bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Refractory Chronic SUNCT and SUNA: A Prospective Case Series
Authors: Ornello Raffaele , Palmisani Stefano , Murphy Madeleine , Sacco Simona , Al‐Kaisy Adnan , Lambru Giorgio 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (SPG‐PRF) for the treatment of patients with refractory chronic short‐lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA).BackgroundSPG‐PRF is a minimally invasive, non‐neurodestructive procedure already tested in refractory chronic cluster headache with mixed outcomes. However, no data have been produced in SUNCT/SUNA.MethodsThis was a prospective clinical audit of outcomes. Consecutive patients with chronic SUNCT/SUNA refractory to medical treatments and treated with SPG‐PRF, were included in the analysis. The SPG‐PRF was performed percutaneously via a lateral, infra‐zygomatic approach. Responders were defined as patients with a reduction in number and/or severity of headache episodes by ≥30% for ≥3 months. Responders to the first procedure were offered to have the treatment repeated.ResultsNine patients (6 female) were analyzed. After a median follow‐up of 30 months (range 2‐30), 7 patients were considered responders to the treatment (77.8%) for a median of 6 months (range: 4‐10), 1 patient obtained 40% improvement for 2 months, and 1 patient did experience any improvement. No procedure‐related immediate or delayed side effects were reported. Three patients (33.3%) experienced a worsening of the head pain for 2‐4 weeks immediately after the procedure. Four responders had SPG‐PRF repeated; a reproducible response was obtained in two of them.ConclusionsIn our small series of patients with refractory chronic SUNCT/SUNA, SPG‐PRF was a safe and effective treatment modality. The potential reproducible positive effect of subsequent treatments may prevent or delay the use of more invasive and costly interventions for at least a proportion of these patients.
Analysis of the optimal psoas muscle mass index cut‐off values, as measured by computed tomography, for the diagnosis of loss of skeletal muscle mass in Japanese people
Authors: Ohara Masatsugu , Suda Goki , Kimura Megumi , Maehara Osamu , Shimazaki Tomoe , Shigesawa Taku , Suzuki Kazuharu , Nakamura Akihisa , Kawagishi Naoki , Nakai Masato , Sho Takuya , Natsuizaka Mitsuteru , Morikawa Kenichi , Ogawa Koji , Kobayashi Tomoe , Uebayashi Minoru , Takagi Ryo , Yokota Isao , Shimamura Tsuyoshi , Sakamoto Naoya 
Published: March 2020

AimThis study aimed to determine the optimal psoas muscle mass index (PMI) cut‐off values for diagnosis of skeletal muscle mass loss.MethodsWe evaluated PMI in two groups of normal controls: a medical check‐up group and a liver donation candidate group. We analyzed two novel PMI cut‐off values, one based on the mean – two standard deviations (2SD) and one based on the lower 5%. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) evaluations using computed tomography (sliceOmatic; TomoVision) and bioelectrical impedance analysis and PMI evaluation were undertaken simultaneously. We analyzed the correlation between our PMI cut‐off values and the Japan Society of Hepatology‐defined SMI cut‐off values. The prevalence of skeletal muscle mass loss in patients with liver disease was assessed using the novel PMI cut‐off values.ResultsIn 504 normal controls aged ≤50 years, the PMI cut‐off values based on mean –2SD and the lower 5% were set at 3.30 cm2/m2 for men and 1.69 cm2/m2 for women and 3.74 cm2/m2 for men and 2.29 cm2/m2 for women, respectively. The PMI cut‐off values based on the lower 5% alone showed that skeletal muscle mass loss increased with age. Furthermore, they correlated well with Japan Society of Hepatology‐defined SMI (sliceOmatic) cut‐off values and showed a significantly higher prevalence of skeletal muscle mass loss in patients with liver cirrhosis than those without liver cirrhosis.ConclusionsWe propose the following PMI cut‐off values: 3.74 cm2/m2 for male individuals and 2.29 cm2/m2 for female individuals. These cut‐off values can facilitate accurate diagnosis and management of sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease.
A Non‐Proportional Hazards Model with Hazard Ratio Functions Free from Covariate Values
Authors: Kuk Anthony Y. C. 
Published: March 2020

SummaryA brief survey on methods to handle non‐proportional hazards in survival analysis is given with emphasis on short‐term and long‐term hazard ratio modelling. A drawback of the existing model of this nature is that except at time zero or infinity, the hazard ratio for a unit increase in the value of a covariate depends on the starting value. With two or more covariates, the hazard ratio for a unit increase in one covariate with other covariates held fixed depends in an unintended way on the values of the other covariates. We propose an alternative way to model short‐term and long‐term hazard ratios without the above drawbacks through a judicious choice of covariate‐time interactions. Under the new model, it is easier to describe the time‐varying effect of each covariate on the hazard. Nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation for the new model can be carried out in the same way as for the existing model. We also propose a product version of the existing model, which overcomes its second drawback but not the first. The advocated covariate–time interaction model provides a better fit to the Veterans Administration lung cancer data set than the original and product versions of the existing model.
High temperature reduces photosynthesis in maize leaves by damaging chloroplast ultrastructure and photosystem II
Authors: Li Yu‐Ting , Xu Wei‐Wei , Ren Bai‐Zhao , Zhao Bin , Zhang Jiwang , Liu Peng , Zhang Zi‐Shan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractGlobal warming has increased the frequency and duration of high temperature (HT) stress. Photosynthesis determines yield in maize and is extremely HT sensitive. The effects of HT on photosynthesis in maize leaves have been strongly examined under controlled conditions. Here, to explore the mechanism and primary inhibitory sites of HT to photosynthesis, the HT sensitivity of photosynthesis in XY335 and ZD958 maize hybrids was systematically studied in field by multiple methods. HT decreased leaf area and photosynthetic rate of unit leaf area and hence limited growth. HT disrupted chloroplast and mitochondrial membrane structure, possibly delaying photosynthetic recovery after HT. These changes were greater in XY335 than ZD958. Stomatal conductance decreased significantly under HT, and this did not restrict CO2 fixation but may weaken the heat dissipation through transpiration. HT caused photoinhibition of PSII but not PSI. HT damaged both the oxygen‐evolving complex, located at donor side of PSII, and electron transfer from QA to QB, located at acceptor side of PSII. Interference of electron transfer from QA to QB caused by degradation of QB‐binding (D1) protein was the primary site of PSII inhibition by HT in maize leaves. The different stomatal behaviour and photoinhibition sites under HT between maize and wheat were discussed.
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA ROUNDTABLE ON: Enterprise‐Wide Risk Management
Authors: Verbrugge James , Niehaus Greg , Coleman Walter , Lawder Keith , Smith Cliff , Briscoe Christie , Ramamurtie Sailesh , Chew Don 
Published: March 2020

For many years, MBA students were taught that there was no good reason for companies that hedge large currency or commodity price exposures to have lower costs of capital, or trade at higher P/E multiples, than comparable companies that choose not to hedge such financial price risks. Corporate stockholders, just by holding well‐diversified portfolios, were said to neutralize any effects of currency and commodity price risks on corporate values. And corporate efforts to manage such risks were accordingly viewed as redundant, a waste of corporate resources on a function already performed by investors at far lower cost.But as this discussion makes clear, both the theory and the corporate practice of risk management have moved well beyond this perfect markets framework. The academics and practitioners in this roundtable begin by suggesting that the most important reason to hedge financial risks—and risk management's largest potential contribution to firm value—is to ensure a company's ability to carry out its strategic plan and investment policy. As one widely cited example, Merck's use of FX options to hedge the currency risk associated with its overseas revenues is viewed as limiting management's temptation to cut R&D in response to large currency‐related shortfalls in reported earnings.Nevertheless, one of the clear messages of the roundtable is that effective risk management has little to do with earnings management per se, and that companies that view risk management as primarily a tool for smoothing reported earnings have lost sight of its real economic function: maintaining access to low‐cost capital to fund long‐run investment. And a number of the panelists pointed out that a well‐executed risk management policy can be used to increase corporate debt capacity and, in so doing, reduce the cost of capital.Moreover, in making decisions whether to retain or transfer risks, companies should generally be guided by the principle of comparative advantage. If an outside firm or investor is willing to bear a particular risk at a lower price than the cost to the firm of managing that risk internally, then it makes sense to lay off that risk. Along with the greater efficiency and return on capital promised by such an approach, several panelists also pointed to one less tangible benefit of an enterprise‐wide risk management program—a significant improvement in the internal corporate dialogue, leading to a better understanding of all the company's risks and how they are affected by the interactions among its business units.
Barriers and facilitators to seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses: A mixed methods study
Authors: Flanagan Paula , Dowling Maura , Gethin Georgina 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimTo identify the barriers and facilitators to seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses.BackgroundSeasonal influenza causes significant mortality and morbidity among older people and high‐risk groups. Vaccinating nurses against influenza is an essential public health measure to reduce the burden of disease. Yet despite annual recommendations, nurses’ influenza vaccine uptake rates remain low.DesignAn explanatory sequential mixed methods study design.Data SourcesQualified nurses attending mandatory training in two large acute hospitals in Ireland.MethodsA paper‐based questionnaire assessing nurses’ knowledge, risk perception, health beliefs and influenza vaccination practices was distributed to a convenience sample of qualified nurses (N = 462) between September 2017 – February 2018. A self‐selected sample of 35 nurses who completed the questionnaire participated in five focus groups to explore in depth the barriers and facilitating factors associated with their vaccination practices between September 2018 – October 2018. The questionnaire data were analysed statistically and thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated using the Pillar Integration Process.ResultsSeven themes emerged: (a) the influence of nurses’ knowledge on vaccine uptake; (b) dissemination of information; (c) vaccine fears and concerns; (d) protection, risk and vulnerability: self and others; (e) influencers; (f) accessibility; and (g) organizational pressure.ConclusionAchieving high vaccine uptake rates among nurses through voluntary vaccination programmes remains a challenge. Multi‐faceted influenza campaigns based on the HBM should be prioritized to address dissemination of evidence‐based knowledge, accessibility, and external cues to action.ImpactLow influenza vaccine uptake among nurses compromises patient safety and contributes to a significant burden on health services. This study identified factors associated with vaccine practices among nurses and will inform the development of specific tailored interventions for nurses.
Visual art therapy as a treatment option for cognitive decline among older adults. A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Masika Golden M. , Yu Doris S. F. , Li Polly W. C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimsTo investigate the effects of visual art therapy (VAT) on cognitive and psychological outcomes and explore the crucial design characteristics of VAT that might be associated with greater cognitive benefits among older adults.DesignSystematic review and meta‐analysis.Data sourcesPeer reviewed articles were searched from Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, Cochrane Library, Ovid Nursing database, PsycINFO, British Nursing Index, and CINAHL Complete from inception of the databases to September 2019.Review methodsThis review and meta‐analysis was conducted and reported according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses guidelines. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to examine the risk of bias of the studies. Narrative synthesis and quantitative meta‐analysis were performed.ResultTwelve articles published between 2004–2019 involving 831 participants were identified. VAT significantly improved global cognitive function compared with different control groups (Hedges' g = 0.348 [95% CI = 0.026–0.671], p = .034, I2 = 66.570%). VAT also demonstrated psychological benefits in reducing depressive symptoms and anxiety. By systematic comparison of the intervention designs, it seems that those with greater cognitive benefit involved a higher level of creativity and optimized the use of essential components including art education, reminiscence, art processing, cognitive evaluation, art crafts/modelling, and socialization.ConclusionVisual art therapy could be effective in improving cognitive functions and the associated psychological symptoms. Therefore, it can be adopted as an effective non‐pharmacological intervention for preventing cognitive decline and dementia.ImpactThis review answers the key question about the pooled effect of VAT as nonpharmacological therapy on preventing or managing dementia. In addition, it informs on the design characteristics of an effective VAT for implementing among older adults. This research will have an impact on the gerontological care and support the evidence about non‐pharmacological approaches to prevent and manage dementia.
Co‐design of a patient and family‐initiated escalation of care intervention to detect and refer patient deterioration: Research protocol
Authors: McKinney Aidín , Fitzsimons Donna , Blackwood Bronagh , White Mark , McGaughey Jennifer 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimTo co‐design a patient and family‐initiated intervention to improve the detection and escalation of patient deterioration on acute adult hospital wards in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.DesignThe design is a collective case study approach in an acute hospital in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland using an adapted co‐design approach and Medical Research Council framework guidelines.MethodsData will be collected from key stakeholders (patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals) using individual and focus group interviews and a review of patients’ records. This will inform the development of a co‐designed intervention and implementation strategy. The developed prototype will be further refined and optimized following a feedback session with stakeholders from each hospital site. This study was funded in February 2018 and Research Ethics Committee approval was granted in March 2019.DiscussionThis study will contribute to the growing knowledge base in relation to the interventions that improve the escalation of patient deterioration. It will also contribute to the intelligence, evidence and understanding of the role of patient and family participation in the detection and referral of clinical deterioration in acute adult hospital settings.ImpactThere is an ongoing need to introduce systems or mechanisms in acute care hospital settings which allow patient or family members to have a greater role in escalating care when they are concerned about patient deterioration. To date there is limited evidence of rigorous studies examining this area and this study will use stakeholder engagement and involvement to co‐design an intervention which will provide patients and families with a mechanism to address concerns which can be tested in practice.
Identification of cancer hallmark‐associated gene and lncRNA cooperative regulation pairs and dictate lncRNA roles in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Ken , Song Lin‐Jing , Ma Jing , Zhang Tie‐Song , You Ding‐Yun , He Yong‐Wen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumour in the oral and maxillofacial region. Numerous cancers share ten common traits (“hallmarks”) that govern the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important factors that contribute to tumorigenesis. However, very little is known about the cooperative relationships between lncRNAs and cancer hallmark‐associated genes in OSCC. Through integrative analysis of cancer hallmarks, somatic mutations, copy number variants (CNVs) and expression, some OSCC‐specific cancer hallmark‐associated genes and lncRNAs are identified. A computational framework to identify gene and lncRNA cooperative regulation pairs (GLCRPs) associated with different cancer hallmarks is developed based on the co‐expression and co‐occurrence of mutations. The distinct and common features of ten cancer hallmarks based on GLCRPs are characterized in OSCC. Cancer hallmark insensitivity to antigrowth signals and self‐sufficiency in growth signals are shared by most GLCRPs in OSCC. Some key GLCRPs participate in many cancer hallmarks in OSCC. Cancer hallmark‐associated GLCRP networks have complex patterns and specific functions in OSCC. Specially, some key GLCRPs are associated with the prognosis of OSCC patients. In summary, we generate a comprehensive landscape of cancer hallmark‐associated GLCRPs that can act as a starting point for future functional explorations, the identification of biomarkers and lncRNA‐based targeted therapy in OSCC.
Cecal intubation time between the use of one‐channel and two‐channel water exchange colonoscopy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tseng Chih‐Wei , Koo Malcolm , Hsieh Yu‐Hsi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackground and AimWater exchange (WE) colonoscopy is the least painful insertion technique with high adenoma detection rate but requires a longer intubation time. In the published literature, some investigators used the instrument channel for both infusing and suctioning of water (one channel), while others use colonoscopes with an integrated water‐jet channel specifically designed for infusing water (two channel). The aim of this study was to compare cecal intubation time between one‐channel and two‐channel WE.MethodsA total 120 patients undergoing colonoscopy from May 2017 to April 2019 at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan were randomized to either a two‐channel group (n = 60) or a one‐channel group (n = 60). The primary outcome was cecal intubation time.ResultsThe mean cecal intubation time was significantly shorter in the two‐channel group compared with the one‐channel group (14.0 ± 4.0 vs 17.4 ± 6.7 min, P < 0.001). The two‐channel group required less water infused during insertion (564.8 ± 232.4 vs 1213.3 ± 467.5 mL, P < 0.001) but achieved a significantly higher Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score (8.4 ± 0.8 vs 7.5 ± 1.1, P < 0.001) than did the one‐channel group. The adenoma detection rate was comparable in the two groups (50.0% vs 48.3%, P = 0.855).ConclusionsIn comparison with the one‐channel WE, two‐channel WE showed a shorter cecal intubation time, required less amount of water during insertion, and provided a better salvage cleansing effect. (NCT03279705)
Anatomy of avian rictal bristles in Caprimulgiformes reveals reduced tactile function in open‐habitat, partially diurnal foraging species
Authors: Delaunay Mariane G. , Larsen Carl , Lloyd Huw , Sullivan Matthew , Grant Robyn A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAvian rictal bristles are present in many species of birds, especially in nocturnal species. Rictal bristles occur along the upper beak and are morphologically similar to mammalian whiskers. Mammalian whiskers are important tactile sensors, guiding locomotion, foraging and social interactions, and have a well‐characterised anatomy. However, it is not yet known whether avian rictal bristles have a sensory function, and their morphology, anatomy and function have also not been described in many species. Our study compares bristle morphology, follicle anatomy and their association with foraging traits, across 12 Caprimulgiform species. Rictal bristle morphology and follicle anatomy were diverse across the 12 species. Nine of the 12 species had mechanoreceptors around their bristle follicles; however, there was large variation in their musculature, mechanoreceptor numbers and bristle morphology. Overall, species with short, thin, branching bristles that lacked mechanoreceptors tended to forage pre‐dusk in open habitats, whereas species with mechanoreceptors around their bristle follicle tended to forage at night and in more closed habitats. We suggest that rictal bristles are likely to be tactile in many species and may aid in navigation, foraging and collision avoidance; however, identifying rictal bristle function is challenging and demands further investigation in many species.
Activating prior knowledge using multiple‐choice question distractors
Authors: Schimmelfing Liza C. , Persky Adam M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractContextA student's academic success in graduate and professional school may depend on prior knowledge. However, these students may not see important and necessary material for extended periods of time between their pre‐requisites and their new course work. As such, they are more prone to being unable to access available information from memory when needed. This study investigated the use of multiple‐choice (MC) question examinations in stabilising or reactivating these students’ memories for material that is available in their memories, but currently inaccessible due to disuse.MethodsA total of 156 incoming first‐year student‐pharmacists were recruited. These student‐pharmacists completed a baseline examination on physiology prior to coursework. This assessment contained fill‐in‐the‐blank (FIB) questions followed by MC versions of the FIB questions. In the experimental sets, 10 questions had MC distractor answers that were answers to a future FIB question; in the other condition, the MC distractors were not answers to future FIB questions. The primary outcome was performance on future or target FIB questions in the context of whether the prior or priming MC questions contained the answer within the distractors.ResultsPerformance on target FIB questions improved when the distractors in the MC questions contained the relevant answer (29%) compared to when the distractors did not contain the correct answer (18%) (P < .001,d = 0.78). When students could not generate a correct response to the FIB question, the experimental condition outperforming the control condition (17% vs 30%,d = 0.76).ConclusionsMultiple‐choice questions that contained a correct response as a distractor to a future question, improved student performance. As such, the use of MC may be an inexpensive way to reactivate prior knowledge, especially knowledge that has become inaccessible due to disuse.