bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Reliability Generalization Meta-Analysis of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Scale for Achilles Tendinopathy (VISA-A)
Authors: Palazón-Bru Antonio , Tomás-Rodríguez María Isabel , Mares-García Emma , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco 
Published: December 2018

Background: A reliability generalization study of a questionnaire is necessary to provide higher-level evidence for its reliability. This has not been performed for the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles tendinopathy (VISA-A) questionnaire. The VISA-A has been a commonly used questionnaire to evaluate the symptoms of Achilles tendon disorders and their impact on physical activity, one of the most common disorders among athletes and sports persons (9%-40%). Furthermore, this questionnaire has been translated to several languages and due to its simplicity is one of the most widely used questionnaires for patients with this type of disorder. Therefore, we performed a reliability generalization study of the VISA-A using MEDLINE (through PubMed) and Scopus as data sources. Methods: We selected studies that analyzed the reliability of the VISA-A by evaluating Cronbach’s alpha, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the Spearman correlation coefficients to compare VISA-A with similar scales. The data were analyzed using fixed- and random-effects models. We assessed sensitivity through the leave-one-out method. Quality analysis was performed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Results: Of a total of 263 studies (eliminating duplicates), 7 fulfilled inclusion criteria. The mean reliability was (1) Cronbach’s alpha, 0.75 (95% CI, 0.70-0.79); (2) ICC, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82-0.96); (3) correlation coefficient with the Curwin and Stanish grading system, –0.82 (95% CI, −0.93 to −0.56); and (4) correlation coefficient with the Percy and Conochie classification, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.87-0.93). We were unable to perform the funnel plot analysis and estimate meta-regression models. The Spearman correlation coefficients for both comparative scales showed influential studies (sensitivity analysis). Conclusion: Internal consistency and reproducibility were found to be good, but the parallel-forms reliability could not be supported. Therefore, more scientific evidence is needed to generalize the reliability of the VISA-A. Level of Evidence: Level I, meta-analysis of literature.
Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein correlates with multiple sclerosis disease severity
Authors: Högel Heidi , Rissanen Eero , Barro Christian , Matilainen Markus , Nylund Marjo , Kuhle Jens , Airas Laura 
Published: December 2018

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of two soluble biomarkers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL), have been shown to associate with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression. Now, both biomarkers can be detected reliably in serum, and importantly, their serum levels correlate well with their CSF levels. Objective: To evaluate the usability of serum GFAP measurement as a biomarker of progressive disease and disease severity in MS. Methods: Clinical course, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration, patient age and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters were reviewed in 79 MS patients in this cross-sectional hospital-based study. Serum samples were collected for measurement of GFAP and NfL concentrations using single molecule array (Simoa) assay. A cohort of healthy controls was evaluated for comparison. Results: Higher serum concentrations of both GFAP and NfL were associated with higher EDSS, older age, longer disease duration, progressive disease course and MRI pathology. Conclusion: Earlier studies have demonstrated that GFAP, unlike NfL, is not increased in association with acute focal inflammation-related nervous system damage. Our work suggests that GFAP serum level associates with disease progression in MS and could potentially serve as an easily measurable biomarker of central nervous system (CNS) pathology related to disease progression in MS.
Nursing in Chilean Hospitals: A Research Agenda to Inform Health Policies and Improve Patient Outcomes
Authors: Simonetti Marta , Aiken Linda H. , Lake Eileen T. 
Published: December 2018

Introduction: The ongoing challenge for Chilean hospitals of meeting population health needs merits attention to the health care workforce. No studies have explored how nursing might contribute to addressing this challenge. International research shows that organizational characteristics of the nursing workforce and practice environment are associated with patient outcomes. Chile lacks actionable evidence that applies to its context of care. Method: First, a review of international literature was developed to synthesize evidence on the association between organizational characteristics of the nursing workforce and patient outcomes. Second, a review of literature and other nonacademic sources was performed to describe the context of care and data pertaining to nurses in Chilean hospitals. Third, a research agenda for efficient utilization of the hospital nursing workforce in Chile was proposed. Results: International evidence shows that low patient-to-nurse ratios, high skill mix, and good practice environments are associated with better patient outcomes. Chilean hospitals have financial constraints that greatly influence the context of nursing practice and the scarce data about nursing organization call for greater attention. Conclusion: The establishment and implementation of a research agenda is needed to build local evidence regarding effective organization of nurses to inform policies and to improve patient outcomes in Chile.
Gadolinium to the rescue for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Male Shailesh , Mehta Tapan , Tore Huseyin , Quinn Coridon , Grande Andrew W , Tummala Ramachandra P , Jagadeesan Bharathi D 
Published: December 2018

Introduction Mechanical thrombectomy in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) requires cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA), typically performed with iodinated contrast medium. We present a case of emergent cerebral DSA and mechanical thrombectomy using gadolinium-based contrast for cerebral DSA in a patient with a history of anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast agents (ICs). Case report A 72-year-old man developed left ventricle assist device thrombus while on anticoagulation. During hospitalization he suffered right middle cerebral artery occlusion with a National Institutes of Health stroke scale score of 10. He had a history of anaphylaxis and the advanced directives revealed do not resuscitate/do not intubate status. We performed an emergent DSA as part of thrombectomy procedure using gadolinium-based contrast mixed in 1:1 proportion with normal saline. The images obtained were of adequate quality and the patient underwent successful thrombectomy with modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2B recanalization. Conclusion Gadolinium-based contrast agents could be effective alternatives for cerebral DSA in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for AIS who have a history of anaphylactic reaction to ICs.
Parity and risk of maternal cardiovascular disease: A dose–response meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Li Wenzhen , Ruan Wenyu , Lu Zuxun , Wang Dongming 
Published: December 2018

Background Parity has been reported to play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease; however, the results are still controversial. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess quantitatively the association between parity and cardiovascular disease risk. Methods PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched to 1 June 2018, supplemented by manual searches of the bibliographies of retrieved articles. And multivariate-adjusted relative risks were pooled by using random-effects models. Restricted cubic spline analysis with four knots was used to explore the relationship of parity and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Results Ten cohort studies involving 150,512 incident cases of cardiovascular disease among 3,089,929 participants were included in the meta-analysis. A significant association between parity and cardiovascular disease risk was observed while comparing parity with nulliparity, with a summarised relative risk of 1.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.18; I2 = 62.0%, P = 0.002). In the dose–response analysis, we observed a potential non-linear J-shaped dose–response relationship between the number of parity and cardiovascular disease risk, the summary risk estimates for an increase of one live birth was 1.04 (95% CI 1.02–1.05), with significant heterogeneity ( I2 = 89.6%). In addition, the similar J-shaped associations between parturition number and cardiovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease or stroke risk were also observed. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ever parity is related to cardiovascular disease risk and there is an association between the number of pregnancies and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Since the number of included studies was limited, further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Silicone breast implant modification review: overcoming capsular contracture
Authors: Shin Byung Ho , Kim Byung Hwi , Kim Sujin , Lee Kangwon , Choy Young Bin , Heo Chan Yeong 
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Background
Silicone implants are biomaterials that are frequently used in the medical industry due to their physiological inertness and low toxicity. However, capsular contracture remains a concern in long-term transplantation. To date, several studies have been conducted to overcome this problem. This review summarizes and explores these trends.

Main body
First, we examined the overall foreign body response from initial inflammation to fibrosis capsule formation in detail and introduced various studies to overcome capsular contracture. Secondly, we introduced that the main research approaches are to inhibit fibrosis with anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics, to control the topography of the surface of silicone implants, and to administer plasma treatment. Each study examined aspects of the various mechanisms by which capsular contracture could occur, and addressed the effects of inhibiting fibrosis.

Conclusion
This review introduces various silicone surface modification methods to date and examines their limitations. This review will help identify new directions in inhibiting the fibrosis of silicone implants.
CirculatingBRAFV600E Cell-Free DNA as a Biomarker in the Management of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Iyer Priyanka C. , Cote Gilbert J. , Hai Tao , Gule-Monroe Maria , Bui-Griffith Jacquelin , Williams Michelle D. , Hess Kenneth , Hofmann Marie-Claude , Dadu Ramona , Zafereo Mark , Busaidy Naifa L. , Ferrarotto Renata , Subbiah Vivek , Gross Neil , Gunn Brandon G. , Skinner Heath D. , Garden Adam S. , Cabanillas Maria E. 
Published: December 2018

PurposeAnaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a deadly form of thyroid cancer. BRAF V600E is the only actionable mutation for which there is a Food and Drug Administration–approved drug combination. Rapid detection of BRAF V600E and initiation of therapy is critical. We explored the ability of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) to identify this mutation in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma.Materials and MethodsThe ddPCR assay was evaluated for its sensitivity, specificity for detection of BRAF V600E cfDNA, and concordance with tumor tissue. The assay also was used to evaluate its potential role as a biomarker of response.ResultsForty-four patients with ATC who were tested for the BRAF mutation by tumor tissue DNA sequencing or immunohistochemistry were included. Sixteen BRAF V600E–positive patients had treatment samples to evaluate cfDNA levels as a biomarker of response in correlation with restaging scans. Concordance of ddPCR with tumor tissue was 93%, with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 100%. Area under the curve by Wilcoxon rank sum test was 0.9 (95% CI, 0.80 to 0.99; P < .001). As a biomarker of response to treatment, 94% of ddPCR samples were concordant with tumor shrinkage in restaging scans, and 47% were concordant with tumor growth (Fisher’s exact test P = .0061). In addition, cfDNA levels by ddPCR were predictive of treatment response in 71% of samples.ConclusioncfDNA detection by ddPCR is highly sensitive, specific, and concordant with mutation status on ATC tumors. ddPCR also can be used for monitoring cfDNA levels in conjunction with imaging scans in patients with ATC.
Effect of Endurance Training on Hemoglobin Mass and V˙O2max in Male Adolescent Athletes
Authors: STEINER THOMAS , MAIER THOMAS , WEHRLIN JON PETER 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACT

Purpose
It is unknown, whether endurance training stimulates hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) increases during late adolescence. Therefore, this study assessed the influence of endurance training on Hbmass, blood volume parameters, and V˙O2max in endurance athletes and control subjects from age 16 to 19 yr.

Methods
Hemoglobin mass, blood volume parameters, V˙O2max and anthropometric parameters were measured in male elite endurance athletes from age 16 to 19 yr in 6-month intervals (n = 10), as well as in age-matched male controls (n = 12).

Results
Neither the level of Hbmass per lean body mass (LBM) (P = 0.80) nor the development of Hbmass during the 3 yr (P = 0.97) differed between athletes and controls. Hbmass at age 16 yr was 13.24 ± 0.89 g·kg−1 LBM and increased by 0.74 ± 0.58 g·kg−1 LBM (P < 0.01) from age 16 to 19 yr. There was a high correlation between Hbmass at age 16 and 19 yr (r = 0.77; P < 0.001). Plasma volume, blood volume, and V˙O2max were higher in athletes compared to controls (P < 0.05). Blood volume and V˙O2max increased with age (P < 0.01, similarly in both groups).

Conclusions
Endurance training volumes do not explain individual differences in Hbmass levels nor Hbmass and V˙O2max development in the age period from 16 to 19 yr. The higher V˙O2max levels of athletes may be partially explained by training-induced higher plasma and blood volumes, as well as other training adaptations. Since Hbmass at age 16 yr varies substantially and the development of Hbmass in late adolescence is comparably small and not influenced by endurance training, Hbmass at age 16 yr is an important predictor for Hbmass at adult age and possibly for the aptitude for high-level endurance performance.
Thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit
Authors: Ostadi Zohreh , Shadvar Kamran , Sanaie Sarvin , Mahmoodpoor Ata , Saghaleini Seied Hadi 
Published: December 2018

Thrombocytopenia is a frequent finding in intensive care unit especially among adults and medical ICU patients.Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count less than 100×109/l in ICU setting. Platelets are made in the bone marrow from megakaryocytes. Although not fully understood, proplatelets transform into platelets in the lung. The body tries to maintain platelet count relatively constant throughout life. Pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia can be defined by hemodilution, elevated levels of platelet consumption, compromise of platelet production, increased platelet sequestration and increased platelet destruction. Unlike in other situations, absolute platelet count alone does not provide sufficient data in characterizing thrombocytopenia in ICU patients. In such cases, the time course of changes in platelet count is also pivotal. The dynamics of platelet count decrease vary considerably between different ICU patient populations including trauma, major surgery and minor surgery/medical conditions.There are strong evidences available that delay in platelet count restoration in ICU patients is an indicator of a bad outcome.
How to cite this:Ostadi Z, Shadvar K, Sanaie S, Mahmoodpoor A, Saghaleini SH. Thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):282-287. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.19
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Gadallah Lamia , Hamdy Mahmoud , El Bardissy Adel , Abou El Yazeed Mohamed 
Published: December 2018

Background: Early childhood caries is a serious public health problem in both developing and industrialized countries. When caries extend to involve the pulp, various forms of pulp treatment are tried to stimulate tooth repair. Although pulpotomy is the treatment of choice for vital primary tooth pulp exposure but there is a trend among many dentists to perform pulpectomies for pulp treatment of vital primary anterior teeth. This study aimed to assess the effect of pulpotomy and pulpecomy in treatment of carious vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. Methods: We searched Pubmed and Cochrane library databases up to March, 2018, OpenGrey for grey literature and ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing trials. Randomized controlled trials comparing between pulpotomy and pulpectomy in treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors were included. Primary outcomes were clinical failure and radiological failure. Results: Four trials were identified for qualitative assessment, only three trials were included in meta-analysis after exclusion of one trial due to its high risk of bias. The pooled results of the longest follow up period for clinical failure showed no statistically significant difference between pulpotomy and pulpectomy. The relative risk (RR) was e 2.69, 95% CI 0.76 to 9.58 for clinical failure. For radiographic failure, the sensitivity analysis showed RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.83 with a higher risk for radiographic failure in pulpectomy. The evidence was limited by the small number of trials included in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: Both pulpotomy and pulpectomy can be used successfully in the treatment of vital pulp exposure in primary incisors. Further high quality studies comparing between pulpotomy and pulpectomy in primary incisors with longer follow up period till exfoliation time are needed.
Assessing borderline personality disorder based
on the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology
(HiTOP): Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory
2 – BPD
Authors: de Francisco Carvalho Lucas , Pianowski Giselle , Bacciotti Jonatha Tiago , Reis Ana Maria 
Published: December 2018

Aim of the studyThe aim of this study was to develop a specific version of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2), a self-reported measure developed in Brazil to pathological personality traits assessment, focused on the assessment of traits related to BPD in accordance to the HiTOP model.Subject or material and methods. In step 1 we developed new factors to cover all the BPD traits according to HiTOP. In step 2, data were collected from 207 adults from the community (N = 207; Mage = 35.9). Participants completed the developed measure (IDCP Borderline Personality Disorder Scale; IDCP-BPD), and factors from IDCP-2, PID-5, FFBI, and FFHI.ResultsExploratory structural equation modeling (E-SEM) suggested a 3-solution for the grouping of the fifteen factors of the IDCP-BPD. Factors and total score reliability was good. Correlations between IDCP-BPD factors and external measures were coherent, corroborating expectations. The bootstrap two-sample t test comparing healthy and pathological group suggested good discrimination capacity of the IDCP-BPD factors, mainly Fragility and Impotency feelings factors.DiscussionFavorable evidences were find for the use of IDCP-BPD to BPD traits measurement. New factors composing this measure seems to extend the coverage of the IDCP-2 factors in measuring BPD symptoms. Correlations suggest that the factors composing IDCP-BPD measure the traits considered as relevant according to HiTOP.ConclusionsDiscriminant capacity of the factors also indicate the use of the measure, although future studies must to replicate the verifications in samples composed by BPD patients.
A Bayesian Stochastic Kriging Optimization Model Dealing with Heteroscedastic Simulation Noise for Freeway Traffic Management
Authors: Chen Xiqun (Michael) , He Xiang , Xiong Chenfeng , Zhu Zheng , Zhang Lei 
Published: December 2018

Since advanced traveler information and traffic management systems have become popular, it is vital to capture the joint impact of various strategies on transportation systems. Developing analytical models to incorporate traffic dynamics and travel behavior is challenging. Based on observation of the heteroscedasticity of the simulation noise in the stochastic simulator, this paper develops the Bayesian stochastic Kriging (BSK) model to adapt for the heteroscedastic noise and metamodel parameter uncertainty in a Bayesian framework, which enhances the existing surrogate-based optimization methods. This paper presents a metamodel for large scale simulation-based freeway traffic management optimization problems. Simulation-based optimization combines the advantages of simulation models and mathematical optimization methods. The parameter estimation of the BSK model is accomplished by the Bayesian inference. The proposed methodology enables the efficient use of large scale high-resolution traffic simulation models for simulation-based optimization, while accounting for travelers’ behavioral responses to information provision. We demonstrate the advantages of BSK compared to other existing metamodels using a numerical example of a synthetic network and a mathematical example. In a work zone scenario on a real-world freeway/arterial corridor of I-270 and MD-355 in the State of Maryland, the BSK model is applied to the freeway traffic management via optimizing the high-occupancy/toll rate and deploying dynamic message signs. Field traffic measurements by loop/microwave detections are used to calibrate travel demand and to supply the simulation parameters. The optimization results are promising in reducing the corridor-wide travel delay and enhancing the vehicle throughput. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2018.0819 .
Burnout in Australian paramedics
Authors: Thyer Liz , Simpson Paul , Nugteren Benjamin Van 
Published: December 2018

Background:Burnout has consistently been identified as an issue in health professionals, with paramedics in particular frequently noted to have high burnout rates.Aims:The current study aimed to describe the prevalence of total work burnout in Australian paramedics and of three subcategories: personal, work-related and patient-related burnout.Methods:This cross-sectional online survey presented the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) to a national convenience sample (n=893) over a 5-week period from April–May 2015. The primary outcome was prevalence of total burnout (%). Secondary outcomes were prevalence of subgroups of burnout and predictive factors.Findings:More than half (55.9%) of respondents were determined to have total burnout at the time of completing the survey; 43.4% had patient-related burnout; 62.7% had work-related burnout; and 69.1% had personal-related burnout. Females, metropolitan work location, and having worked for 15–19 years as a paramedic were all predictive of total burnout.Conclusions:The study showed high prevalence of total burnout among this sample of Australian paramedics.