bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Five-year clinical outcomes and intracoronary imaging findings of the COMFORTABLE AMI trial: randomized comparison of biodegradable polymer-based biolimus-eluting stents with bare-metal stents in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Räber Lorenz , Yamaji Kyohei , Kelbæk Henning , Engstrøm Thomas , Baumbach Andreas , Roffi Marco , von Birgelen Clemens , Taniwaki Masanori , Moschovitis Aris , Zaugg Serge , Ostojic Miodrag , Pedrazzini Giovanni , Karagiannis-Voules Dimitrios-Alexios , Lüscher Thomas F , Kornowski Ran , Tüller David , Vukcevic Vladan , Heg Dik , Windecker Stephan 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Aims
The long-term outcomes of biolimus-eluting stents (BESs) with biodegradable polymer as compared with bare-metal stent (BMS) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain unknown.

Methods and results
We performed a 5-year clinical follow-up of 1157 patients (BES: N = 575 and BMS: N = 582) included in the randomized COMFORTABLE AMI trial. Serial intracoronary imaging of stented segments using both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography performed at baseline and 13 months follow-up were analysed in 103 patients. At 5 years, BES reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac events [MACE; hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39–0.79, P = 0.001], driven by lower risks for target vessel-related reinfarction (HR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22–0.87, P = 0.02) and ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularization (HR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25–0.66, P &lt; 0.001). Definite stent thrombosis (ST) was recorded in 2.2% and 3.9% (HR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.28–1.16, P = 0.12) with no differences in rates of very late definite ST (1.3% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.77). Optical coherence tomography showed no difference in the frequency of malapposed stent struts at follow-up (BES 0.08% vs. BMS 0.02%, P = 0.10). Uncovered stent struts were rarely observed but more frequent in BES (2.1% vs. 0.15%, P &lt; 0.001). In the IVUS analysis, there was no positive remodelling in either group (external elastic membrane area change BES: −0.63 mm2, 95% CI: −1.44 to 0.39 vs. BMS −1.11 mm2, 95% CI: −2.27 to 0.04, P = 0.07).

Conclusion
Compared with BMS, the implantation of biodegradable polymer-coated BES resulted in a lower 5-year rate of MACE in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. At 13 months, vascular healing in treated culprit lesions was almost complete irrespective of stent type.

Clinical Trial Registration
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00962416.
Who Wins, Who Loses, Who Negotiates Peace in Civil Wars: Does Regime Type Matter?
Authors: Phayal Anup , Mason T David , Gurses Mehmet 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPrevious research has shown that the outcome of a civil war is related to conflict duration: military victory by either the government or the rebels occurs early if it occurs at all, and the longer a civil war lasts, the more likely it is to end in a negotiated settlement. The models of civil war duration and outcome that have produced these findings are built on characteristics of the civil war and less on attributes of the state itself, other than where the state lies on the Polity autocracy-democracy scale. We propose that how civil wars end varies not only between democracies and authoritarian regimes but among the different authoritarian regime types identified by Geddes, Wright, and Franz. The distinguishing attributes of these regime types—democracy, one-party, personalist, military, monarchical—should lead to different likelihood in defeating a rebel movement, being defeated by a rebel movement, and negotiating a peace agreement with a rebel movement. Results from a series of competing-risk models using the Uppsala–Peace Research Institute Oslo Armed Conflict Dataset demonstrate support for our claim that how civil wars end is partly a function of the characteristics of the regime.
A Prospective Study of Presepsin as an Indicator of the Severity of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Emergency Departments: Comparison with Pneumonia Severity Index and CURB-65 Scores
Authors: Ham Ji Yeon , Song Kyung Eun 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Despite widely used severity indices such as the pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65, a rapid, easy-to-detect biological marker is required for assessment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity. We aimed to investigate the ability of presepsin to differentiate between high- and low-risk patients, categorized according to PSI and CURB-65 scores. This prospective study was performed in an emergency department (ED) with 90 CAP patients. Whole blood presepsin levels were measured with a point-of-care test instrument. Using PSI and CURB-65 scores, we classified patients into outpatient (low-score group of PSI and CURB-65) and inpatient (high-score group of PSI and CURB-65) management groups. Presepsin levels were significantly higher in CAP patients with the high-score groups compared to the corresponding low-score groups. Presepsin correlated well with low- and high-score PSI (ROC AUC: presepsin, 0.726; PCT, 0.614; CRP, 0.544) and CURB-65 groups (ROC AUC: presepsin, 0.669; PCT, 0.645; CRP, 0.602). Presepsin is a valuable biomarker for assessing and classifying CAP severity.
One-year safety and efficacy of intravenous etelcalcetide in patients on hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Bushinsky David A , Chertow Glenn M , Cheng Sunfa , Deng Hongjie , Kopyt Nelson , Martin Kevin J , Rastogi Anjay , Ureña-Torres Pablo , Vervloet Marc , Block Geoffrey A 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background
Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), a common complication of chronic kidney disease, is characterized by elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH). Etelcalcetide is an intravenous calcimimetic that increases sensitivity of the calcium-sensing receptor to calcium and decreases PTH secretion. This open-label extension (OLE) trial evaluated the long-term effects of etelcalcetide for sHPT treatment in patients receiving hemodialysis.

Methods
This 52-week, multicenter, single-arm OLE enrolled patients from three parent trials: two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and one open-label, single-arm, ‘switch’ study from cinacalcet to etelcalcetide. The primary endpoint was to investigate the nature, frequency, severity and relation to treatment of all adverse events (AEs) reported throughout the trial. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with &gt;30% reduction from baseline in PTH and the percentage change from baseline in PTH, albumin-corrected calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) and the calcium–phosphate product (Ca × P).
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01785875; Amgen study: 20120231.

Results
Overall, 89.8% of the patients experienced one or more treatment-emergent AE. The most common were decreased blood Ca (43.3%), diarrhea (10.8%), vomiting (10.4%) and nausea (9.6%); symptomatic hypocalcemia occurred in 3.7% of the patients. Approximately 68% of patients achieved &gt;30% reduction in PTH, and ∼56% achieved PTH ≤300 pg/mL. Mean percent changes from baseline ranged from −25.4% to −26.1% for PTH, −8.3% to −9.1% for Ca, −3.6% to −4.1% for P and −12.0% to −12.6% for Ca × P.

Conclusions
Etelcalcetide effectively lowered PTH and its effect was sustained, while no new safety concerns emerged over a 1-year treatment period.
Prevalence of Anti-HCV Antibody Among the General Population in Mainland China Between 1991 and 2015: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Gao Yuhua , Yang Jun , Sun Feng , Zhan Siyan , Fang Zhongliao , Liu Xueen , Zhuang Hui 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Our study aims to estimate the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among the general population in Mainland China. We searched 4 databases for studies of the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among the general population. Studies that met the selection criteria were included in the meta-analysis. Ninety-four studies with 10729 929 individuals were finally included. Overall, the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among the general population in Mainland China is 0.91% (95% confidence interval, 0.81%–1.03%). The prevalence rates of anti-HCV antibody were geographically different, with a range of 0.32%–6.51%, and the East and South of China had a relatively lower prevalence. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody increased successively from 0.16% to 3.95% with advancing age. It was noteworthy that the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody decreased continuously from 2.09% to 0.45% during 1991–2010, whereas it increased to 0.58% during 2011–2015.
Viral RNA Degradation Makes Urine a Challenging Specimen for Detection of Japanese Encephalitis Virus in Patients With Suspected CNS Infection
Authors: Bharucha Tehmina , Sengvilaipaseuth Onanong , Seephonelee Malee , Vongsouvath Malavanh , Vongsouvath Manivanh , Rattanavong Sayaphet , Piorkowski Géraldine , Lecuit Marc , Gorman Christopher , Pommier Jean-David , Garson Jeremy A , Newton Paul N , de Lamballerie Xavier , Dubot-Pérès Audrey 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a leading cause of central nervous system (CNS) infections in Asia and results in significant morbidity and mortality. JEV RNA is rarely detected in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and diagnosis of JEV infection is usually based on serological tests that are frequently difficult to interpret. Unlike serum or CSF, urine is relatively easy to obtain, but, to date, there has been minimal work on the feasibility of testing urine for JEV RNA.

Methods
We investigated the use of lysis buffer and a Microsep device to optimize urine storage for detection of JEV RNA by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The best of the studied methods was then evaluated in consecutive patients admitted to the hospital with suspected CNS infections in Laos.

Results
We demonstrated degradation of JEV RNA in urine after even short storage periods at 4°C or –80°C. Although there was no advantage in using a Microsep concentration device alone, immediate addition of lysis buffer to fresh urine improved the detection of JEV RNA at the limit of detection.

Conclusions
In 2 studies of 41 patients with acute encephalitis syndrome, 11 (27%) were positive for JEV IgM in CSF and/or serum, and 2 (4.9%) were JEV RT-qPCR positive from throat swabs. JEV RNA was not detected in any of these patients’ urine samples. However, lysis buffer was only used during a prospective study, that is, for only 17/41 (41%) patient urine samples. Our findings suggest a need for larger studies testing urine for JEV RNA, with urine collected at different times from symptom onset, and using lysis buffer, which stabilizes RNA, for storage.
Multiplier method estimates of the population of men who have sex with men: the effect of privacy protection
Authors: Jing Liwei , Cui Yuehua , Lu Qing , Yu Hongmei 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Objectives
The stigmatization of men who have sex with men (MSM) has led to an underestimation of their population size. To address this, the United Nations Programme on HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and World Health Organization developed a multiplier method. However, nearly all multiplier method estimates of MSM population size in China are far below national estimates. This study explores how privacy protection to address and avoid MSM stigmatization can affect reliable estimates.

Methods
Data from an MSM website, a bar, and a peer-based HIV testing were used to produce three multiplier method estimates of the MSM population size in Taiyuan, China, in 2014. The effect of privacy protection on stigmatization was explored by comparing the peer-based HIV testing with other estimates. We used a national estimate as a reference to verify potential underestimation.

Results
The website and bar estimates were 5- to 10-times and 8- to 16-times lower than the Chinese national estimate range, respectively. Conversely, the peer-based HIV testing estimate was within the national estimate range.

Conclusions
Though the multiplier method was developed to estimate the size of stigmatized populations, it might be affected by privacy protection addressing stigmatization; this should be considered when gathering data.
Variation in patent impact by organization type: An investigation of government, university, and corporate patents
Authors: Schmid Jon , Fajebe Ayodeji 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
This article investigates whether patents assigned to different types of organizations—firms, universities, and government research agencies—vary with regards to their effect on subsequent technological change. We find the organization type to which a patent is assigned to have significant and robust effects on the number of times a patent is cited and its generality. More precisely, we find that university patents are cited more often than corporate patents and that both university and government patents are more general than corporate ones. Additionally, university and governments patents are more likely than corporate patents to be both highly cited and highly general. The finding that university patents have a particularly deep and wide impact on subsequent technological change suggests that policies that attempt to use universities as engines for advancing technological innovation may hold promise.
Growing Your Own: Will Your Associate Degree Nursing Student Consider a Future Faculty Role?
Authors: Bond Diana K. , Swanson Melvin S. , Winters-Thornburg Carol E. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

AIM
The purpose of the study was to determine the intent of associate degree in nursing (ADN) students to pursue a future nursing faculty role.

BACKGROUND
Nursing faculty shortages negatively affect the capacity to educate new nurses.

METHOD
A prospective correlational research design was used to conduct a national survey of ADN students regarding their intent for a future nursing faculty role using constructs of social cognitive career theory.

RESULTS
Twenty-nine percent of participants intended to pursue a future faculty role. The statistically significant predictors of future intent were semesters completed (OR = 2.4), interest in the activities of a faculty role (OR = 2.3), encouragement from faculty (OR = 2.0), outcome expectations-advantages (OR = 1.7), and outcome expectations-disadvantages (OR = 0.7).

CONCLUSION
Encouraging ADN students toward graduate education and a future faculty role and informing them of all aspects of the role, including advantages and disadvantages, may inspire ADN students toward such a role.
Prognostic Factors for Patients With Undifferentiated High Grade Pleomorphic Sarcoma of the Spine
Authors: Lou Yan , Wan Wei , Wu Zhipeng , Yang Jian , Xu Kehan , Huang Quan , Liu Tielong , Wei Haifeng , Yang Xinghai , Xiao Jianru 
Published: February 2019

Study Design.
Retrospective survival analysis of 44 undifferentiated high grade pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) of the spine.

Objective.
To identify factors related to overall survival (OS) and help decision making in the treatment of undifferentiated high grade pleomorphic sarcoma of the spine.

Summary of Background Data.
UPS is an aggressive malignant tumor rarely originating from the spine. Due to its scarcity, only a few studies had been reported to describe the clinical features, treatments, and outcomes of sporadic cases, devoid of evaluation on prognostic factors.

Methods.
Enrolled in this survival analysis were 44 patients who underwent surgery and adjuvant therapies from January 1999 to December 2015. Kaplan–Meier methods were applied to estimate the overall survival. A multivariate Cox algorithm was applied to recognize factors independently associated with overall survival.

Results.
Multivariate analysis suggested that age greater than or equal to 55 years (hazard ratio [HR], 3.923, P < 0.001), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score four (HR, 4.656, P < 0.001), and subtotal resection or piecemeal total resection (HR, 4.375, P < 0.001) were independently associated with poor overall survival.

Conclusion.
We identified independent prognostic factors of UPS of the spine. Subtotal resection or piecemeal total resection, age more than or equal to 55 years and ECOG score four are factors adversely affecting overall survival of patients with UPS of the spine.

Level of Evidence: 4
Hybrid Growing Rod Technique of Osteotomy With Short Fusion and Spinal Distraction
Authors: Sun Xu , Xu Liang , Chen Zhonghui , Shi Benlong , Chen Xi , Li Song , Du Changzhi , Zhou Qingshuang , Qiu Yong , Zhu Zezhang 
Published: February 2019

Study Design.
Retrospective study.

Objective.
The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid growing rod (GR) technique for the treatment of young children with congenital scoliosis (CS).

Summary of Background Data.
Congenital vertebral anomalies within long-spanned kyphoscoliosis were difficult to be managed by either definitive spinal fusion or standard GR technique. Hybrid technique of one-stage posterior osteotomy with short fusion and GR distraction was proposed in previous studies. There is, however, paucity of data regarding its effectiveness.

Methods.
Thirteen patients (mean age, 5.4 ± 2.0 yr) who had undergone hybrid GR treatment were retrospectively reviewed, including 8 patients treated with single GR and 5 patients with dual GR. All of their radiographic data were measured, and surgical complications were recorded.

Results.
On average, the current cohort had 4.1 ± 1.7 lengthening procedures. After the index surgery, the major curve improved remarkably from 86.4° ± 11.9° to 37.3° ± 12.4° (P < 0.001). The global kyphosis significantly decreased from 66.8° ± 16.1° to 33.3° ± 3.5° postoperatively. Both value remained steady during follow-up. There were no significant difference between single GR and dual GR groups in terms of the coronal deformity correction, whereas correction loss of global kyphosis in single GR group was significantly higher than that in dual GR group (P = 0.039). After the index surgery, T1-S1 height averagely gained 4.4 ± 0.8 cm and it grew at an average rate of 1.31 ± 0.24 cm/yr during the follow-up. Two complications were identified in two patients, including one with rod fracture and one with proximal junctional kyphosis.

Conclusion.
The hybrid GR technique was effective in correcting spinal deformity and allowing continuous spinal growth. The optimal indications were young children with apical vertebrae anomalies and a long-spanned kyphoscoliosis.

Level of Evidence: 3
Application of a Prognostic Stratification System for High-risk Prostate Cancer to Patients Treated With Radiotherapy
Authors: Foster Benjamin , Jackson William , Foster Corey , Dess Robert , Abu-Isa Eyad , McLaughlin Patrick William , Merrick Gregory , Hearn Jason , Spratt Daniel , Liauw Stanley , Hamstra Daniel 
Published: February 2019

Objectives:
We applied an established prognostic model to high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) and evaluated the influence of clinical and treatment variables on treatment outcomes.

Methods:
In total, 1075 HRPC patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT) between 1995 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Median follow-up was 62.3 months. Patients received either dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy (n=628, EBRT) or combined-modality radiotherapy (n=447, pelvic RT and low-dose rate brachytherapy boost, CMRT). 82.9% received androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). A prognostic model stratified patients into predefined groups (good, intermediate, and poor). Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regressions assessed biochemical failure (BF), distant metastasis (DM), prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) and overall mortality (OM). C-indices analyzed predictive value.

Results:
The model was prognostic; C-indices for BF, DM, PCSM and OM were: 0.62, 0.64, 0.61, and 0.57. On multivariate analysis, CMRT and longer ADT (≥24 mo) were associated with improved BF, DM, and PCSM. Gleason score (GS) 9-10 was the strongest predictor of PCSM. C-indices for BF, DM, PCSM, and OM using a 4-compartment model incorporating GS 9-10 were: 0.62, 0.65, 0.68, and 0.56. In poor-prognosis patients (GS 8-10+additional risk factors), CMRT+LTADT (>12 mo) had 10-year PCSM (3.7%±3.6%), comparing favorably to 25.8%±9.2% with EBRT+LTADT.

Conclusions:
The model applies to high-risk RT patients; GS 9-10 remains a powerful predictor of PCSM. Comparing similar prognosis patients, CMRT is associated with improved disease-specific outcomes relative to EBRT. In poor-prognosis patients, CMRT+LTADT yields superior 10-year PCSM, potentially improving RT treatment personalization for those with HRPC.
Tobacco Treatment Programs at National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers
Authors: Day Andrew T. , Tang Liyang , Karam-Hage Maher , Fakhry Carole 
Published: February 2019

Objectives:
The main objectives of this study were to evaluate abstinence rates of tobacco treatment programs (TTPs) at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers (DCCs) and to ascertain the number of NCI-DCCs with online references to TTPs.

Methods:
Literature searches of Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus were performed from their inception through January 2018 using keywords including cancer patients, cancer survivors, tobacco, smoking, cessation, and program. In total, 4094 articles were identified, 1450 duplicates were removed, 2644 candidate titles and abstracts were screened, and 210 selected full-text articles were independently reviewed by 2 authors. Three retrospective, single-institution cohort studies describing system-wide TTPs at 3 NCI-DCCs met inclusion criteria. Secondarily, online website audits of each NCI-DCC were performed to identify institutions with online evidence of a system-wide TTP servicing cancer patients.

Results:
Among 62 NCI-DCCs, only 3 reported system-wide TTP outcomes. Abstinence rates ranged from 15% to 47%. Online website audit identified 47 NCI-DCCs maintaining system-wide TTPs. Seventeen TTPs were housed within the cancer center and 30 TTPs were offered by the primary affiliated institution; among the latter group, only 13 TTPs were identifiable via the NCI-DCC webpage.

Conclusions:
Most NCI-DCCs offer tobacco treatment services to cancer patients but very few have reported their results. Increased NCI-DCC TTP outcome publication and online presence are needed.