bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alzheimer’s disease: clinical update on epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis
Authors: Eratne Dhamidhu , Loi Samantha M , Farrand Sarah , Kelso Wendy , Velakoulis Dennis , Looi Jeffrey CL 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: To provide a clinical update for general psychiatrists on the assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), highlighting current issues regarding epidemiology, risk factors and pathophysiology from recent relevant research findings. Conclusions: Psychiatrists can apply their skills and training in the diagnosis of AD, which is based upon a comprehensive assessment comprising history, investigations, and cognitive and functional assessment, guided by accepted diagnostic criteria.
Lateralizing Calcaneal Osteotomies and Their Effect on Calcaneal Alignment: A Three-Dimensional Digital Model Analysis
Authors: Cody Elizabeth A. , Kraszewski Andrew P. , Conti Matthew S. , Ellis Scott J. 
Published: April 2018

Background: Few authors have directly compared multiple types of lateralizing calcaneal osteotomies (LCOs) in terms of their ability to achieve deformity correction. The aim of this research was to use a digital model of a varus hindfoot to compare 4 different LCOs in terms of deformity correction and amount of tuberosity lateralization required. The authors hypothesis was that osteotomies involving a wedge resection would achieve greater correction with less lateralization. Methods: A weightbearing computed tomographic scan of a patient with a varus hindfoot deformity was used to construct a 3-dimensional digital model of the hindfoot, preserving weightbearing alignment. Four different LCOs were modeled: a standard oblique osteotomy, a Dwyer osteotomy, a modified Dwyer osteotomy involving lateralization in addition to wedge resection, and a Malerba Z-type osteotomy with wedge resection and lateralization. Incremental corrections were performed with each osteotomy type, and amount of correction was assessed with a vertical hindfoot angle and measurement of the lateral translation of the most inferior aspect of the calcaneus. Calcaneal length and osteotomy contact surface area were also measured. Results: The modified Dwyer osteotomy led to the greatest improvements in the vertical hindfoot angle and lateral translation, followed by the Malerba osteotomy. The standard and Malerba osteotomies allowed the most preservation of calcaneal length; the Malerba and Dwyer osteotomies had the greatest contact surface area. Conclusion: LCOs that involve wedge resection as well as lateralization were able to achieve the greatest correction of hindfoot varus. Clinical Relevance: For the surgical treatment of cavovarus foot deformities, osteotomies with wedge resection in addition to lateralization enable more powerful correction.
Haemodialysis access thrombosis: Outcomes after surgical thrombectomy versus catheter-directed thrombolytic infusion
Authors: Koraen-Smith Linn , Krasun Matteus , Bottai Matteo , Hedin Ulf , Wahlgren Carl M , Gillgren Peter 
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Thrombosis is one of the most common complications of dialysis vascular access and is a significant source of morbidity and healthcare-associated costs. In this retrospective study, outcomes for surgical thrombectomy and thrombolysis after access thrombosis in patients with arteriovenous fistulas or prosthetic grafts (arteriovenous grafts) were analysed. Methods: All patients with a primary episode of dialysis access thrombosis between 2005 and 2013 were included which yielded 131 patients with 149 episodes of access thrombosis (108 arteriovenous grafts; 41 arteriovenous fistulas). In all, 18 patients had two separate accesses during the study. Patient demographics, access anatomy, surgical and radiological procedural data were recorded. Kaplan–Meier estimates and Poisson regression were used for statistical analysis of access patency. Results: In total, 107 underwent surgical thrombectomy and 42 were treated with catheter-directed thrombolytic infusion. Technical success was 60% for surgical thrombectomy and 73% for thrombolysis (p = 0.18). There were no major complications and no deaths within 30 days of the procedure. More patients had adjunctive procedures in the thrombolysis group (65/107 vs 37/42; p = 0.002). There was an increasing risk of rethrombosis or a further access-related event for both arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts after open thrombectomy compared with catheter-directed thrombolytic infusion, and arteriovenous fistulas exhibited a lower risk than arteriovenous grafts with an average increase in risk of 23.9% (95% confidence interval: 3.1–49) between each treatment group. Conclusion: Thrombolysis for thrombosis of native and prosthetic dialysis accesses appears to yield better assisted primary patency compared to surgical thrombectomy. Our results suggest that thrombolysis may be considered the first-choice method for treating the thrombosed dialysis access.
Cardiac troponin T is associated with mortality in patients admitted to critical care in a UK major trauma centre: a retrospective database analysis
Authors: Crewdson Kate , Thompson Julian , Thomas Matt 
Published: April 2018

Background Elevated levels of cardiac troponin T are associated with poor outcome in critically ill patients and have been proposed as a prognostic marker in major trauma. This study investigated the relationship between cardiac troponin T levels on admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and all-cause mortality in major trauma patients. Methods A retrospective database analysis of cardiac troponin T levels on admission to the ICU in major trauma patients between 1 August 2015 and 31 December 2016 at a UK Major Trauma Centre was performed. Results Of the 243 patients, 69 (28.4%) died. Cardiac troponin T levels were significantly higher in patients who died compared to survivors: 42 vs. 13 ng/L, respectively ( p < 0.0001); the odds of all-cause mortality increased significantly as troponin increased, independent of age or Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score. Discussion This confirms cardiac troponin T at ICU admission as a marker of mortality in major trauma. Elevated cardiac troponin T may be seen in patients without evidence of direct cardiac trauma.
Haloperidol decanoate long-acting injection (HDLAI): Results of a 1-year mirror-image study
Authors: Mace Shubhra , Dzahini Olubanke , O’Hagan Maria , Taylor David 
Published: April 2018

Background: We sought to determine clinical outcomes of the prescribing of haloperidol decanoate long-acting injection (HDLAI) at 1 year. Method: A 1-year mirror-image study of 84 inpatients initiated on HDLAI. Admissions and bed days in the year preceding HDLAI were compared with the year after initiation. Predictors for discontinuation were evaluated. Results: At 1 year, 33% of patients remained on treatment. Patients starting HDLAI because of nonadherence were more likely to stop treatment [relative risk (RR) 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01, 2.91; p = 0.044] whilst patients with a longer duration of illness were more likely to remain on treatment (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.78, 1.00; p = 0.050). In the bed days cohort overall, ( n = 65), there was a significant reduction in mean hospital admissions (1.4/patient/year to 0.6/patient/year; p = 0.0001) but not bed days (55.6/patient to 45.0/patient; p = 0.07) in the year following HDLAI initiation compared with the year before. Continuers had a significant reduction in mean bed days (53.1 to 4.0; p = 0.0002) and hospital admissions (1.5 to 0.2; p = 0.0001). Discontinuers demonstrated a significant reduction in hospital admissions (1.5 to 0.8; p = 0.0001) but not bed days (56.7 to 64.5; p = 0.83). Conclusion: HDLAI was associated with a high treatment discontinuation rate. Hospital admissions fell in the year after HDLAI but there was no change in bed days. Our study suggests that patients with a longer duration of illness and patients initiated on HDLAI for reasons other than poor adherence may benefit from HDLAI initiation.
Clinical efficacy of 12-h metronidazole dosing regimens in patients with anaerobic or mixed anaerobic infections
Authors: Soule Ashley F. , Green Sarah B. , Blanchette Lisa M. 
Published: April 2018

Traditional metronidazole dosing regimens utilize an every 8 h dosing strategy to treat anaerobic and mixed anaerobic infections. However, pharmacokinetic data demonstrate that the half-life of metronidazole is 8–12 h and blood levels at 12 h exceed the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most anaerobic infections. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of clinical cure among patients who received metronidazole every 12 h compared with those who received an every 8 h frequency. Secondary endpoints included duration of antibiotics, hospital length of stay, escalation of antibiotic therapy, microbiologic cure, and mortality. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, pre–post intervention study of 200 patients between June 2014 to July 2016. Results: No significant differences in clinical cure for every 12 h versus every 8 h metronidazole dosing regimens (85% for both groups, p = 1.00) were found. There were no differences in any of the secondary endpoints, with a mean duration of antibiotic therapy being 5.9 versus 5.8 days and a hospital length of stay averaging 8.1 versus 6.7 days for the 12- and 8-h dosing groups, respectively ( p > 0.05). Discussion: Findings validate pharmacokinetic data suggesting that an extended metronidazole dosing interval effectively treats anaerobic infections.
Unlocking Pakistan’s Revenue Potential
Authors: Cevik Serhan 
Published: April 2018

Pakistan’s tax revenue remains low relative to comparator countries and the tax effort expected for the country’s level of development. This creates significant challenges in providing the much-desired fiscal space to expand growth-enhancing expenditure on infrastructure, education, health care and targeted social assistance. This article estimates both short-run and long-run elasticities of tax revenue in Pakistan over the period 1960–2015 to better understand the evolution of tax revenue in the context of changing economic activity, using a novel identification strategy based on the instrumental variable (IV) approach and an error correction model (ECM) to address concerns about the potential endogeneity of tax revenue and economic growth. The empirical results indicate that both short-run and long-run elasticities of tax revenue are slightly above 1 over the sample period. There is, however, significant variation in short-run and long-run elasticities across subcategories of tax revenue. These findings underscore the need for a concerted agenda of comprehensive reforms at federal and provincial levels aimed at broadening tax bases, strengthening revenue administration and taxpayer compliance, eliminating distortionary and overgenerous tax concessions and exemptions, and rationalizing tax policy in an efficient and equitable manner. JEL: C23, C32, E62, H2, H62, H68
Urinary Bladder Stone Passing Using a Persian Herbal Recipe
Authors: Hosseinkhani Ayda , Tabatabaei Fatemeh , Mosaffa-Jahromi Maryam , Pasalar Mehdi 
Published: April 2018

Objective. The intrauterine device (IUD) is a popular contraceptive instrument with reported complications. IUD migration to the urinary bladder, a rare genitourinary tricky situation, may cause stone formation and result in urinary system sequels such as a stone formation and a recurrent infection. Case Report. This is a case report of IUD migration to the urinary bladder, mineralization, and subsequent complications. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman with a copper IUD nidus stone in her urinary bladder. She received a Persian medicine formulation including goat’s head, cornflower, silk corn, field horsetail, cumin, black Spanish radish, and common dandelion. She passed an oxalate stone 3 days later. Conclusion. Inexpensive common traditional recommendations might be helpful in current obstetrics and gynecology practice in our region.
Chemical and behavioral integration of army ant-associated rove beetles – a comparison between specialists and generalists
Authors: von Beeren Christoph , Brückner Adrian , Maruyama Munetoshi , Burke Griffin , Wieschollek Jana , Kronauer Daniel J. C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHost-symbiont interactions are embedded in ecological communities and range from unspecific to highly specific relationships. Army ants and their arthropod guests represent a fascinating example of species-rich host-symbiont associations where host specificity ranges across the entire generalist - specialist continuum. In the present study, we compared the behavioral and chemical integration mechanisms of two extremes of the generalist - specialist continuum: generalist ant-predators in the genusTetradonia(Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Athetini), and specialist ant-mimics in the generaEcitomorphaandEcitophya(Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Ecitocharini). Similar to a previous study ofTetradoniabeetles, we combined DNA barcoding with morphological studies to define species boundaries in ant-mimicking beetles. This approach found four ant-mimicking species at our study site at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Community sampling ofEcitonarmy ant parasites revealed that ant-mimicking beetles were perfect host specialists, each beetle species being associated with a singleEcitonspecies. These specialists were seamlessly integrated into the host colony, while generalists avoided physical contact to host ants in behavioral assays. Analysis of the ants’ nestmate recognition cues, i.e. cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), showed close similarity in CHC composition and CHC concentration between specialists andEciton burchellii forelihost ants. On the contrary, the chemical profiles of generalists matched host profiles less well, indicating that high accuracy in chemical host resemblance is only accomplished by socially integrated species. Considering the interplay between behavior, morphology, and cuticular chemistry, specialists but not generalists have cracked the ants’ social code with respect to various sensory modalities. Our results support the long-standing idea that the evolution of host-specialization in parasites is a trade-off between the range of potential host species and the level of specialization on any particular host.
The emerging role of the microbiota in the ICU
Authors: Wolff Nora Suzanne , Hugenholtz Floor , Wiersinga Willem Joost 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2018. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2018. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.
Fecal microbiota transplantation against intestinal colonization by extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae: a proof of principle study
Authors: Singh Ramandeep , de Groot Pieter F. , Geerlings Suzanne E. , Hodiamont Caspar J. , Belzer Clara , Berge Ineke J. M. ten , de Vos Willem M. , Bemelman Frederike J. , Nieuwdorp Max 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Objective
Infections with multidrug-resistant microorganisms are associated with increased hospitalization, medication costs and mortality. Based on our fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experience for Clostridium difficile infection, we treated 15 patients carrying ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-EB) with FMT. Seven patients underwent a second FMT after 4 weeks when ESBL-EB remained, amounting to a total number of 22 transplants. The objective was decolonization of ESBL-EB.

Results
Three out of fifteen (20%) patients were ESBL-negative at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after the first transplant, while six out of 15 (40%) were negative after the second transplant. Comparison of fecal microbiota at baseline and 4 weeks after FMT revealed restoration of microbial diversity after FMT and a microbial shift towards donor composition. Finally, we suggest several possible factors of response to therapy, such as donor-recipient microbiota match and number of FMTs. Therefore, FMT can be an effective treatment in patients carrying ESBL-EB. Response may be determined by microbiota composition and number of FMT procedures.
Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN48328635 Registered 11 October 2017, retrospectively registered
Problems recruiting and retaining postnatal women to a pilot randomised controlled trial of a web-delivered weight loss intervention
Authors: Haste Anna , Adamson Ashley J. , McColl Elaine , Araujo-Soares Vera , Bell Ruth 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Objective
This paper highlights recruitment and retention problems identified during a pilot randomised controlled trial and process evaluation. The pilot trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a web-delivered weight loss intervention for postnatal women and associated trial protocol.

Results
General practice database searches revealed low rates of eligible postnatal women per practice. 16 (10%) of the 168 identified women were recruited and randomised, seven to the intervention and nine to the control. 57% (4/7) of the intervention women completed 3 month follow-up measurements in comparison to 56% (5/9) in the control group. By 12 months, retention in the intervention group was 43% (3/7), with 2/7 women active on the website, in comparison to 44% (4/9) of the control group. Interview findings revealed the web as an acceptable method for delivery of the intervention, with the suggestion of an addition of a mobile application. Alternative recruitment strategies, using health visitor appointments, midwifery departments or mother and baby/toddler groups, should be explored. Greater involvement of potential users should enable better recruitment methods to be developed.
Trial registration ISRCTN: ISRCTN48086713, Registered 26 October 2012
When social computing meets soft computing: opportunities and insights
Authors: Hao Fei , Park Doo-Soon , Pei Zheng 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe characteristics of the massive social media data, diverse mobile sensing devices as well as the highly complex and dynamic user’s social behavioral patterns have led to the generation of huge amounts of high dimension, uncertain, imprecision and noisy data from social networks. Thanks to the emerging soft computing techniques which unlike the conventional hard computing. It is widely used for coping with the tolerant of imprecision, uncertainty, partial truth, and approximation. One of the most important and promising applications is social network analysis (SNA) that is the process of investigating social structures and relevant properties through the use of network and graph theories. This paper aims to survey various SNA approaches using soft computing techniques such as fuzzy logic, formal concept analysis, rough sets theory and soft set theory. In addition, the relevant software packages about SNA are clearly summarized.
Multiple drug resistance and biocide resistance in Escherichia coli environmental isolates from hospital and household settings
Authors: Ghanem Bothyna , Haddadin Randa Nayef 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Background
Antibiotic resistance of environmental Escherichia coli in hospitals could be increased due to extensive use of biocides resulting in serious infections. In this study, the prevalence of antibiotic resistance of environmental isolates of E. coli from hospitals and household settings were evaluated and compared. In addition, the association between biocide minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and multiple drug resistance (MDR) was investigated.

Methods
Environmental samples were collected from different homes and hospitals in Amman, Jordan. The isolates were identified phenotypically and by PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and MIC of selected biocides were performed on the isolates. Screening for blaCTX-M group 1 was also performed.

Results
Of 21 E. coli strains isolated, 47.6% were MDR and 67.9% were phenotypically identified as extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. The occurrence of these ESBL isolates was comparable between household and hospital settings (P > 0.05). The MIC values of the biocides tested against all isolates were well below the in-use concentration of biocides. Moreover, the MICs of biocides were comparable between isolates from households and those from hospitals (P > 0.05). No association was found between MDR and biocide MIC (P > 0.05). Most of ESBL isolates harboured blaCTX-M 1.

Conclusions
The extensive use of biocides in hospitals is not associated with MDR nor does it affect the MIC of biocides against E.coli.
Everybody loves beauty? The moderated effect of body attractiveness among young Koreans
Authors: Baek Eunsoo , Choo Ho Jung 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPhysical attractiveness affects people’s lives in numerous ways. This study examined the effect of a woman’s body attractiveness on favorability perception based on the ‘beauty-is-good’ stereotype in the context of South Korea. Body attractiveness was operationalized using tallness in Study 1 and slimness in Study 2. The two studies tested the effect of a woman’s body attractiveness with the consideration of participants’ gender and the dependence of participants’ self-worth on their appearance. A general linear model with a 2 (target woman’s bodily attractiveness: high vs. low) × 2 (participants’ gender: female vs. male) design and participants’ appearance-contingent self-worth as a continuous predictor was performed. Results of these studies indicated that participants’ gender and appearance-contingent self-worth moderated the positive effect of body attractiveness on favorability perception; specifically, this effect was supported by men with high appearance-contingent self-worth and women with low appearance-contingent self-worth. Interestingly, women with high appearance-contingent self-worth showed opposite effect of body attractiveness on favorability perception in Study 2. These findings extend the effect of the beauty-is-good stereotype to bodily aspects and address the interaction between participants’ gender and appearance-contingent self-worth. Discussions on tallness and slimness are provided.
The effect of thermal insulation pads on heat flux, physical effort and perceived exertion during endurance exercise in cool environments
Authors: Wenger Sebastian , Csapo Robert , Hasler Michael , Gatterer Hannes , Wright Tom , Nachbauer Werner 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTo determine the effects of thermal insulation pads on clothing surface temperature, physical effort and perceived exertion during endurance exercise in cool environments two different pants (PCOOL, PINSUL) were designed: PCOOL (Insulation: 0.055 clo) was made of a thin base material while PINSUL (Insulation: 0.131 clo) featured additional insulation pads covering ~ 30% of its surface, which were placed over the working leg muscles. Two sets of experiments were performed to compare both pants: Study A was completed in 10 active sportsmen who were instructed to run on a treadmill for 45 min at 60% of their maximal running velocity (vmax) at 7 °C. In study B, 8 endurance athletes completed the run with 70% vmax at 0 °C. Lower and upper body clothing surface temperatures (TLB, TUB), auditory canal temperature, blood lactate, heart rate, subjects´ loss of body mass and perceived exertion were measured. In both studies TLB was found to be lower with PINSUL, reflecting smaller heat loss due to the better thermal insulation. However no significant differences between pants were found for auditory canal temperature, blood lactate, heart rate, subjects´ loss of body mass or perceived exertion. Inserting insulation pads into sports apparel is a practicable approach to limit heat emission from working muscles during endurance exercise in the cold without impairing overall body-heat dissipation. However, under the environmental conditions and exercise intensities tested in this study, the thermal insulation of leg muscles failed to significantly affect parameters reflecting physical effort or perceived exertion.