bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tranexamic acid for acute gastrointestinal bleeding (The HALT-IT trial): Statistical analysis plan for an international, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Brenner Amy Charlotte , Afolabi Adefemi , Ahmad Syed Masroor , Arribas Monica , Chaudhri Rizwana , Coats Timothy , Cuzick Jack , Gilmore Ian , Hawkey Christopher , Jairath Vipul , Javaid Kiran , Kayani Aasia , Mutti Muttiullah , Nadeem Muhammad Arif , Shakur-Still Haleema , Stanworth Simon , Veitch Andrew , Roberts Ian 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background:
Acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an important cause of mortality worldwide. Bleeding can occur from the upper or lower GI tract, with upper GI bleeding accounting for most cases. The main causes include peptic ulcer / erosive mucosal disease, oesophageal varices and malignancy. The case fatality rate is around 10% for upper GI bleeding and 3% for lower GI bleeding. Rebleeding affects 5-40% of patients and is associated with a four-fold increased risk of death. Tranexamic acid (TXA) decreases bleeding and the need for blood transfusion in surgery and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma and postpartum haemorrhage. It reduces bleeding by inhibiting the breakdown of fibrin clots by plasmin. Due to the methodological weaknesses and small size of the existing trials, the effectiveness and safety of TXA in GI bleeding is uncertain. The HALT-IT trial aims to provide reliable evidence about the effects of TXA in acute upper and lower GI bleeding.

Methods:
The HALT-IT trial is an international, randomised, double blind (participant and trial staff), placebo-controlled trial of tranexamic acid in 12,000 adults (increased from 8,000) with acute upper or lower GI bleeding. Eligible patients are randomly allocated to receive tranexamic acid (1g loading dose followed by 3g maintenance dose over 24 hours) or matching placebo. The main analysis will compare those randomised to tranexamic acid with those randomised to placebo on an intention-to-treat basis, presenting the results as effect estimates (relative and absolute risks) and confidence intervals. The primary outcome is death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation and secondary outcomes are rebleeding, all-cause and cause-specific mortality, thromboembolic events, complications, endoscopic, radiological and surgical interventions, blood transfusion requirements, disability (defined by a measure of patient’s self-care capacity) and number of days spent in intensive care or high dependency units. Subgroup analyses for the primary outcome will consider time to treatment, location of bleeding, cause of bleed and clinical Rockall score.

Discussion:
We present the statistical analysis of the HALT-IT trial. This plan was published before the treatment allocation was un-blinded.
Reliability of pleth variability index in predicting preload responsiveness of mechanically ventilated patients under various conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Xu Chao , Wang Min , Niu Zheng , Qi Dunyi 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Abstract
Background: Goal-directed volume expansion is increasingly used for fluid management in mechanically ventilated patients. The Pleth Variability Index (PVI) has been shown to reliably predict preload responsiveness; however, a lot of research on PVI has been published recently, and update of the meta-analysis needs to be completed.
Methods: We searched PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science (updated to November 7, 2018) and the associated references. We also contacted relevant authors and researchers.
Results: Twenty-five studies with 975 patients were included in this meta-analysis. All patients were mechanically ventilated. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) to predict preload responsiveness in patients was 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79 - 0.85). The pooled sensitivity was 0.77 (95% CI 0.67-0.85) and the pooled specificity was 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.82). The results of subgroup of patients without undergoing surgery (AUC =0.86, Youden index =0.65) and the results of subgroup of patients in ICU (AUC =0.89, Youden index =0.67) were reliable.
Conclusion: The reliability of the PVI is limited, but the PVI can play an important role in bedside monitoring for mechanically ventilated patients who are not undergoing surgery. Patients who are expanded with colloid may be more suitable for PVI.
Band-based similarity indices for gene expression clustering and classification.
Authors: Torrente Aurora 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background: The concept of depth induces an ordering from centre outwards in multivariate data. Most depth definitions are unfeasible for dimensions larger than three or four, but the Modified Band Depth (MBD) is a notable exception that has proven to be a valuable tool in the analysis of gene expression data. However, given a notion of depth, there exists no straight forward method to derive a depth-based similarity or dissimilarity measure between observations to be used in standard tasks such as clustering or classification.

Results: We propose a methodology to assess a data-driven (dis)similarity between two observations, taking advantage of the bands used in the computation of the MBD. To that end, we build binary vectors associated to each observation to compute the number of times each coordinate is located between the limits of the intervals defined by all possible bands in the set. Those vectors and their Boolean products are used to derive contingency tables from which standard similarity indices can be calculated. Our approach is computationally efficient and can be applied to bands formed by any number of observations from the data set.

Conclusions: We have evaluated the performance of several similarity indices with respect to that of the Euclidean distance, used as benchmark, in standard clustering and classification techniques in a variety of simulated and real data sets. Our experiments show that the technique for deriving such measures is very promising, with some of the selected indices outperforming the Euclidean distance. The use of the method is not restricted to these, the extension to other similarity coefficients being straight-forward.
Effect of sevoflurane on systemic and cerebral circulation, cerebral autoregulation and CO2 reactivity
Authors: Juhász Marianna , Molnár Levente , Fülesdi Béla , Végh Tamás , Páll Dénes , Molnár Csilla 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background: Sevoflurane is one of the most frequently used inhaled anesthetics for general anesthesia. Previously it has been reported that at clinically used doses of sevoflurane, cerebral vasoreactivity is maintained. However, there are no data how sevoflurane influences systemic and cerebral circulation in parallel. The aim of our study was to assess systemic and cerebral hemodynamic changes as well as cerebral CO2-reactivity during sevoflurane anesthesia.
Methods: 29 patients undergoing general anesthesia were enrolled. Anesthesia was maintained with 1 MAC sevoflurane in 40% oxygen. Ventilatory settings (respiratory rate and tidal volume) were adjusted to reach and maintain 40, 35 and 30 mmHg EtCO2 for 5 minutes respectively. At the end of each period, transcranial Doppler and hemodynamic parameters using applanation tonometry were recorded.
Results: Systemic mean arterial pressure significantly decreased during anesthetic induction and remained unchanged during the entire study period. Central aortic and peripherial pulse pressure and augmentation idex as markers of arterial stiffness significantly increased during the anesthetic induction and remained stable at the time points when target CO2 levels were reached. Both cerebral autoregulation and cerebral CO2-reactivity was maintained at 1 MAC sevoflurane.
Discussion: Cerebral autoregulation and CO2-reactivity is preserved at 1 MAC sevoflurane. Cerebrovascular effects of anesthetic compounds have to be assessed together with systemic circulatory effects.
Key words: sevoflurane; cerebral blood flow, cerebral autoregulation; CO2-reactivity, applanation tonometry; transcranial Doppler
The study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT02054143, retrospectively registered.
Advanced ultrasound Methods in assessment of carotid plaque instability: A prospective multimodal study
Authors: Zamani Mahtab , Skagen Karolina , Scott Helge , Russell David , Skjelland Mona 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background: A significant proportion of ischemic strokes are caused by emboli from atherosclerotic, unstable carotid artery plaques. The selection of patients for endarterectomy in current clinical practice is primarily based on the degree of carotid artery stenosis and clinical symptoms. However, the content of the plaque is known to be more important for stroke risk. Intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) has recently emerged as a possible surrogate marker for plaque instability. Neo-microvessels from the adventitial vasa vasorum grow into the full thickness of the vessel wall in an adaptive response to hypoxia, causing subsequent intraplaque haemorrhage and plaque rupture. Conventional ultrasound cannot detect IPN. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI), have, however, shown promise in IPN assessment. Recent research using Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) has also reported reduced tissue stiffness in the artery wall (reduced mean Young’s modulus) in unstable compared to stable plaques. The purpose of this study is to identify unstable carotid artery plaques at risk of rupture and future ischemic stroke risk using multimodal assessments.
Methods: Thirty symptomatic and 30 asymptomatic patients >18 years, with >50% carotid stenosis referred to Oslo University Hospital ultrasound lab will be included in this on-going project. Patients will undergo contrast enhanced ultrasound, SMI, carotid-MRI and PET-(18F-FDG). Contrast enhanced ultrasound will be analyzed semi-quantitatively (5-levels of visual classification) and quantitatively by plotting time-intensity curve analyses to obtain plaque peak contrast enhancement intensity. Plaques removed at carotid endarterectomy will be assessed histologically and the number of microvessels, areas of inflammation, granulation, calcification, lipid and fibrosis will be measured.
Discussion: This multimodality study will primarily provide information on the clinical value of advanced ultrasound methods (SMI, SWE) for the detection of unstable carotid artery plaque in comparison with other methods including contrast-enhanced ultrasound, carotid-MRI and PET-(18F-FDG) using histology as the gold standard. Secondly, findings from the methods mentioned above will be related to cerebrovascular symptoms, blood tests (leukocytes, CRP, ESR, lipoproteins and inflammatory markers) and cardiovascular risk factors at inclusion and at 1-year follow-up. The overall aim is to optimize detection of plaque instability which can lead to better preventive decisions and reduced stroke rate.
Recurrent Risk of Ischemic Stroke due to Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia
Authors: Chen Zhaoyao , Zhang Shuai , Dai Zhengze , Cheng Xi , Wu Minghua , Dai Qiliang , Liu Xinfeng , Xu Gelin 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background

Patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia usually have persistent hemodynamic abnormalities, and therefore, may bear an increased risk of stroke. This study aimed to evaluate ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia.

Methods

Patients with acute ischemic stroke were screened and evaluated for eligibility. Enrolled patients were followed via scheduled clinical visits or telephone interviews. Ischemic stroke recurrence was proposed with clinical symptoms and confirmed with cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Computerized Tomography scans. Baseline characteristics and vascular geometry were compared between patients with and without stroke recurrence. Significant parameters were introduced into COX proportional hazard model to detect possible predictors of stroke recurrence.

Results

A total of 115 stroke patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia were enrolled, of which 22 (19.1%) had recurrence during 22 ± 6 months follow-up. Basilar artery diameter ≥ 5.3 mm (HR = 4.744; 95% CI, 1.718-13.097; P = 0.003), diffuse intracranial dolichoectasia (HR = 3.603; 95% CI, 1.367-9.496; P = 0.010) and ischemic heart disease history (HR = 4.095; 95% CI, 1.221-13.740; P = 0.022) had increased risk of recurrence.

Conclusions

Stroke patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia may have a high risk of recurrence. Larger basilar artery diameter or diffuse intracranial dolichoectasia may increase the risk of recurrence.
Stormwater inflow loading of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into urban domestic wastewater treatment plant for separate sewer system
Authors: Ozaki Noriatsu , Yamauchi Takahiro , Kindaichi Tomonori , Ohashi Akiyoshi 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common contaminants present in wastewater, and determination of their sources is important for their management in the environment. In this study, stormwater loading of PAHs during rainfall periods was evaluated for sewage inflow into a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for a separate sewer system. To accomplish this, sewage inflow volumes, suspended solid concentrations, and PAH concentrations were measured during eight rainfall events and on two no-rainfall days at the inlet of the plant. Based on a comparison between the rainfall and no-rainfall loading quantified by the measurements, excess PAH loadings with stormwater were evaluated for the rainfall events. The relationship between rainfall intensity and stormwater loading was then used to evaluate long-term stormwater loadings of water and PAHs. Their contributions to the sewage inflow were 0.7% and 1.0% for 1 year for water and the sum of 16 measured PAHs, respectively. Our measurements and estimates demonstrate that direct stormwater inflow is not a primary source of PAHs to the plant for this separate sewer system.
Antioxidant Capacity, Phytochemical Analysis and Identification of Active Compounds in Anchomanes difformis
Authors: Alabi Toyin Dorcas , Brooks Nicole Lisa , Oguntibeju Oluwafemi Omoniyi 
Published: April 2019

Background:
Anchomanes difformis (ENGL: Blume) is a specie of flowering plants in
the family Araceae. Anchomanes difformis is commonly reported for ameliorating hyperglycemia,
inflammation, ulcer, malaria, and inhibiting microbial growth.

Objective:
This study evaluated total yields of phytochemicals present, measured antioxidant capacities
and identified bioactive compounds in the leaves and rhizome extracts of A. difformis using solvents
of different polarity (ethyl acetate, ethanol and water).

Methods:
Total polyphenolic, flavonoid content and alkaloids were measured, ORAC, TEAC and
FRAP were performed as antioxidant capacity indices, and identification of bioactive compounds
was done using UPLC-MS and HPLC.

Results:
All extracts contained polyphenols, flavonols, flavanols, and alkaloids in varying concentrations.
All extracts exhibited antioxidant properties. However, aqueous leaves extract had the
highest antioxidant properties and polyphenols with significance (p<0.05). Thirty-four compounds
were identified altogether in the leaves and rhizome.

Conclusion:
A. difformis leaves and rhizome are potential sources of natural antioxidants and can
serve as potential therapeutic agents against diseases linked with oxidative stress. Presence of
health-promoting compounds indicates possible ameliorative potentials of A. difformis.
Formulation and Characterization of Glimepiride Nanoparticles for Dissolution Enhancement
Authors: Siwach Reena , Pandey Parijat , Dureja Harish 
Published: April 2019

Background:
The rate-limiting step in the oral absorption of BCS class II drugs is dissolution.
Their low solubility is one of the major obstacles in the process of drug development. Dissolution
rate can be increased by decreasing the particle size to the nano range, eventually leading to increased
bioavailability.

Objective:
: In the present study, glimepiride loaded nanoparticles were prepared to enhance the dissolution
rate. The aim of the work was to examine the effect of polymer-drug ratio, solvent-antisolvent ratio and
speed of mixing on in vitro release of glimepiride.

Methods:
Glimepiride is an antidiabetic drug belonging to the BCS class II drugs. The polymeric nanoparticles
were formulated according to Box-Behnken Design (BBD) using nanoprecipitation technique. The
prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for in vitro drug release, loading capacity, entrapment efficiency,
and percentage yield.

Result:
It was found that NP-8 has maximum in vitro drug release and was selected as an optimized
batch. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to the in vitro drug release to study the fitness and significance
of the model. The batch NP-8 showed 70.34 ± 1.09% in vitro drug release in 0.1 N methanolic
HCl and 92.02 ± 1.87% drug release in phosphate buffer pH 7.8. The release data revealed that the nanoparticles
followed zero order kinetics.

Conclusion:
The study revealed that the incorporation of glimepiride into gelucire 50/13 resulted in enhanced
dissolution rate.
ANÁLISIS DE LA TRANSMITANCIA TÉRMICA DE LAS PAREDES Y COBERTURAS PARA CONSTRUCCIONES UTILIZANDO HORMIGÓN LIGERO CON VERMICULITA Y EPS
Authors: Schackow Adilson , Effting Carmeane , Hackenberg Ana Mirthes , Bortot Ana Beatriz Rozza , Ferrari Ana Karoliny , Oliveira Vitor Bolonhesi 
Published: April 2019

<p>El desempeño térmico de construcciones es un factor importante para hacer más confortable y económica una vivienda, mejorando la calidad de vida. Un análisis del confort térmico en un edificio comprende los materiales utilizados para componer su envoltorio. Este trabajo desarrolló una comparación de la resistencia térmica y de la transmitancia térmica de paredes con bloques de hormigón convencional, y hormigón ligero con vermiculita y con EPS (poliestireno expandido). También fueron evaluados los cálculos relacionados a la cobertura. La transmitancia térmica y la capacidad térmica de las paredes y de las coberturas fueron analizadas de acuerdo con la norma NBR 15220 y el Programa Nacional (Brasileño) de Conservación de Energía Eléctrica – Procel, considerando los niveles A (más eficiente), B, C, D y E. Para ambientes acondicionados solamente las coberturas de hormigón con vermiculita se adecuan a los requisitos previos del Procel en el nivel B (transmitancia térmica &lt; 1.5W/ m²K). Fue calculada la transmitancia térmica para clasificar según las exigencias para paredes externas (transmitancia térmica &lt; 3.7W/m², según Procel). Se concluyó que las coberturas y paredes (bloques) que utilizaron hormigón ligero han proporcionado mejor desempeño térmico a la construcción cuando comparadas con las coberturas y paredes (bloques) que utilizaron hormigón ordinário. </p>
Membros: v. 10, n. 3 (2012)
Authors: . .. 
Published: April 2019

Alessandra Pereira Rodrigues - Instituto Federal Sul Riograndense - PelotasAlexandra Macedo - UFRGSAlexandre Ribeiro - UCSAna Carolina B de Marchi - UPFAna Marli Bulegon - UNIFRA Barbara Gorziza Avila - UFRGS Carla Valentini - UCS Carlos Tadeu Queiroz de Morais - PGIE - UFRGS Cleuza Maria Maximino Carvalho Alonso - UFSMElisa Boff - UCS Eliseo Reategui - FACED/PGIE - UFRGSEvandro Alves - CINTED/UFRGSGilse Antoninha Morgental Falkembach - UFSM/CINTEDJanete Sander Costa - ULBRAJavier Díaz - Universidad de la Plata, ArgentinaJoice Otsuka - UFSCARJohn A. Campell - Universidade de Londres - Inglaterra José Valdeni Lima - PGIE/UFRGSLiane Margarida Rockenbach Tarouco - CINTED/FACED/PGIE - UFRGSLiliana Passerino - FACED e PGIE/UFRGS Louise Jeanty de Seixas - Faculdade de Farmácia/UFRGS Magda Bercht - Instituto de Informática/PGIE - UFRGSMarcelo Augusto Rauh Schmitt - Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do SulMarcelo Foohs - FACED /UFRGSMarcia Notare - Instituto de Matemática/UFRGSMarcus Vinícius de Azevedo Basso - Instituto de Matemática/UFRGS Maria Cristina Biazus - Instituto de Artes/UFRGSMaria Cristina Moraes – Informática / PUC-RSMarlise Geller - ULBRA Marina Nakayama - UFSC Michelle Denise Leonhardt - Departamento de Informática Aplicada/UFRGS Patrícia Alejandra Behar - FACED/PGIE - UFRGS Querte Mehlecke - FACCAT/RS Renato Dutra - Universidade Anhembi MorumbiRicardo Azambuja Silveira - INF/UFSCRoberto dos Santos Rabello – UPFRoseclea Medina - UFSMSilvia Meirelles Leite - UFPELThaísa Müller – PGIE/UFRGSTeresa Chambel - Universidade de Lisboa - PortugalValéria Costa – PGIE/UFRGS Coordenação :Liane Margarida Rockenbach Tarouco - CINTED/UFRGSEliseo Reategui - PGIE/UFRGSJosé Valdeni Lima - PGIE/UFRGS
Membros: v. 11, n. 3 (2013)
Authors: . .. 
Published: April 2019

Alessandra Pereira Rodrigues - Instituto Federal Sul Riograndense - PelotasAlexandra Macedo - UFRGSAlexandre Ribeiro - UCSAna Carolina B de Marchi - UPFAna Marli Bulegon - UNIFRA Barbara Gorziza Avila - UFRGS Carla Valentini - UCS Carlos Tadeu Queiroz de Morais - PGIE - UFRGS Cleuza Maria Maximino Carvalho Alonso - UFSMElisa Boff - UCS Eliseo Reategui - FACED/PGIE - UFRGSEvandro Alves - CINTED/UFRGSGilse Antoninha Morgental Falkembach - UFSM/CINTEDJanete Sander Costa - ULBRAJavier Díaz - Universidad de la Plata, ArgentinaJoice Otsuka - UFSCARJohn A. Campell - Universidade de Londres - Inglaterra José Valdeni Lima - PGIE/UFRGSLiane Margarida Rockenbach Tarouco - CINTED/FACED/PGIE - UFRGSLiliana Passerino - FACED e PGIE/UFRGS Louise Jeanty de Seixas - Faculdade de Farmácia/UFRGS Magda Bercht - Instituto de Informática/PGIE - UFRGSMarcelo Augusto Rauh Schmitt - Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do SulMarcelo Foohs - FACED /UFRGSMarcia Notare - Instituto de Matemática/UFRGSMarcus Vinícius de Azevedo Basso - Instituto de Matemática/UFRGS Maria Cristina Biazus - Instituto de Artes/UFRGSMaria Cristina Moraes – Informática / PUC-RSMarlise Geller - ULBRA Marina Nakayama - UFSC Michelle Denise Leonhardt - Departamento de Informática Aplicada/UFRGS Patrícia Alejandra Behar - FACED/PGIE - UFRGS Querte Mehlecke - FACCAT/RS Renato Dutra - Universidade Anhembi MorumbiRicardo Azambuja Silveira - INF/UFSCRoberto dos Santos Rabello – UPFRoseclea Medina - UFSMSilvia Meirelles Leite - UFPELThaísa Müller – PGIE/UFRGSTeresa Chambel - Universidade de Lisboa - PortugalValéria Costa – PGIE/UFRGS Coordenação :Liane Margarida Rockenbach Tarouco - CINTED/UFRGSEliseo Reategui - PGIE/UFRGSJosé Valdeni Lima - PGIE/UFRGS
TECNOLOGIAS DIGITAIS DE COMUNICAÇÃO E O ENSINO E APRENDIZAGEM NO ENSINO SUPERIOR
Authors: Denise Costa Berni Katia , Martino Otero Avila Christiano , Ilgenfritz Sperotto Rosaria , Muianga Xavier 
Published: April 2019

Este artigo apresenta os esforços do grupo de pesquisa Comunicação, Cultura, Tecnologias e Modos de Subjetivação (CocTec)1, da Faculdade de Educação da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) em mapear o uso das mídias digitais por seus alunos, nativos digitais, nascidos após 1990, problematizando o uso deste dispositivo como apoio ao ensino e aprendizagem e construção de conhecimento no ensino superior. São sujeitos desta pesquisa os alunos da UFPel nos cursos de bacharelado e licenciatura matriculados no 2ª semestre de 2013 (exceto os ingressantes). Os dados foram capturados por um instrumento online disponibilizado junto à matrícula do aluno. Com esta pesquisa constatou-se que tanto para estudantes como para os professores os Sites de Redes Sociais (SRS) apresenta-se como uma ferramenta tecnológica pedagógica, servindo para: pesquisar conteúdos; realizar tarefas escolares; comunicar-se, enviar e receber materiais através do serviço de e-mail. Por outro lado, os SRS avançam e alargam as possibilidades de comunicação e interação. O presente texto está dividido em uma parte introdutória sobre o aluno da contemporaneidade, um debate sobre a utilização dos SRS no ensino e aprendizagem, um relato das principais revelações da pesquisa e considerações finais.