bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WIC Households’ Bread and Cold Cereal Purchases: When They Use Benefits Versus Paying Out of Pocket
Authors: Stewart Hayden , McLaughlin Patrick W. , Dong Diansheng , Frazão Elizabeth 
Published: May 2018

Purpose: The US Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) seeks to improve the health of participating women and children by providing nutrition education and a monthly package of supplemental foods including whole grain bread and cereal. While some studies confirm that participants consume more whole grains, others find no effect. In this study, we hypothesize that the positive association between WIC and whole grains is being reduced in size and consistency by several factors. Design/Setting/Participants: American households were surveyed about their food purchases. Overall response rate was 45.6%. A total of 4826 households completed the survey including 471 WIC households. Measures: The survey recorded households’ purchases of refined and whole grains in bread and cereal over 1 week. Analysis: T tests were used to compare the bread and cereal purchases of WIC and eligible, non-WIC households. Probit models were also estimated to assess a WIC household’s likelihood to choose whole grain foods when using benefits versus other payment methods. Results: On average, WIC households acquired more whole grains in bread than eligible, non-WIC households (1.33 vs 0.72 ounce equivalents per household member aged 1 year or older; P < .05). No difference is found for cereal ( P > .10). Moreover, when using payment methods other than WIC benefits, WIC participants are 19% less likely than other households to choose whole grain bread ( P < .05) and 20% less likely to choose a whole grain cold cereal ( P < .05), which suggests that WIC-provided foods may replace some whole grains participants would otherwise buy for themselves. Conclusion: WIC is positively associated with whole grains. However, the association is stronger for bread than cereal. Moreover, foods provided through the program may partially replace whole grains that WIC households would otherwise buy for themselves.
Anaesthetic management and complications during hypophysectomy in 37 cats with acromegaly
Authors: Neilson David M , Viscasillas Jaime , Alibhai Hatim IK , Kenny Patrick J , Niessen Stijn JM , Sanchis-Mora Sandra 
Published: May 2018

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the anaesthetic management and perianaesthetic complications encountered during hypophysectomy surgery in acromegalic cats. We explored relationships between animal demographic data, the anaesthetic protocol used and presence of perioperative complications. Methods Cats having undergone hypophysectomy surgery for the treatment of feline acromegaly at a single veterinary referral hospital were identified from hospital records. The anaesthesia records and clinical notes of these animals were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive statistics were produced and binary logistic regression run to assess for any relationship between patient factors, anaesthetic management and complications during the perioperative period. Results Perianaesthetic complications identified included hypothermia, hypotension, bradycardia and airway obstruction. Mortality at 24 h post-anaesthesia was 8%. The use of alpha (α)2 agonists was associated with a lower incidence of hypotension. Fentanyl infusion was associated with a higher incidence of airway obstruction compared with remifentanil. Subjectively assessed anaesthetic recovery quality had an association with the number of days spent in the intensive care ward postoperatively. Conclusions and relevance The anaesthetic management described seems effective for hypophysectomy surgery in cats. Intraoperative complications were common and, while not apparently associated with 24 h patient outcome, drugs and equipment to manage these complications should be available.
Haemoglobin A1c variability as an independent correlate of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in Chinese type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mo Yifei , Zhou Jian , Ma Xiaojing , Zhu Wei , Zhang Lei , Li Jie , Lu Jingyi , Hu Cheng , Bao Yuqian , Jia Weiping 
Published: May 2018

Objective: To examine the association between haemoglobin A1c variability and macrovascular complication in type 2 diabetes. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 5278 diabetes patients with no history of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis by ultrasound at their first visit to the hospital from 1999 to 2010. Patients had a median of 4 haemoglobin A1c (range = 3–9) measurements during follow-up. Average haemoglobin A1c and haemoglobin A1c variability were calculated as intra-individual mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and adjusted standard deviation. Cardiovascular disease events and ultrasound results were re-evaluated from the medical history at the end of the study. Results: A total of 972 patients had macrovascular complication. Compared to those without atherosclerosis/cardiovascular disease (n = 4306), haemoglobin A1c intra-individual mean and haemoglobin A1c variability levels were significantly higher in patients with macrovascular complication ( p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that haemoglobin A1c variability was associated with macrovascular complication. Moreover, 488 patients with only atherosclerosis had significantly higher haemoglobin A1c intra-individual mean and haemoglobin A1c variability values than those without atherosclerosis/cardiovascular disease ( p < 0.001), but in 484 patients with cardiovascular disease incidents, only higher haemoglobin A1c intra-individual mean level was found ( p = 0.004). Conclusions: In Chinese type 2 diabetes, haemoglobin A1c variability was associated with macrovascular complication. Long-term stabilization of glucose is important in diabetes management, especially in the early stage of atherosclerosis.
Differentiated Regional Homogeneity in Progressive Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Study With Post Hoc Label
Authors: Cai Suping , Wang Yubo , Kang Yafei , Wang Haidong , Kim Hyejin , von Deneen Karen M. , Huang Meiping , Jiang Yuanyuan , Huang Liyu 
Published: May 2018

Purpose: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered to be the clinical transition stage between patients with cognitively intact geriatrics and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). When observed longitudinally, however, a certain proportion of patients with MCI are expected to revert to a cognitively intact state (MCI_R) while others either remain in the MCI state (MCI_S) or deteriorate into AD (MCI_P). It is worthwhile to investigate the divergence in the brain activities of these MCI groups with different post hoc labels. Methods: In this study, we employed the regional homogeneity (ReHo) measure to explore the characteristics of local brain activity in these MCI groups. Results: Compared to age-matched normal controls, our results exhibited that (1) in MCI_R group, ReHo index showed an increase in the left insula and a decrease in the left superior temporal gyrus; (2) in MCI_S group, ReHo index increased in the left orbital part of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG_orb) and decreased in the left inferior parietal lobe; and (3) in MCI_P group, ReHo index elevated in the left IFG_orb and decreased in the left putamen. Conclusions: The distinct ReHo changes in the individual MCI groups indicated a potential evidence for differentially active interventions for a specific patient with MCI.
Long-term outcomes of silicone metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty: a longitudinal analysis of 325 cases
Authors: Boe Chelsea , Wagner Eric , Rizzo Marco 
Published: May 2018

An analysis was conducted of 325 consecutive metacarpophalangeal arthroplasties prospectively collected using a single institution’s total joints registry over a 14-year time period to characterize long-term radiographic and functional outcomes. Patients were followed for a mean of 7.2 years (2–18) or until revision. The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival free from revision were 98%, 95% and 95%, respectively. The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates free from radiographic implant fracture were 93%, 58% and 35%, respectively. The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates free from coronal plane deformity greater than 10° were 81%, 37% and 17%, respectively. Patients had significant improvements in their postoperative pain levels and metacarpophalangeal arc of motion. Neither implant fracture, nor coronal plane deformity >10° had a significant association with worse function. Overall, pain relief and functional improvement are reliable, though silicone implants do not protect from progression of coronal plane deformity and have a high fracture rate. Level of evidence: IV
Use of Blood Glucose Meters Featuring Color Range Indicators Improves Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes in Comparison to Blood Glucose Meters Without Color (ACCENTS Study)
Authors: Grady Mike , Katz Laurence B. , Levy Brian L. 
Published: May 2018

Background: The ability of patients to improve glycemic control depends partly on their ability to interpret and act on blood glucose results. We investigated whether switching people with diabetes to blood glucose meters (BGMs) featuring a color range indicator (CRI) could improve glycemic control compared to remaining on their current BGM without color. Methods: 163 adults with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a hemoglobin A1c (A1c) of 7.5-11% were randomized to: One Touch Verio™ (Verio), OneTouch Verio Flex™ (Flex), or controls remaining on their current BGM. Diabetes nurses had standard conversations about diabetes management with all subjects at baseline. No changes in medication, insulin dosing, or SMBG frequency were recommended. Results: After 12 weeks, subjects who switched to Verio or Flex meters with CRI (n = 108) had a mean change in A1c 0.36% lower than controls (n = 55) ( P = .017). A1c reductions were greatest in T1D subjects (n = 45), with a decrease of 0.50% ( P = .004). T1D subjects using Verio meters (n = 25) contributed a 0.59% reduction compared to controls ( P < .008), whereas T1D subjects using Flex meters (n = 20) had a clinical meaningful reduction in A1c of 0.40% without reaching statistical significance ( P > .05). Verio and Flex users reported taking more action and easier understanding of diabetes management compared to previous BGMs. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that switching patients to BGMs featuring a CRI resulted in improvements in glycemic control compared to subjects using currently marketed BGMs that do not use a CRI. Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02929654 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02929654
In Silico Assessment of Literature Insulin Bolus Calculation Methods Accounting for Glucose Rate of Change
Authors: Cappon Giacomo , Marturano Francesca , Vettoretti Martina , Facchinetti Andrea , Sparacino Giovanni 
Published: May 2018

Background: The standard formula (SF) used in bolus calculators (BCs) determines meal insulin bolus using “static” measurement of blood glucose concentration (BG) obtained by self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) fingerprick device. Some methods have been proposed to improve efficacy of SF using “dynamic” information provided by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and, in particular, glucose rate of change (ROC). This article compares, in silico and in an ideal framework limiting the exposition to possibly confounding factors (such as CGM noise), the performance of three popular techniques devised for such a scope, that is, the methods of Buckingham et al (BU), Scheiner (SC), and Pettus and Edelman (PE). Method: Using the UVa/Padova Type 1 diabetes simulator we generated data of 100 virtual subjects in noise-free, single-meal scenarios having different preprandial BG and ROC values. Meal insulin bolus was computed using SF, BU, SC, and PE. Performance was assessed with the blood glucose risk index (BGRI) on the 9 hours after meal. Results: On average, BU, SC, and PE improve BGRI compared to SF. When BG is rapidly decreasing, PE obtains the best performance. In the other ROC scenarios, none of the considered methods prevails in all the preprandial BG conditions tested. Conclusion: Our study showed that, at least in the considered ideal framework, none of the methods to correct SF according to ROC is globally better than the others. Critical analysis of the results also suggests that further investigations are needed to develop more effective formulas to account for ROC information in BCs.
Sarcopenia is associated with reduced survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing sorafenib treatment
Authors: Antonelli Giulio , Gigante Elia , Iavarone Massimo , Begini Paola , Sangiovanni Angelo , Iannicelli Elsa , Biondetti Piero , Pellicelli Adriano M. , Miglioresi Lucia , Marchetti Paolo , Lampertico Pietro , Marignani Massimo 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundSarcopenia has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and solid tumours.ObjectiveAnalyse the influence of sarcopenia on survival and treatment duration in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib.MethodsWe conducted a multicentre, retrospective study on 96 patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib, all with available abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan within 30 days from treatment start. Anthropometric, laboratory, treatment and follow‐up data were collected. Sarcopenia was defined by reduced skeletal muscle index calculated from an L3 section CT image.ResultsSarcopenia was present in 49% of patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to sarcopenia: age was significantly higher in the sarcopenic group (SG) (66 years (31–87) versus 72 years (30–84), p = 0.04], with no difference in other baseline characteristics. The SG showed shorter overall survival (OS) (39 (95% confidence interval (CI) 26–50) versus 61 (95% CI 47–77) weeks (p = 0,01)) and shorter time on treatment (12.3 (95% CI 8–19) versus 25.9 (95% CI 15–33) weeks (p = 0.0044)). At multivariate analysis, sarcopenia was independently associated to reduced OS (p = 0.03) and reduced time on treatment (p = 0.001).ConclusionSarcopenia is present in almost half of patients with advanced HCC, and is associated with reduced survival and reduced duration of oral chemotherapy.
Staphylococcus-Associated Glomerulonephritis Mimicking Henoch-Schönlein Purpura and Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis in a Patient With an Epidural Abscess: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Mahmood Tahrin , Puckrin Robert , Sugar Linda , Naimark David 
Published: May 2018

Rationale: Staphylococcus-associated glomerulonephritis (SAGN) is a rare immune complex–mediated glomerulonephritis associated with active Staphylococcus infection. We report a case illustrating the importance of clinical history and kidney biopsy findings in establishing the correct diagnosis. Presenting concerns of the patient: We report the case of a 64-year-old man with alcohol-associated cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension who presented to hospital with lower back and abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, a purpuric lower extremity rash, and oliguric acute kidney injury with microscopic hematuria and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Diagnoses: Skin biopsy revealed IgA leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Serum cryoglobulins were positive and there was hypocomplementemia with a low C3 level. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine revealed septic discitis and epidural abscesses caused by a recent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Kidney biopsy showed IgA-dominant and C3-dominant proliferative glomerulonephritis with subepithelial humps in keeping with SAGN. Interventions: Urgent hemodialysis was initiated along with a prolonged course of intravenous cefazolin. Outcomes: Remarkably, the patient demonstrated a complete recovery of renal function after 2 months of dialysis dependence and successful treatment of the epidural abscesses. Lessons learned: This case shows that SAGN can closely mimic the clinical, laboratory, and histological presentation of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura or cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Clinical history and kidney biopsy, particularly electron microscopic analysis, are essential to establishing the correct diagnosis to avoid the unnecessary and potentially harmful administration of immunosuppression. Despite the typically poor prognosis of SAGN, this case report illustrates that full renal recovery remains possible with supportive care and eradication of the underlying infection.
Shear-induced integrin signaling in platelet phosphatidylserine exposure, microvesicle release, and coagulation
Authors: Pang Aiming , Cui Yujie , Chen Yunfeng , Cheng Ni , Delaney M. Keegan , Gu Minyi , Stojanovic-Terpo Aleksandra , Zhu Cheng , Du Xiaoping 
Published: May 2018

Key Points
Shear-induced, Gα13-mediated integrin outside-in signaling facilitates platelet PS exposure, MV release, and coagulation. An inhibitor of outside-in signaling inhibits not only occlusive platelet thrombus formation but also intravascular coagulation in vivo.
Hematopoiesis and the bacterial microbiome
Authors: Yan Hannah , Baldridge Megan T. , King Katherine Y. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRecent studies have revealed that the intestinal bacterial microbiome plays an important role in the regulation of hematopoiesis. A correlation between adverse hematologic effects and imbalance of the intestinal microbiome, or dysbiosis, is evident in several human conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and, critically, in the setting of antibiotic exposure. Here we review the effects of gut dysbiosis on the hematological compartment and our current understanding of the mechanisms through which changes in the bacterial microbiome affect hematopoiesis.
Similar telomere attrition rates in androgen-treated and untreated patients with dyskeratosis congenita
Authors: Khincha Payal P. , Bertuch Alison A. , Gadalla Shahinaz M. , Giri Neelam , Alter Blanche P. , Savage Sharon A. 
Published: May 2018

Key PointsTL for age shortens over time in patients with the TBD DC, irrespective of treatment with androgens. Prospective long-term research is needed to understand the extra-hematopoietic effects of androgens for management of TBDs.
Measuring financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures: methodological challenges for global monitoring
Authors: Hsu Justine , Flores Gabriela , Evans David , Mills Anne , Hanson Kara 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundMonitoring financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures is important to understand how health financing arrangements in a country protect its population against high costs associated with accessing health services. While catastrophic health expenditures are generally defined to be when household expenditures for health exceed a given threshold of household resources, there is no gold standard with several methods applied to define the threshold and household resources. These different approaches to constructing the indicator might give different pictures of a country’s progress towards financial protection. In order for monitoring to effectively provide policy insight, it is critical to understand the sensitivity of measurement to these choices.MethodsThis paper examines the impact of varying two methodological choices by analysing household expenditure data from a sample of 47 countries. We assess sensitivity of cross-country comparisons to a range of thresholds by testing for restricted dominance. We further assess sensitivity of comparisons to different methods for defining household resources (i.e. total expenditure, non-food expenditure and non-subsistence expenditure) by conducting correlation tests of country rankings.ResultsWe found country rankings are robust to the choice of threshold in a tenth to a quarter of comparisons within the 5–85% threshold range and this increases to half of comparisons if the threshold is restricted to 5–40%, following those commonly used in the literature. Furthermore, correlations of country rankings using different methods to define household resources were moderate to high; thus, this choice makes less difference from a measurement perspective than from an ethical perspective as different definitions of available household resources reflect varying concerns for equity.ConclusionsInterpreting comparisons from global monitoring based on a single threshold should be done with caution as these may not provide reliable insight into relative country progress. We therefore recommend financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures be measured across a range of thresholds using a catastrophic incidence curve as shown in this paper. We further recommend evaluating financial protection in relation to a country’s health financing system arrangements in order to better understand the extent of protection and better inform future policy changes.
Extracellular vesicles as circulating cancer biomarkers: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Lane R. E. , Korbie D. , Hill M. M. , Trau M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, lipid‐bound particles containing nucleic acid and protein cargo which are excreted from cells under a variety of normal and pathological conditions. EVs have garnered substantial research interest in recent years, due to their potential utility as circulating biomarkers for a variety of diseases, including numerous types of cancer. The following review will discuss the current understanding of the form and function of EVs, their specific role in cancer pathogenesis and their potential for non‐invasive disease diagnosis and/or monitoring. This review will also highlight several key issues for this field, including the importance of implementing robust and reproducible sample handling protocols, and the challenge of extracting an EV‐specific biomarker signal from a complex biological background.
Thermal conductivity of sandstones from Biot’s coefficient
Authors: Orlander Tobias , Adamopoulou Eirini , Jerver Asmussen Janus , Marczyński Adam Andrzej , Milsch Harald , Pasquinelli Lisa , Lykke Fabricius Ida 
Published: May 2018

Thermal conductivity of rocks is typically measured on core samples and cannot be directly measured from logs. We have developed a method to estimate thermal conductivity from logging data, where the key parameter is rock elasticity. This will be relevant for the subsurface industry. Present models for thermal conductivity are typically based primarily on porosity and are limited by inherent constraints and inadequate characterization of the rock texture and can therefore be inaccurate. Provided known or estimated mineralogy, we have developed a theoretical model for prediction of thermal conductivity with application to sandstones. Input parameters are derived from standard logging campaigns through conventional log interpretation. The model is formulated from a simplified rock cube enclosed in a unit volume, where a 1D heat flow passes through constituents in three parallel heat paths: solid, fluid, and solid-fluid in series. The cross section of each path perpendicular to the heat flow represents the rock texture: (1) The cross section with heat transfer through the solid alone is limited by grain contacts, and it is equal to the area governing the material stiffness and quantified through Biot’s coefficient. (2) The cross section with heat transfer through the fluid alone is equal to the area governing fluid flow in the same direction and quantified by a factor analogous to Kozeny’s factor for permeability. (3) The residual cross section involves the residual constituents in the solid-fluid heat path. By using laboratory data for outcrop sandstones and well-log data from a Triassic sandstone formation in Denmark, we compared measured thermal conductivity with our model predictions as well as to the more conventional porosity-based geometric mean. For outcrop material, we find good agreement with model predictions from our work and with the geometric mean, whereas when using well-log data, our model predictions indicate better agreement.