bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use
Authors: Garcia-Romeu Albert , Davis Alan K , Erowid Fire , Erowid Earth , Griffiths Roland R , Johnson Matthew W 
Published: May 2019

Background: Meta-analysis of randomized studies using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) showed large, significant effects for LSD efficacy compared to control conditions. Clinical studies suggest potential anti-addiction effects of LSD and mechanistically-related classic psychedelics for alcohol and other substance use disorders. Aims: To supplement clinical studies, reports of psychedelic use in naturalistic settings can provide further data regarding potential effects of psychedelics on alcohol use. Methods: An anonymous online survey of individuals with prior AUD reporting cessation or reduction in alcohol use following psychedelic use in non-clinical settings. Results: 343 respondents, mostly White (89%), males (78%), in the USA (60%) completed the survey. Participants reported seven years of problematic alcohol use on average before the psychedelic experience to which they attributed reduced alcohol consumption, with 72% meeting retrospective criteria for severe AUD. Most reported taking a moderate or high dose of LSD (38%) or psilocybin (36%), followed by significant reduction in alcohol consumption. After the psychedelic experience 83% no longer met AUD criteria. Participants rated their psychedelic experience as highly meaningful and insightful, with 28% endorsing psychedelic-associated changes in life priorities or values as facilitating reduced alcohol misuse. Greater psychedelic dose, insight, mystical-type effects, and personal meaning of experiences were associated with a greater reduction in alcohol consumption, controlling for prior alcohol consumption and related distress. Conclusions: Although results cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that naturalistic psychedelic use may lead to cessation or reduction in problematic alcohol use, supporting further investigation of psychedelic-assisted treatment for AUD.
IDH genotypes differentiation in glioblastomas using DWI and DSC-PWI in the enhancing and peri-enhancing region
Authors: Xing Zhen , Zhang Hua , She Dejun , Lin Yu , Zhou Xiaofang , Zeng Zheng , Cao Dairong 
Published: May 2019

Background Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation has diagnostic and prognostic values in glioblastomas. Peritumoral invasion of glioma cells is a cardinal feature of glioblastomas. Purpose To evaluate the contribution of DWI and DSC-PWI in the enhancing and peri-enhancing region for discriminating glioblastomas IDH genotypes, and the diagnostic values of combining two techniques in the peri-enhancing region compared with those in the enhancing region. Material and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the conventional MRI (cMRI), DWI and DSC-PWI obtained from 10 patients with IDH-mutated (IDH-m) glioblastomas and 65 patients with IDH wild-type (IDH-w) glioblastomas. Features of cMRI, relative minimum ADC in the enhancing region (rADCmin-t) and peri-enhancing area (rADCmin-p), and relative maximum CBV values in the enhancing region (rCBVmax-t) and peri-enhancing region (rCBVmax-p) were compared between two groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression analysis were used to assess diagnostic performance. Results IDH-m glioblastomas tended to present in frontal lobes and younger patients. The rADCmin-t ( P = 0.042) were significantly lower in IDH-w than IDH-m. Both rCBVmax-t and rCBVmax-p showed significant differences between two subgroups (all P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff values in prediction of IDH-m were >0.98 for rADCmin-t, <7.27 for rCBVmax-t, and < 0.97 for rCBVmax-p. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the combination of rADCmin-t and rCBVmax-t yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion The rCBVmax-t or rCBVmax-p may serve as preferable and comparable imaging biomarkers for evaluation of glioblastomas IDH status. The combination of rADCmin-t and rCBVmax-t may yield the maximum predictive power for differentiating IDH status.
The Chinese herb Xiaoaiping protects against breast cancer chemotherapy-induced alopecia and other side effects: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yu Fujie , Li Yuanmei , Zou Jiaqun , Jiang Lisha , Wang Chun , Tang Yi , Gao Bo , Luo Donglin , Jiang Xiaojuan 
Published: May 2019

Objective To investigate the effects of the Chinese herbal medicine Xiaoaiping to treat chemotherapy-induced side effects in breast cancer patients. Methods Ninety-three adult patients who attended our hospital and met the entry criteria from January 2016 to December 2017 were included. Patients were randomly divided into the control group (routine chemotherapy only) and the combined group (routine chemotherapy and Xiaoaiping). Demographic data and clinical variables were collected, and side effects including alopecia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, white blood cell (WBC) count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, and the quality of life were evaluated. Results Basic clinical characteristics were not different between the groups. There were significantly fewer patients with alopecia grade 3–4, but significantly more patients with alopecia grade 1–2, in the combined group compared with the control group. Disease-free time for alopecia was longer in the combined compared with the control group. Overall, the side effects were significantly more serious in the control compared with the combined group. Patients in the combined group had better quality of life than the control patients. Conclusion Xiaoaiping can improve alopecia, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea symptoms, WBC count, AST levels, and the quality of life in breast cancer patients.
Multiple cranial nerve blocks for the transitional treatment of chronic headaches
Authors: Miller Sarah , Lagrata Susie , Matharu Manjit 
Published: May 2019

Background Multiple cranial nerve blocks of the greater and lesser occipital, supraorbital, supratrochlear and auriculotemporal nerves are widely used in the treatment of primary headaches. We present efficacy and safety data for these procedures. Methods In an uncontrolled open-label prospective study, 119 patients with chronic cluster headache, chronic migraine, short lasting unilateral neuralgiform attack disorders, new daily persistent headaches, hemicrania continua and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania were examined. All had failed to respond to greater occipital nerve blocks. Response was defined as a 50% reduction in either daily attack frequency or moderate-to-severe headache days after 2 weeks. Results The response rate of the whole cohort was 55.4%: Chronic cluster headache, 69.2%; chronic migraine, 49.0%; short lasting unilateral neuralgiform attack disorders, 56.3%; new daily persistent headache, 10.0%; hemicrania continua, 83.3%; and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, 25.0%. Time to benefit was between 0.50 and 33.58 hours. Benefit was maintained for up to 4 weeks in over half of responders in all groups except chronic migraine and paroxysmal hemicrania. Only minor adverse events were recorded. Conclusion Multiple cranial nerve blocks may provide an efficacious, well tolerated and reproducible transitional treatment for chronic headache disorders when greater occipital nerve blocks have been unsuccessful.
Is It Safe to Inject Corticosteroids Into the Glenohumeral Joint After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair?
Authors: Kim Yang-Soo , Jin Hong-Ki , Lee Hyo-Jin , Cho Hyung-Lae , Lee Wan-Seok , Jang Hyuk-Jin 
Published: May 2019

Background: Injection of intra-articular corticosteroids is effective for improving the recovery of range of motion (ROM) and pain in various conditions of the shoulder but its use is limited after rotator cuff repair owing to concern over the possible harmful effects of steroids on the repaired tendon. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intra-articular corticosteroid injections on the clinical outcomes and cuff integrity of patients after rotator cuff repair. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Between March 2011 and April 2014, 80 patients with a small- to medium-sized rotator cuff tear were enrolled in this study and underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Forty patients received an injection of triamcinolone (40 mg) and lidocaine (1.5 mL) into the glenohumeral joint 8 weeks after surgery (group 1), while the remaining 40 patients received normal saline injection (group 2). Outcome measures—including ROM, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant score, pain visual analog scale, and Simple Shoulder Test score—were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. The integrity of the repaired tendon was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and classified per Sugaya classification at 8 weeks (before injection) and 12 months after surgery. Results: The mean follow-up period was 25.7 months. At 3 months postoperatively, patients in group 1 had a significantly higher ROM with respect to forward flexion ( P = .05), external rotation at the side ( P = .05), and external rotation at abduction ( P = .04) as compared with group 2, whereas no significant difference was noted between the groups for internal rotation behind the back ( P = .65). Patients in group 1 had significantly lower visual analog scale pain scores ( P = .02) and higher ASES scores (group 1, 68.90; group 2, 60.28; P = .02) at 3-month follow-up. However, there was no significant difference after 6 months with respect to ROM and ASES scores (group 1, 77.80; group 2, 75.88; P = .33). Retears (Sugaya classification IV and V) were determined by MRI at 12 months and observed in a total of 7 patients (8.8%): 3 from group 1 (7.5%) and 4 from group 2 (10%). No retears were observed on MRI in the remaining 73 patients (91.2%): 37 patients from group 1 and 36 patients from group 2. There was no statistically significant difference in rate of retears between groups ( P = .69). Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids after rotator cuff repair does not increase the risk of retears and is thus an effective and safe treatment method for increasing ROM (forward flexion, external rotation) and improving clinical score (ASES) during the early postoperative period of patients undergoing rotator cuff repair.
Advancing a Viable Global Climate Stabilization Project: Degrowth versus the Green New Deal
Authors: Pollin Robert 
Published: May 2019

This paper summarizes a global Green New Deal program that can advance climate stabilization as well as rising mass living standards and an expansion of decent job opportunities. The core features of this program are massive global investments in energy efficiency and clean renewable energy so that clean energy supplants the existing fossil-fuel-dominant global energy system. Through annual investments in the range of 2 percent of global GDP in clean energy and a corresponding contraction in fossil fuel consumption, the global economy can maintain an absolute decoupling trajectory—i.e., economic growth proceeds while CO2 emissions fall to zero within 30–40 years. The paper also shows that a steady contraction of global GDP—i.e., “degrowth”—does not provide a viable climate stabilization framework. JEL Classification: Q54, Q56, Q58
Italian banking regulation and the legal obstacles to corporate governance convergence
Authors: Butzbach Olivier , Rotondo Gennaro 
Published: May 2019

An ongoing dispute in comparative corporate governance studies concerns the extent to which cross-country convergence towards, essentially, the shareholder primacy view is occurring. While some scholars, especially legal scholars and economists, have predicted (and sometimes advocated) a convergence of corporate governance practices towards the Anglo-American model of (seemingly) shareholder primacy, others sharply disagree and point to the persistence of stakeholder-oriented governance in many countries. Banking, from the point of view of corporate governance convergence, is an interesting industry, for at least two reasons: (i) banks are peculiar types of business organizations, entailing specific governance rules in most systems; (ii) banks are (monetary) financial intermediaries more and more active on capital markets, and thus more and more exposed to the isomorphic pressures generated on corporate governance by those markets. Thus, predictions on the convergence or divergence of banks’ corporate governance are not easy to make. The present paper aims to contribute to the scholarly dispute by analysing the Italian case, which has seen, over the past 30 years or so, an apparently unfettered process of transformation of banks’ governance and ownership towards the shareholder primacy model – a process epitomized by the recent reforms of the country’s cooperative banking sector. ‘Apparently’, because a closer look at the legal and regulatory bases of banks’ corporate governance actually shows many sources of divergence from the shareholder primacy model. Thus, the contribution proposed by the present study is twofold: first, it extends the ‘convergence’ discussion to the banking industry, where specific dynamics may help us better ‘test’ the hypotheses developed in the ‘convergence’ debate; second, it emphasizes alternative divergent patterns to those normally identified in the literature, where divergent ‘practice’ is often opposed to converging laws. Here, the sources of resistance to convergence are found in law itself.
The process of determining driving safety in people with dementia: A review of the literature and guidelines from 5 English speaking countries
Authors: Walsh Liam , Chacko Emme , Cheung Gary 
Published: May 2019

Objectives: To review literature and guidelines related to the process of determining driving safety in people with dementia. Method: Four electronic databases were searched in December 2016/January 2017. We limited our search to literature and guidelines published in the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Results: General practitioners are primarily responsible for driver licensing; however, they often feel ill-equipped and it can compromise the therapeutic relationship. Occupational therapist driving assessment is considered as the ‘gold-standard’ but is costly and often not available. Medical advisory boards assist the assessment process by providing independent licencing decisions. Conclusions: General practitioner training, funding for occupational therapist driving assessment and the establishment of a medical advisory board could be considered to improve the current practice of driving assessment in dementia.
Scaling Up Housing Services Within the Child Welfare System: Policy Insights From Simulation Modeling
Authors: Fowler Patrick J. , Marcal Katherine E. , Chung Saras , Brown Derek S. , Jonson-Reid Melissa , Hovmand Peter S. 
Published: May 2019

Objectives: Housing insecurity and homelessness contribute to risk of maltreatment among one in five of the nearly 3.5 million children annually investigated for maltreatment in the United States. The Family Unification Program (FUP)—a federal initiative—connects inadequately housed families involved in child welfare with long-term rental subsidies to avoid foster placement. However, FUP remains understudied and underutilized with funding levels that serve only a fraction of eligible households. The present study uses system dynamics modeling to inform decision-making by testing policies for scaling FUP. Method: Simulations model delivery of FUP within child welfare from a feedback perspective. Calibrated on national data, models replicate trends in child welfare involvement from 2013 through 2016, and analyses forecast rates through 2019. Experiments test policies that enhance FUP. Outcomes track system-wide rates of family separation and returns on investment of expanded housing interventions. Results: Dramatic expansions of FUP benefit more families and improve marginal return on investment. Yet, scale-up fails to reduce system-wide rates of family separation or generates substantial cost-savings. Conclusions: Simulations demonstrate structural challenges for scaling FUP. Constant demand for affordable housing constrains sustainable improvements in child protection. Child welfare responses to homelessness require innovations that reduce demand for housing services through prevention and earlier intervention.
A chemotherapy privileging process for advanced practice providers at an academic medical center
Authors: A Carrasquillo Michelle , A Vest Tyler , S Bates Jill , Faso Aimee , Auten Jessica , Buchanan Ian , McCann Meghan , Carey Lisa , Amerine Lindsey B 
Published: May 2019

Purpose Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists are advanced practice providers who are highly trained and qualified healthcare professionals that can help support traditional demands on oncologists' increased time in direct patient care. The purpose of this study was to detail and assess the creation of a privileging process for this group of medical professionals within an academic medical center. Obtaining the designation of limited oncology practice provider (LOPP) gives the right to modify chemotherapy orders and to order supportive care medications. Methods An interdisciplinary team developed a comprehensive training process inclusive of required educational domains, knowledge goals, and educational activities to become an LOPP. In 2018, five years after the implementation of the privileging process, a survey was distributed to assess perceptions of the training process and integration of LOPPs within oncology practice. Results Most oncologists noted that working with LOPPs is beneficial to oncology practice (94%) and that they make modifying chemotherapy orders more efficient (87%). Greater than 82% of LOPPs also reported that their privileges streamline the chemotherapy process and make them feel valuable. Conclusion The creation of the LOPP designation is an effective way to integrate nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists within oncology practice. The inclusion of a focused privileging process ensures the safety of cancer care provided and has created a streamlined process for chemotherapy modifications and supportive care.
The Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures in Elderly Patients Current Guide-Lines
Authors: Surace A. , Mineo G. , Micale C. 
Published: May 2019

The most important goal of femoral neck fracture treatment in elderly patients must be a speedy functional recovery which reduces the pathological conditions associated with bed-ridden patients and ensures an easier family insertion. In this report the Authors present the results of a 48 h post traumatic event in elderly patients who underwent surgical treatment for femoral neck fractures. Immediately following surgery all patients were entered in rehabilitation programs.
Treatment of Femoral Neck Lateral Fractures with the D.H.S. Sliding Screw Plate
Authors: Andreacchio A. , De Marchi F. , Molinari G. P. 
Published: May 2019

Authors examine the case report of pertrochanteric femoral fractures treated with the D.H.S. screw plate at 135° in three years (from june 1987 to august 1990) at the Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi of Milan. During this period of time 92 patients have been operated, and 38 have been clinically controlled with mid follow-up of 54 months. Authors describe characteristics of this synthesis means comparing it with others (Thorton nail-plate, Ender nails, etc.) commonly used. Finally, they compare the obtained results with those mentioned in literature.
The FRAIL-FIT study: Frailty’s relationship with adverse-event incidence in the longer term, at one year following intensive care unit treatment – A retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Hewitt David , Booth Malcolm G 
Published: May 2019

Introduction Frailty is a syndrome of decreased reserve and heightened vulnerability. Frailty scoring has potential to facilitate more informed decisions in the intensive care unit. To validate this, its relationship with outcomes must be tested extensively. This study aimed to investigate frailty’s impact on adverse outcomes after intensive care unit admission, primarily one-year mortality. Methods This single-centre retrospective observational cohort study examined prospectively collected data from 400 intensive care unit patients. Frailty was assessed using the Clinical Frailty Scale and defined as Clinical Frailty Scale ≥ 5. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses tested the relationships of frailty, covariates and outcomes. Results Of 400 eligible patients, 111 (27.8%) were frail and 289 (72.3%) were non-frail. Compared to non-frail patients, frail patients were older (62 vs. 56, p < 0.001) and had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (22 vs. 19, p < 0.001). Females were more likely to be frail than males (34.1% vs. 22.9% frail, p = 0.018). Frail patients were less likely to survive the intensive care unit (p = 0.03), hospital (p = 0.003) or to one year (p < 0.001). Frailty significantly increased one-year mortality hazards in unadjusted analyses (hazard ratio 1.96; 95% confidence interval 1.41–2.72; p < 0.001) and covariate adjusted analyses (hazard ratio 1.41; 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.98; p = 0.0497). Frail patients had more hospital admissions (p = 0.014) and longer hospital stays within both one year before (p = 0.002) and one year after intensive care unit admission (p = 0.012). Conclusions Frailty was common and associated with greater age, female gender, higher sickness severity and more healthcare use. Frailty was significantly associated with greater risks of mortality in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Frailty scoring is a promising tool which could improve decision making in intensive care.
Metabolomics analysis of blood identifies potential biomarkers and possible treatment targets for nocturia
Authors: Kira Satoru , Mitsui Takahiko , Miyamoto Tatsuya , Ihara Tatsuya , Nakagomi Hiroshi , Hashimoto Yuka , Takamatsu Hajime , Tanahashi Masayuki , Takeda Masahiro , Sawada Norifumi , Takeda Masayuki 
Published: May 2019

Background: Our aim was to investigate the association between serum metabolites and nocturia. Methods: A total of 66 males aged 65–80 years were enrolled in this study and stratified according to micturition behavior, which was characterized in terms of the 24 h frequency volume chart (FVC) for 3 consecutive days, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality-of-life score. The nocturia group included participants with any total IPSS and ⩾1.5 micturitions/night as the mean of 3 nights, while the control group included participants with total IPSS < 8 and <1.5 micturitions/night. We conducted a comprehensive capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS) study of plasma metabolites. Between-group comparisons of metabolite levels employed the Welch t test. The relationship between nocturia and metabolite profiles was determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 66 participants, 45 were included in the nocturia group and 21 in the control group. There were no differences in background factors between the two groups. FVC analysis revealed that urine production during night-time, as well as micturition frequency during daytime and night-time were significantly higher in the nocturia group. CE-TOFMS identified eight metabolites whose plasma levels differed between the two groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that increased levels of lauric acid and imidazolelactic acid, as well as decreased levels of thiaproline and glycerol, contribute to the etiology of nocturia in aged men. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that abnormal serum levels of metabolites in several pathways play a role in the pathogenesis of nocturia in aged men.