bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of clinical sepsis-associated biomarkers in a septic mouse model
Authors: Li Jin-Ling , Li Ge , Jing Xi-Zhong , Li Yun-Feng , Ye Qiu-Ying , Jia Huan-Huan , Liu Shu-Hua , Li Xue-Jiao , Li Hang , Huang Ren , Zhang Yu , Wang Hui 
Published: April 2018

Objective Clinical sepsis-associated biomarkers were utilized in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) septic mouse model to provide a reference for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms and evaluating novel therapeutic interventions for sepsis. Methods Sepsis in mice was induced by CLP, and clinical biomarkers were evaluated (survival rate, blood physiological and biochemical indices, cytokines, hepatorenal function parameters, and blood coagulation). Results The mortality rate was >70%. The body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate decreased within 48 h. Low lactic acid was found at 8 h. The CLP mice showed typical inflammatory symptoms with decreased white blood cells and procalcitonin and increased levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, and MIP-2. The platelet count and activated partial thromboplastin time significantly decreased, and the prothrombin time and prothrombin time–international normalized ratio markedly increased. Phenotypes of multiple organ dysfunction were found in the CLP model, including increased liver alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase; significantly reduced total protein, globulin, and serum albumin; increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine; and decreased blood glucose. Conclusion The clinical features of the CLP mouse model were similar to those of human patients with sepsis.
Salivary gland ultrasound is linked to the autoimmunity profile in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Nieto-González Juan Carlos , Ovalles-Bonilla Juan G. , Estrada Eduardo , Serrano-Benavente Belén , Martínez-Barrio Julia , González-Fernández Carlos M. , González-Benítez Roberto , Vergara Dangond Cristina , Monteagudo Indalecio , Collado Yurrita Luis , Naredo Esperanza , López-Longo Francisco Javier 
Published: April 2018

Objective Salivary gland ultrasound (SGU) is a reliable technique for assessing the salivary glands in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between SGU findings and autoimmunity in patients with pSS. Methods Patients with pSS underwent an SGU assessment. The patients were classified into three groups according to their autoimmunity profile: the complete positive group (positive rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, and anti-Ro/anti-La antibodies), the partial seropositive group (positivity of at least one autoantibody but not all), and the seronegative group. Results In total, 93 patients were evaluated. Eighty-six (92.5%) were female, and their median age was 49.5 years. The median disease duration was 12.3 years. Pathological SGU findings were present in 32 (34.4%) patients [25 of 36 (78.1%) in the complete positive group and 7 of 44 (21.9%) in the partial positive group]. Patients with pathological SGU findings had a shorter disease duration and slightly higher European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s syndrome disease activity index. Conclusions The autoimmunity profile and pathological SGU findings are strongly associated with each other in patients with pSS. However, the disease duration does not seem to be related to pathological SGU findings.
Study of the Determinants of Chronic Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria: Quantitative Evidence from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Working Paper 45 (September 2017)
Authors: Amare Mulubrhan , Benson Todd , Fadare Olusegun , Oyeyemi Motunrayo 
Published: April 2018

Background: Close to half of all children younger than 5 years in the Northeast and Northwest geopolitical zones were estimated to be stunted in their growth for their age in 2013 compared to 22% of children in the rest of Nigeria. Objectives: We examine the drivers of chronic child undernutrition in northern Nigeria and how those drivers differ from other areas of the country. Methods: Both a standard child-level regression-based approach and decomposition analysis were used to address the determinants of stunting and decompose how drivers differ between northern Nigeria and other areas of the country using 2008 and 2013 Nigeria DHS data. Results: There are strong differences in the levels of the determinants of undernutrition in young children between the 2 parts of the country. However, equally important, the decomposition analysis shows that there are significant differences between northern Nigeria and other areas of Nigeria in the effect of the same determinant of nutritional status in accelerating or retarding the linear growth of young children. Conclusions: A national program to address child undernutrition must recognize this heterogeneity in its design. To impose across Nigeria, a single set of approaches to address the factors which results in stunted children is likely to fail for large numbers of children if these strong geographical differences in how these determinants operate to affect child nutritional status are not considered. Solutions need to be developed within northern Nigeria to more closely reflect the way the determinants of nutritional status operate in this area of the country.
Successful treatment of ventricular arrhythmic storm with percutaneous coronary intervention and catheter ablation in a patient with left ventricular assist device
Authors: Sipahi Nihat Firat , Mehdiani Arash , Saeed Diyar , Boeken Udo , Makimoto Hisaki , Lichtenberg Artur , Dalyanoglu Hannan 
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Ventricular arrhythmias are common in patients with advanced heart failure, which may also persist after sufficient intensive therapy for heart failure even with a left ventricular assist device. Although most ventricular arrhythmias have no hemodynamic relevance during left ventricular assist device support, some patients suffer from right ventricular decompensation due to ventricular arrhythmias resulting in severe hemodynamic deterioration and poor clinical outcomes. Methods: We describe herein an left ventricular assist device patient with refractory ventricular arrhythmic storm early after left ventricular assist device implantation. Results: The patient was admitted to our department after stenting of left anterior descending artery with subsequent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and cardiogenic shock with ongoing multi-organ failure. After 6 days of extracorporeal life-support, a permanent left ventricular assist device was implanted. With postoperatively ongoing tachycardias, a subtotal right coronary artery occlusion was recanalized utilizing a drug-eluting stent. On the first post-intervention day, an additional catheter ablation was successfully performed. No further ventricular tachycardias were detected during the entire hospital stay and the further postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was transferred to a physiotherapy unit to improve his daily physical activities. He is currently at home and doing well 6 months after discharge. Conclusions: Our case report demonstrates the feasibility of a successful therapeutic approach with a combination of interventional therapies such as coronary stenting and catheter ablation in a patient with persistent ventricular arrhythmias after assist device implantation.
Use of Vagus Nerve Stimulator on Children With Primary Generalized Epilepsy
Authors: Welch William P. , Sitwat Bilal , Sogawa Yoshimi 
Published: April 2018

Objective: To describe the response to vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) in otherwise neurotypical children with medically intractable primary generalized epilepsy. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent vagus nerve stimulator surgery between January 2011 and December 2015. Results: Eleven patients were identified. Median follow-up duration was 2.5 years (1.2-8.4 years). Prior to vagus nerve stimulator surgery, all patients had at least 1 seizure per week, and 7/11 (64%) had daily seizures. At 1-year follow-up after vagus nerve stimulator, 7/11 (64%) reported improved seizure frequency and 6/11 (55%) reported fewer than 1 seizure per month. Three patients (27%) reported complications related to vagus nerve stimulator surgery, and no patients required device removal. Significance: In children with medically intractable primary generalized epilepsy, vagus nerve stimulator is well tolerated and appears to lead to improvement in seizure frequency. Improvement was not attributable to epilepsy classification, age at vagus nerve stimulator implantation, output current, duty cycle, or follow-up duration.
Warfarin Patients With Anemia Show Trend of Out-of-Range International Normalized Ratio Frequency With Point-of-Care Testing in an Anticoagulation Clinic
Authors: DeRemer Christina E. , McMichael Bliss , Young Henry N. 
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Many factors influence international normalized ratio (INR); however, few studies have examined the impact of anemia in warfarin patients. The primary objective of this study was to explore the relationship between in-clinic anemia and the control of INR within an anticoagulation clinic. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on a random sample of patients seen in an academic medical center pharmacy-managed anticoagulation clinic. Hemochron® Signature Elite machine was utilized to monitor point-of-care (POC) INR. In-clinic anemia was defined as hematocrit <32%. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA MP a webbased platform ( https://www.stata.com/statamp/ ). Results: Of the 300 patients analyzed, 45 (15%) patients had in-clinic anemia. Patients with in-clinic anemia were more likely to be younger ( P < .05), female ( P < .05), and have a diagnosis of sickle cell disease or anemia ( P < .05). In the unadjusted logistic regression model, patients with in-clinic anemia were less likely to have an in-range INR ( OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.27-0.98). The adjusted regression model did not show significance. Conclusion: Study results suggest that in-clinic anemia may be more prevalent among younger, female patients prescribed warfarin, and patients diagnosed with in-clinic anemia may be a risk factor for out-of-range INR. Pharmacists practicing in anticoagulation clinics can incorporate this information into patient care practice in efforts to maintain optimal management.
What Will Happen to the US Textile and Apparel Industry if the NAFTA Goes?
Authors: Lu Sheng 
Published: April 2018

This study provides a quantitative evaluation of how the termination of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) proposed by the Trump administration will affect the US textile and apparel (T&A) industry. By adopting the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) computable general equilibrium model based on the GTAP9 database, the study finds that: first, the termination of NAFTA will significantly reduce US apparel imports from NAFTA members but lead to an increase of US apparel imports from Asian countries; second, ending NAFTA will substantially reduce US textile exports to the NAFTA region, which currently is the single largest export market for the US textile industry; and third, rather than encouraging more ‘Made in the USA’, the termination of NAFTA will reduce further the output of T&A manufacturing in the United States. The findings of this study augment our understanding of the potential economic impact of ending a major free trade agreement, which has been studied little, and shed new lights on the debate regarding the T&A-specific sectoral impact of NAFTA. The findings of the study also provide valuable inputs for policymakers regarding what should or should not be done with NAFTA from the perspective of the US T&A industry. JEL Classification: F14, F15, F17
The Psychosocial Impact of Cleft in a Western Australian Cohort Across 3 Age Groups
Authors: Nicholls Wendy , Selvey Linda A. , Harper Craig , Persson Martin , Robinson Suzanne 
Published: April 2018

Background: Management of a cleft of the lip and/or palate (CL/P) involves a multidisciplinary team approach lasting from birth to potentially postskeletal maturity. This condition is complex, with both medical and psychosocial implications that may place individuals with a cleft at higher risk of developing psychosocial problems. Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by a sample from the Western Australian cleft population comprising 3 age groups: child (n = 100), adolescent (n = 101), and adult (n = 158). Results: Public speaking, being photographed, special relationships, and participation in school were identified as the areas most impacted by having a cleft. Hearing and speech were reported to have a higher importance than facial and dental appearance. Participants rated support given to them by their parents as the most important, with high ratings for treatment providers. For teasing, the impact of cleft was significantly higher among participants with cleft lip and palate for both the adolescent and adult age groups. There was little significant difference by gender across the variables, which suggests that males are just as likely to require support as females. Conclusion: The impact of a cleft across multiple psychosocial domains needs to be recognized and addressed as part of craniofacial team care across age groups.
Evaluation and Significance of Mortise Instability in Supination External Rotation Fibula Fractures: A Review Article
Authors: Kwon John Y. , Cronin Patrick , Velasco Brian , Chiodo Christopher 
Published: April 2018

Evaluation and management of ankle fractures has progressed in parallel to an evolving understanding of ankle stability. While stability of the mortise had historically been attributed to the lateral malleolus, Lauge-Hansen’s contributions followed by multiple other investigations increased the emphasis on the significance of medial-sided injury in destabilizing the mortise. As the importance of the deltoid ligament has been elucidated, the means of assessing ligamentous incompetence and the prognostic significance of an unstable mortise continue to be defined. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.
Long-term outcomes of bovine pericardial patch angioplasty for recurrent stenosis in vascular access: A UK single-centre experience
Authors: Fisher Owain , Meecham Lewis , Buxton Pauline , Legge Jocelyn , Fairhead Jack , Rajagopalan Sriram , Asquith John , Pherwani Arun 
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Stenosis of an arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft for dialysis is a common problem. Stenosis may lead to a number of problems including failure of the fistula. Treatment of stenosis is commonly with percutaneous angioplasty or surgical patch angioplasty with autologous vein or synthetic graft or patch. Here we report the use of bovine pericardial patch angioplasty as an alternative mode of patch angioplasty when percutaneous intervention has failed. Methods: Patients with fistulae treated with bovine patch angioplasty between 2013 and 2016 were identified from a prospectively maintained renal access database (Cyberren®). Patient records were reviewed, noting type and location of access, patency, re-interventions and complications post bovine pericardial patch. Results: A total of 40 patients were identified as having undergone bovine pericardial patch angioplasty between January 2013 and April 2016. The median time from fistula formation to bovine pericardial patch was 15 months (interquartile range (IQR): 5–43). Median duration of follow-up was 14 months (IQR: 5–18). Primary patency at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months was 91%, 66%, 61% and 54%, respectively. Secondary patency was 94%, 91%, 80% and 77% at the same time points, respectively. In total, 15 patients required 23 re-interventions post bovine pericardial patch. There has been no report of infection or aneurysm formation. Conclusion: Bovine pericardial patch angioplasty for recurrent stenosis in arteriovenous fistulae for dialysis access provides a robust alternative to other surgical patches with the added advantage of allowing early needling and relative resistance to infection. Rates of restenosis and failure post bovine pericardial patch are low.
Intimate partner violence and sexual assault among women with serious mental illness: A review of prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Van Deinse Tonya B , Macy Rebecca J , Cuddeback Gary S , Allman Amanda J 
Published: April 2018

Summary As compared with the general population, women with serious mental illness experience higher rates of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and are at a greater risk of future victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder, exacerbated symptoms of mental illness, and other negative health outcomes. Despite substantial research, the field lacks clear, consistent guidance for intervention development. To this end, this review aims to move the field beyond its focus on prevalence by providing a comprehensive and concise summary that compares and assesses the findings, quality, and scope of 10 systematic reviews (reviewing 168 studies) pertaining to prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault among women with serious mental illness. Findings The systematic reviews in this study indicate wide variation exists in the prevalence rates of intimate partner violence among women with serious mental illness. Differences are attributable to inconsistent definitions of key concepts across studies, differences in inclusion and exclusion criteria, type of disability, and type of violent victimization. Fewer than half of the studies focus on risk factors for violent victimization among women with serious mental illness, which contributes to the lack of viable interventions for this population. Application The implications discussed in this study address best practices for screening and assessment, opportunities for intervention modification, standardization of definitions of core concepts, and the importance of examining the service challenges from the perspective of clients and service providers. The study offers an organizing framework to advance the field’s focus on risk and protective factors toward developing effective interventions and treatment strategies.
An integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural intervention promoting physical activity maintenance for adults with chronic health conditions: A feasibility study
Authors: Scott Sarah E , Breckon Jeff D , Copeland Robert J 
Published: April 2018

Objectives Physical activity is recommended for managing chronic health conditions but is rarely maintained. This feasibility study aimed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural intervention for long-term physical activity for adults with chronic health conditions. Methods Participants ( N = 37) with stable conditions (e.g. diabetes) were randomized into a three-month motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural group ( N = 20) or usual care ( N = 17) after completing a physical activity referral scheme. Participants completed physical activity (e.g. average steps per day and kilocalorie expenditure), psychological (e.g. self-efficacy) and epidemiological (e.g. body mass index) standardized measures at baseline, three- and six-month follow-up. Treatment fidelity and feasibility were assessed. Results Thirty-five participants completed the study (96% retention). The motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural group maintained kilocalorie expenditure at three ( p = 0.009) and six months ( p = 0.009). Exercise barrier self-efficacy ( p = 0.03), physical ( p = 0.02) and psychological ( p = 0.01) physical activity experiences were increased at three months only. No difference was found for average steps/day, social support, coping skills and epidemiological factors. Discussion This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural interventions for promoting physical activity maintenance in a clinical population. A large-scale trial with a longer follow-up (≥6 months) is warranted with treatment fidelity assessment.
Short- to Mid-Term Outcomes Following the Use of an Arthroereisis Implant as an Adjunct for Correction of Flexible, Acquired Flatfoot Deformity in Adults
Authors: Walley Kempland C. , Greene Gearin , Hallam Jesse , Juliano Paul J. , Aynardi Michael C. 
Published: April 2018

Background. The use of an arthroereisis implant for the treatment of adolescent flatfoot deformity has been described. However, data that address the outcomes of patients treated with an arthroereisis implant in adults are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiographic and clinical outcomes and complications following the use of a subtalar arthroereisis implant as an adjunct for correction acquired flatfoot deformity secondary to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Methods. A retrospective case-control study was performed querying all patients undergoing surgical flatfoot correction between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2015. The experimental group included patients undergoing arthroereisis augmentation at the time of flatfoot correction. Patients undergoing the same flatfoot correction without the use of an arthroereisis implant were used as controls. Radiographic measurements were evaluated preoperatively and at final radiographic follow-up and included talonavicular (TN) coverage angle, and lateral talar–first metatarsal angle (T1MA). Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and postoperative Short Form–36, VAS, and satisfaction at final orthopedic follow-up. Results. A total of 15 patients underwent flatfoot correction and were augmented with an arthroereisis implant and were matched with 30 controls. Postoperative, mid-term T1MA and regional analysis was found to be improved in the experimental group versus control. Patients undergoing adjunct subtalar arthroereisis demonstrated an increased likelihood of achieving radiographically normal talonavicular coverage <7° compared with our control group at follow-up. Conclusions. The adjunct use of an arthroereisis implant resulted in improved and maintained radiographic and clinical measurements in patients undergoing stage II flatfoot. Clinical Significance. These results suggest utility of a subtalar arthroereisis implant as an adjunct to flatfoot correction with little additional risk of harm to the patient. Levels of Evidence: Level III: Case-control study