bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti-dsDNA titre in female systemic lupus erythematosus patients: relation to disease manifestations, damage and antiphospholipid antibodies
Authors: Gheita T A , Abaza N M , Hammam N , Mohamed A A A , El-Gazzar I I , Eissa A H 
Published: February 2018

Background Attempts are ongoing to unveil unresolved queries about anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA), their precise pathogenic effects and to what extent blocking them would be a useful therapeutic goal. Objectives The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-dsDNA antibodies titre in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and investigate their relation to the disease characteristics, activity, damage and antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPL). Methods Seventy female SLE patients and 35 age- and sex-matched controls were included. The anti-dsDNA level and aPL were measured. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR-DI) were assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 27.5 ± 5.1 years, disease duration 7.7 ± 5.4 years, and SLEDAI and SLICC/ACR-DI scores were 6.8 ± 8.04 and 1.2 ± 1.3, respectively. Anti-dsDNA was positive in 61.4% of the patients and the titre (133.2 ± 100.5 IU/ml) was significantly higher compared to controls (22.03 ± 17.2 IU/ml) ( p < 0.0001). The anti-dsDNA level was significantly increased in those with musculoskeletal manifestations ( p = 0.007) and positive anti-β2 glycoprotein (anti-β2GP) ( p = 0.037) and decreased in those with neuropsychiatric manifestations ( p = 0.004) and those receiving cyclophosphamide (CYC) ( p = 0.013). The anti-dsDNA level tended to be higher in active patients. The anti-dsDNA titre significantly correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( p = 0.001), anticardiolipin IgG and IgA antibodies ( p = 0.008) and anti-β2GP IgG ( p = 0.03) and IgA ( p = 0.002) and inversely with the total leucocytic count ( p < 0.0001) and SLICC/ACR-DI ( p = 0.001). Conclusion Anti-dsDNA is remarkably increased in SLE patients especially those with musculoskeletal manifestations and aPL. A protective role seems likely in those with neuropsychiatric manifestations and those receiving CYC and may form a shield against disease tissue damage.
How to succeed with ethics reflection groups in community healthcare? Professionals’ perceptions
Authors: Karlsen Heidi , Lillemoen Lillian , Magelssen Morten , Førde Reidun , Pedersen Reidar , Gjerberg Elisabeth 
Published: February 2018

Background: Healthcare personnel in the municipal healthcare systems experience many ethical challenges in their everyday work. In Norway, 243 municipalities participated in a national ethics project, aimed to increase ethical competence in municipal healthcare services. In this study, we wanted to map out what participants in ethics reflection groups experienced as promoters or as barriers to successful reflection. Objectives: To examine what the staff experience as promoters or as barriers to successful ethics reflection. Research design: The study has a qualitative design, where 56 participants in municipal healthcare participated in 10 different focus-group interviews. Ethical considerations: The data collection was based on the participants’ informed consent and approved by the Data Protection Official of the Norwegian Centre for Research Data. Results: The informants had different experiences from ethics reflection group. Nevertheless, we found that there were several factors that were consistently mentioned: competence, facilitator’s role, ethics reflection groups organizing, and organizational support were all experienced as promoters and as a significant effect on ethics reflection groups. The absence of such factors would constitute important barriers to successful ethics reflection. Discussion: The results are coincident with other studies, and indicate some conditions that may increase the possibility to succeed with ethics reflection groups. A systematic approach seems to be important, the systematics of the actual reflections, but also in the organization of ethics reflection group at the workplace. Community healthcare is characterized by organizational instabilities as many vacancies, high workloads, and lack of predictability. This can be a hinder for ethics reflection group. Conclusion: Both internal and external factors seem to influence the organization of ethics reflection group. The municipalities’ instabilities challenging this work, and perceived as a clear inhibitor for the development. The participants experienced that the facilitator is the most important success factor for establishing, carrying out, and to succeed with ethics reflection groups.
WITHDRAWN—Administrative Duplicate Publication: Voice Quality in Adults Treated for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Long-term Follow-up After 1- or 2-Stage Palate Repair
Authors: Morén Staffan , Lindestad Per Åke , Holmström Mats , Mani Maria 
Published: February 2018

Morén, S., Lindestad, P. Å., Holmström, M., & Mani, M. (2018). Voice Quality in Adults Treated for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Long-term Follow-up After 1- or 2-Stage Palate Repair. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 55(5), 758–768. DOI: 10.1177/1055665618754946 Article withdrawn by publisher. Due to an administrative error, this article was accidentally published in Volume 55 Issue 5 as well as Volume 55 Issue 8 of publishing year 2018 with different DOIs and different page numbers. The incorrect version of the article with DOI: 10.1177/1055665618754946 has been replaced with this correction notice. The correct and citable version of the article remains: Morén, S., Lindestad, P. Å., Holmström, M., & Mani, M. (2018). Voice Quality in Adults Treated for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Long-Term Follow-Up After One- or Two-Stage Palate Repair. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 55(8), 1103–1114. DOI: 10.1177/1055665618764521
Biomechanical Evaluation of Suture Configurations in Lesser Toe Plantar Plate Repairs
Authors: Finney Fred T. , Lee Simon , Scott Jaron , Irwin Todd A. , Holmes James R. , Talusan Paul G. 
Published: February 2018

Background: Lesser toe metatarsal-phalangeal (MTP) joint instability can be a major source of pain and dysfunction. Instability occurs when there is incompetence of the plantar plate and/or collateral ligaments. Newer operative treatments focus on performing anatomic repairs of the plantar plate. The goal of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of 3 suture configurations that may be used for plantar plate repairs. Methods: Biomechanical analysis of 27 lesser toe plantar plates from fresh frozen human cadavers was completed. The plantar plate was detached from the proximal phalanx, and suture was placed in the distal plantar plate in a horizontal mattress, luggage-tag, or Mason-Allen suture configuration. Cyclic loading followed by load-to-failure testing was performed. Results: There was a significant difference in peak load-to-failure force between constructs (mattress: 115.53 ± 15.95 N; luggage-tag 102.42 ± 19.33 N; Mason-Allen: 89.96 ± 15.78 N; P = .015). Post hoc analysis demonstrated that the mattress configuration had significantly higher load-to-failure force compared with the Mason-Allen configuration ( P = .004). There were no significant differences between the mattress and the luggage-tag configurations or the luggage-tag and the Mason-Allen configurations. There were no differences in construct stiffness, axial displacement at the time of failure, or number of cycles required to produce 2 mm of displacement. Conclusion: The mattress configuration demonstrated better peak load-to-failure force compared with the Mason-Allen configuration but was not statistically different from the luggage-tag configuration. Although not significant, the mattress configuration trended toward higher load-to-failure force compared with the luggage-tag. Clinical Relevance: The horizontal mattress stitch may be the biomechanically superior configuration in plantar plate repairs.
A single center retrospective cohort study comparing low-molecular-weight heparins to direct oral anticoagulants for the treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer – A real world experience
Authors: Phelps Megan K , Wiczer Tracy E , Erdeljac H Paige , Van Deusen Kelsey R , Porter Kyle , Philips Gary , Wang Tzu-Fei 
Published: February 2018

Introduction Low-molecular-weight heparins are the standard treatment for cancer-associated thrombosis. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants are a new option for thrombosis treatment; however, data supporting the use of direct oral anticoagulants for cancer-associated thrombosis are limited. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine the rate of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis and major bleeding within 6 months of starting either low-molecular-weight heparin or direct oral anticoagulant for treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis. Secondary objectives were to determine the rates of clinically relevant-non-major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Patients/methods This is a retrospective cohort study including adults with cancer-associated thrombosis treated with low-molecular-weight heparin or direct oral anticoagulant between 2010 and 2016 at the Ohio State University. Medical records were reviewed for 6 months after initiation of anticoagulation or until the occurrence of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis, major bleeding, cessation of anticoagulation of interest, or death, whichever occurred first. Results Four hundred and eighty patients were included (290 low-molecular-weight heparin and 190 direct oral anticoagulant). Patients treated with direct oral anticoagulant were found to carry “lower risk” features including cancer with lower VTE risk and lower rate of metastatic disease. After adjustment for baseline differences, there was no significant difference in the rate of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis (7.2% low-molecular-weight heparin vs 6.3% direct oral anticoagulant, p = 0.71) or major bleeding (7.6% low-molecular-weight heparin vs 2.6% direct oral anticoagulant, p = 0.08). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that in a select population of cancer patients with VTE, direct oral anticoagulant use can be as effective and safe compared to the standard therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin.
Using a treatment diary to improve the medication adherence in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Santoleri Fiorenzo , Lasala Ruggero , Logreco Andrea , Ranucci Elena , Costantini Alberto 
Published: February 2018

Purpose The aim of this study was to verify whether the distribution of a treatment diary by a pharmacist could influence the adherence to oral treatment with imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Methods The level of adherence was calculated using the received daily dose/prescribed daily dose ratio and compared between patients who used a diary and those who did not. Results Forty-four (35.8%) of 123 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia completed the diary: 20 (45.4%) receiving imatinib, 17 (38.6%) receiving nilotinib, and seven (15.9%) receiving dasatinib. Treatment adherence with the diary calculated using received daily dose/prescribed daily dose method was 93.6% (imatinib 94.9%, nilotinib 91.1%, and dasatinib 95.8%). Adherence during the period without a diary was 86.5% (84.9, 87.4, and 90%). Adherence was significantly greater with than without a diary (p < 0.0001). Conclusions The findings of this study that, in the case of chronic diseases, direct pharmacist–patient contact is important in order to maintain high levels of adherence, and a treatment diary is a valid means of doing this. According to these data, it is necessary to support similar patient-oriented programmes in order to ensure high levels of adherence and optimize drug management.
Hemostasis After Brachial Artery Access With the MynxGrip Device: A Case Report
Authors: Giordano Arturo , Messina Stefano , Maresca Gennaro , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe 
Published: February 2018

Purpose: Brachial access is occasionally used for endovascular procedures when other more established or safer ones (eg, femoral or radial) are contraindicated. Although manual compression is the standard of care after brachial arteriotomy, suboptimal compression may lead to bleeding or thrombosis. Arteriotomy closure devices have thus been proposed as an alternative means to achieve hemostasis after brachial arteriotomy. Yet, there is a paucity of evidence and a limited spectrum of devices suitable for brachial arteriotomy closure. We present the use of the MynxGrip closure device after brachial arteriotomy. Case: A 70-year-old gentleman underwent brachial arteriotomy followed by iliac artery stenting with a 7F compatible device. Hemostasis was then achieved with the MynxGrip device, uneventfully. Conclusions: This clinical vignette highlights the feasibility and safety of brachial use of the MynxGrip device in experienced hands, suggesting that it can represent a useful adjunct to the armamentarium of the endovascular specialist.
On the Diagnosis of Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Sörelius Karl , di Summa Pietro G 
Published: February 2018

Objective: There is striking paucity in consensus on the terminology, definition, and diagnostic criteria of mycotic aortic aneurysms. This literature study aims to elucidate this scientific omission, discuss its consequences, and present a proposition for reporting items on this disease. Methods: A systematic literature review on PubMed and Medline using mycotic and infected aortic aneurysms between 1850 and 2017 was performed. Articles were assessed according to a protocol regarding terminology, definition, and diagnostic criteria. Case series with less than 5 patients were excluded. Results: A total of 49 articles were included. The most prevalent term was mycotic aortic aneurysm but there was no widely accepted definition. Most modern publications used a diagnostic workup based on a combination on clinical presentation, laboratory results, imaging findings, and intraoperative findings. How these protean variables should be balanced was unclear. A proposition of reporting items was framed and consisted of definition of disease used, basis of diagnostic workup, exclusion criteria, patient characteristics, laboratory and imaging findings, aneurysm anatomy, details on treatment, pre/postoperative antibiotic treatment, and details on follow-up. Conclusions: This article emphasizes the need to standardize definition, terminology, and diagnostic criteria for mycotic aortic aneurysms and proposes reporting items enhancing comparability between studies.
Victims with mild intellectual disabilities in the criminal justice system
Authors: Spaan Nienke A , Kaal Hendrien L 
Published: February 2018

Summary People with mild intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to become victims of crime. Victims with intellectual disabilities can face attitudinal, procedural and practical barriers within the justice system. This exploratory study looked at obstacles encountered by victims of crime with mild intellectual disabilities in effectuating their rights, their vulnerability to secondary victimization and ways to support them. In 2014, 35 respondents from across the Dutch justice system and 10 respondents with mild intellectual disabilities-expertise were interviewed. Inductive and deductive content analysis was carried out. Resonance of findings was checked in an expert meeting. Findings Three major problems were identified: (1) victims’ incomprehension about the process and the proceedings; (2) victims’ difficulty meeting system requirements and expectations; and (3) impact of prejudices concerning mild intellectual disabilities. A system adequately set up to deal with victims with mild intellectual disabilities could ease these difficulties. However, additional problems were identified, namely: (1) limited recognition of mild intellectual disabilities; (2) insufficient knowledge and understanding of consequences of mild intellectual disabilities; (3) issues related to accessing and accepting support; (4) communication unsuited for victims’ reading and comprehension-level. These problems influence the ability of victims with mild intellectual disabilities to effectuate their rights and increases risk of secondary victimization. Applications Besides the importance of these findings for policymakers, results are of importance for all those working with victims or with people with mild intellectual disabilities. Individually tailored forms of support are required to overcome the identified problems. Awareness of the barriers that victims with mild intellectual disabilities may encounter will aid providing adequate support for victims with mild intellectual disabilities to exercise their rights and protect against secondary victimization.
Effectiveness of a Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program Among Spanish-Speaking Mothers
Authors: Duzinski Sarah V. , Guevara Luis M. , Barczyk Amanda N. , Garcia Nilda M. , Cassel Jane L. , Lawson Karla A. 
Published: February 2018

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate participants’ knowledge of and intent to share key messages of the Period of PURPLE Crying abusive head trauma prevention program among a majority Spanish-speaking population. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of a postintervention survey administered in the perinatal unit of a community birthing hospital. Surveys were administered to mothers of newborns by perinatal nurses as part of routine process evaluation prior to hospital discharge between May 30, 2014, and May 15, 2015. Results: A majority of participants (86.4%) answered all six knowledge questions correctly. Among participants who reported that the father or significant other was not present during the PURPLE education (44.1%), all (100%) reported intending to share the PURPLE information with their partners. The majority of participants (88.1%) intended to share the information with others who take care of their infants. Conclusion: The PURPLE abusive head trauma prevention program demonstrated positive preliminary results in knowledge and intended behavior among a population of majority Spanish-speaking participants. These findings offer an important first step toward provision of effective universal abusive head trauma prevention among growing Spanish-speaking populations. Further evaluation is needed of acceptability, retention of messages, and postintervention behavior change among Spanish-speaking participants and nurses.
Pharmaceutical industry–physician interaction compliance guidelines: Analysis of contagion wealth effects on large generic firms
Authors: Ghani WaQar , Jambulingam Thani , Sharma Rajneesh 
Published: February 2018

Background This study examines the contagion effect on shareholders’ wealth of large generic firms to the issuance of guidelines by the Office of Inspector General “to efficiently monitor adherence to applicable statutes, regulations and program requirements” of the branded pharmaceutical companies. These guidelines prod pharmaceutical manufacturers to employ internal controls and self-regulation while marketing to the physicians. Methods We use a standard event-study methodology to measure the effect on the value of nine large generic firms around four events including the final guidance issued by Office of Inspector General. Results The results show that there is a contagion effect with an overall loss in net wealth of large generic firms’ shareholders. The US government’s policy guidance necessitated pharmaceutical industry to reexamine and refine for the better, its marketing practices. The government achieved this change in pharmaceutical industry’s behaviour without actually introducing any regulation suggesting the efficacy of self-regulation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that there is a contagion effect of Office of Inspector General guidelines on generic drug industry due to facilitated self-regulation by branded pharmaceutical industry. Thus, the direct implication is that any regulatory event that is meant for one firm or a group of firms in the health sector could adversely impact peer firms in the same industry (pharmaceutical) or related industries such as biotechnology or generic industries. In other words, the study shows that government’s public policy initiatives that effect the value of the targeted firms could change not only the firms’/industry’s behavior but also let government achieve its objectives without contemplating additional regulations. This in turn, may accrue significant cost savings for the government in avoiding the regulation and its related measures. Our results also support an argument that a mechanism that combines industry self-regulation with government monitoring, lends the greatest opportunity for the overall welfare of the society.
The sub-supraspinatus recess and superior labral motion: an arthroscopic analysis
Authors: Bouliane Martin , Paul Ryan , Silveira Anelise , Balyk Rob , Beaupre Lauren , Sheps David 
Published: February 2018

Background Minimal information exists regarding the sub-supraspinatus recess superior to the labrum and inferior to the supraspinatus. Furthermore, movement of the superior labrum during glenohumeral range of motion has not previously been defined. The objectives of this arthroscopic study were to describe the (i) sub-supraspinatus recess dimensions and (ii) superior labral motion. Methods Forty-four patients were enrolled and underwent standardized arthroscopic assessment. Analysis consisted of static measurement of the sub-supraspinatus recess depth, as well as the amount of labral motion during passive shoulder motion. Labral movement was categorized relative to the glenoid rim (lateral to the rim, to the rim, or medial to the rim). Results All patients had a well-defined sub-supraspinatus recess varying from a depth of 0 mm to 5 mm ( n = 10; 22.7%), 5 mm to 10 mm ( n = 23; 52.3%) or >10 mm ( n = 11; 25%). External rotation in abduction demonstrated the greatest labral movement ( p < 0.001) with 28 (80%) shoulders moving medial to the rim. Conclusions The sub-supraspinatus recess is consistently present with an average depth of 5 mm to 10 mm. Superior labral motion is present in most patients and is most pronounced in external rotation in abduction. This finding likely has clinical implications for superior labral repair surgery, especially for overhead athletes and laborers who require external rotation in an abducted position for a successful outcome.