bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Source of Funding on the Outcome of Clinical Trials in India
Authors: Ruqsana Benhur 
Published: September 2018

In recent times, there has been a surge of clinical trials in India. These trials are funded by different agents such as pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, research institutions, etc. Categorising the sponsors as pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, this article tries to address the question whether the source of funding of the trials affects its outcome favourably. The study is carried out with 255 trials registered in Clinical Trials Registry-India from the year 2007 to 2009. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggests that the trials conducted by pharmaceutical industries have significantly (at 10% level of significance) higher probability of success as compared to those sponsored by non-pharmaceutical industries. The possible reasons for this association are that trials conducted by pharmaceutical industries are in higher phase of study, use placebo as a control, are conducted in multiple centres and consist of large sample size. JEL: I11, C51
Effects of Heart Rate Reduction With Either Pyridostigmine or Ivabradine in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study
Authors: Villacorta Aline Sterque , Villacorta Humberto , Caldas José Antônio , Precht Bernardo Campanário , Porto Pilar Barreto , Rodrigues Letícia Ubaldo , Neves Márcio , Xavier Analucia Rampazzo , Kanaan Salim , Mesquita Cláudio Tinoco , da Nóbrega Antônio Cláudio Lucas 
Published: September 2018

Background: Heart rate (HR) reduction with ivabradine has been proved to reduce hospitalization and death from heart failure (HF). We sought to investigate whether pyridostigmine would effectively reduce HR in patients with chronic HF as compared with ivabradine. Methods: Twenty-one patients with HF who were in sinus rhythm with a resting HR over 70 bpm, despite optimal medical treatment, were included in a randomized, double-blind study comparing pyridostigmine versus ivabradine. The initial dose of ivabradine was 5 mg twice daily to reach a target HR between 50 and 60 bpm and could be titrated to a maximum of 7.5 mg twice daily. Pyridostigmine was used in a fixed dose of 30 mg 3 times daily. Results: The baseline HR for ivabradine and pyridostigmine groups was 89.1 (13.5) and 80.1 (7.2) bpm, respectively ( P = .083). After 6 months of treatment, HR was significantly reduced to 64.8 (8.3) bpm in the ivabradine group ( P = .0014) and 63.6 (5.9) bpm in the pyridostigmine group ( P = .0001). The N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide was reduced in the ivabradine group (median: 1308.4 [interquartile range: 731-1896] vs 755.8 [134.5-1014] pg/mL; P = .027) and in the pyridostigmine group (132.8 [89.9-829] vs 100.7 [38-360] pg/mL; P = .002). Inflammatory markers interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor were reduced in both groups. Exercise capacity was improved in both groups, with increments in volume of oxygen utilization ([Formula: see text]O2; ivabradine: 13.1 vs 15.6, P = .048; pyridostigmine: 13.3 vs 16.7, P = .032). Heart rate recovery in the first minute postexercise was improved with pyridostigmine (11.8 [3.9] vs 18 [6.5]; P = .046), but not with ivabradine (13.3 [6.9] vs 14.1 [8.2]; P = .70). No differences in either group were observed in the myocardial scintigraphy with 123-iodine-metaiodobenzylguanidine. Conclusion: Both drugs significantly reduced HR, with improvements in exercise capacity and in neurohormonal and inflammatory profiles.
Evaluation of the New ISGLS Definitions of Typical Posthepatectomy Complications
Authors: Birgin E. , Tesfazgi W. , Knoth M. , Wilhelm T.J. , Post S. , Rückert F. 
Published: September 2018

Background and Objectives: The International Study Group of Liver Surgery established the first internationally standardized definitions and grading for posthepatectomy hemorrhage, posthepatectomy liver failure, and bile leakage. We aimed to correlate these definitions and grades of complications with objective parameters of the postoperative course, namely, mortality and length of stay, to assess the usefulness in clinical routine. Methods: A total of 415 patients underwent hepatic surgery between 2004 and 2014. Uni- and multivariate analyses were made for correlations of posthepatectomy hemorrhage, posthepatectomy liver failure, and bile leakage with perioperative parameters and mortality. Results: Of the total, 25 (6.1%) patients developed a posthepatectomy hemorrhage Grade A, 3 (0.7%) patients a posthepatectomy hemorrhage Grade B, and 1 (0.2%) patient a posthepatectomy hemorrhage Grade C; 23 (5.5%) patients had a posthepatectomy liver failure Grade A, 24 (5.8%) patients a posthepatectomy liver failure Grade B, and 7 patients (1.6%) a posthepatectomy liver failure Grade C. Bile leakage Grade A occurred in 10 (2.4%) patients, bile leakage Grade B in 24 (5.8%) patients, and bile leakage Grade C in 7 (1.6%) patients. Mortality was significantly increased in patients with posthepatectomy hemorrhage Grades B and C and in patients with posthepatectomy liver failure Grades A, B, and C. Three (42.9%) patients with bile leakage Grade C died. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the new definitions correlate well with mortality and duration of hospital stay.
Fostering quality education research: The role of the European Educational Research Association as a scientific association
Authors: Madalińska-Michalak Joanna 
Published: September 2018

This paper considers the role and responsibilities of a scientific association in promoting and supporting high quality research, particularly with regard to providing guidance on research ethics. The paper reports on a survey-based study commissioned by the European Educational Research Association in 2015 which focused on educational researchers’ experiences with, and attitudes toward, the research ethics review scope and practice. The study provides insight into the role and activities of the European Educational Research Association in fostering high quality educational research. The analysis reveals the perception of academics that the European Educational Research Association might further high quality educational research for the benefit of education and society in the following ways: (i) leading the development of guidelines on ethical education research that are applicable across Europe whilst recognizing varied transnational contexts; (ii) promoting free, open dialogue and critical discussion on ethics in educational research; (iii) taking a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to ethics in educational research; (iv) informing the public about current developments in educational research; (v) developing practices of reviewing educational research in the context of research ethics; and (vi) promoting debate on ethics in the academic field of educational research. The paper concludes with some recommendations for the European Educational Research Association related to its role and responsibilities in fostering quality research.
Incidence of atrial fibrillation among patients with an embolic stroke of undetermined source: Insights from insertable cardiac monitors
Authors: Verma Nishant , Ziegler Paul D , Liu Shufeng , Passman Rod S 
Published: September 2018

Background Prophylactic use of direct oral anticoagulants for recurrent stroke prevention in patients with embolic strokes of undetermined source is currently being investigated. It is uncertain whether the bleeding risks associated with prophylactic direct oral anticoagulants use will outweigh any stroke prevention benefit in embolic strokes of undetermined source patients who lack underlying atrial fibrillation. Methods We determined the proportion of cryptogenic stroke patients in the CRYSTAL atrial fibrillation trial who met inclusion criteria for the NAVIGATE embolic stroke of undetermined source and RE-SPECT embolic stroke of undetermined source trials and their atrial fibrillation incidence. Both embolic strokes of undetermined source trials impose requirements on age, modified Rankin Score, antiplatelet use, and type of infarction. Insertable cardiac monitors were used to determine the atrial fibrillation detection rates at 30 days and 3 years using Kaplan–Meier’s estimates. Results Among 441 patients enrolled in the CRYSTAL atrial fibrillation trial, 189 (42.9%) and 236 (53.5%) met the inclusion criteria of the NAVIGATE embolic stroke of undetermined source and RE-SPECT embolic stroke of undetermined source trials, respectively. Atrial fibrillation detection rates at 3 years among insertable cardiac monitors patients eligible for the NAVIGATE embolic stroke of undetermined source and RE-SPECT embolic stroke of undetermined source trials were 35.8% and 33.6% while detection rates at 30 days were 5.6% and 3.5%, respectively. Conclusion Only half of cryptogenic stroke patients in CRYSTAL atrial fibrillation met the inclusion criteria for the ongoing embolic strokes of undetermined source trials. Approximately, two-thirds of patients with embolic strokes of undetermined source do not have any atrial fibrillation despite continuous rhythm monitoring for up to three years. The benefits of prophylactic use of direct oral anticoagulants in the absence of atrial fibrillation is unknown and therefore embolic strokes of undetermined source patients could benefit from prolonged atrial fibrillation monitoring until more robust data are available. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration NCT00924638. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00924638 .
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target attainment in patients with stable or acute coronary heart disease in the Asia-Pacific region: results from the Dyslipidemia International Study II
Authors: Poh Kian-Keong , Ambegaonkar Baishali , Baxter Carl A , Brudi Philippe , Buddhari Wacin , Chiang Fu-Tien , Horack Martin , Jang Yangsoo , Johnson Brett , Lautsch Dominik , Sawhney JPS , Vyas Ami , Yan Bryan P , Gitt Anselm K 
Published: September 2018

Background As mortality due to cardiovascular disease increases throughout the world, accurate data on risk factors such as hyperlipidemia are required. This is lacking in the Asia-Pacific region. Design The observational Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS) II was established to quantify the extent of hyperlipidemia in adults with acute and stable coronary heart disease globally. Methods Patients with stable coronary heart disease or hospitalised with an acute coronary syndrome were enrolled across nine Asia-Pacific countries from July 2013 to October 2014. Lipid-lowering therapy and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target attainment (<70 mg/dL) were assessed. The acute coronary syndrome cohort was followed up 4 months post-discharge. Results Of the 4592 patients enrolled, 2794 had stable coronary heart disease and 1798 were admitted with an acute coronary syndrome. In the coronary heart disease cohort, the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was 86.9 mg/dL, with 91.7% using lipid-lowering therapy and 31% achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of less than 70 mg/dL. In the acute coronary syndrome cohort at admission, the corresponding values were 103.2 mg/dL, 63.4% and 23.0%, respectively. Target attainment was significantly higher in lipid-lowering therapy-treated than non-treated patients in each cohort (32.6% vs. 12.9% and 31.1% vs. 9.0%, respectively). Mean atorvastatin-equivalent dosages were low (20 ± 15 and 22 ± 18 mg/day, respectively), with little use of non-statin adjuvants (13.0% and 6.8%, respectively). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target attainment had improved by follow-up for the acute coronary syndrome patients, but remained low (41.7%). Conclusions Many patients in Asia at very high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events had a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level above the recommended target. Although lipid-lowering therapy was common, it was not used to its full potential.
The effect of far infrared radiation therapy on inflammation regulation in lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis in mice
Authors: Chang Yuanmay 
Published: September 2018

Objective: Far infrared radiation has been widely used in a variety of healthcare institutions and clinical research. Previous studies have shown that far infrared radiation can promote blood circulation and enhance the functioning of the immune system. Many patients receiving peritoneal dialysis have been co-treated with far infrared radiation to reduce the occurrence of inflammation. This study seeks to evaluate the effects of far infrared radiation therapy on inflammation. Method: We used the lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis mouse model to study the effect of far infrared radiation treatment. Sixteen mice were randomly divided into two groups, a far infrared radiation treatment group ( n = 8) and a non-far infrared radiation treatment group ( n = 8). Collected blood samples were studied by analyzing the RNA level of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the plasma protein levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Results: The administration of far infrared radiation inhibited the RNA levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α after stimulation by lipopolysaccharide. The far infrared radiation treatment inhibited the endothelial nitric oxide synthase RNA levels at 1 h, but the RNA levels returned close to the baseline level after 2 h. In the control group, the endothelial nitric oxide synthase RNA levels were continuously decreasing. The interleukin-6 concentration in the plasma of the far infrared radiation group showed significant inhibition 30 min after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The tumor necrosis factor alpha RNA concentration in plasma of the far infrared radiation group was significantly reduced 2 h after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Conclusion: Far infrared radiation therapy can inhibit interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha RNA levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and recover endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression. These results demonstrate that far infrared radiation therapy might aid in reducing the level of inflammation experienced by patients going through peritoneal dialysis treatment.
Acute presentation of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease simulating patella sleeve fracture: A case report
Authors: Alassaf Nabil 
Published: September 2018

Objectives: Diagnosis of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease may not be an easy task. Several sport-related conditions affect the distal pole of the patella in the adolescent, and treatment varies considerably. The article describes a patient that had radiographic features of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease associated with an atypical acute presentation. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 10-year-old boy presented with a sudden pain after a noncontact soccer injury. He had tenderness and swelling over the patella. Radiographs showed minimally displaced distal patellar ossicle. Magnetic resonance imaging excluded sleeve cartilaginous injury and documented Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease. The knee was immobilized briefly. There was complete healing of the injury in 4-week follow-up radiographs. Conclusion: Emergency physicians, radiologists, and orthopedic surgeons should be aware of the acute presentation of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease after knee injuries.
Methods for combining continuously measured glucose and activity data in people with Type 2 diabetes: Challenges and solutions
Authors: McMillan Kathryn A , Kirk Alison , Hewitt Allan , MacRury Sandra , Lennon Marilyn 
Published: September 2018

Aims To present the novel application of combining continuously measured glucose with continuous accelerometer measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour data and discusses the principles used and challenges faced in combining and analysing these two sets of data in the context of diabetes management. Methods The background and rationale for exploring glucose, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in people with Type 2 diabetes is presented, the paper outlines the technologies used, the individual data extraction and finally the combined data analysis. A case study approach is used to illustrate the application of the combined data processing and analysis. Results The data analytic principles used could be transferred to different conditions where continuous data sets are being combined to help individuals or health professionals better manage and care for people with long term conditions. Conclusions Future work should focus on generating validated techniques to visualise combined data sets and explore ways to present data back to the individual in an effective way to support health care management and rehabilitation.
Preemptive rituximab prevents long-term relapses in immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Jestin Matthieu , Benhamou Ygal , Schelpe An-Sofie , Roose Elien , Provôt François , Galicier Lionel , Hié Miguel , Presne Claire , Poullin Pascale , Wynckel Alain , Saheb Samir , Deligny Christophe , Servais Aude , Girault Stéphane , Delmas Yahsou , Kanouni Tarik , Lautrette Alexandre , Chauveau Dominique , Mousson Christiane , Perez Pierre , Halimi Jean-Michel , Charvet-Rumpler Anne , Hamidou Mohamed , Cathébras Pascal , Vanhoorelbeke Karen , Veyradier Agnès , Coppo Paul 
Published: September 2018

Key Points
TTP patients who display persistent and severe ADAMTS13 deficiency after remission have a relapse rate of 74% during long-term follow-up. Preemptive rituximab can decrease TTP relapses in 85% of patients with a favorable benefit-risk balance.
Medical and social costs after using financial incentives to improve medication adherence: results of a 1 year randomised controlled trial
Authors: Noordraven Ernst L. , Wierdsma André I. , Blanken Peter , Bloemendaal Anthony F. T. , Mulder Cornelis L. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Objective
Offering a financial incentive (‘Money for Medication’) is effective in improving adherence to treatment with depot antipsychotic medications. We investigated the cost-effectiveness in terms of medical costs and judicial expenses of using financial incentives to improve adherence. The effects of financial incentives on depot medication adherence were evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. Patients in the intervention group received €30 a month over 12 months if antipsychotic depot medication was accepted. The control group received mental health care as usual. For 133 patients outcomes were calculated based on self-reported service use and delinquent behaviour and expressed as standard unit costs to value resource use.

Results
The financial incentive resulted in higher average costs related to mental health care (€449.6 versus €355.7). and lower medical costs related to other healthcare services (€52.0 versus €78.4). Relevant differences in social costs related to delinquent behaviour were not found. Although wide confidence intervals indicate uncertainty, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio’s (ICER) indicate that it costs €2080 for achieving a 20% increase in adherence or €3332 for achieving over 80% adherence. In sum, offering money as financial incentive for increasing compliance did not lead to an overall cost reduction as compared to care as usual.
Trial registration NTR2350, 01 June 2010
Usage of the HINTS exam and neuroimaging in the assessment of peripheral vertigo in the emergency department
Authors: Quimby Alexandra E. , Kwok Edmund S. H. , Lelli Daniel , Johns Peter , Tse Darren 
Published: September 2018

Background Dizziness is a common presenting symptom in the emergency department (ED). The HINTS exam, a battery of bedside clinical tests, has been shown to have greater sensitivity than neuroimaging in ruling out stroke in patients presenting with acute vertigo. The present study sought to assess practice patterns in the assessment of patients in the ED with peripherally-originating vertigo with respect to utilization of HINTS and neuroimaging. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using data pertaining to 500 randomly selected ED visits at a tertiary care centre with a final diagnostic code related to peripherally-originating vertigo between January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014. Results A total of 380 patients met inclusion criteria. Of patients presenting to the ED with dizziness and vertigo and a final diagnosis of non-central vertigo, 139 (36.6%) received neuroimaging in the form of CT, CT angiography, or MRI. Of patients who did not undergo neuroimaging, 17 (7.1%) had a bedside HINTS exam performed. Almost half (44%) of documented HINTS interpretations consisted of the ambiguous usage of “HINTS negative” as opposed to the terminology suggested in the literature (“HINTS central” or “HINTS peripheral”). Conclusions In this single-centre retrospective review, we have demonstrated that the HINTS exam is under-utilized in the ED as compared to neuroimaging in the assessment of patients with peripheral vertigo. This finding suggests that there is room for improvement in ED physicians’ application and interpretation of the HINTS exam.
Scaffold Proteins: From Coordinating Signaling Pathways to Metabolic Regulation
Authors: Mugabo Yves , Lim Gareth E 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAmong their pleiotropic functions, scaffold proteins are required for the accurate coordination of signaling pathways. It has only been within the past 10 years that their roles in glucose homeostasis and metabolism have emerged. It is well appreciated that changes in the expression or function of signaling effectors, such as receptors or kinases, can influence the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. However, little is known regarding whether scaffolds have similar roles in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. In general, scaffolds are often underappreciated in the context of metabolism or metabolic diseases. In the present review, we discuss various scaffold proteins and their involvement in signaling pathways related to metabolism and metabolic diseases. The aims of the present review were to highlight the importance of scaffold proteins and to raise awareness of their physiological contributions. A thorough understanding of how scaffolds influence metabolism could aid in the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches to treat chronic conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, for which the incidence of all continue to increase at alarming rates.
Physiology, activity and costs of parental care in birds
Authors: Williams Tony D. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTParental care is assumed to be costly in that it requires sustained, high-intensity activity sufficient to cause costs of reproduction (decreased survival and future fecundity of parents). Costs of reproduction are, in turn, thought to have a physiological basis where intense activity causes a decrease in parental condition. However, attempts to identify the physiological basis of costs of reproduction have produced mixed results. Here, I argue that in birds, the central idea that parental care represents sustained, high-intensity work might be incorrect. Specifically: (a) the duration of intense activity associated with chick-rearing might be quite limited; (b) flight, the most obvious sustained, high-intensity activity, might only represent a small component of an individual's overall activity budget; (c) some (high-quality) individuals might be able to tolerate costs of intense activity, either owing to their physiological state or because they have access to more resources, without perturbation of physiological homeostasis; and (d) individuals might utilise other mechanisms to modulate costs of activity, for example, mass loss, again avoiding more substantial physiological costs. Furthermore, I highlight the important fact that life-history theory predicts that reproductive trade-offs should only be expected under food stress. Most birds breed in spring and early summer precisely because of seasonal increases in food abundance, and so it is unclear how often parents are food stressed. Consequently, I argue that there are many reasons why costs of reproduction, and any physiological signature of these costs, might be quite rare, both temporally (in different years) and among individuals.