bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statin combined with exercise training is more effective to improve functional status in dyslipidemic older adults
Authors: Baptista Liliana C. , Veríssimo Manuel Teixeira , Martins Raul A. 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundExercise training (EX) and statins are first‐line therapies to manage dyslipidemia.PurposeThis study aims to analyze the effect of EX and statins on functional status and cardiovascular risk (CVR) in dyslipidemic older adults with comorbidities.MethodsParticipants (n = 981) underwent one of 3 conditions: (a) multicomponent exercise training (EX; n = 298; 74% females); (b) statins (ST; n = 178; 65% females); (c) combined therapy—exercise plus ST therapy (ST+EX; n = 505; 79% females). Functional fitness, anthropometry, hemodynamic and lipid profiles, and were assessed at baseline and after 2‐years.ResultsEX and ST+EX participants improved all the functional status variables, whereas ST participants aggravated all the outcomes. Triglycerides and HDL‐cholesterol maintained unchanged and total cholesterol decreased in the three groups, whereas LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) decreased in EX and ST+EX groups but not in ST group. EX and ST+EX groups decreased body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure; contrarily, ST group increased these variables.ConclusionStatins combined with exercise training or exercise alone are more effective to improve functional status, to manage cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular risk factors in dyslipidemic older adults with comorbidities than ST alone. Furthermore, current results suggest that isolated statin therapy decreases functional status and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Assessment of coagulation‐ultrafiltration performance for the treatment of primary wastewater using alum sludge
Authors: Mazari Lilia , Abdessemed Djamal , Szymczyk Anthony , Trari Mohamed 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe main purpose of this research was to develop an effective and inexpensive pretreatment for ultrafiltration (UF) membrane process in order to treat a primary effluent for its reuse in several applications by avoiding biological treatment. For that the impacts of reuse alum sludge liquid recovered by the drinking water treatment plant of Boudouaou (Algiers area) has been examined on the water quality in coagulation–sedimentation processes. The tests were carried out on a primary effluent of wastewater treatment plant. The elemental analysis by x‐ray fluorescence showed that the tested sludge is composed mainly of Al2O3 (41%) and SiO2 (44%). The efficiency of alum sludge as primary coagulant was compared with a conventional metal‐ion coagulant (fresh alum) using a jar test apparatus for simultaneous removals of turbidity, UV254 and chemical oxygen demand (COD). For dose of 30 mg Al/L, the sludge was effective as primary coagulant for removing the turbidity, COD and UV254.
Removal of Sudan dyes from environmental waters and food samples with amine functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticles as solid‐phase extraction adsorbent
Authors: Ghasemi Amin , Es'haghi Zarrin , Jamali Mohammad Reza 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this research, the amine functionalized magnetic silica‐based nanocomposite as a solid‐phase extraction adsorbent coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was applied for the preconcentration and determination of Sudan dyes in environmental waters and a food sample. The synthesized core‐shell Fe3O4@silica nanoparticles were functionalized with amino groups and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The experimental parameters optimized and under the best conditions, the sorbent was successfully used to extract the target analytes. The result showed that a good linearity with a r‐value of greater 0.990, and the limits of detection were from 0.082 to 0.12 µg L−1. The relative recoveries obtained by analysing the spiked water samples were in the range of 90–102% and the relative standard deviations were between 0.590 and 7.94%.
Influential factors for metal ions removal using extracellular polymeric substances produced by Cloacibacterium normanense
Authors: Wang Xiaoju , Hua Zulin , Mao Haitao 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the interactions between metal ions and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) with pH, contact time, compositions of EPS and concentration of EPS. The proteins were the dominated components in EPS of compositions. In particular, the optimal pH for the flocculation of EPS was approximately pH 5.0, except for Hg(II) which is stable in alkaline environments. The heavy removal efficiency of Ni and Al increased from 33 to 81% and 59 to 64%, respectively, when the contact time increased from 0.5 to 1.3 h. Furthermore, the EPS adsorption satisfactorily correlated Freundlich isotherm with the data of Al, Fe, Ni and Zn, with R2 ranging from 0.93 to 0.99, but poorly for Cu, with R2 ranging from 0.81 to 0.88. The results revealed that the flocculating capacity and metal removal ability of the EPS produced by Cloacibacterium normanense represent a good alternative as a bioflocculant and low‐cost adsorbent.
East Asian English learners crossing Outer and Inner Circle boundaries
Authors: Kobayashi Yoko 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDrawing upon world Englishes theory and research, in particular, studies that re‐examine Kachru's Three Circles model, the present study addresses Japanese English learners’ sojourn experiences in the ASEAN Outer Circle and/or the Western Inner Circle nations. It numerically and qualitatively cross‐examines two groups in terms of sojourn motives, gender differences, and interest in the other type of sojourn. The study suggests that without veering from ‘native English’ norms, Japanese youth informed about the ASEAN nations’ international visibility embrace opportunities to study in these nations and broaden their notion of English(es). Also discussed are pedagogical implications for, for example, the implementation of study‐in‐ASEAN programs for many Expanding Circle female students majoring in West‐oriented degree programs.
Effect of Fine TiC Particle Reinforcement on the Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of In Situ Synthesized ZA27 Alloy
Authors: David Roshita , Dasgupta Rupa , Prasad B. K. 
Published: August 2018

The in situ method of making zinc-aluminum composites wherein TiC has been introduced has been investigated in the present paper for its microstructural, physical, and dry sliding wear behavior and compared with the base alloy. In the present study, ZA-27 alloy reinforced with 5 and 10 vol % TiC was taken into consideration. The results indicate that the wear rate and coefficient of friction of composites were lower than that of base alloy. The material loss in terms of both wear volume loss and wear rate increases with increase in load and sliding distance, respectively, while coefficient of friction follows a reverse trend with increase in load. Better performance was obtained for 5% TiC reinforcement than with 10% probably due to agglomeration of particles resulting in nonuniform dispersion. Worn surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.
Effects of Size and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate on Mass Transfer for Liquid-Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Non-Circular Glass Microchannels
Authors: Svensson Astrid , Wu Zan , Sunden Bengt 
Published: August 2018

This study concerns effects of two main variables on hydrodynamics and mass transfer in the liquid-liquid two-phase slug flow regime. The influence of size of square and rectangular microchannels and presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are investigated. Three microchannels with dimensions 600×600 (MC600), 400×400 (MC400) and 600×300 (MC300) μm were used with hydraulic diameters of 600, 400 and 400 μm respectively. The results revealed that decreasing the hydraulic diameter improved the interfacial area due to slug length enlargement in both phases. Furthermore, mass transfer resistance was reduced because of enhanced internal circulations, leading to considerable enhancement of the overall mass transfer coefficient KL. It was also found that the enhancement of KL was greater in the square MC400 microchannel than in the rectangular MC300, as compared to the MC600. The enhancing benefit from internal circulations in organic slugs in rectangular microchannels decreased at higher aqueous flow rates due to enlarged stagnant liquid film flow between the organic slug and the microchannel wall.
The presence of SDS slightly increased the interfacial area by reducing the slug length in both phases. However, there was a significant decrement in KL, due to a greater mass transfer resistance.
Outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction: a propensity score-matched, 15-year nationwide population-based study in Asia
Authors: Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Chen Tien-Hsing , Wu Michael , Chen Shao-Wei , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Chang Chun-Wei , Chen Ching-Chang , Wu Katie Pei-Hsuan , Hsieh Ming-Jer , Wang Chao-Yung , Chang Shang-Hung , Lin Fen-Chiung , Hsieh I-Chang , Chu Pao-Hsien , Wen Ming-Shien 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) entails thickening of the myocardium and an increased risk of ischaemia. However, the prognosis of patients with HCM with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is incompletely understood.MethodsMedical information was retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database in 1997–2011. The exclusion criteria were patients <18 years old, and history of AMI, coronary intervention, aortic valve disease, disease of the pericardium, heart surgery, device implantation, venous thromboembolism, cardiac transplant, congenital heart disease and end-stage renal disease on dialysis. Patients with HCM with AMI were compared with propensity score (PS)-matched patients with AMI without HCM. The primary endpoints were in-hospital and 1-year cardiovascular events.ResultsIn total, 201 166 patients were admitted for AMI. There were 177 058 patients with new-onset AMI, 257 with HCM and 176 801 without HCM after exclusion criteria. Using 1:4 PS matching, the study population consisted of patients with AMI, 257 with HCM and 1028 without HCM. Patients with AMI with HCM received significantly less coronary intervention (OR=0.46; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.65; p<0.001), coronary intervention with stenting (OR=0.33; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.57; p<0.001) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OR=0.22; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.90; p=0.036), and fewer episodes of shock (OR=0.64; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.86; p=0.003) and in-hospital death (OR=0.46; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.70; p<0.001), compared with patients with AMI without HCM. Specifically, for patients with HCM with AMI, AMI occurred predominantly (82.5%) in the form of ischaemia without requiring coronary stenting. Patients with AMI with HCM had significantly better survival than patients without HCM (HR=0.66; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.85; p=0.001) during the 1-year follow-up.ConclusionsThis is the first PS-matched study to compare the prognosis of patients with AMI with and without HCM. Compared with patients with AMI without HCM, patients with HCM had significantly better in-hospital and within 1-year outcomes.
Outcomes of an individual counselling programme in Grozny, Chechnya: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Lenglet Annick , Lopes-Cardozo Barbara , Shanks Leslie , Blanton Curtis , Feo Concetta , Tsatsaeva Zalina , Idrisov Kyuri , Bolton Paul A , Pintaldi Giovanni 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of individual counselling on functioning of clients participating in a mental health intervention in a humanitarian setting.DesignRandomised controlled trial.SettingMental health programme implemented by Médecins Sans Frontières in Grozny, Republic of Chechnya.Participants168 eligible clients were randomly assigned to the intervention and waitlisted (2 months) arms between November 2014 and February 2015.InterventionIndividual counselling sessions.Main outcome measuresChange in functioning was measured using the Short Form 6 (SF6) and gender-specific locally adapted Chechen functioning instruments in the intervention group at the end of counselling and the waitlisted group after their waitlisted period. Unadjusted differences in gain scores (DGSs) between intervention and waitlisted groups were calculated with effect size (Cohen’sd) for both tools. Linear regression compared the mean DGS in both groups.ResultsThe intervention group (n=78) improved compared with waitlisted controls (n=80) on the SF6 measures with moderate to large effect sizes: general health (DGS 12.14,d=0.52), body pain (DGS 10.26,d=0.35), social support (DGS 16.07,d=0.69) and emotional functioning (DGS 16.87,d=0.91). Similar improvement was seen using the Chechen functioning instrument score (female DGS −0.33,d=0.55; male DGS −0.40,d=0.99). Adjusted analysis showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in the intervention group for all SF6 measures and for the Chechen functioning instrument score in women but not men (p=0.07).ConclusionsIndividual counselling significantly improved participants’ ability to function in the intervention group compared with the waitlisted group. Further research is needed to determine whether similar positive results can be shown in other settings and further exploring the impact in male clients’ population.Trial registration numberNTR4689.
Awareness of cervical cancer among women attending an HIV treatment centre: a cross-sectional study from Morocco
Authors: Belglaiaa Essaada , Souho Tiatou , Badaoui Latifa , Segondy Michel , Prétet Jean-Luc , Guenat David , Mougin Christiane 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo explore awareness about cervical cancer among Moroccan women attending an HIV treatment centre in Laâyoune city, Morocco.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2017 using a knowledge test regarding cervical cancer, its risk factors and its prevention.SettingHIV treatment centre at the Hospital of Moulay Hassan Ben Elmehdi in Laâyoune city, Morocco.ParticipantsOne hundred and twenty-three HIV-positive women aged 19 years and older were recruited to this study.ResultsA total of 115 women were eligible to participate in the study. The average age was 34.9±10.2 years. Few women (20%) had heard about cervical cancer and its screening, the majority (17.4%) having received information from mass media. The vast majority (79.1%) of respondents had no knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors, and 80.8% did not know any symptoms of cervical cancer. Only 13% had undergone a Pap smear test. The main reason for not seeking Pap smear was the absence of symptoms (47%).ConclusionOur study documents poor awareness of cervical cancer. Given that the HIV-positive population is at increased risk of cervical cancer, health education programmes should be promoted to increase awareness of cervical cancer as well as access and participation in cervical cancer screening.
Assessing minimal medical statistical literacy using the Quick Risk Test: a prospective observational study in Germany
Authors: Jenny Mirjam Annina , Keller Niklas , Gigerenzer Gerd 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesTo assess minimal medical statistical literacy in medical students and senior educators using the 10-item Quick Risk Test; to assess whether deficits in statistical literacy are stable or can be reduced by training.DesignProspective observational study on the students, observational study on the university lecturers.SettingCharité University Medicine medical curriculum for students and a continuing medical education (CME) course at a German University for senior educators.Participants169 students taking part in compulsory final-year curricular training in medical statistical literacy (63% female, median age 25 years). Sixteen professors of medicine and other senior educators attending a CME course on medical statistical literacy (44% female, age range=30–65 years).InterventionsStudents completed a 90 min training session in medical statistical literacy. No intervention for the senior educators.Outcome measuresPrimary outcome measure was the number of correct answers out of four multiple-choice alternatives per item on the Quick Risk Test.ResultsFinal-year students answered on average half (median=50%) of the questions correctly while senior educators answered three-quarters correctly (median=75%). For comparison, chance performance is 25%. A 90 min training session for students increased the median percentage correct from 50% to 90%. 82% of participants improved their performance.ConclusionsMedical students and educators do not master all basic concepts in medical statistics. This can be quickly assessed with the Quick Risk Test. The fact that a 90 min training session on medical statistical literacy improves students’ understanding from 50% to 90% indicates that the problem is not a hard-wired inability to understand statistical concepts. This gap in physicians’ education has long-lasting effects; even senior medical educators could answer only 75% of the questions correctly on average. Hence, medical students and professionals should receive enhanced training in how to interpret risk-related medical statistics.
Assessing the completeness and accuracy of South African National Laboratory CD4 and viral load data: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bassett Ingrid Valerie , Huang Mingshu , Cloete Christie , Candy Sue , Giddy Janet , Frank Simone Claire , Parker Robert A 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the accuracy of the South African National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) corporate data warehouse (CDW) using a novel data cross-matching method.MethodsAdults (≥18 years) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) who visited a hospital-based HIV clinic in Durban from March to June 2012 were included. We matched patient identifiers, CD4 and viral load (VL) records from the HIV clinic’s electronic record with the NHLS CDW according to a set of matching criteria for patient identifiers, test values and test dates. We calculated the matching rates for patient identifiers, CD4 and VL records, and an overall matching rate.ResultsNHLS returned records for 3498 (89.6%) of the 3906 individuals requested. Using our computer algorithm, we confidently matched 3278 patients (83.9% of the total request). Considering less than confident matches as well, and then manually reviewing questionable matches using only patient identifiers, only nine (0.3% of records returned by NHLS) of the suggested matches were judged incorrect.ConclusionsWe developed a data cross-matching method to evaluate national laboratory data and were able to match almost 9 of 10 patients with data we expected to find in the NHLS CDW. We found few questionable matches, suggesting that manual review of records returned was not essential. As the number of patients initiating ART in South Africa grows, maintaining a comprehensive and accurate national data repository is of critical importance, since it may serve as a valuable tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the country’s HIV care system. This study helps validate the use of NHLS CDW data in future research on South Africa’s HIV care system and may inform analyses in similar settings with national laboratory systems.
International multicenter observational study on assessment of ventilatory management during general anaesthesia for robotic surgery and its effects on postoperative pulmonary complication (AVATaR): study protocol and statistical analysis plan
Authors: Queiroz Veronica Neves Fialho , da Costa Luiz Guilherme Villares , Barbosa Rogerio Póvoa , Takaoka Flávio , De Baerdemaeker Luc , Cesar Daniel Souza , D’Orto Ulisses Cardoso , Galdi José Roberto , Gottumukkala Vijaya , Cata Juan P , Hemmes Sabrine N T , Hollman Markus W , Kalmar Alain , Moura Lucas A B de , Mariano Renato M , Matot Idit , Mazzinari Guido , Mills Gary H , Posso Irimar de Paula , Teruya Alexandre , Vidal Melo Marcos Francisco , Sprung Juraj , Weingarten Toby N , Treschan Tanja A , Koopman Seppe , Eidelman Leonid , Chen Lee-Lynn , Lee Jae-Woo , Ariño Irujo Jose J , Tena Beatriz , Groeben Harald , Pelosi Paolo , de Abreu Marcelo Gama , Schultz Marcus J , Serpa Neto Ary 
Published: August 2018

IntroductionRobotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has emerged as an alternative minimally invasive surgical option. Despite its growing applicability, the frequent need for pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position could significantly affect respiratory mechanics during RAS. AVATaR is an international multicenter observational study aiming to assess the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), to characterise current practices of mechanical ventilation (MV) and to evaluate a possible association between ventilatory parameters and PPC in patients undergoing RAS.Methods and analysisAVATaR is an observational study of surgical patients undergoing MV for general anaesthesia for RAS. The primary outcome is the incidence of PPC during the first five postoperative days. Secondary outcomes include practice of MV, effect of surgical positioning on MV, effect of MV on clinical outcome and intraoperative complications.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. The study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT02989415; Pre-results.
Does specialist review for patients with suspected heart failure predict better outcomes? An observational study on the utility of compliance with NICE guidelines
Authors: Morton Geraint , Philip Legate , Gilpin Thomas , Chan Pik Ee , Guha Kaushik , Kalra Paul R 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesCompare outcomes in patients with suspected heart failure (HF) and raised natriuretic peptides who are reviewed in a specialist HF clinic in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines (compliant group) versus patients who are not reviewed in the clinic (non-compliant group).DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingSingle large UK district general hospital.Participants567 consecutive patients in primary care with raised N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels (>400 pg/mL) from February to September 2014.Interventions161 (28%) patients were referred to the specialist HF clinic and 406 (72%) were not. Outcomes were compared between the two groups.Outcome measuresAll-cause and cardiovascular (CV) hospitalisations and all-cause mortality.ResultsThe compliant group were slightly younger than the non-compliant group (78±9 vs 80±9; p=0.019) but had much higher NT-pro-BNP (3108±4526 vs 2271±3637 pg/mL; p<0.0001). Despite this, over a mean follow-up period of 9±2 months, rates of all-cause hospitalisation (24% vs 44%; p<0.0001) and CV hospitalisation (3% vs 15%, p<0.0001) were significantly lower in the compliant group versus the non-compliant group, respectively. There was no significant difference in mortality rates (6% compliant group vs 8% non-compliant group; p=0.487).ConclusionsHospitalisation rates in patients with suspected HF and raised NT-pro-BNP were extremely high over a relatively short follow-up period. Patients reviewed in a specialist HF clinic had much higher NT-pro-BNP levels, suggesting they were at higher risk of adverse outcomes, yet also had significantly lower rates of all-cause and CV hospitalisation. Our findings support implementation of the relevant NICE guidelines for patients with suspected HF.