bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shared Decision Making Tools for People Facing Stroke Prevention Strategies in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Environmental Scan
Authors: Torres Roldan Victor D. , Brand-McCarthy Sarah R. , Ponce Oscar J. , Belluzzo Tereza , Urtecho Meritxell , Espinoza Suarez Nataly R. , Toloza Freddy J. K. , Thota Anjali D. , Organick Paige W. , Barrera Francisco , Liu-Sanchez Carolina , Jaladi Soumya , Prokop Larry , Ozanne Elissa M. , Fagerlin Angela , Hargraves Ian G. , Noseworthy Peter A. , Montori Victor M. , Brito Juan P. 
Published: April 2021

Objective Shared decision making (SDM) tools can help implement guideline recommendations for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) considering stroke prevention strategies. We sought to characterize all available SDM tools for this purpose and examine their quality and clinical impact. Methods We searched through multiple bibliographic databases, social media, and an SDM tool repository from inception to May 2020 and contacted authors of identified SDM tools. Eligible tools had to offer information about warfarin and ≥1 direct oral anticoagulant. We extracted tool characteristics, assessed their adherence to the International Patient Decision Aids Standards, and obtained information about their efficacy in promoting SDM. Results We found 14 SDM tools. Most tools provided up-to-date information about the options, but very few included practical considerations (e.g., out-of-pocket cost). Five of these SDM tools, all used by patients prior to the encounter, were tested in trials at high risk of bias and were found to produce small improvements in patient knowledge and reductions in decisional conflict. Conclusion Several SDM tools for stroke prevention in AF are available, but whether they promote high-quality SDM is yet to be known. The implementation of guidelines for SDM in this context requires user-centered development and evaluation of SDM tools that can effectively promote high-quality SDM and improve stroke prevention in patients with AF.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Paper-Based at a Hospital versus Continual Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes at Home for Metastatic Cancer Patients: Does Electronic Measurement at Home Detect Patients’ Health Status in Greater Detail?
Authors: Shiroiwa Takeru , Hagiwara Yasuhiro , Taira Naruto , Kawahara Takuya , Konomura Keiko , Iwamoto Tetsuya , Noto Shinichi , Fukuda Takashi , Shimozuma Kojiro 
Published: April 2021

Purpose This study aimed to determine whether continual electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measurements at home can capture the fluctuations in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores between visits. Methods We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare the scores obtained by standard practice (paper-based measurements in the hospital) to scores by continuous measurement of ePRO at home. Metastatic cancer patients were randomly assigned to either the paper-based ( n = 50) or the ePRO group ( n = 52). EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ C-30 scores were obtained on 3 different chemotherapy days in the paper-based group. Meanwhile, scores were obtained on the chemotherapy day and on days 3, 7, 10, and 14 in the ePRO group during 2 cycles. The first hypothesis of our study was that both scores at the same time points would be equivalent despite different measurement frequency, place, or mode of measurement. The second hypothesis was that PRO score–adjusted time would be different between the groups. For equivalence, the endpoint was the mean EQ-5D-5L index value on the chemotherapy day before the outpatient treatment. Only if equivalence was shown, quality-adjusted life-days (QALDs) were considered using all the data. Results The adjusted mean difference in the EQ-5D-5L index was determined to be −0.013 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.049 to 0.022); the 95% CI did not exceed the equivalence margin. Similarly, the mean difference in global health status (2.28 [95% CI: −2.55 to 7.11]) also showed equivalence. However, the QALD by EQ-5D-5L was significantly lower in the ePRO group by 1.36 per 30 d (95% CI: −2.22 to −0.51; P = 0.0021). Conclusions Continual measurements of the HRQOL at home by ePRO may yield more detailed profiles of the HRQOL.
Evaluation of left ventricular systolic synchrony by peak strain dispersion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ji Xiang , Zhang Xia , Feng Huijun 
Published: April 2021

Objective To investigate the clinical value of the peak strain dispersion (PSD) in evaluating left ventricular (LV) systolic synchrony in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods One hundred eleven patients with RA were divided into two groups according to their disease duration: <5 years (Group I, n = 60) and ≥5 years (Group II, n = 51). The control group comprised 57 healthy subjects without RA. All three groups were examined by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography. Traditional parameters were measured by conventional echocardiography. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging was used to analyze the PSD and LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS). Related ultrasound and blood test results were analyzed and compared. Results The PSD gradually increased in the order of the control group, Group I, and Group II, and the difference among the groups was statistically significant. The LVGLS gradually decreased in the order of the control group, Group I, and Group II, and the difference among the groups was statistically significant. The PSD was negatively correlated with the LVGLS. Conclusions LV systolic synchrony in patients with RA gradually decreases as the disease course progresses. The PSD can be used as a new reliable index to evaluate LV systolic synchrony.
Factors Affecting the Availability of Abortion Providers
Authors: Medoff Marshall H. 
Published: April 2021

This study, using state data, empirically examines the factors affecting the availability of abortion providers over the period 1992–2011. The empirical results found that the labor force participation of women and the percentage of women of reproductive age in the 18–24 age group were positively associated with the number of abortion providers in a state. The level of antiabortion activities and antiabortion attitudes were negatively associated with the number of abortion providers in a state. Also, a state’s abortion rate was positively associated with the number of abortion providers. The enforcement of a parental involvement law by a state significantly deters physicians or organizations from becoming or remaining abortion providers. JEL Classifications: I11, I18, K32, K38
Sleep Disorders in Individuals With High Risk for Diabetes in Indian Population
Authors: Maity Kalyan , Nagarathna Raghuram , Anand Akshay , Patil Suchitra S. , Singh Amit , Rajesh SK , Ramesh Latha , Sridhar P , Thakur Uttam Kumar , Nagendra Hongasandra R 
Published: April 2021

Background: Sleep restores physiology and neurochemical components of our body and is essential for physical and mental health. Sleep disorders (SDs) are associated with insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. The association between SDs and diabetes needs to be understood in the Indian population. Purpose: The purpose was to investigate the association between SD and diabetes in the Indian population. Methods: As a part of nationwide Niyantrita Madhumeha Bharata Abhiyaan-2017 (NMB-2017), a cross-sectional study was conducted and data was collected from seven zones of India, after screening through the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS). The sleep quality was assessed on a scale of 1 to 4 (very good = 1, very bad = 4). The time taken to fall asleep (sleep latency) was assessed on a scale of 0 to 5 (“0” = nil and “5” = >1.5 h). Stress was assessed by the perceived stress scale. Results: Bad sleep quality was positively (odds ratio 1.055, CI [1.001, 1.113], and P < .01) associated with self-reported known diabetes. Increased time taken to fall in sleep (sleep latency) was associated significantly with IDRS high risk (odds ratio 1.085, CI [1.008, 1.168], and P = .01), with an average sleep latency /time takes to fall in sleep (maximum range 5 [>1.5 h], mode 2 [10 to 30 min]) minutes. Moderate stress was significantly associated with bad sleep quality (odds ratio 1.659). Conclusion: A positive association of bad sleep quality and stress with diabetes, and an increased sleep latency in the IDRS high-risk population point to the role of modifiable risk factors. Behavioral modification and stress reduction by using yoga may be beneficial in the better management of diabetes.
The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Association Between Diabetes Education and Support and Self-Care Management
Authors: Juarez Lucía D. , Presley Caroline A. , Howell Carrie R. , Agne April A. , Cherrington Andrea L. 
Published: April 2021

Diabetes self-management education and support enhance self-efficacy and promote self-management behaviors essential for diabetes management. We investigated the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the association between diabetes education or care coordination and self-care activities. We surveyed a population-based sample of adults with type 2 diabetes (19–64 years of age) covered by Alabama Medicaid. We examined whether receipt of diabetes education or care coordination were associated with improvements in diabetes self-care activities. We then examined if improvements were mediated by self-efficacy. Models were adjusted for age, gender, race, education, insulin use, diabetes duration, and depressive symptoms. Results A total of 1,318 participants were included in the study (mean age = 52.9 years, SD = 9.6; 72.5% female, 56.4% Black, 3.1% Hispanic). Diabetes education was associated with increases in self-care activity scores related to general diet, physical activity, glucose self-monitoring, and foot care; care coordination was associated with glucose self-monitoring. In addition, mediation analysis models confirmed that improvements in self-efficacy led to improved self-care activities scores, mediating the association of diabetes education and self-care activities. Conclusions Diabetes education and self-efficacy were associated with better self-care. Receiving diabetes education led to a higher likelihood of engaging in self-care activities, driven in part by increases in self-efficacy. Future interventions that aim to improve diabetes self-management behaviors can benefit from targeting self-efficacy constructs and from the integration of diabetes education in the care coordination structure.
Ahmed glaucoma valve in vitrectomized eyes: An implantation technique to minimize early postoperative fluid-loss hypotony
Authors: Arpa Paolo , Arpa Cristina 
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To describe the application of a modified Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) surgical implantation technique in vitrectomized eyes, in order to minimize the risk of early postoperative hypotony, which leads to hemorrhagic complications. Materials and methods: Data of patients implanted with AGV using the surgical technique described were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criterion: glaucomatous eyes with previous history of pars plana vitrectomy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and ophthalmic examination were performed preoperatively and postoperatively weekly for 1 month for the detection of early hypotony, choroidal effusion/detachment, intraocular hemorrhage. The surgical technique consisted in creating a 5 mm long scleral tunnel with a 23 G needle reaching the anterior chamber at the iridocorneal angle, in which the Ahmed glaucoma valve tube was inserted. Results: Ten eyes of 10 patients were included. Median preoperative IOP was 30.5 mmHg [interquartile range (IQR) 28.3–33.0]; median postoperative IOP was 12.0 mmHg (IQR 9.3–13.0) at 1 week, and 12.5 mmHg (IQR 11.0–15.0) at 1 month. In no cases postoperative IOP was <8 mmHg. On the first postoperative day, five (50%) eyes showed few blood clots in the anterior chamber. On the second-week appointment, moderate choroidal effusion was observed in two eyes (20%). No hemorrhagic complications were observed. Conclusions: The creation of a long intrascleral tunnel with a 23 G needle for AGV implantation in vitrectomized eyes could be effective in decreasing leakage through the space between the valve tube and the sclerocorneal tissue. This technique is safe, easy to perform, feasible and fast. Due to its advantages and good postoperative results, it could also be adopted in non-vitrectomized eyes.
Correlates of Alcohol-Using Network Size Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in San Francisco, CA
Authors: Garcia Alex , Rowe Chris , Turner Caitlin , Santos Glenn-Milo 
Published: April 2021

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a high prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption. While network-level characteristics such as social network size have been indicated as upstream determinants of alcohol use in general population samples, no studies have examined factors associated with alcohol using network size (ANS), among MSM. This secondary analysis examined demographic, substance use, and sexual behavior correlates of ANS using data from a diverse sample of alcohol-using MSM in San Francisco ( N = 252). Associations were calculated using multivariable negative binomial regression, adjusting for age, race, education, and employment. The median ANS was 10. Factors associated with larger ANS in multivariable analyses included identifying as Hispanic/Latino, having completed a college education or higher, having a higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score, having a greater number of sexual partners, polysubstance use, and being unaware of one’s own HIV status. Factors associated with smaller ANS included being between 18 and 24 years of age, reporting a low income, and having any lifetime history of injection drug use. For MSM, ANS was associated with increased likelihood of hazardous alcohol use, as well specific individual-level substance use and sexual risk behaviors. These results highlight the role of ANS in hazardous alcohol consumption and sexually transmitted infection transmission among MSM. These results also indicate ways that research and intervention programs aimed at reducing alcohol use among MSM might be improved through network-based recruitment or engagement. Finally, these results suggest the need for further research on HIV-unknown MSM.
The justification of non-obstetric ultrasound referrals: A safe and effective practice
Authors: Smith Shaunna , Parker Trevor , Parker Pamela 
Published: April 2021

Introduction In 2015 the British Medical Ultrasound Society released a referral justification document for rejection of inappropriate ultrasound referrals to help manage increasing demand and ensure correct utilisation of diagnostic imaging tests. In our trust, referrals that were not aligned with the guidance were cancelled and returned to general practitioners, providing reasons for cancellation and advising other diagnostic tests if appropriate. Methodology: In total, 1000 cases cancelled between April and August 2019 were retrospectively audited by a team of clinical specialist sonographers. Interoperator agreement against BMUS justification guidelines and safety of this cancellation process were established. Duplicate imaging referrals, referrals made that should have been placed on management pathways or referrals cancelled by the patient directly were excluded in the safety assessment. Results There was strong agreement amongst sonographers regarding cancellations. After exclusions, 389 cases were included for review. The majority (90.5%) required no onward imaging and were therefore deemed cancelled appropriately. There were 37 patients found with pathology on subsequent imaging, two of which were found to have cancer and the remainder with benign pathology. Conclusions Overall, we found the cancellation process to be safe and the justification document easy to utilise in practice. This process has ensured a minimal waiting time for ultrasound imaging is maintained and that demand can be managed to meet the available capacity.
Bipedicle strap flaps for reconstruction of longitudinal dorsal finger defects: a review of 42 cases
Authors: Martins Antoine , Artuso Mickael , Marc Claise Jean 
Published: April 2021

We report our experience with 42 bipedicle strap flaps in 42 fingers of 37 patients for the reconstruction of long longitudinal dorsal finger defects. Twelve cases were compound lesions with tendon lacerations. All flaps healed without infection, congestion or necrosis. At follow-up, mean total active interphalangeal joint mobility was 150° and 108° in patients without and with tendon lacerations, respectively. The median scores of the short version of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire were 5 and 7, respectively. Patients were able to return to work or to their daily activities after a mean of 6 weeks. The patients were satisfied with the appearance in 34 of the 42 flaps. We conclude that the flap is a useful option for reconstructing dorsal digital lesions. It has a texture similar to the normal dorsal digital skin, and it is easy to perform without needing microsurgery. Level of evidence: IV
Dalfampridine improves slowed processing speed in multiple sclerosis patients with mild motor disability: post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pozzilli Carlo , Prosperini Luca , Tommasin Silvia , Gasperini Claudio , Barbuti Elena , De Giglio Laura 
Published: April 2021

Objective: To evaluate baseline characteristics predictive of improving information processing speed in multiple sclerosis (MS) and the relationship between cognitive and motor response to dalfampridine (DA) treatment. Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with MS randomized to receive DA 10 mg or placebo twice daily for 12 consecutive weeks. Here, we include only data from 71 patients in the arm treated with DA. According to the median value of Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) response, patients were categorized as “full responders” (FR) or “partially responders” (PR). Results: There was higher possibility of being FR in the presence of a baseline lower Expanded Disability Status Scale [odds ratio (OR) 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5–0.97, p = 0.034], a higher Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite value (OR 1.37; 95%CI 1.05–1.8, p = 0.022), a lower Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.6–0.98, p = 0.033), and a lower 9-Hole Peg Test with dominant hand (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.86–0.99, p = 0.029). FR group did not show any significant improvement of motor performance compared with PR group. Conclusion: The current analysis shows that in MS patients with cognitive deficit, the greatest improvement in SDMT provided by DA was observed in patients with milder motor impairment; cognitive and motor responses to treatments are not related. Trial registration: EU Clinical Trials Register; ID 2013-002558-64 ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2013-002558-64 )
Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee Joint: Midterm Clinical and MRI Outcomes of Arthroscopic Retrograde Drilling and Internal Fixation with Bioabsorbable Pins
Authors: Komnos Georgios , Iosifidis Michael , Papageorgiou Fotios , Melas Ioannes , Metaxiotis Dimitrios , Hantes Michael 
Published: April 2021

Objective This study aimed to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of juvenile patients who suffered from stage II or III osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee and underwent arthroscopic retrograde drilling and internal fixation with bioabsorbable pins. Design Medical and radiological records from patients aged 11 to 16 years, who underwent arthroscopic treatment for OCD lesions of the knee in 2 tertiary hospitals, were retrospectively reviewed. The procedure was indicated by persistent pain and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients underwent retrograde drilling and arthroscopic fixation of the lesion with bioabsorbable pins. MRI was conducted at least 1 year postoperative in all patients to evaluate healing. Functional outcomes were evaluated through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Lysholm, and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) scores. Results A total of 40 patients, with an average age of 13.1 years (range = 11-16 years) and an average follow-up of 6.6 years (range = 3-13 years) were reviewed. MRI findings confirmed the healing of the lesion in 36 out of the 40 (90%) patients. In particular, the healing rate was 95% (20/21) and 84% (16/19) for stage II and stage III, respectively. Lysholm, IKDC, and VAS scores revealed a statistically significant improvement ( P < 0.05) at final follow-up in comparison to preoperative status. No infection, knee stiffness, or other complication was recorded. Conclusions Retrograde drilling combined with internal fixation with bioabsorbable pins, of stages II and III OCD lesions of the knee provides good to excellent outcomes to juvenile patients, with a high healing rate.
An international bibliometric study of scientific articles on intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Kiraz Murat , Demir Emre , Özdemir Ömer 
Published: April 2021

Objectives The number of original scientific researches on intracranial aneurysms has risen over the last 30 years. Despite the rise in the number of articles, there is no up-to-date exhaustive bibliometric research in the literature. This study aimed to contribute to the literature via a bibliometric analysis of the original scientific researches on intracranial aneurysms published over the last 30 years. Methods The literature review was done using the Web of Science. All articles and its citations containing aneurysm keywords were analyzed in the "title" section of articles published in the research areas: Neurosciences Neurology during 1980–2019. Correlation analyses between the number of articles produced by the countries and their economic and development indicators of gross domestic product, and Human Development Index were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Linear regression analysis was utilized to estimate the number of articles to be published in the future. Results There were a total of 21,673 publications on intracranial aneurysms. Of these publications, 13,371 (61.7%) were articles. The three countries that produced the most articles were the USA (4098), Japan (2668), and China (937). A statistically significant correlation was found between the development indicators of world countries and publication productivity ( p<0.001). The three journals that produced the most publications were Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery, and American Journal of Neuroradiology. The most cited article was published in Journal of Neurosurgery. Conclusion This bibliometric study provides a collection of data that will help design future research on intracranial aneurysms more efficiently and make innovations at greater speed.