bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three-year follow-up and quality of life of endovenous radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein with the ClosureFast™ procedure: Influence of BMI and CEAP class
Authors: Casana Renato , Tolva Valerio Stefano , Odero Andrea , Malloggi Chiara , Parati Gianfranco 
Published: February 2018

Purpose Endovascular ablation of the great saphenous vein has been proposed as a less invasive alternative to conventional ligation and stripping of varicose veins. Outcomes of patients treated with the radiofrequency ablation ClosureFast™ system over an eight-year period from a single-center were evaluated. Methods Three-year follow-up data included duplex ultrasound scan, complication rate, and questionnaires to assess patients’ QOL, level of pain, and days off work. Results A total of 1080 consecutive patients (49.5 ± 18.6 years, 72% female, mean body mass index: 25.44 ± 4.1 kg m−2) underwent radiofrequency ablation for incompetent saphenous veins in a single institution. Occlusion of the great saphenous vein was obtained in 98.6% and 93.8% cases at the end of the procedures and within 36 months, respectively. Only three deep venous thromboses and minor complications occurred in this series throughout the first week from the procedure. A decrease of the external vein diameter, equal to 72.7% and 31.1% of the pretreatment diameter, was observed at 1 week and 36 months, respectively. The average Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score improved from 18.06 ± 9.47 before treatment to 11.56 ± 10.23 at 12 months, with no significant differences in the subsequent follow-up. SF-36 QOL scores significantly improved after the procedure in all domains, while there were no changes over time. Patients reported a prompt return to normal daily activities (1.5 ± 0.7 days) and work (3.1 ± 1.9 days). Body mass index influenced QOL scores, while it did not affect great saphenous vein diameter reduction during the follow-up. On the contrary, Clinical Etiologic Anatomic Pathophysiologic class significantly influenced both great saphenous vein diameter reduction after the treatment and QOL scores within 36 months. Conclusion Results of this retrospective monocentric, large patients study suggest that radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein may be a safe and efficient alternative to conventional surgery.
Perceived Importance of Wellness Features at a Cancer Center: Patient and Staff Perspectives
Authors: Tinner Michelle , Crovella Paul , Rosenbaum Paula F. 
Published: February 2018

Objectives: Determine the relative impact of 11 building wellness features on preference and on the ability to deliver/receive quality care for two groups: patients and caregivers. Background: The impact of building features that promote wellness is of increasing interest to the building owners, designers, and occupants. Methods: This study performed a postoccupancy evaluation of two user groups at a healthcare facility with specific wellness features. Seventy-six staff and 62 patients of a cancer center were polled separately to determine their preferences in 11 categories. Results: Results showed that all wellness features were viewed favorably by the two groups, with natural lighting, views of nature, and thermal comfort as top categories for both. The t-test comparisons were performed, and significant differences ( p < .05) between the two groups were found for three of the features (views of nature, art and murals, and indoor plants). Discussion of these differences and the interaction of competing design goals (thermal comfort, views of nature, natural light, and desire for privacy) are included. Conclusions: Designers and owners will want to consider the preferred use of roof gardens, art and murals, and indoor plants for patient spaces, where their relative value is greater. Access to private and quiet spaces is the top need for caregivers. Ease of movement, thermal comfort, and natural light were top needs for patients.
9- and 13-HODE regulate fatty acid binding protein-4 in human macrophages, but does not involve HODE/GPR132 axis in PPAR-γ regulation of FABP4
Authors: Vangaveti Venkat , Shashidhar Venkatesh , Collier Fiona , Hodge Jason , Rush Catherine , Malabu Usman , Baune Bernhard , Kennedy Richard Lee 
Published: February 2018

Background: Both activation of monocytes and increased serum fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) occur in diabetes and are associated with increased atherosclerosis. The oxidized lipid, 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE) increases FABP4 in macrophages, and is a ligand for G protein-coupled receptor 132 (GPR132). We investigated the involvement of GPR132 in mediating the 9-, 13-HODE stimulation of FABP4 secretion, and whether GPR132 expression is increased in monocytes from patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The effects of siRNA silencing of GPR132 gene and of the PPAR-γ antagonist T0070907 were studied in THP-1 cells. Serum levels of FABP4 and other adipokines were measured in patients with diabetes, and monocyte subpopulations were analyzed using flow cytometry. GPR132 mRNA was quantified in isolated CD14+ cells. Results: 9-HODE and 13-HODE increased FABP4 expression in THP-1 monocytes and macrophages, and also increased GPR132 expression. Silencing of GPR132 did not influence the increase in FABP4 with 9-HODE, 13-HODE, or rosiglitazone (ROSI). By contrast, T0070907 inhibited the effect of all three ligands on FABP4 expression. Diabetic subjects had increased serum FABP4, and activated monocytes. They also expressed higher levels of GPR132 mRNA in CD14+ cells. Conclusions: We conclude that GPR132 is an independent monocyte activation marker in diabetes, but does not contribute to PPAR-γ-mediated induction of FABP4 by HODEs.
Endovascular treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome associated with inferior vena cava anomaly
Authors: Comai Alessio , Dellis Charalampos , Rielli Emanuela , Bonatti Giampietro 
Published: February 2018

Introduction: Pelvic congestion syndrome is described as chronic pelvic pain arising from dilated and refluxing pelvic veins, although the causal relationship between pelvic vein incompetence and pelvic pain is not established. Embolization appears to provide symptomatic relief in the majority of women and is safe. Case report: We report the case of a young woman affected by pelvic congestion syndrome associated with a rare venous anomaly, duplicity of inferior vena cava with azygos vein continuation. Endovascular treatment consisted of detachable coil embolization of the right ovarian vein, as pelvic pain was prevalently on this side. Technical and clinical outcome were positive with a significant improvement of quality of life. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of a pelvic congestion syndrome associated with inferior vena cava anomaly and effectively treated with ovarian vein embolization.
Removal of Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto natural palygorskite and vermiculite
Authors: Bourliva A. , Sikalidis A. K. , Papadopoulou L. , Betsiou M. , Michailidis K. , Sikalidis C. , Filippidis A. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThe efficiency of two low-cost, abundant and natural clay minerals, palygorskite and vermiculite, in terms of reducing the concentation of Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions was evaluated here. Natural clay minerals were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), BET specific surface area and pore-diameter analysis. Batch-type experiments were performed and various parameters, i.e. pH, clay amount, contact time and initial metal concentration, that affect adsorption processes were investigated. The adsorption of Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions is pH-dependent, while minor clay quantities were sufficient to achieve high removal efficiencies. Adsorption equilibrium occurred in 60 min and the adsorption kinetics were better described by pseudo-second-order kinetics. Experimental results were analysed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), Temkin and Halsey isotherm equations. The release of exchangeable cations (i.e. Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) was examined to verify an ion-exchange mechanism.
Eltrombopag for use in children with immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Kim Taylor Olmsted , Despotovic Jenny , Lambert Michele P. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Eltrombopag is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration–approved thrombopoietin receptor agonist for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children. This oral, once-per-day therapy has shown favorable efficacy and adverse effect profiles in children. Two multicenter, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials (PETIT [Efficacy and Safety Study of Eltrombopag in Pediatric Patients With Thrombocytopenia From Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)] and PETIT2 [Study of a New Medication for Childhood Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), a Blood Disorder of Low Platelet Counts That Can Lead to Bruising Easily, Bleeding Gums, and/or Bleeding Inside the Body]) demonstrated efficacy in raising platelet counts, reducing bleeding, and reducing the need for concomitant ITP therapies with relatively few adverse effects. The most commonly reported drug-related adverse effects include headache, nausea, and hepatobiliary laboratory abnormalities. Long-term safety data in children are limited, and studies in adults have not revealed a clinically significant increased incidence of thrombosis, marrow fibrosis, or cataract formation. Eltrombopag has also been approved for treating refractory severe aplastic anemia (AA) and has potential for expanded use in ITP and severe AA as well as in other conditions associated with thrombocytopenia.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and resilience among adult burn patients in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bibi Akhtar , Kalim Sundas , Khalid Muhammad Adnan 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the major psychological disorders developed after burn injuries, though this subject of burn injuries and their destructive chronic psychological impact are not considered as thoughtfully in developing countries like Pakistan. Hence, the current study investigated the relationship between PTSD symptoms and resilience among burn patients in Pakistan, exploring the variance occurrence of the two variables concerning male burn patients and female burn patients.

Methods
Seventy burn patients from three burn units of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, during January 2015 to September 2015 were recruited. Patients with psychiatric disorder which would restrict the study procedures were excluded from the study. PTSD symptoms of burn patients were measured by PTSD CheckList-Civilian Version (PCL-C) and resilience was measured by Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC). Spearman’s Rank-Order correlation was used to analyze the relationship between symptoms of PTSD and resilience in burn patients, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to analyze the gender difference in symptoms of PTSD and level of resilience.

Results
Negative correlation between PTSD and resilience among burn patients was found (r = − 0.72, p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, significant gender differences were observed on PTSD symptoms and resilience between male and female burn patients when demographic variables such as age, socioeconomic status, marital status, and educational background were controlled. Female burn patients showed more PTSD symptoms (η2 = 0.18, p &lt; 0.001) and less resilience (η2 = 0.25, p &lt; 0.001) when compared to male burn patients.

Conclusions
PTSD and resilience were negatively correlated in burn patients. Female burn patients have more PTSD symptoms and lower resilience compared to male burn patients.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) kinetic as a prognostic factor in metastatic prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Afriansyah Andika , Hamid Agus Rizal Ardy Hariandy , Mochtar Chaidir Arif , Umbas Rainy 
Published: February 2018

Aim: Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has a poor outcome with median survival of two to five years. The use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a gold standard in management of this stage. Aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic value of PSA kinetics of patient treated with hormonal therapy related to survival from several published studies Method: Systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using literature searching in the electronic databases of MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were mPCa receiving ADT, a study analyzing Progression Free Survival (PFS), Overall Survival (OS), or Cancer Specific Survival (CSS) and prognostic factor of survival related to PSA kinetics (initial PSA, PSA nadir, and time to achieve nadir (TTN)). The exclusion criteria were metastatic castration resistant of prostate cancer (mCRPC) and non-metastatic disease. Generic inverse variance method was used to combine hazard ratio (HR) within the studies. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.2 and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We found 873 citations throughout database searching with 17 studies were consistent with inclusion criteria. However, just 10 studies were analyzed in the quantitative analysis. Most of the studies had a good methodological quality based on Ottawa Scale. No significant association between initial PSA and PFS. In addition, there was no association between initial PSA and CSS/ OS. We found association of reduced PFS (HR 2.22; 95% CI 1.82 to 2.70) and OS/ CSS (HR 3.31; 95% CI 2.01-5.43) of patient with high PSA nadir. Shorter TTN was correlated with poor result of survival either PFS (HR 2.41; 95% CI 1.19 – 4.86) or CSS/ OS (HR 1.80; 95%CI 1.42 – 2.30) Conclusion: Initial PSA before starting ADT do not associated with survival in mPCa. There is association of PSA nadir and TTN with survival
Does frenotomy improve breastfeeding problems in neonates with ankyloglossia?
Authors: Emmerson Claire Victoria 
Published: February 2018

Background There are global and national initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates and ankyloglossia appears to be contributing to breastfeeding cessation, despite significant controversy regarding the need for frenotomy and the success of the intervention on breastfeeding outcomes. Aims To critically appraise contemporary literature regarding the effectiveness of frenotomy on reducing breastfeeding problems. Methods An electronic literature search was systematically performed using CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane databases. Back-chaining and a hand search of bibliographies were also used. Findings Four key themes were identified from the literature; challenges diagnosing ankyloglossia including lack of a universally recognised assessment tool, apparent maternal breastfeeding improvements, breastfeeding improvements for the neonate, and issues with determining the longevity of breastfeeding. Conclusion Overall the literature was of differing validity and applicability, therefore further longer-term RCTs are required with larger sample sizes to be able to account for cross-over of participants from comparison to frenotomy group. The evidence has shown that frenotomy may improve breastfeeding outcomes but since breastfeeding is a complex interaction between mother and baby, releasing ankyloglossia does not universally remove all breastfeeding problems.
Urban Slum Upgrading Policy In Jakarta (Case Study: Kampung Deret Program Implementation)
Authors: Nurdiansyah Alfian 
Published: February 2018

For several decades, Jakarta has witnessed massive urbanization that leads to urban slum problems. The problems have always been associated with urban kampung, the informal neighborhood which grows and tends to be more impoverished over times. The local government has implemented the Kampung Improvement Program (KIP) to reduce the problems. The program which included sites-and-services program, and resettlement policy was not entirely successful to overcome slum problems. In 2013, the Governor of Jakarta launched Kampung Deret Program (KDP) as an alternative to the on-site slum upgrading policy. However, the KDP was eventually postponed and removed from the local budget plan of Jakarta Province in 2015 due to some problems in the implementation. This article is aimed at explaining the effectiveness of the KDP program and analyzing alternative strategies for effective policy implementation of KDP. This study uses quantitative methods by applying observation, interview and documentation to collect the primary and secondary data. Petogogan and Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta were selected as cases. The study shows that there are technical difficulties faced by the authorities during the implementation of KDP. KDP Petogogan was quite successful comparing to the KDP Pasar Minggu in terms of installed housing, basic infrastructures-facilities, and security of tenure. The implementation was quite successful due to the application of some form of equal approaches which were based on the characteristic of policy object and the slum dwellers in every selected slum. Following the approach, KDP was implemented under three packages: KDP I, KDP II, and KDP III. It was finally found that the KDP packages were considered as an effective on-site slum upgrading policy that can minimize resistance and maximize participation from the slum dwellers.
On a program manifold’s stability of one contour automatic control systems
Authors: Zumatov S. S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMethodology of analysis of stability is expounded to the one contour systems automatic control feedback in the presence of non-linearities. The methodology is based on the use of the simplest mathematical models of the nonlinear controllable systems. Stability of program manifolds of one contour automatic control systems is investigated. The sufficient conditions of program manifold’s absolute stability of one contour automatic control systems are obtained. The Hurwitz’s angle of absolute stability was determined. The sufficient conditions of program manifold’s absolute stability of control systems by the course of plane in the mode of autopilot are obtained by means Lyapunov’s second method.
Using Volunteer Computing to Study Some Features of Diagonal Latin Squares
Authors: Vatutin Eduard , Zaikin Oleg , Kochemazov Stepan , Valyaev Sergey 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this research, the study concerns around several features of diagonal Latin squares (DLSs) of small order. Authors of the study suggest an algorithm for computing minimal and maximal numbers of transversals of DLSs. According to this algorithm, all DLSs of a particular order are generated, and for each square all its transversals and diagonal transversals are constructed. The algorithm was implemented and applied to DLSs of order at most 7 on a personal computer. The experiment for order 8 was performed in the volunteer computing project Gerasim@home. In addition, the problem of finding pairs of orthogonal DLSs of order 10 was considered and reduced to Boolean satisfiability problem. The obtained problem turned out to be very hard, therefore it was decomposed into a family of subproblems. In order to solve the problem, the volunteer computing project SAT@home was used. As a result, several dozen pairs of described kind were found.
Diagnostics and Identification of Injection Duration of Common Rail Diesel Injectors
Authors: Krogerus Tomi R. , Huhtala Kalevi J. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
In this paper, we study the diagnostics and identification of injection duration of common rail (CR) diesel pilot injectors of dual-fuel engines. In these pilot injectors, the injected volume is small and the repeatability of the injections and identification of the drifts of the injectors are important factors, which need to be taken into account in achieving good repeatability (shot-to-shot with every cylinder) and therefore a well-balanced engine and reduced overall wear. A diagnostics method based on analysis of CR pressure signal with experimental verification results is presented. Using the developed method, the relative duration of injection events can be identified. In the method, the pressure signal during the injection is first extracted after the control of each injection event. After that, the signal is normalized and filtered. Then a derivative of the filtered signal is calculated. Change in the derivative of the filtered signal larger than a predefined threshold indicates an injection event which can be detected and its relative duration can be identified. The efficacy of the proposed diagnostics method is presented with the experimental results, which show that the developed method detects drifts in injection duration and the magnitude of drift. According to the result, ≥ 10 μs change (2%, 500 μs) in injection time can be identified.
Phytochemical profile, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiobesity activities of Scolymus angiospermus Gaertn. Four fractions from Jericho/Palestine
Authors: Jaradat Nidal , Al-Lahham Saad 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background
Many recent studies have shown that medicinal plants, which have been used worldwide through the past history in the folkloric medicine, harbor a significant number of novel metabolic compounds with potent pharmacological properties. In several countries, the aerial parts of the Scolymus angiospermus plant have been used as a food supply and as a folkloric medicinal plant. The current study aimed is to investigate the antimicrobial, antilipase, antioxidant activities and phytochemical profile of methanolic, hexane, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions obtained from the aerial parts of S. angiospermus.

Methods
Phytochemical assessments were based on standard analytical methods. The obtained fractions were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity and their antilipase activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and porcine pancreatic lipase inhibitory tests, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the obtained fractions was evaluated using broth microdilution assay against several American Type Culture Collection bacterial and fungal strains and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolate.

Results
Our data showed that of all obtained fractions used in the above-mentioned assays, both of methanolic and aqueous fractions, had the highest content of flavonoids (24.93 ± 2.11 and 12.21 ± 2.11 mg QUE/g, respectively) and phenolic compounds (96.28 ± 2.87 and 91.25 ± 2.63 mg of GAEq/g, respectively) as well as the best levels of both antioxidant (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 13.67 ± 1.44 and 14.69 ± 1.97 µg/ml, respectively) and antilipase (IC50 134.89 ± 1.65 and 269.15 ± 2.33 µg/ml, respectively) activities. In addition, these fractions exhibited various levels of both antibacterial and antifungal activities. Hydrophilic fractions were more potent against the investigated bacterial strains, while hydrophobic fractions were more potent against the investigated fungal strains.

Conclusions
The hydrophilic fractions derived from S. angiospermus have shown the best antioxidant and antilipase effects. This is may be due to the high contents of phenols and/or flavonoids. However, further investigations are essential to isolate and identify the antioxidant, antilipase and antimicrobial compounds. Our data provide significant evidence that S. angiospermus can be very useful in the prevention and treatment of various infectious and non-infectious chronic diseases and as natural food preservatives.