bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Absolute risk and risk factors for stroke mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD): population-based cohort study using data linkage
Authors: De La Mata Nicole Louise , Alfaro-Ramirez Maria , Kelly Patrick J , Masson Philip , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Webster Angela C 
Published: February 2019

IntroductionPeople with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have up to 30-fold higher risk of stroke than the general population.ObjectiveTo determine risk factors associated with stroke death in the ESKD population.MethodsWe identified all patients with incident ESKD in Australia (1980–2013) and New Zealand (1988–2012) from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) registry. We ascertained underlying cause of death from data linkage with national death registries and risk factors from ANZDATA. Using a competing risks multivariable regression model, we estimated cumulative incidence of stroke and non-stroke deaths, and risk factors for stroke deaths (adjusted sub-HR, SHR).ResultsWe included 60 823 people with ESKD. There were 941 stroke deaths and 33 377 non-stroke deaths during 381 874 person-years of follow-up. Overall, the cumulative incidence of stroke death was 0.9% and non-stroke death was 36.8% 5 years after starting ESKD treatment. The risk of stroke death was higher at older ages (SHR 1.92, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.55), in females (SHR 1.41, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.64), in people with cerebrovascular disease (SHR 2.39, 95% CI 1.99 to 2.87), with ESKD caused by hypertensive/renovascular disease (SHR 1.39, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.78) or polycystic kidney disease (SHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.90), with earlier year of ESKD treatment initiation (SHR 1.93, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.39) and receiving dialysis (transplant vs haemodialysis SHR 0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.84).ConclusionPatients with ESKD with higher risk of stroke death are older, women, with cerebrovascular disease, with hypertensive/renovascular or polycystic kidney disease cause of ESKD, with earlier year of ESKD treatment and receiving dialysis. These groups may benefit from targeted stroke prevention interventions.
Do hospitals influence geographic variation in admission for preventable hospitalisation? A data linkage study in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Falster Michael O , Leyland Alastair H , Jorm Louisa R 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivePreventable hospitalisations are used internationally as a performance indicator for primary care, but the influence of other health system factors remains poorly understood. This study investigated between-hospital variation in rates of preventable hospitalisation.SettingLinked health survey and hospital admissions data for a cohort study of 266 826 people aged over 45 years in the state of New South Wales, Australia.MethodBetween-hospital variation in preventable hospitalisation was quantified using cross-classified multiple-membership multilevel Poisson models, adjusted for personal sociodemographic, health and area-level contextual characteristics. Variation was also explored for two conditions unlikely to be influenced by discretionary admission practice: emergency admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and hip fracture.ResultsWe found significant between-hospital variation in adjusted rates of preventable hospitalisation, with hospitals varying on average 26% from the state mean. Patients served more by community and multipurpose facilities (smaller facilities primarily in rural areas) had higher rates of preventable hospitalisation. Community hospitals had the greatest between-hospital variation, and included the facilities with the highest rates of preventable hospitalisation. There was comparatively little between-hospital variation in rates of admission for AMI and hip fracture.ConclusionsGeographic variation in preventable hospitalisation is determined in part by hospitals, reflecting different roles played by community and multipurpose facilities, compared with major and principal referral hospitals, within the community. Care should be taken when interpreting the indicator simply as a performance measure for primary care.
Nicotine dependence in community-dwelling Chinese patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Li Yan , Hou Cai-Lan , Ma Xin-Rong , Zang Yu , Jia Fu-Jun , Lai Kelly Y C , Ungvari Gabor S , Ng Chee H , Cai Mei-Ying , Xiang Yu-Tao 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundSmoking is a serious public health problem. Patients with schizophrenia usually have a higher prevalence of smoking than the general population, but the level of nicotine dependence is seldom studied, especially for patients living in the communities.AimsThis study aimed to examine the level of nicotine dependence in Chinese community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia and explored its associated sociodemographic and clinical factors.MethodsA total of 621 patients with schizophrenia treated in the primary care centres of Guangzhou were consecutively recruited. The level of nicotine dependence was assessed with the Chinese version of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND).Results148 patients with schizophrenia were current smokers, and the mean (SD) score of FTND was 5.06 (2.55) for all the current smokers. The prevalence of nicotine addiction was 48.0% (95% CI: 40.0%-56.0%) in patients with current smoking. The patients with schizophrenia had a significantly higher level of nicotine dependence than the Chinese general population. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that male gender, being unemployed, having a family history of psychiatric disorders, having major medical conditions, first illness episode and less severe positive symptoms were significantly associated with a higher level of nicotine dependence.ConclusionCommunity-dwelling patients with schizophrenia in China, especially male patients, had a higher level of nicotine dependence than the general population.
Biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia Lewy body, frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia
Authors: Maclin Joshua Marvin Anthony , Wang Tao , Xiao Shifu 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundDementia is a chronic brain disorder classified by four distinct diseases that impact cognition and mental degeneration. Each subgroup exhibits similar brain deficiencies and mutations. This review will focus on four dementia subgroups: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia Lewy body.AimThe aim of this systematic review is to create a concise overview of unique similarities within dementia used to locate and identify new biomarker methods in diagnosing dementia.Methods123 300 articles published after 2010 were identified from PubMed, JSTOR, WorldCat Online Computer Library and PALNI (Private Academic Library Network of Indiana) using the following search items (in title or abstract): ‘Neurodegenerative Diseases’ OR ‘Biomarkers’ OR ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’ OR ‘Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia’ OR ‘Vascular Dementia’ OR ‘Dementia Lewy Body’ OR ‘Cerebral Spinal Fluid’ OR ‘Mental Cognitive Impairment’. 47 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis.ResultsEvidence suggested neuroimaging with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and newly found PET tracers to be more effective in diagnosing Alzheimer’s and amnesiac mental cognitive impairment than carbon-11 Pittsburgh compound-B radioisotope tracer. Newly created methods to make PET scans more accurate and practical in clinical settings signify a major shift in diagnosing dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.ConclusionVast improvements in neuroimaging techniques have led to newly discovered biomarkers and diagnostics. Neuroimaging with amyloid PET scanning surpasses what had been considered the dominant method of neuroimaging and MRI. Newly created methods to make PET scans more accurate and practical in clinical settings signify a major shift in diagnosing dementia pathology. Continued research and studies must be conducted to improve current findings and streamline methods to further subcategorise neurodegenerative disorders and diagnosis.
Knowledge of risk factors for hypertension in a rural Indian population
Authors: Busingye Doreen , Arabshahi Simin , Evans Roger G , Riddell Michaela A , Srikanth Velandai K , Kartik Kamakshi , Kalyanram Kartik , Zhu Xuan , Suresh Oduru , Howard George , Thrift Amanda G 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveTo study knowledge of risk factors and consequences of hypertension in a rural population in South India.MethodsThis is a community-based study conducted among adults of a rural population in the Rishi Valley, India. Residents of randomised rural villages were invited to participate in a study of hypertension. We obtained measures of blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and questionnaire-based information on knowledge about hypertension, sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviours. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors associated with knowledge of risk factors for hypertension (knowledge of ≥2 risk factors).ResultsThe study comprised 641 adults; 132 aware and 218 unaware of their hypertension, and 291 with normal blood pressure. Only 31% of participants knew that hypertension adversely affects an individual’s health and 7% knew the benefits of treating hypertension. Almost a third (30%) of those aware of their hypertensive status, and 48% overall, did not know any of the risk factors for hypertension. Being aware of one’s hypertensive status (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.44 to 4.39), being treated for hypertension, male sex, younger age, having some schooling, abdominal obesity and physical inactivity were associated with better knowledge of risk factors for hypertension.Conclusion Knowledge of risk factors and consequences of hypertension in this disadvantaged population was poor. There was better knowledge of risk factors in some, but not all, people who were aware of having hypertension. Screening and targeted educational programmes are warranted in this population to improve health behaviours and reduce the consequences of hypertension.
Twenty-five-year-old woman with palpitations and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Akrawinthawong Krittapoom , Kumar Vineet 
Published: February 2019

Clinical introductionA 25-year-old woman with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and pre-excitation on ECG presented with unexplained syncope and daily palpitation. Genetic testing was positive for lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) mutation which confirmed the diagnosis of Danon disease. Her younger sister was diagnosed with a similar condition and received a defibrillator implantation. Her 12-lead ECG (figure 1) and a long strip tracing (figure 2) are shown below.Figure 112-lead ECG.QuestionWhere is the location of the accessory pathway and what is the next appropriate management?Anteroseptal pathway and catheter ablationMid-septal pathway and pacemaker/defibrillator implantationRight lateral pathway and catheter ablationFasciculoventricular pathway and electrophysiological studyLeft lateral pathway and electrophysiological study
Treatment outcomes in patients with seropositive versus seronegative rheumatoid arthritis in Phase III randomised clinical trials of tofacitinib
Authors: Bird Paul , Hall Stephen , Nash Peter , Connell Carol A , Kwok Kenneth , Witcombe David , Thirunavukkarasu Krishan 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesTofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We examined response to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg two times a day in patients with seropositive vs seronegative RA.MethodsData were pooled from five Phase III studies of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD)- or biological DMARD-inadequate responders (ORAL Step [NCT00960440]; ORAL Scan [NCT00847613]; ORAL Solo [NCT00814307]; ORAL Sync [NCT00856544]; ORAL Standard [NCT00853385]). ‘Serotype’ subgroups were: anticyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) positive (anti-CCP+/RF+); anti-CCP+/RF negative (-); anti-CCP-/RF+; anti-CCP-/RF-. At month 3, ACR20/50/70 response rates, Disease Activity Score (DAS28-4[ESR])-defined remission (DAS28-4[ESR]<2.6) and low disease activity (LDA; DAS28-4[ESR]≤3.2), changes from baseline (CFB) in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) physical functioning and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) were evaluated. Safety endpoints were compared.ResultsBaseline demographics/characteristics were similar across subgroups. Tofacitinib significantly improved ACR20/50/70 response rates, DAS28-4(ESR) LDA rates and CFB in HAQ-DI and FACIT-F vs placebo across subgroups. More anti-CCP+/RF+ than anti-CCP-/RF- patients had ACR20/50/70 responses (ACR20/50: both tofacitinib doses; ACR70: 10 mg two times a day). SF-36 physical functioning improved in anti-CCP+/RF+, anti-CCP+/RF- and anti-CCP-/RF+ patients (both tofacitinib doses) and anti-CCP-/RF- patients (10 mg two times a day) vs placebo. More anti-CCP+/RF+ and anti-CCP+/RF- than anti-CCP-/RF- patients achieved DAS28-4(ESR) remission and LDA with tofacitinib 10 mg two times a day. Frequency of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs and discontinuations due to AEs were similar across subgroups.ConclusionGenerally, tofacitinib efficacy (ACR20/50/70 responses) and safety were similar across subgroups. DAS28-4(ESR) remission rates and SF-36 physical functioning appeared lower in anti-CCP- patients.
Appropriate treatment sessions of flexible bronchoscopic balloon dilation for patients with nonmalignant central airway stenosis
Authors: Liang Weiquan , Hu Peicun , Guo Wenliang , Su Zhuquan , Li Jingxian , Li Shiyue 
Published: February 2019

Background: Balloon dilation is a primary treatment for nonmalignant tracheobronchial stenosis, but often requires multiple treatment sessions to maintain therapeutic efficacy. No guideline is available to suggest the appropriate maximum number of treatment sessions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the number of balloon dilation sessions and its long-term therapeutic effectiveness in Chinese patients with nonmalignant central airway stenosis. Methods: A total of 111 patients with nonmalignant central airway stenosis treated with flexible bronchoscopic balloon dilation from January 2005 to September 2012 were included. The cumulative long-term effective rate was compared between any two adjacent sessions of balloon dilation treatment by McNemar’s test. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to investigate the independent factors associated with long-term effectiveness. Results: The cumulative long-term effective rate was significantly increased between any two adjacent sessions before the 6th session of treatment (all p < 0.05) but was no longer significantly increased after the 6th session. The stenosis diameter was larger in the patients receiving ⩽6 treatment sessions than those receiving ⩾6 treatment sessions. Multivariate Cox regression showed that the treatment session was an independent factor associated with long-term effectiveness (hazard ratio = 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.57–0.76, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that the maximum number of treatment sessions of balloon dilation may be six, and patients requiring more treatment sessions were more likely to have delayed long-term effectiveness.
A Review of Cannabis in Chronic Kidney Disease Symptom Management
Authors: Ho Claudia , Martinusen Dan , Lo Clifford 
Published: February 2019

Purpose of Review: Physical and psychological symptom burden in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is significantly debilitating; yet, it is often inadequately treated. Legalization of cannabis in Canada may attract increasing interest from patients for its medical use in refractory symptom management, but its indications and long-term adverse health impacts are poorly established, creating a challenge for clinicians to support its use. In this review, we summarize key clinical studies and the level of evidence for nonsynthetic cannabinoids in the treatment of common symptoms encountered in advanced stages of CKD, including chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, pruritus, and insomnia. Sources of Information: Medline and Embase Methods: A search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE (inception to March 1, 2018) on cannabis and CKD symptoms of interest, complemented with a manual review of bibliographies. Studies that examined synthetic cannabinoids that are manufactured to mimic the effects of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol such as dronabinol, levonantradol, nabilone, and ajulemic acid were excluded. We focused on studies with higher level of evidence where available, and quality of studies was graded based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence (1a to 5). Findings: Based on studies conducted in patients without renal impairment, those treated with nonsynthetic cannabinoids were 43% to 300% more likely to report a ≥30% reduction in chronic neuropathic pain compared with placebo. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend nonsynthetic cannabinoids for other medical indications, although preliminary investigation into topical endocannabinoids for uremia-induced pruritus in end-stage renal disease is promising. Finally, any benefits of cannabis may be offset by potential harms in the form of cognitive impairment, increased risk of mortality post-myocardial infarction, orthostatic hypotension, respiratory irritation, and malignancies (with smoked cannabis). Limitations: Nonsynthetic cannabinoid preparations were highly variable between studies, sample sizes were small, and study durations were short. Due to an absence of studies conducted in CKD, recommendations were primarily extrapolated from the general population. Implications: Until further studies are conducted, the role of nonsynthetic cannabinoids for symptom management in patients with CKD should be limited to the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. Clinicians need to be cognizant that nonsynthetic cannabinoid preparations, particularly smoked cannabis, can pose significant health risks and these must be cautiously weighed against the limited substantiated therapeutic benefits of cannabis in patients with CKD.
A value perspective of service interaction quality: the case of immigrants returning to native countries as medical tourists
Authors: Thuy Pham Ngoc , Hau Le Nguyen , Duyen Nguyen Kim Ngoc 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Marketing literature shows that the interaction between service encounters and customers is essential for the value creation process. However, little is known about how interaction contributes to customer value in the special context of immigrants living in more-developed countries, who return to their native countries for medical service. Based on the data collected from overseas Vietnamese, this study investigates the effects of interaction quality on different forms of service value, leading to positive word-of-mouth. The findings indicate that interaction quality strongly affects customer perception of quality value and social value and moderately affects price value. In turn, these three forms of value significantly affect positive word-of-mouth. By linking perceived quality, social and price value with word-of-mouth, the present study suggests an effective way to promote this special form of medical service to immigrants living outside the country.
„… la buona corrispondenza de gl’animi è quella che facilità tutti i negozii“
Authors: Curcuruto Claudia 
Published: February 2019

Riassunto
Sullo sfondo della complessa trama politica europea del Seicento, il presente contributo si propone di analizzare la Nunziatura Apostolica come risorsa amministrativa e politica nei processi di produzione e circolazione del sapere nel complesso rapporto tra la Curia romana e, in particolare, la Sacra Congregatio Concilii, e le chiese locali. Allargando la prospettiva e consultando fonti che finora non state prese in considerazione, si possono rilevare alcuni elementi costitutivi. L’attenzione è focalizzata soprattutto sulla Nunziatura di Vienna nella seconda metà del XVII secolo, e lo studio si concentrerà in particolare su uno dei grandi diplomatici pontifici di questo periodo, Francesco Buonvisi (1626–1700) che, tra 1675–1689, ricoprì la carica di nunzio apostolico presso la corte dell’imperatore Leopoldo I. In questo contesto è possibile esplorare le rappresentazioni del papa come strumento indispensabile per ottenere e gestire le informazioni. Trattare il nunzio apostolico come attore offre la possibilità di comprendere meglio i diversi processi della „diplomazia“, i suoi doveri e le sue attività nella nunziatura apostolica dell’età moderna. Il ruolo del nunzio papale presso la corte imperiale si presenta come „connettore“ tra due realtà (divergenti), come partner indispensabile per la Congregazione del Concilio, la Curia romana e il papa nell’amministrare la giustizia, nonché come importante mediatore per la promozione e l’esecuzione dei decreti di riforma del Concilio di Trento a livello locale. I nunzi apostolici non sono solo „oggetti“ di comunicazione della Curia romana o del papa, ma partecipano attivamente e con grande efficacia al governo della Chiesa e alla comunicazione tra Roma, le rispettive corti, e le diocesi dell’orbis catholicus.
The crystal structure of hibbingite, orthorhombic Fe2Cl(OH)3
Authors: Zubkova Natalia V. , Pekov Igor V. , Sereda Evgeny V. , Yapaskurt Vasiliy O. , Pushcharovsky Dmitry Yu. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The crystal structure of hibbingite, natural γ-Fe2+
2Cl(OH)3, a mineral of the atacamite group, was studied on a sample from the Oktyabr’sky mine, Norilsk district, Siberia, Russia. The structure was solved by direct methods based on single crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R=2.07% [520 reflections with I>2σ(I)]. The mineral is isostructural with atacamite and is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=6.3373(2), b=6.9892(2), c=9.3457(3) Å, V=413.95(3) Å3, Z=4. The structure contains Fe(1)(OH)4Cl2 octahedra which share Cl–O(1) edges to form chains running along the b axis and cross-linked by the chains of Fe(2)(OH)5Cl octahedra sharing O(2)–O(2) edges and running along the a axis.
A Novel Approach for Modification of Biosorbent by Silane Functionalization and its Industrial Application for Single and Multi-Component Solute System
Authors: Nisar Numrah , Ali Omamah , Islam Atif , Ahmad Aftab , Yameen Muhammd , Ghaffar Abdul , Iqbal Munawar , Nazir Arif , Masood Nasir 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The potential of an economically cheap raw material (rice husk) was evaluated in the present study to remove dyes including reactive yellow 15 (RY15) and reactive red 241 (RR241) in single and multi-component systems. The adsorbent was modified and functionalized chemically using glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, sulfur and silane to enhance the removal efficiency of pollutants. The modified rice husk was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Batch adsorption study showed that the modified rice husk with silane graft (RHSi) had highest removal efficiency of both dyes with 20% more removal compared to raw rice husk. The sorption correlated well with Langmuir, Freundlich, SIPS and Redlich-Peterson models for adsorption. Highest sorption was obtained at 10 mg L−1 of dye, 50 °C, 200 mg g−1 of adsorbent dose and pH 4. The mixture of two dyes poorly fit to the original Langmuir but fit best to the Langmuir-like model. This indicates that competitive Langmuir-like model considers that the capacities of adsorbents are equal. Results showed that the components compete for the available binding sites on adsorbent surface. It was also indicated that silane grafting can offer comparatively more binding sites compared to the raw rice husk and single-solute isotherm parameters cannot used for multi-component solute system.