bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct bare metal needle puncture and balloon angioplasty in calcified plaques of the common femoral artery guided by angiography (“BAMBOO SPEAR”)
Authors: Hayakawa Naoki , Kodera Satoshi , Arakawa Masataka , Hirano Satoshi , Shakya Sandeep , Kanda Junji 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Surgical endarterectomy for common femoral artery (CFA) disease is still considered the gold standard for treatment. Development of various techniques and devices has improved the clinical results of endovascular therapy (EVT) for CFA. However, severe conditions remain, especially for occlusive lesions owing to calcified plaque. We developed a useful technique for passing a lesion by directly penetrating the calcified plaque of the CFA using a bare metal needle and then passing through a balloon or dilating it. We named this technique “direct bare metal needle puncture and balloon angioplasty in calcified plaques of the common femoral artery guided by angiography” or “BAMBOO SPEAR.”

Main text
This report describes our technique for crossing a lesion by directly penetrating the calcified plaque of the CFA using a needle. We report a case of a 73-year-old male with hemodialysis who presented with cyanosis and ischemic rest pain of both lower limbs. Control angiography showed total occlusion of the left CFA with a calcified plaque. We advanced a 21-G metal needle that was slightly curved into the blood vessel from where the lumen of the distal CFA was located. The needle was advanced into the center of the calcified plaque, while observing from multiple directions with a fluoroscopic guide. We succeeded in advancing the needle into the lumen of the distal external iliac artery. After guidewire crossing, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed that guidewire was able to completely pass through the center of the calcified plaque. We could dilate the lesion by scoring balloon and drug-coated balloon. The final angiography showed sufficient results. We named this technique “direct BAre Metal needle puncture and BallOOn angioplaSty in calcified PlaquEs of the common femoral ARtery guided by angiography” (BAMBOO SPEAR).

Conclusions
The BAMBOO SPEAR technique may be considered a useful option in EVT for occlusive CFA with calcified plaques.
Seed preservatives properties of Secamone afzelii (Schult) K. Schum extracts on wheat grains damage and germination capability
Authors: Adesina J. M. , Aderibigbe A. T. B. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundBotanical pesticides may be a possible solution to the post-harvest loss of stored grains faced by farmers and food processors. In this study, seed preservatives properties ofSecamone afzeliileaves extracts at 50, 100, 150, 200 µl concentrations were investigated against lesser grain borerRhyzopertha dominica(Fabricus) infestation on wheat grains weight loss and seed germination capability arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated thrice under ambient laboratory conditions.ResultsThe outcomes of the study showed thatS. afzeliileaves extracts exhibited significant effect (p < 0.05) in suppressingR. dominicaadult emergence and weight loss of wheat grains than untreated. The increase in the concentrations led to significant decrease in adult emergence and weight loss with different extracts.Secamone afzeliiethyl acetate and hexane extracts significantly subdued adult emergence in contact toxicity (6.69% and 8.49%) and fumigant toxicity (8.85 and 8.87); a similar trend was observed in weight loss in both contact (2.33% and 5.13%) and fumigant (1.50% and 1.03%) toxicities at 200 µl, respectively. None of the extracts hinder the germination of treated grains, while germination percentage ranged between 88.69% and 93.40%.ConclusionThe results clearly indicated thatS. afzeliiextracts, in general, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts ofS. afzeliiin particular were the best seed preservative for stored wheat. ThusS. afzeliileaves extracts could be utilized as grain protectant substitute for conventional synthetic insecticides and fumigants in the control of insect infestation and conservation of stored grain quality and germination capability. Further study is required to identify the bioactive chemicals responsible for theS. afzeliiextracts insecticidal activity and stored grains quality preservation.
SOP: treatment of delirium
Authors: Kukolja Juraj , Kuhn Jens 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Delirium is a frequent complication in hospitalised patients, often leading to difficulties in patient management and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Most patients in intensive care units develop delirium, however, it is also frequently observed in non-intensive care unit settings. Risk factors are, among others, older age, brain pathology, severe trauma, orthopaedic or heart surgery, metabolic or electrolyte dysregulations, infections and polypharmacy. The most important measures to prevent and treat delirium are recognition and removal of risk factors and causes. Although delirium is a very common and serious complication, evidence for pharmacological treatment is poor, and guidelines remain controversial. Accordingly, non-pharmacological treatments have gained increasing attention and should be applied. Based on current literature, guidelines and personal recommendations, we developed a standard operating procedure (SOP) encompassing non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment of delirium.

Comments
In order to prevent delirium, risk factors should be identified and taken into account when planning the hospital stay and treatment. Prevention should include multimodal non-pharmacological interventions. The treatment of delirium should encompass the elimination of potential causes and non-pharmacological interventions. Pharmacological treatment should be used in a time-limited manner and in the lowest possible dose for the management of highly stressful symptoms or high-risk behaviour.

Conclusion
The SOP provides a pragmatic algorithm for the non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment of delirium.
Physicochemical, microbiological characterization and phytotoxicity of digestates produced on single-stage and two-stage anaerobic digestion of food waste
Authors: Parra-Orobio Brayan Alexis , Rotavisky-Sinisterra María Paula , Pérez-Vidal Andrea , Marmolejo-Rebellón Luis Fernando , Torres-Lozada Patricia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOrganic amendments favor the development of sustainable agriculture by using less chemical fertilizers. In this way, the use of digestates from anaerobic digestion as soil conditioners in agriculture has been gaining interest due to their important N and P nutrient contents, among others. This study evaluated the potential use of digestates from anaerobic reactors treating food waste in single (D1) and two-stages (D2: hydrolytic/acidogenic and D3: acetogenic/methanogenic) configurations. Digestate characteristics and their potential application conditions (100, 50, 25, and 5%) were evaluated using Raphanus sativus as an indicator species. D3 reported the best performance in terms of: (i) better physicochemical, microbiological, and parasitological characteristics, being a class B material, without exceeding the established limits for heavy metals, fecal coliforms (FC <  1000 CFU 100 mL− 1), Salmonella spp. (0 CFU g− 1), and viable helminth eggs (0 HE g− 1); (ii) better stability indicators on D3, followed by D1 (volatile solids/total solids (VS/TS): 0.57 and 0.65, pH: 8.63 and 6.80, respectively), while D2 was the most unstable digestate (VS/TS > 0.87 and acidic pH); and (iii) greater potential for agricultural use, since a 5% dose produced a germination index > 120%, whose effect is associated with the presence of humic and fulvic acids and with N and P concentrations > 1%. In addition, the study reported that volatile fatty acids > 2500 mg L− 1 act as antimicrobial agents, reducing the required pathogen removal pretreatments.
Time-dependent reliability of (weighted) k-out-of-n systems with identical component deterioration
Authors: Wang Cao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe performance of civil infrastructure systems is vital in supporting a community’s functionalities. Reliability assessment of these systems is a powerful approach to evaluate whether the system performance is desirably safe under the impacts of resistance degradation and non-stationary loads. A k-out-of-n system is a widely-used logic model for a system with n components, which survives (works) if at least k components work. Its special cases include a series or a parallel system. Furthermore, a weighted k-out-of-n system has components with positive integer weights and the system survives if the total weight of working components reaches the predefined threshold k. This paper proposes a method for estimating the time-dependent reliability of both ordinary and weighted k-out-of-n systems, taking into account the effects of resistance deterioration, resistance correlation and load non-stationarity, for which a mathematical solution is derived. The applicability of the proposed method is illustrated through reliability evaluation of a representative k-out-of-n system.
Isolation, identification, and cytotoxicity evaluation of phytochemicals from chloroform extract of Spathodea campanulata
Authors: Wagh Anita , Butle Santosh , Raut Dipak 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. known as the African tulip tree has potential medicinal properties that have been shown traditionally for the treatment of various ailments. The aim of the present study was isolation, identification, and evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of phytochemicals from the chloroform extract of S. campanulata.

Result
Three compounds were isolated by using column chromatography and preparative TLC from chloroform extract of leaves of S. campanulata. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by using spectroscopic methods, including, FTIR, ESI-TOF MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxic activity of compounds was evaluated by using SRB assay against human leukemia cancer cell lines (HL-60). Results were expressed in IC50 values. Stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol, octadecenamide, and umbelliferone were isolated and identified from chloroform extract. The isolated compounds showed cytotoxicity with decreasing cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, but it was found low as compared to positive control, i.e., Adriamycin against HL-60 cell lines.

Conclusion
The results indicate that isolated compounds, i.e., stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol (44.12μg/ml), octadecenamide (35.65μg/ml), and umbelliferone (80.60μg/ml) showed antiproliferative activity, but it was low compared to positive control Adriamycin (10.09 μg/ml). Also, according to our knowledge, this study is the first report on the isolation and identification of octadecenamide and umbelliferone from the leaves of S. campanulata.

Graphical abstract
Effect of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Loading on Body Temperature During Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia for Elective Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Yang Chen , Cheng Yan , Liu Shuangping , Huang Shaoqiang , Yu Xinhua 
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND:
Intraoperative hypothermia is a common complication after neuraxial block in cesarean delivery. At least 1 animal study has found that carbohydrate loading can maintain the body temperature of rats during general anesthesia, but it is unclear whether carbohydrate loading is beneficial for body temperature maintenance in parturient women during combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) for elective cesarean delivery.

METHODS:
Women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were randomized into a control group (group C), an oral carbohydrate group (group OC), or an oral placebo group (group OP), with 40 women in each group. Core body temperature (Tc) and body surface temperature (Ts) before and after cesarean delivery, changes in Tc (ΔTc) and Ts (ΔTs), and the incidence of side effects (eg, intraoperative shivering) were compared among the groups.

RESULTS:
The postoperative Tc (core body temperature after cesarean delivery [Tc2]) of group OC (36.48 [0.48]°C) was higher than those of group C (35.95 [0.55]°C; P < .001), and group OP (36.03 [0.49]°C; P = .001). The ΔTc (0.30 [0.39]°C) in group OC was significantly smaller than those in group C (0.73 [0.40]°C; P = .001) and group OP (0.63 [0.46]°C; P = .0048).

CONCLUSIONS:
Oral carbohydrate loading 2 hours before surgery facilitated body temperature maintenance during CSEA for elective cesarean delivery.
КВАЛИМЕТРИЧЕСКИЙ ПОДХОД К РЕЙТИНГОВАНИЮ СТАРТАПОВ
Authors: Oleynik Arina Gennadievna , Akhmedova Milena Rasulovna 
Published: March 2021

Данная статья посвящена исследованию и применению квалиметрического подхода при анализе и рейтинговании стартапов. Существует множество методик оценки стартапов, однако квалиметрический подход имеет преимущества перед ними, т.к. он составляет критерии ранжированных списков, которые определяют интегральное качество для каждого стартапа с целью составления рейтинга. Авторами были выявлены все базовые показатели стартапов, а также при помощи методов квалиметрии данные показатели были сведены вместе, преобразованы для того, чтобы обеспечить достоверность и точность каждого из результатов данных показателей. На основании проведенного исследования были выявлены основные этапы работ квалиметрического анализа, которые необходимо провести при рейтинговании стартапов и выделены значимости и весомости исследования по каждому базисному показателю.Цель – применение квалиметрического подхода при рейтинговании стартапов.Метод и методология проведения работы: комплекс методов теоретического обоснования (описание, сравнение), квалиметрический метод, экспертный метод.Результаты: выявлены основные базисные показатели стартапов, построено дерево свойств рейтингования стартапов и поддеревья каждого из базисных показателей, назначены интервалы изменений каждого базисного показателя и рассчитаны их показатели весомости при помощи экспертного метода.Область применения результатов: полученные в рамках настоящего исследования результаты целесообразно использовать при анализе различных видов стартапов с целью рейтингования и выявления их эффективности.
Distributionally Robust Conditional Quantile Prediction with Fixed Design
Authors: Qi Meng , Cao Ying , Shen Zuo-Jun (Max) 
Published: March 2021

Conditional quantile prediction involves estimating/predicting the quantile of a response random variable conditioned on observed covariates. The existing literature assumes the availability of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) samples of both the covariates and the response variable. However, such an assumption often becomes restrictive in many real-world applications. By contrast, we consider a fixed-design setting of the covariates, under which neither the response variable nor the covariates have i.i.d. samples. The present study provides a new data-driven distributionally robust framework under a fixed-design setting. We propose a regress-then-robustify method by constructing a surrogate empirical distribution of the noise. The solution of our framework coincides with a simple yet practical method that involves only regression and sorting, therefore providing an explanation for its empirical success. Measure concentration results are obtained for the surrogate empirical distribution, which further lead to finite-sample performance guarantees and asymptotic consistency. Numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the advantages of our approach. This paper was accepted by Hamid Nazerzadeh, Management Science Special Section on Data-Driven Prescriptive Analytics.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO STUNTING IN CHILDREN AGED 6-24 MONTHS IN YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Qomariyah Nurul , Dinasty Putri Fia Amorita 
Published: March 2021

Stunting is the impaired growth and development resulted from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. Children are defined as stunted if their height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the WHO Child Growth Standards median. Purwomartani is a village with the highest prevalence of stunting in Kalasan (27.66%), Sleman, Special Region Yogyakarta. The aim of the study was to determine factors that are associated with the incidence of stunting in Purwomartani. Observational analytic research was conducted with case control design. Data was taken from the Nutrition Monitoring data of Kalasan primary health center in 2018. Cases were children aged 6-24 months who experienced stunting (n=37). Control was children aged 6-24 months who are not stunted (n=37). Three respondents were excluded from each group. Total of 68 data was analyzed. The results of the study showed that the majority of those who are stunted are in the age groups 13-24 months and the gender was female. Variables related to the incidence of stunting were father's education (OR = 3.429; CI = 1,176-9,994), maternal education (OR = 3,519; CI = 1,270-9,750), birth weight (OR = 5,250; CI = 1,509-18,268) and breastfeeding history (OR = 3.378; CI = 1,246-9,157). Variables that were not related to the incidence of stunting are family income (OR = 1,486; CI = 0,540-4,084), maternal age (OR = 1,170; CI = 0,390-3,512) and birth interval (OR = 2.2750.799-6.476). Factors related to stunting were father's education, mother's education, birth weight and history of breastfeeding
Impact of metformin use on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after initial liver resection in diabetic patients
Authors: Cho Wei-Ru , Wang Chih-Chi , Tsai Meng-Yun , Chou Chen-Kai , Liu Yueh-Wei , Wu Yi-Ju , Lin Ming-Tsung , Chen Kuang-Den , Chuang Ching-Hui , Huang Pao-Yuan , Hu Tsung-Hui , Tsai Ming-Chao 
Published: March 2021

Background
Metformin is proposed to have chemopreventive effect of various cancer currently. However, the anti-cancer effect of metformin for diabetic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing liver resection remains unclear. The aim of our cohort study was to assess whether metformin influence the recurrence of HCC.

Methods
We retrospectively enrolled 857 HCC patients who received primary resection from April 2001 to June 2016. 222 patients were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) from medical record. Factors influence the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by multivariate analysis.

Results
During the follow-up period (mean, 75 months), 471 (54.9%) patients experienced recurrence, and 158 (18.4%) patients died. Multivariate analysis revealed that DM (p = 0.015), elevated AST (p = 0.006), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.003), tumor number (p = 0.001), tumor size (p < 0.001), vascular invasion (p <0.001), high Ishak fibrosis score (p <0.001), hepatitis B (p = 0.014), hepatitis C (p = 0.001) were independent predictors for RFS. In diabetic patients, only HbA1c>9% (p = 0.033), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.030) and vascular invasion (p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for HCC recurrence; but the metformin use revealed no significance on recurrence. DM is a risk factor of HCC recurrence after resection. Adequate DM control can reduce the recurrence of HCC. However, the use of metformin does not reduce the risk of HCC recurrence in diabetic patient after initial resection. Hence, metformin may not have protective influences on HCC recurrence in diabetic patients who undergo initial liver resection.
Clinical and microbiological characterization of sepsis and evaluation of sepsis scores
Authors: Fuchs Andre , Tufa Tafese Beyene , Hörner Johannes , Hurissa Zewdu , Nordmann Tamara , Bosselmann Matthias , Abdissa Sileshi , Sorsa Abebe , Orth Hans Martin , Jensen Björn-Erik Ole , MacKenzie Colin , Pfeffer Klaus , Kaasch Achim J. , Bode Johannes G. , Häussinger Dieter , Feldt Torsten 
Published: March 2021

Background
Despite the necessity of early recognition for an optimal outcome, sepsis often remains unrecognized. Available tools for early recognition are rarely evaluated in low- and middle-income countries. In this study, we analyzed the spectrum, treatment and outcome of sepsis at an Ethiopian tertiary hospital and evaluated recommended sepsis scores.

Methods
Patients with an infection and ≥2 SIRS criteria were screened for sepsis by SOFA scoring. From septic patients, socioeconomic and clinical data as well as blood cultures were collected and they were followed until discharge or death; 28-day mortality was determined.

Results
In 170 patients with sepsis, the overall mortality rate was 29.4%. The recognition rate by treating physicians after initial clinical assessment was low (12.4%). Increased risk of mortality was significantly associated with level of SOFA and qSOFA score, Gram-negative bacteremia (in comparison to Gram-positive bacteremia; 42.9 versus 16.7%), and antimicrobial regimen including ceftriaxone (35.7% versus 19.2%) or metronidazole (43.8% versus 25.0%), but not with an increased respiratory rate (≥22/min) or decreased systolic blood pressure (≤100mmHg). In Gram-negative isolates, extended antimicrobial resistance with expression of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase genes was common. Among adult patients, sensitivity and specificity of qSOFA score for detection of sepsis were 54.3% and 66.7%, respectively.

Conclusion
Sepsis is commonly unrecognized and associated with high mortality, showing the need for reliable and easy-applicable tools to support early recognition. The established sepsis scores were either of limited applicability (SOFA) or, as in the case of qSOFA, were significantly impaired in their sensitivity and specificity, demonstrating the need for further evaluation and adaptation to local settings. Regional factors like malaria endemicity and HIV prevalence might influence the performance of different scores. Ineffective empirical treatment due to antimicrobial resistance is common and associated with mortality. Local antimicrobial resistance statistics are needed for guidance of calculated antimicrobial therapy to support reduction of sepsis mortality.
Topical diclofenac vs placebo for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bussin Erin , Cairns Brian , Gerschman Tommy , Fredericson Michael , Bovard Jim , Scott Alex 
Published: March 2021

Introduction
The application of topical diclofenac has been suggested as a possible treatment for Achilles tendinopathy. Our aim was to answer the question, is topical diclofenac more effective than placebo for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy?.

Methods
67 participants with persistent midportion or insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomly assigned to receive a 4 week course of 10% topical diclofenac (n = 32) or placebo (n = 35). The a priori primary outcome measure was change in severity of Achilles tendinopathy (VISA-A score) at 4 and 12 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included numeric pain rating, and patient-reported change in symptoms using a 7 point scale, from substantially worse to substantially better. Pressure pain threshold (N) and transverse tendon stiffness (N/m) were measured over the site of maximum Achilles tendon pathology at baseline and 4 weeks.

Results
There were no statistically or clinically significant differences between the diclofenac and placebo groups in any of the primary or secondary outcome measures at any timepoint. Average VISA-A score improved in both groups (p<0.0001), but the improvements were marginal: at 4 weeks, the improvements in VISA-A were 9 (SD 11) in the diclofenac group and 8 (SD 12) in the placebo group, and at 12 weeks the improvements were 9 (SD 16) and 11 (SD13) respectively–these average changes are smaller than the minimum clinically important difference of the VISA-A.

Conclusion
The regular application of topical diclofenac for Achilles tendinopathy over a 4 week period was not associated with superior clinical outcomes to that achieved with placebo.