid and with or without radiation therapy, with 27 patients able to avoid undergoing urgent surgery. However, the remaining 17 patients required urgent orbital decompression following a lack of response to the therapy. None of the patients who initially avoided surgery required additional surgery for DON. Factors significantly associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression surgery included: female gender, older age, long disease duration, unilateral significant DON, history of resistance to pulsed steroid therapy, unstable thyroid function, high TRAb (Thyrotrophin receptor antibody)value, poor visual acuity, presence of central diplopia, and presence of corneal problems (P < 0.05 each). The results also showed that postoperative visual outcomes of surgery for DON were acceptable.

Conclusion
This study revealed several preoperative clinical factors for DON that appear to be associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression surgery in Japanese patients.
Surgical treatment of mild to moderately dilated ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy: the art of safety and simplicity
Authors: Zhu Peng , Zhou Pengyu , Ling Xiao , Ohene Bright Eric , Bian Xiao Ming , Jiang Xiaoxiao 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Evaluate the safety and efficacy of our modified technique of the extravascular procedure for treating mild to moderately dilated ascending aorta in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortopathy.

Methods
From January 2015 to December 2018,119 consecutive patients with BAV and ascending aorta dilatation (dimension 40 mm~ 45 mm) were diagnosed in our institution. Among these,49 patients received aggressive aortic valve replace (AVR) + ascending aorta wrapped (wrapped group) while the other 70 patients received AVR + ascending aorta replacement (wheat group). All patients clinical and follow up data were collected for 12 months.

Results
Aortic clamping and cardio-pulmonary bypass times were significantly longer in wheat group than wrap group (P < 0.001and 0.021,respectively). The first 24 h drainage in wheat group were much more than wrap group(P = 0.04). Ascending aorta diameter、left ventricular end diameter and ejection fraction were statistically different between pre- and post-operation (p < 0.001) in both groups, but the heart function and complication were no difference during follow up.

Conclusions
External wrapping of the ascending aorta and wheat procedure have good short-term and long-term results in BAV patients with a mild to moderately dilated ascending aorta. The perioperative period results of external wrapping of the ascending aorta for BAV patients were encouraging.
Digital governance in tax-funded European healthcare systems: from the Back office to patient empowerment
Authors: Mattei Paola 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDigital healthcare promises to achieve cost-efficiency gains, improve clinical effectiveness, support better public sector governance by enhancing transparency and accountability, and increase confidence in medical diagnoses, especially in the field of oncology. This article aims to discuss the benefits offered by digital technologies in tax-based European healthcare systems against the backdrop of structural bureaucratic rigidities and a slow pace of implementation.Artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the existing delivery of healthcare services, inducing a redesign of public accountability systems and the traditional relationships between professionals and patients. Despite legitimate ethical and accountability concerns, which call for clearer guidance and regulation, digital governance of healthcare is a powerful means of empowering patients and improving their medical treatment in terms of quality and effectiveness. On the path to better health, the use of digital technologies has moved beyond the back office of administrative processes and procedures, and is now being applied to clinical activities and direct patient engagement.
Dual energy CT findings in gout with rapid kilovoltage-switching source with gemstone scintillator detector
Authors: Svensson Elin , Aurell Ylva , Jacobsson Lennart T. H. , Landgren Anton , Sigurdardottir Valgerdur , Dehlin Mats 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
A definite diagnosis of gout requires demonstration of monosodium urate crystals in synovial fluid or in tophi, which in clinical practice today seldom is done. Dual energy CT (DECT) has repeatedly been shown to be able to detect monosodium urate crystals in tissues, hence being an alternative method to synovial fluid microscopy. The vast majority of these studies were performed with CT scanners with two X-ray tubes. In the present study we aim to investigate if and at what locations DECT with rapid kilovoltage-switching source with gemstone scintillator detector (GSI) can identify MSU crystals in patients with clinically diagnosed gout. We also performed a reliability study between two independent readings.

Methods
Patients with new or established gout who had been examined with DECT GSI scanning of the feet at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal between 2015 and 2018 were identified. Their medical records were sought for gout disease characteristics using a structured protocol. Urate deposits in MTP1, MTP 2–5, ankle/midfoot joints and tendons were scored semiquantatively in both feet and presence of artifacts in nail and skin as well as beam hardening and noise were recorded. Two radiologists performed two combined readings and scoring of the images, thus consensus was reached over the scoring at each occasion (Espeland et al., BMC Med Imaging. 2013;13:4). The two readings were compared with kappa statistics.

Results
DECT GSI could identify urate deposits in the feet of all 55 participants with gout. Deposits were identified in the MTP-joints of all subjects but were also present in ankle/midfoot joints and tendons in 96 and 75% respectively. Deposition of urate was predicted by longer disease duration (Spearman’s Rho 0.64, p < .0001) and presence of tophi (p = 0.0005). Artifacts were common and mostly found in the nails (73%), a minority displayed skin artifacts (31%) while beam hardening and noise was rare. The agreement between the two readings was good (Κ = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.61–0.71).

Conclusion
The validity of DECT GSI in gout is supported by the identification of urate in all patients with clinical gout and the good correlations with clinical characteristics. The occurrence of artifacts was relatively low with expected locations.
Direction of the relationship between methamphetamine use and positive psychotic symptoms in regular methamphetamine users: evidence from a prospective cohort study
Authors: Hides Leanne , Chan Gary , Dawe Sharon , McKetin Rebecca , Kavanagh David J. , Young Ross McD , Teesson Maree , Saunders John B. 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundMethamphetamine has been consistently associated with positive psychotic symptoms, but little is known about whether the reverse also occurs.AimsThis study determined whether the relationship between methamphetamine use and positive psychotic symptoms is bidirectional over 12 months. The impact of lifetime psychotic disorders and methamphetamine dependence on these relationships was also examined.MethodA total of 201 regular (at least monthly) primary methamphetamine users were recruited from free needle and syringe programmes in three Australian cities. Data on the frequency of methamphetamine and other drug use (from Timeline Followback inteviews) and the severity of positive psychotic symptoms (using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) in the past 2 weeks were collected in 12 contiguous monthly face-to-face interviews (mean of 9.14/11 (s.d. = 3.16) follow-ups completed). Diagnoses were derived using the Psychiatric Research Interview for DSM-IV Substance and Mental Disorders.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 31.71 years (s.d. = 8.19) and 39% (n = 77) were women. At baseline 55% (n = 110) were dependent on methamphetamine and 51% (n = 102) had a lifetime psychotic disorder. Cross-lagged dynamic panel models found a significant bidirectional relationship between psychotic symptoms and methamphetamine use (Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.94, standardised root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.05, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.05, 95% CI 0.04–0.06). The magnitude of the relationship in each direction was similar, and the presence of methamphetamine dependence or a lifetime psychotic disorder did not have an impact on results.ConclusionsA dynamic, bidirectional relationship between methamphetamine and psychotic symptoms of similar magnitude in each direction was found over 1 year. This suggests integrated treatments that target methamphetamine, psychotic symptoms and their interrelationship may be of most benefit.
Retrospective cohort study monitoring PEG-asparaginase activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with and without premedication
Authors: Losasso Michael , Bostrom Bruce , Messinger Yoav 
Published: January 2020

Background: PEG-L-asparaginase (pegaspargase) is a critical component of therapy for children and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Allergic reactions, which may occur in up to one third of patients, are the major cause for discontinuation. One study reported lower rates of allergic reactions with premedication. Besides allergy, an unknown number of patients develop silent neutralizing antibodies not associated with allergic reactions. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the incidence of silent inactivation of pegasparaginase and compare incidence of allergic reactions with and without premedication. Methods: Using a commercial assay, asparaginase activity was monitored following pegaspargase (2500 units/m ) in newly diagnosed children and young adults with B- and T-cell ALL from February 2013 to May 2017. The incidence of allergic reactions before and after initiation of premedication in May 2015 was compared. Results: One patient out of 59 (1.7%) had silent inactivation after the second dose. No patient had silent inactivation after the first pegaspargase dose and no standard risk B-cell ALL patients, who received only two pegaspargase doses in combination with oral dexamethasone, had silent inactivation. The incidence of grade 3 or 4 allergic reactions was 3.7% per dose with premedication (methylprednisolone, acetaminophen and diphenhydramine) versus 5.2% without. The incidence per patient with premedication given for most of the doses was 8.3% versus 17% without. These values are not statistically significant. Premedication did not affect pegaspargase activity. Conclusions: Due to the low incidence of silent inactivation with intravenous pegaspargase and the unlikely event patients receiving only two doses of pegasparaginase would receive erwinase for this possible transient silent inactivation, we recommend routine monitoring of pegaspargase activity only in patients scheduled to receive more than two doses.
Making the invisible visible: the availability and desirability of adherence data in routine CF care– findings from a national questionnaire survey
Authors: Robinson Louisa , Maguire Chin , Hoo Zhe Hui , Wildman Martin J. 
Published: January 2020

Background: Inhaled medications for cystic fibrosis (CF) are effective but adherence is low. Clinicians find it difficult to estimate how much treatment people with CF (PWCF) take, whilst objective adherence measurement demonstrates that patients are poorly calibrated with a tendency to over-estimate actual adherence. The diagnostic approach to a PWCF with deteriorating clinical status and very low adherence is likely to be different to the approach to a deteriorating patient with optimal adherence. Access to objective adherence data in routine consultations could help to overcome diagnostic challenges for clinicians and people with CF. Attitudes of clinicians to the use and importance of routinely available adherence data is unknown. Methods: We conducted an online questionnaire survey with UK CF centres. We asked five questions relating to the current use and perception of objective measurements of adherence in routine care. Results: A total of eight CF centres completed the questionnaire. Few of the responding centres have adherence data readily available in routine clinics (13% of centres use medicines possession ratio; of centres with access to I-nebs® it was estimated that 17% of patients had I-neb data regularly available in clinics). All centres considered the availability of objectively measured adherence data to be important. Respondents identified that systems developed to provide adherence data in clinical practice must provide data to both clinicians and patients that is readily understood and easy to use. Conclusions: Centres perceived the availability of adherence data in routine care to be important but objective measures of adherence is rarely available at present.
Identifying orthologs with OMA: A primer
Authors: Zahn-Zabal Monique , Dessimoz Christophe , Glover Natasha M. 
Published: January 2020

The Orthologous Matrix (OMA) is a method and database that allows users to identify orthologs among many genomes. OMA provides three different types of orthologs: pairwise orthologs, OMA Groups and Hierarchical Orthologous Groups (HOGs). This Primer is organized in two parts. In the first part, we provide all the necessary background information to understand the concepts of orthology, how we infer them and the different subtypes of orthology in OMA, as well as what types of analyses they should be used for. In the second part, we describe protocols for using the OMA browser to find a specific gene and its various types of orthologs. By the end of the Primer, readers should be able to (i) understand homology and the different types of orthologs reported in OMA, (ii) understand the best type of orthologs to use for a particular analysis; (iii) find particular genes of interest in the OMA browser; and (iv) identify orthologs for a given gene. The data can be freely accessed from the OMA browser at https://omabrowser.org.
The quality of life of people with slow-healing wounds is strengthened through the introduction of therapeutic and nursing activities administered in long-term homecare nursing, as based on case studies
Authors: Kołodziejczyk Monika , Stasiak Elżbieta , Stasiak Karolina , Stasiak Łucja , Grzegorczyk Michał 
Published: January 2020

The quality of life of people with slow-healing wounds is a multi-faceted concept which focuses on the functioning of patients in many spheres of life.Two characteristics of patients qualified for long-term homecare nursing are multi-morbidities and senior age. The coexistence of several chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis, is associated with the presence of a number of healing and caring problems, for example, slow-healing wounds. The social security in Poland in the domain of long-term homecare nursing is at a very low level, as reported by the Central Statistical Office in 2015, with only 4 out of 1000 people using long-term nursing care in a home environment.
KUALITAS PELAYANAN SEBAGAI DETERMINAN KEPUASAN PELANGGAN JASA TRANSPORTASI GRAB BIKE DI YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Ramadhan Fajar , Setyono Hendro 
Published: January 2020

This research aims to analyze the influence of the quality of service of customer satisfaction on service businesses Grab-Bike transport in Yogyakarta. This research uses the five independent variables i.e. tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and emphaty with one dependent variable i.e. consumer satisfaction. After a review of the literature as well as field and preparation of the hypothesis, the data in this study were collected through the dissemination of a questionnaire to 70 people who never use the Grab-Bike transport as research samples. Sampling technique used is a Non probability sampling method sampling incidental. Methods of data analysis used is the quantitative analysis that is test validity and reliability, multiple linear regression analysis, t-test and F-test as well as the coefficient of determination. Based on data analysis, the results showed that the indicators on research is valid and reliability. Hypothesis test on tangible, responsiveness, assurance and emphaty no effect significantly to consumer satisfaction. Hypothesis test of reliability has a positive and significant influence toward customer satisfaction.
PENGARUH KINERJA KEUANGAN TERHADAP HARGA SAHAM PADA PERUSAHAAN PROPERTI DAN REAL ESTATE YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA
Authors: Wardana Made Galih Wisnu , Fikri Muhammad Ali 
Published: January 2020

This research aims to determine the effect of liquidity ratio (CR), solvency ratio (DER), profitability ratio (ROA), and activity ratio (TATO) on the Stock Price. The object that is used in this research are property and real estate sub sector companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange year 2015-2017. The population in this research is a whole of property and real estate sub sector companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange year 2015-2017 were 48 companies. The sampling technique is used purposive sampling with several criteria, namely property and real estate sub sector companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange year 2015-2017, companies that submit financial reports during the research period, and companies that have positive net income report. The number of samples that fit the criteria were 34 companies. Data were analyzed by using data regression analysis with Eviews 6 software. The results of this research showed that current ratio, debt to equity ratio and total asset turn over are partially have positive and not have significant effect on the stock price, while return on assets have negative and not have significant effect on the stock price. Simultaneously that the current ratio, debt to equity ratio, return on assets and total asset turnover not have significant effect on the stock price. R-square value of 0.019 indicates that the ability of the current ratio, debt to equity ratio, return on assets, and total asset turnover while explaining the Stock Price is 1.9%, and the 98.1% is explained by other variables which not contained in this research.
Walking the (argumentative) talk using citizen science: involving young people in a critical policy analysis of vaccination policy in Austria
Authors: Paul Katharina T. , Palfinger Thomas 
Published: January 2020

Background:Vaccination policy has grown increasingly polarised, and concerns about vaccination practices are often articulated jointly with fears over declining trust in scientific expertise and the demise of evidence-based policy. This has led to a discursive deadlock in which evidence comes to denote something that is crafted and monopolised by a trained élite, with no role to play for the workings of democracy. Our own methodologies tend to accentuate this epistemic hierarchy, for much qualitative research relies on élite interviews with officials and scientific experts. The introduction of the vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), on which we report in this paper, is a case in point.
Objectives and methods:With this study, we intervene in this discursive and methodological deadlock using unconventional methods: inspired by the participatory spirit of the ‘argumentative turn’ in policy analysis, we experimented with citizen science to produce critical knowledge about HPV policy in Austria and simultaneously intervene in this expert-driven policy discourse. Specifically, we involved adolescents in analysing HPV policy discourse using press releases and a combination of inductive and deductive textual coding.
Findings and conclusions:Our results point to the sidelining of sexuality and gender in the presentation of scientific evidence on HPV in press releases, and highlight the dominance of the pharmaceutical industry in shaping the political-administrative decision to offer the HPV vaccine to all children in 2014. Our study points to ways of integrating citizen science in the social sciences and contributes to a rethinking of methodologies in qualitative policy analysis.
Designing with very thin optical films
Authors: Willey Ronald R. , Valavičius Audrius , Goldstein Fred T. 
Published: January 2020

There is increasing interest in the design of films with thicknesses on the order of 10 nm and less for a variety of applications, such as nanoparticles, plasmonics, quantum dots, solar reflectors, black mirrors, etc. The indices of refraction (

n

and

k

) for the effective media of such coatings depend on the materials with which such “layers” interface and the specific process parameters used to produce those films. The structures may typically be nucleating island structures and may also be continuous films. A key factor is that the

n

and

k

values vary in thickness until some thickness is obtained, usually

>

20

n
m

. Heretofore, to the best of our knowledge, films have not taken into account thickness index variations during the design process. Software has now been developed where the index at a given thickness is computed at each iteration of the design optimization process. This allows more realistic design results utilizing the full representation of the behavior of the layers in question; the resulting coatings, when produced, are in better agreement with the designs. Including

n

and

k

versus wavelength and thickness in the design process is here referred to as double dispersion.