bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potentially avoidable hospitalisations of German nursing home patients? A cross-sectional study on utilisation patterns and potential consequences for healthcare
Authors: Leutgeb Rüdiger , Berger Sarah Jane , Szecsenyi Joachim , Laux Gunter 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivesDemand for nursing home (NH) care is soaring due to gains in life expectancy and people living longer with chronic illness and disability. This is dovetailing with workforce shortages across the healthcare profession. Access to timely and appropriate medical care for NH residents is becoming increasingly challenging and can result in potentially avoidable hospitalisations (PAHs). In light of these factors, we analysed PAHs comparing NH patients with non-NH patients.DesignCross-sectional study with claims data from 2015 supplied by a large German health insurance company within the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.SettingOne-year observation of hospitalisation patterns for NH and non-NH patients.Participants3 872 245 of the 10.5million inhabitants of Baden-Wuerttemberg were covered.MethodsPatient data about hospitalisation date, sex, age, nationality, level of care and diagnoses were available. PAHs were defined based on international classification of diseases (ICD-10) diagnoses belonging to ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). Adjusted ORs for PAHs for NH patients in comparison with non-NH patients were calculated with multivariable regression models.ResultsOf the 933 242 hospitalisations in 2015, there were 23 982 for 13 478 NH patients and 909 260 for 560 998 non-NH patients. Mean age of hospitalised NH patients and level of care were significantly higher than those of non-NH patients. 6449 PAHs (29.6%) for NH patients and 136 543 PAHs (15.02%) for non-NH patients were identified. The adjusted OR for PAHs was significantly heightened for NH patients in comparison with non-NH patients (OR: 1.22, CI (1.18 to 1.26), p<0.0001). Moreover, we could observe that more than 90% of PAHs with ACSCs were unplanned hospitalisations (UHs).ConclusionsLarge numbers of PAHs for NH patients calls for improved coordination of medical care, especially general practitioner service provision. Introduction of targeted training programmes for physicians and NH staff on health problem management for NH patients could perhaps contribute to reduction of PAHs, predominantly UHs.
Transarticular tibiotalocalcaneal nailing versus open reduction and internal fixation for treatment of the elderly ankle fracture: protocol for a multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tuckett Paul , Hope Matthew , Tetsworth Kevin , Van De Pol Jerry , McDougall Catherine 
Published: January 2019

IntroductionAnkle fractures are common in the elderly population. Surgical fixation is technically challenging and often results in complications due to high rates of osteoporosis and vascular disease. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) often requires prolonged periods of non-weight bearing increasing the risks of complications. Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nailing has been suggested as an alternative to ORIF which allows immediate weight bearing, and is suggested to result in fewer complications. This study aims to compare the two surgical techniques in the elderly population with ankle fractures.Methods and analysisThe study will be a multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled trial comparing ORIF to TTC nailing in 110 patients with ankle fractures aged 50 or above with a Charlson Comorbidity Index of greater than or equal to four. Participants and assessors will not be blinded to intervention. The primary outcome measure will be overall complication rate. Secondary outcomes include length of hospital stay, mobility at discharge, discharge destination, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot score, the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score, mortality rate, rate of secondary surgical interventions and number of blood transfusions required postoperatively. Our null hypothesis is that there is no clinically significant difference in the primary outcome measure between the two treatment groups.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by Metro South Hospital and Health Services Human Research Ethics Committee (EC00167) (reference number HREC/17/QPAH/351).DiscussionCompletion of this trial will provide evidence on the effectiveness of TTC nailing versus ORIF in treatment of the elderly ankle fracture. If TTC nailing is found to result in superior outcomes, this trial has the capacity to change current clinical practice.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001588381;Pre-results andU1111-1203-1704.
Delayed antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: protocol of an individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Stuart Beth , Hounkpatin Hilda , Becque Taeko , Yao Guiqing , Zhu Shihua , Alonso-Coello Pablo , Altiner Attila , Arroll Bruce , Böhning Dankmar , Bostock Jennifer , Bucher Heiner C C , de la Poza Mariam , Francis Nick A , Gillespie David , Hay Alastair D , Kenealy Timothy , Löffler Christin , Mas-Dalmau Gemma , Muñoz Laura , Samuel Kirsty , Moore Michael , Little Paul 
Published: January 2019

IntroductionDelayed prescribing can be a useful strategy to reduce antibiotic prescribing, but it is not clear for whom delayed prescribing might be effective. This protocol outlines an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies to explore the overall effect of delayed prescribing and identify key patient characteristics that are associated with efficacy of delayed prescribing.Methods and analysisA systematic search of the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, EBSCO CINAHL Plus and Web of Science was conducted to identify relevant studies from inception to October 2017. Outcomes of interest include duration of illness, severity of illness, complication, reconsultation and patient satisfaction. Study authors of eligible papers will be contacted and invited to contribute raw IPD data. IPD data will be checked against published data, harmonised and aggregated to create one large IPD database. Multilevel regression will be performed to explore interaction effects between treatment allocation and patient characteristics. The economic evaluation will be conducted based on IPD from the combined trial and observational studies to estimate the differences in costs and effectiveness for delayed prescribing compared with normal practice. A decision model will be developed to assess potential savings and cost-effectiveness in terms of reduced antibiotic usage of delayed prescribing and quality-adjusted life years.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (Reference number: 30068). Findings of this study will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals as well as General Practice trade journals and will be presented at national and international conferences. The results will have important public health implications, shaping the way in which antibiotics are prescribed in the future and to whom delayed prescriptions are issued.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018079400.
Body size, non-occupational physical activity and the chance of reaching longevity in men and women: findings from the Netherlands Cohort Study
Authors: Brandts Lloyd , van den Brandt Piet A 
Published: January 2019

IntroductionThe rising number of obese and/or physically inactive individuals might negatively impact human lifespan. This study assessed the association between height, body mass index (BMI) and non-occupational physical activity and the likelihood of reaching 90 years of age, in both sexes separately.MethodsAnalyses were conducted using data from the Netherlands Cohort Study. Participants born in 1916–1917 (n=7807) completed a questionnaire in 1986 (at age 68–70 years) and were followed up for vital status information until the age of 90 years (2006–2007). Cox regression analyses were based on 5479 participants with complete data to calculate risk ratios (RRs) of reaching longevity (age 90 years).ResultsIn women, we observed significant associations between reaching longevity and height (RR: 1.05 per 5 cm increment; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09), BMI at baseline (≥30vs18.5–<25 kg/m2; RR: 0.68; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.86) and BMI change since age 20 years (≥8vs0–<4 kg/m2; RR: 0.81; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.98). In men, height and BMI were not associated with reaching longevity. In women, non-occupational physical activity showed an inverse U-shaped association with reaching longevity, with the highest RR around 60 min of physical activity per day. In men, a positive linear association was observed between physical activity and reaching longevity.ConclusionThis study indicates that body size and physical activity are related to the likelihood of reaching 90 years of age and that these associations differ by sex.
Quantification of hemodynamic irregularity using oscillatory velocity index in the associations with the rupture status of cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Tanioka Satoru , Ishida Fujimaro , Kishimoto Tomoyuki , Tsuji Masanori , Tanaka Katsuhiro , Shimosaka Shinichi , Toyoda Mitsuru , Kashiwagi Nobuhisa , Sano Takanori , Suzuki Hidenori 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundComplex and unstable flow patterns are reported to be associated with the rupture status of cerebral aneurysms, while their evaluation depends on qualitative analysis of streamlines of bloodflow. Oscillatory velocity index (OVI) is a hemodynamic parameter to quantify flow patterns. The aim of this study is to elucidate the associations between OVI and the rupture status of cerebral aneurysms.MethodsOne hundred and twenty-nine ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms were analyzed with computational fluid dynamics under pulsatile flow conditions. With the use of median value of OVI, all aneurysms were divided into high and low OVI groups. Statistical analysis was performed to compare rupture status, and morphological and hemodynamic parameters between the two groups.ResultsThe median value of OVI was 0.006. High OVI was more likely observed in ruptured aneurysms (P=0.028) and associated with irregular shape, complex flow patterns, and unstable flow patterns (P<0.001, respectively). In morphological parameters, maximum size, aspect, projection, size, and volume-to-ostium area ratios were significantly higher in the high OVI group (P<0.001, respectively). In hemodynamic parameters, wall shear stress and wall shear stress gradient were significantly lower, and oscillatory shear index and gradient oscillatory number were significantly higher in the high OVI group (P<0.001, respectively).ConclusionHigh OVI was associated with rupture status, and morphological and hemodynamic characteristics of ruptured aneurysms. These results indicate that OVI may serve as a valuable hemodynamic parameter for diagnosing rupture status and risks of aneurysms.
Evaluation and enumeration of online test providers for sexually transmitted infections, specifically chlamydia, in the Netherlands
Authors: den Daas Chantal , Sukel Bob , Bos Hanna , van den Broek Ingrid 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivesOnline testing for STIs might complement regular care provided by general practitioners or STI clinics. Two types of online testing can be distinguished, self-testing and self-sampling (sending sample to a laboratory for diagnosis). Online testing can occur without consultation with a healthcare professional, therefore information given by providers is essential for informed decision-making. We aimed to enumerate online test providers in the Netherlands focusing on chlamydia tests, to evaluate information using quality indicators and to gain insight on the proportion of online testing in the STI testing arena.MethodsWe performed a systematic internet search to identify online STI test providers. Twenty quality indicators were evaluated on their websites; indicator scores were weighted by level of importance (expert opinion). High scoring providers were recommended, on the condition that the sensitivity and specificity of the test were above 95% and providers included a follow-up procedure in case of a positive result. Finally, providers were contacted to inquire about the number of sold tests, positivity rates and demographic characteristics of testers.ResultsFive out of 12 identified self-sample test providers could be recommended, versus zero out of eight self-test providers. Self-sample test providers gave complete and correct information on more indicators (67%) compared with self-test providers (38%). In 2015, an estimated 30 000–40 000 self-sample tests were purchased, and 12 000–25 000 self-tests, which is roughly 10%–15% of the total number of STI tests.ConclusionThis evaluation shows that some online self-sample test providers could be put forward as way of STI testing complementing regular testing options. None of the self-test providers were recommended. Regularly evaluating online test providers is advised to improve quality of the information on the websites. Finally, self-testing might not be suited for all populations as most information is provided in written format only.
The mass ratios parametrization
Authors: Saldana-Salazar U. J. , Tame-Narvaez K. M. 
Published: January 2019

The observed hierarchy in the fermion masses, which imply a set of small mass ratios, is not naturally small regarding ’t Hooft’s criteria. In this work, in a model independent approach, we introduce a set of conditions by which fermion mass ratios become natural. Interestingly, these conditions demand that fermion mixing should be described by the four independent mass ratios of each fermion sector. Application of this set of conditions to the standard theory enables one to understand the mains aspects in quark and lepton mixing. This feature can be taken as a strong evidence for the existence in Nature of a flavor symmetry. Also, for this analysis to work in the lepton sector, neutrino masses should have normal ordering with the lightest neutrino mass satisfying the lower bound, [Formula: see text], making the approach testable.
Descriptive Image Analysis. Foundations and Descriptive Image Algebras
Authors: Gurevich Igor , Yashina Vera 
Published: January 2019

The paper is devoted to Descriptive Image Analysis (DA) — a leading line of the modern mathematical theory of image analysis. DA is a logically organized set of descriptive methods, mathematical objects, and models and representations aimed at analyzing and evaluating the information represented in the form of images, as well as for automating the extraction from images of knowledge and data needed for intelligent decision-making. The basic idea of DA consists of embedding all processes of analysis (processing, recognition, understanding) of images into an image formalization space and reducing it to (1) construction of models/representations/formalized descriptions of images; (2) construction of models/representations/formalized descriptions of transformations over models and representations of images. We briefly discuss the basic ideas, methodological principles, mathematical methods, objects, and components of DA and the basic results determining the current state of the art in the field. Image algebras (IA) are considered in the context of a unified language for describing mathematical objects and operations used in image analysis (the standard IA by Ritter and the descriptive IA by Gurevich).
NEW MODEL FOR PRICING QUANTO CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS
Authors: ITKIN A. , SHCHERBAKOV V. , VEYGMAN A. 
Published: January 2019

We propose a new model for pricing quanto credit default swaps (CDS) and risky bonds. The model operates with four stochastic factors, namely: the hazard rate, the foreign exchange rate, the domestic interest rate, and the foreign interest rate, and allows for jumps-at-default in both the foreign exchange rate and the foreign interest rate. Corresponding systems of partial differential equations are derived similar to how this is done by Bielecki et al. [PDE approach to valuation and hedging of credit derivatives, Quantitative Finance 5 (3), 257–270]. A localized version of the Radial Basis Function partition of unity method is used to solve these four-dimensional equations. The results of our numerical experiments qualitatively explain the discrepancies observed in the marked values of CDS spreads traded in domestic and foreign economies.
Invariance of Gibbs measures under the flows of Hamiltonian equations on the real line
Authors: Cacciafesta Federico , de Suzzoni Anne-Sophie 
Published: January 2019

We prove that the Gibbs measures [Formula: see text] for a class of Hamiltonian equations written as [Formula: see text] on the real line are invariant under the flow of [Formula: see text] in the sense that there exist random variables [Formula: see text] whose laws are [Formula: see text] (thus independent from [Formula: see text]) and such that [Formula: see text] is a solution to [Formula: see text]. Besides, for all [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is almost surely not in [Formula: see text] which provides as a direct consequence the existence of global weak solutions for initial data not in [Formula: see text]. The proof uses Prokhorov’s theorem, Skorohod’s theorem, as in the strategy in [N. Burq, L. Thomann and N. Tzvetkov, Remarks on the Gibbs measures for nonlinear dispersive equations, preprint (2014); arXiv:1412.7499v1 [math.AP]] and Feynman–Kac’s integrals.
A Novel Parameter-Light Subspace Clustering Technique Based on Single Linkage Method
Authors: Kelkar Bhagyashri A. , Rodd Sunil F. , Kulkarni Umakant P. 
Published: January 2019

Subspace clustering is a challenging high-dimensional data mining task. There have been several approaches proposed in the literature to identify clusters in subspaces, however their performance and quality is highly affected by input parameters. A little research is done so far on identifying proper parameter values automatically. Other observed drawbacks are requirement of multiple database scans resulting into increased demand for computing resources and generation of many redundant clusters. Here, we propose a parameter light subspace clustering method for numerical data hereafter referred to as CLUSLINK. The algorithm is based on single linkage clustering method and works in bottom up, greedy fashion. The only input user has to provide is how coarse or fine the resulting clusters should be, and if not given, the algorithm operates with default values. The empirical results obtained over synthetic and real benchmark datasets show significant improvement in terms of accuracy and execution time.
Late Ordovician molluscs of the central and eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Ebbestad Jan Ove R. , Polechová Marika , Kröger Björn , Gutiérrez-Marco Juan Carlos 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

More than 30 species of tergomyan, gastropod, bivalve and cephalopod molluscs are described from the Late Ordovician of central and eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco. For the cephalopods this represents the first systematically known taxa of the region. Tergomyans and gastropods are most common in the more shaly part of the Lower Ktaoua Formation, while bivalves are more frequent in the sandy part of the Lower Second Bani Formation. A southern Gondwana aspect is evident for the tergomyan, gastropod and bivalve assemblages, sharing many taxa with Bohemia, while no clear signal is present for the cephalopods. The latter reflects insufficient knowledge of the fauna of large parts of these areas. The widely recognized
Holopea
?
antiquata
is transferred to the genus
Radvanospira
gen. nov.; other new gastropod taxa include
Allossospira
gen. nov.,
Tritonophon grandis
sp. nov.,
Radvanospira baniensis
sp. nov. and
Lophospira latilabra
sp. nov. Most of the diverse bivalve fauna and the few cephalopods are left in open nomenclature but new taxa include the bivalve
Praenucula pojetai
sp. nov. and the cephalopods
Wadema tattai
sp. nov. and
Tafadnatoceras tiouririnense
gen. et. sp. nov. The Late Ordovician bivalves from Morocco are dominated by pteriomorphs and protobranchs, inhabiting infaunal, semi-infaunal and epifaunal niches.
Endogenous Production of IL1B by Breast Cancer Cells Drives Metastasis and Colonization of the Bone Microenvironment
Authors: Tulotta Claudia , Lefley Diane V. , Freeman Katy , Gregory Walter M. , Hanby Andrew M. , Heath Paul R. , Nutter Faith , Wilkinson J. Mark , Spicer-Hadlington Amy R. , Liu Xinming , Bradbury Steven M.J. , Hambley Lisa , Cookson Victoria , Allocca Gloria , Kruithof de Julio Marianna , Coleman Robert E. , Brown Janet E. , Holen Ingunn , Ottewell Penelope D. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Purpose:
Breast cancer bone metastases are incurable, highlighting the need for new therapeutic targets. After colonizing bone, breast cancer cells remain dormant, until signals from the microenvironment stimulate outgrowth into overt metastases. Here we show that endogenous production of IL1B by tumor cells drives metastasis and growth in bone.

Experimental Design:
Tumor/stromal IL1B and IL1 receptor 1 (IL1R1) expression was assessed in patient samples and effects of the IL1R antagonist, Anakinra, or the IL1B antibody canakinumab on tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis were measured in a humanized mouse model of breast cancer bone metastasis. Effects of tumor cell–derived IL1B on bone colonization and parameters associated with metastasis were measured in MDA-MB-231, MCF7, and T47D cells transfected with IL1B/control.

Results:
In tissue samples from &gt;1,300 patients with stage II/III breast cancer, IL1B in tumor cells correlated with relapse in bone (HR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.05–3.26; P = 0.02) and other sites (HR = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.26–3.48; P = 0.0016). In a humanized model of spontaneous breast cancer metastasis to bone, Anakinra or canakinumab reduced metastasis and reduced the number of tumor cells shed into the circulation. Production of IL1B by tumor cells promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (altered E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, and G-Catenin), invasion, migration, and bone colonization. Contact between tumor and osteoblasts or bone marrow cells increased IL1B secretion from all three cell types. IL1B alone did not stimulate tumor cell proliferation. Instead, IL1B caused expansion of the bone metastatic niche leading to tumor proliferation.

Conclusions:
Pharmacologic inhibition of IL1B has potential as a novel treatment for breast cancer metastasis.