bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescription legibility: bigger might actually be better
Authors: Fallaize Rebecca , Dovey Gemma , Woolf Sarah 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIntroductionDrug errors are common and can be detrimental to patients, even resulting in death. Junior doctors write most prescriptions and are therefore responsible for most errors. There is little literature about the effect of legibility of the prescriber’s handwriting on the rate of drug errors. Folklore would deem doctors’ handwriting to be poorer than average; however, studies have shown this to be incorrect. In fact, handwriting in general has been shown to be poor.MethodsA random sample of prescriptions from inpatient drug charts were chosen to provide a wide spread of legibility, with an even spread of the use of upper-case and lower-case lettering. Two cohorts of 13 junior doctors and 13 non-medical controls were recruited and asked to transcribe each of the prescriptions. Results were analysed for evidence of a statistical difference in correct transcription rate between lower-case or upper-case letters.ResultsNon-medical participants correctly transcribed only 45% of prescriptions written in lower case. This rose to 66.5% for those written in upper case. This showed strong statistical significance, p&lt;0.005. A statistical difference was also shown for differences in transcription by junior doctors (92.3% vs 97.8%, p=0.016).ConclusionDoctors must take responsibility for the quality of the prescriptions they write, to prevent avoidable drug errors. Legibility is improved by the use of capital letters. Therefore, we recommend that the use of upper cases should become routine practice when writing drug prescriptions.
Pictorial health warning labels on the waterpipe device are effective in reducing smoking satisfaction, puffing behaviour and exposure to CO: first evidence from a crossover clinical laboratory study
Authors: Maziak Wasim , Ben Taleb Ziyad , Ebrahimi Kalan Mohammad , Eissenberg Thomas , Thrasher James , Shihadeh Alan , Asfar Taghrid 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivesThis study examined the effect of pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on the waterpipe (WP) device on smokers’ experience, puffing behaviour, harm perception and exposure to respiratory toxicants.MethodsThirty WP smokers completed two 45 min ad libitum smoking sessions (WP without HWL vs WP with HWL) in a crossover design study. Exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) was measured before and after each smoking session. Puff topography was recorded throughout the smoking session, and participants completed survey questionnaires assessing subjective smoking experiences and harm perception.ResultsSignificant differences were observed in eCO levels between the two study conditions, with lower levels of eCO boost recorded following smoking the WP fitted with HWL (16 ppm) compared with WP without HWL (22.7 ppm). Participants had more puffs, shorter interpuff intervals and a higher total puff volume during smoking the WP without HWL relative to WP with HWL (p values <0.05). We documented enhanced reports of satisfaction, taste and puff liking following smoking the WP without HWL compared with the WP with HWL. WP harm perception was significantly higher among participants after smoking the WP with HWL compared with WP without HWL.ConclusionThis pilot study shows that placing HWL on the WP device is effective in reducing WP smoker’s positive experiences, puffing parameters and exposure to carbon monoxide. HWLs lead also to more appreciation of WP harmful effects, making them a promising regulatory approach for addressing the spread of WP smoking among young adults in the USA.
The interface superconductivity of Bi2Se3/Fe–Se heterostructure
Authors: Zheng L. , Li T. T. , Jin R. , Lei M. , Xu Y. J. , Yang X. S. , Zhao K. , Sun B. , Zhang Y. , Zhao Y. 
Published: January 2019

Bi2Se3/Fe–Se heterostructures on Si(100) substrates have been prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique. The thickness of FeSe2 film is an important factor for the properties of Bi2Se3/Fe–Se heterostructures. Our Bi2Se3/Fe–Se heterostructural samples showed ferromagnetism, which increase with increasing thickness of FeSe2 layer. However, when the FeSe2 layer is as thin as 20 nm, superconductivity could be observed through magnetization measurements, due to the existence of superconducting Fe–Se. Thus the Bi2Se3/Fe–Se heterostructure provides an approach to achieve both ferromagnetism and superconductivity simultaneously in interface, as well as to realize the interplay between a superconductor and a topological insulator.
Thermal antioxidation behavior of a new hindered phenol with branched structure for nitrile rubber
Authors: Zhang Lin , Liu Jianhua , Fan Xiaoqiang , Cai Zhenbing , Zhu Minhao 
Published: January 2019

A new hindered phenol with branched structure (chemical formula: 2-(((3,5-ditert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoyl)oxy)methyl)-2-ethylpropane-1,3-diyl bis(3,5-ditert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate)) was synthesized and characterized, and its thermo-oxidative stability as antioxidant into nitrile rubber (NBR) was assessed by the measurements of accelerated aging, with two antioxidants (AO-80 and AO-2246) as a comparison. By measuring and analyzing the oxidative induction temperature, oxidative induction time and dynamic mechanical properties of NBR with addition of 0.5 wt.% antioxidants, it is confirmed that new hindered phenol with branched structure could effectively inhibit the oxidation degradation of NBR.
Indiana Limestone: America's building stone
Authors: Shaffer Nelson R. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Indiana Limestone is one of the most used and versatile building stones in the USA. It is a uniform, carbonate grainstone formed during the Mississippian Subperiod of the Carbonifereous. The stone has excellent physical properties, good workability, fire resistance, durability, sustainability, reserves sufficient for hundreds of years, remarkable history, and is available in pleasing colours and textures. Indiana Limestone is used extensively for important buildings, homes, or carved as accents and sculptures, as well as other uses. At one time it was estimated that 60–80% of important US stone buildings were built with Indiana Limestone. This stone has been used for significant, even iconic buildings such as the Empire State Building and the Yankee Stadium, the Pentagon and many other government buildings, even religious structures such as the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, notable houses such as the Biltmore House in North Carolina, many Chicago landmarks, plus libraries, research centres, academic buildings and museums, across the USA. Sculptures throughout the USA and other countries are made of Indiana Limestone. The stone has good sustainability and is incorporated into the very culture of the state of Indiana and America. Indiana Limestone merits designation as a Global Heritage Stone Resource.
Placental vascular abnormalities in the mouse alter umbilical artery wave reflections
Authors: Cahill Lindsay S. , Zhou Yu-Qing , Hoggarth Johnathan , Yu Lisa X. , Rahman Anum , Stortz Greg , Whitehead Clare L. , Baschat Ahmet , Kingdom John C. , Macgowan Christopher K. , Serghides Lena , Sled John G. 
Published: January 2019

Current methods to detect placental vascular pathologies that monitor Doppler ultrasound changes in umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility have only moderate diagnostic utility, particularly in late gestation. In fetal mice, we recently demonstrated that reflected pressure waves propagate counter to the direction of flow in the UA and proposed the measurement of these reflections as a means to detect abnormalities in the placental circulation. In the present study, we used this approach in combination with microcomputed tomography to investigate the relationship between altered placental vascular architecture and changes in UA wave reflection metrics. Fetuses were assessed at embryonic day (E) 15.5 and E17.5 in control C57BL6/J mice and dams treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), a known model of fetal growth restriction. Whereas the reflection coefficient was not different between groups at E15.5, it was 27% higher at E17.5 in cART-treated mice compared with control mice. This increase in reflection coefficient corresponded to a 36% increase in the total number of vessel segments, a measure of overall architectural complexity. Interestingly, there was no difference in UA pulsatility index between groups, suggesting that the wave reflections convey information about vascular architecture that is not captured by conventional ultrasound metrics. The wave reflection parameters were found to be associated with the morphology of the fetoplacental arterial tree, with the area ratio between the UA and first branch points correlating with the reflection coefficient. This study highlights the potential for wave reflection to aid in the noninvasive clinical assessment of placental vascular pathology. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used a novel ultrasound methodology based on detecting pulse pressure waves that propagate along the umbilical artery to investigate the relationship between changes in wave reflection metrics and altered placental vascular architecture visualized by microcomputed tomography. Using pregnant mice treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, a model of fetal growth restriction, we demonstrated that reflections in the umbilical artery are sensitive to placental vascular abnormalities and associated with the geometry of the fetoplacental tree.
Right Ventricular-Arterial Coupling Ratio Derived From 3-Dimensional Echocardiography Predicts Outcomes in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Jone Pei-Ni , Schäfer Michal , Pan Zhaoxing , Ivy D. Dunbar 
Published: January 2019

Background:
Right ventricular (RV) function is an important determinant of outcomes in pulmonary hypertension (PH). RV-arterial coupling ratio using stroke volume (SV) to end-systolic volume (ESV) has been shown to be an independent predictor of outcome in adults with PH. SV/ESV has not been used in pediatrics to predict outcomes. We compared SV/ESV between pediatric patients with PH, controls, and among groups based on disease severity. We correlated SV/ESV to RV strain and evaluated SV/ESV as a predictor of outcomes in pediatric PH.

Methods:
One hundred and twenty-five children with PH (8 years [3–12 years]) underwent 3-dimensional echocardiography from 2014 to 2017 and compared with 65 controls (9 years [7–13 years]). Offline analysis generated 3-dimensional end-diastolic volume, ESV, SV, and free-wall RV longitudinal strain. SV/ESV ratios were compared between patients with PH, controls, and disease severity. Correlations between SV/ESV to free-wall RV longitudinal strain were assessed using general linear mixed models. Cox proportional hazards analysis assessed the predictive ability of SV/ESV.

RESULTS:

Patients with PH had lower SV/ESV compared with controls (0.88±0.18 versus 1.24±0.23;
P
<0.0001). There were significant associations between SV/ESV to free-wall RV longitudinal strain (r=−0.53;
P
<0.001). SV/ESV emerged as a strong predictor of adverse clinical event (hazard ratio [CI], 0.52 [0.38–0.69] per 0.1 increase in SV/ESV;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:
SV/ESV as a volume estimate of RV-arterial coupling ratio correlates with RV strain and is a strong predictor of adverse clinical events in pediatric PH.
A Tailored, Bundle Care Intervention Strategy to Reduce Cardiac Mortality During the Hajj: A Population-Based, Before and After Study
Authors: Al Faraidy Khalid A. , Thalib Lukman , Al Shammeri Owayed , Bokhari Fayez , Hersi Ahmad , Alfaleh Hussam , Kashour Tarek 
Published: January 2019

Background: Hajj is the largest human gathering with over 2 million people. We evaluated the effect of bundle care intervention on mortality. Methods: A population-based, before and after study compared the effect of an intervention on mortality. The intervention included recruitment of cardiac team, introducing 24/7 catheterization service, cardiac coordination, standardized cardiac care pathways, and establishment of an effective transportation system. Results: Cardiac mortality accounted for about 52% of all in-hospital deaths before intervention in 2009. This decreased significantly to 43.3%, 32.5%, and 19.7% in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. In-hospital mortality of acute coronary syndromes was 4.7%, 4.6%, and 3.0%, in the years 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Mortality due to other causes remained largely unaffected. There was no significant change in the national mortality due to cardiac causes over the same period provided a reassurance that the observed improvement in in-hospital acute coronary syndrome mortality was not due to overall improvement in health care. The numbers of cardiac catheterization procedures increased 3-fold and cardiac surgical procedures increased 5-fold between 2009 and 2011. Conclusions: In this study, we found that an evidence-based intensive bundle care intervention substantially reduced the cardiac mortality among the pilgrims assembling for Hajj in Makkah.
Pediatric Sialendoscopy for Recurrent Salivary Gland Swelling: Workup, Findings, and Outcomes
Authors: Nation Javan , Panuganti Bharat , Manteghi Alexander , Pransky Seth 
Published: January 2019

Introduction: Recurrent salivary gland swelling of the parotid and submandibular glands results in painful swelling in the pediatric population. There is no defined algorithm for workup and treatment of these disorders, resulting in wide heterogeneity and in some cases overuse of computed tomography (CT) imaging. Sialendoscopy (SE) is an interventional option for recurrent swelling of both glands; however, its effectiveness in the pediatric population is still being determined. Objectives: To assess preoperative imaging utilization and benefit in the workup of recurrent pediatric sialadenitis, intraoperative SE findings, and postoperative outcomes after intervention with SE. Methods: Case-series with a 5-year retrospective chart review on children undergoing SE for recurrent sialadenitis. Results: Forty-nine SE procedures were performed on 38 parotid glands (PG) and 11 submandibular glands (SMGs) in 29 children. CT imaging findings were useful for identifying a stone or stricture and guiding surgical management in 45.5% of SMGs versus 2.6% of PGs ( P < .001). A stone was found in 45.5% of SMGs and none in PG ( P < .001). SE intervention such as balloon dilation or stone removal was performed in 54.6% of SMGs and 5.3% of PGs ( P < .001). 74% of parotid patients undergoing SE responded to 1 intervention with a cessation of recurrent gland swelling, while 26% required additional interventions. One hundred percent of SMG patients responded to first intervention. There was no improvement in the beneficial effect of SE with steroid injection ( P = .897) regardless of steroid used ( P = .082). Conclusion: CT findings were found to be low yield for recurrent parotid swelling, and ultrasound is a recommended first-line step for PG pathology. SE is a recommended first-line intervention for SMG and parotid sialadenitis as demonstrated by 100% and 74% response rate to initial SE, respectively.
Diagnostic application of water exchange colonoscopy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xu Xiufang , Ni Dongqiong , Lu Yuping , Huang Xuan 
Published: January 2019

Background Few well-designed studies have investigated water exchange colonoscopy (WE). We performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the clinical utility of WE based on high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and to compare the impacts of WE, water immersion colonoscopy (WI), and gas-insufflation colonoscopy. Methods We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Elsevier, CNKI, VIP, and Wan Fang Data for RCTs on WE. We analyzed the results using fixed- or random-effect models according to the presence of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots. Results Thirteen studies were eligible for this meta-analysis. The colonoscopic techniques included WE as the study group, and WI and air- or CO2-insufflation colonoscopy as control groups. WE was significantly superior to the control procedures in terms of adenoma detection rate, proportion of painless unsedated colonoscopy procedures, and cecal intubation rate according to odds ratios. WE was also significantly better in terms of maximal pain score and patient satisfaction score according to mean difference. Conclusions WE can remarkably improve the adenoma detection rate, proportion of painless unsedated colonoscopy procedures, patient satisfaction, and cecal intubation rate, as well as reducing the maximal pain score in patients undergoing colonoscopy.
Conservative Fluid Management After Sepsis Resuscitation: A Pilot Randomized Trial
Authors: Semler Matthew W. , Janz David R. , Casey Jonathan D. , Self Wesley H. , Rice Todd W. 
Published: January 2019

Rationale: The feasibility and clinical outcomes of conservative fluid management after sepsis resuscitation remain unknown. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a conservative fluid management protocol on fluid balance and intensive care unit (ICU)-free days among patients with sepsis. Methods: In a single-center phase II/III randomized trial, we enrolled adults with suspected infection, ≥2 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria, and either shock (mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg or vasopressors) or respiratory insufficiency (mechanical ventilation or oxygen saturation <97% and fraction of inspired oxygen ≥0.3). Patients were randomized 1:1 to usual care or a conservative fluid management protocol. The protocol restricted intravenous fluid administration during shock to treatment of oliguria or increasing vasopressor requirement. In the absence of shock, loop diuretic infusion targeted equal fluid input and output each study day. The primary outcomes were mean daily fluid balance (phase II) and ICU-free days (phase III). Results: At the completion of phase II (n = 30), the difference in mean daily fluid balance between groups (−398 mL) was less than the prespecified threshold (−500 mL) and the trial was stopped. Patients in the conservative fluid management (n = 15) and usual care (n = 15) groups experienced similar cumulative fluid input (8450 mL vs 7049 mL; P = .90) of which only 14% was intravenous crystalloid or colloid. Loop diuretic infusion occurred more frequently in the conservative fluid management group (40% vs 0%; P = .02), and cumulative fluid output was 10 645 mL in the conservative fluid management group compared to 6286 mL in the usual care group ( P = .39). Hemodynamic, respiratory, and renal function did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: In this phase II trial, a conservative fluid management protocol did not decrease mean daily fluid balance by more than 500 mL among patients with sepsis. Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov ; NCT02159079.
Depressive Symptoms Predict Incident Dementia in a Community Sample of Older Adults: Results From the Einstein Aging Study
Authors: Ezzati Ali , Katz Mindy J. , Derby Carol A. , Zimmerman Molly E. , Lipton Richard B. 
Published: January 2019

Background: There is increasing evidence that depressive symptoms are associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults. In current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of depressive symptoms on incident Alzheimer disease and all-cause dementia in a community sample of older adults. Methods: Participants were 1219 older adults from the Einstein Aging Study, a longitudinal cohort study of community-dwelling older adults in Bronx County, New York. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS, 15-item) was used as a measure of depressive symptoms. The primary outcome was incident dementia diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, criteria. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of incident dementia as a function of GDS score for the whole population and also for 2 different time intervals, <3 years and ≥3 years after baseline assessment. Results: Among participants, 132 individuals developed dementia over an average 4.5 years (standard deviation [SD] = 3.5) of follow-up. Participants had an average age of 78.3 (SD = 5.4) at baseline, and 62% were women. Among all participants, after controlling for demographic variables and medical comorbidities, a 1-point increase in GDS was associated with higher incidence of dementia (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.11, P = .007). After up to 3 years of follow-up, depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with dementia incidence (HR = 1.09; P = .070). However, after more than 3 years, GDS score was a significant predictor of incident dementia (HR = 1.13, P = .028). Conclusions: Our results suggest that depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of incident dementia in older adults.
The Role of Vildagliptin in Treating Hypertension Through Modulating Serum VEGF in Diabetic Hypertensive Patients
Authors: El-Naggar Abdel Rahman , Zaafar Dalia , Elyamany Mohammed , Hassanin Soha , Bassyouni Atef , Abdel-Latif Hekma 
Published: January 2019

Background: Several trials have reported that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are used to improve endothelial function in addition to treating type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The current study investigated the effects of vildagliptin, DPP-4 inhibitor, compared to metformin on endothelial function and blood pressure through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) modulation in patients with T2DM and hypertension. Methods: This study was designed as a randomized controlled parallel study. A total of 120 volunteers were recruited and allocated into 4 groups: healthy volunteers, patients recently diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes, patients treated with captopril for hypertension in addition to metformin, and patients treated with captopril in addition to vildagliptin. The percentage change in body weight was calculated in addition to serum VEGF levels, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total lipid profile, and insulin resistance. Results: At the end of the therapeutic period, the results showed that vildagliptin significantly decreased blood pressure and increased serum VEGF levels, while metformin was more effective at lowering body weight. In comparison with metformin, vildagliptin showed a promising action through its antihypertensive effect via elevating VEGF levels and improving physiological angiogenesis and vasculature. What is new and conclusion: Vildagliptin showed a promising action through its blood pressure-regulating effect via modulating VEGF levels and improving physiological angiogenesis and vasculature, in addition to improving the lipid profile of patients, while metformin was better in reducing body weight.