bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Subsequent Risk of Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hirayama Atsushi , Goto Tadahiro , Shimada Yuichi J. , Faridi Mohammad Kamal , Camargo Carlos A. , Hasegawa Kohei 
Published: September 2018

Background
Although emerging evidence has suggested the relationship of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with atrial fibrillation (AF), little is known about whether acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) increases the risk of repeated AF-related healthcare utilization.

Methods
This is a self-controlled case series study using the population-based emergency department (ED) and inpatient databases of 5 US states from 2007 through 2012. Among patients with existing AF, we identified patients with an AECOPD hospitalization and at least 1 ED visit or hospitalization for AF during the observation period. We constructed conditional Poisson regression models to compare the rate of AF-related ED visits or hospitalizations during sequential 90-day periods after the AECOPD hospitalization, with pre-AECOPD days 1 to 90 as the reference.

Results

We analyzed 944 patients who were hospitalized for AECOPD and had an ED visit or hospitalization for AF during a 450-day period. The median age was 77 years, and 41% were men. Compared with the reference period, the rate of AF-related ED visits or hospitalizations significantly increased in the post-AECOPD days 1 to 90 (7.3 versus 14.1 per 100 person-months; rate ratio, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.63–2.29;
P
<0.001). Then, the rate decreased to the reference level in the post-AECOPD days 91 to 180 (7.5 per 100 person-months; rate ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.85–1.25;
P
=0.77) and remained at the reference level during post-AECOPD days 181 to 270 (rate ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.68–1.03;
P
=0.09) and days 271 to 360 (rate ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.73–1.10;
P
=0.29). These temporal associations persisted with stratification by age, sex, and season.

Conclusions
Among patients with existing AF, AECOPD was associated with a higher risk of AF-related ED visit or hospitalization in the first 90-day post-AECOPD period.
Left Ventricular Systolic Longitudinal Function as Predictor of Outcome in Patients With Sepsis
Authors: Palmieri Vittorio , Innocenti Francesca , Guzzo Aurelia , Guerrini Elisa , Vignaroli Damiano , Pini Riccardo 
Published: September 2018

Background—
In sepsis, whether the assessment of left ventricular global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS) is feasible and prognostically relevant remains controversial.

Methods and Results—

Consecutive patients admitted to a high-dependency observational unit with sepsis or septic shock were evaluated. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) by planimetry and peak GLS by 2D speckle tracking were available at admission in 115 of 149 (77%) patients. Compared with patients included in the study, those excluded (n=34, 23%) showed higher proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
P
<0.01), but with comparable clinical characteristics and mortality rates. GLS showed lowest variability for low EF and highest for higher EF. By day-28 follow-up, all-cause mortality was 30% (n=34 and n=19 within 7 days from hospitalization). GLS and EF were both more abnormal in deceased than in those alive by day-28 follow-up (both
P
<0.05, findings consistent using day-7 follow-up data). GLS showed a borderline relationship with mortality by day-28 follow-up (hazard ratio 1.16/%,
P
=0.05), whereas EF did not (hazard ratio 0.99/%,
P
=0.63) accounting for age; the lack of association of all-cause mortality with EF was consistent at day-7 follow-up (hazard ratio 0.94/%,
P
=0.9), whereas more abnormal GLS correlated significantly with higher mortality rate (hazard ratio 1.30/%,
P
=0.03) independent to age.

Conclusions—
In patients with sepsis assisted in a high-dependency observational unit, feasibility of assessments of left ventricular EF and GLS within 24 h from the hospitalization was acceptable and EF showed no prognostic relevance, whereas GLS showed a correlation with mortality rate potentially relevant in shorter more than in longer follow-ups.
Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular-Arterial Coupling
Authors: Martens Pieter , Verbrugge Frederik H. , Bertrand Philippe B. , Verhaert David , Vandervoort Pieter , Dupont Matthias , Tang W.H. Wilson , Janssens Stefan , Mullens Wilfried 
Published: September 2018

Background
Acute and chronic effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on pulmonary pressures, right ventricular function, and ventricular-vascular coupling during exercise are insufficiently understood. Yet, these factors are strongly associated with functional status and outcome.

Methods and Results

Heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction indicated for CRT were prospectively included to undergo exercise echocardiography simultaneously with cardiopulmonary exercise testing before (pre_CRT), 1 day after (post_CRT), and 6 months (post6_CRT) after CRT implant. Right ventricular-arterial coupling was assessed by the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) ratio. A total of 31 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (age=66±13 years) were prospectively included. CRT resulted in an immediate reduction in rest SPAP (pre_CRT=32±16 versus post_CRT=23±16 mm Hg;
P
=0.006) and rest effective regurgitant orifice (pre_CRT=0.32±0.1 versus post_CRT=0.18±0.2;
P
=0.001) without changes in exercise mitral regurgitation or exercise SPAP indexed for cardiac output. Six months after CRT, in parallel with left ventricular reverse remodeling and a reduction in exercise mitral regurgitation and exercise E/e′ ratio, the exercise SPAP/cardiac output significantly improved (post_CRT=5.6±3.1 versus post6_CRT=4.3±2.9 mm Hg·L
−1
·min
−1
;
P
=0.039), which was also illustrated by a reduced slope of ΔSPAP/Δcardiac output (post_CRT=5.2±3.7 versus post6_CRT=2.9±2.7 mm Hg·L
−1
·min
−1
;
P
=0.002). CRT did not result in an acute or chronic effect on TAPSE or TAPSE/SPAP ratio at rest. However, exercise revealed the presence of right ventricular-arterial uncoupling which was not affected by an acute CRT effect (
P
=0.396) but only improved by a chronic CRT effect (
P
<0.001; TAPSE/SPAP ratio: pre_CRT= 0.39±0.6 mm/mm Hg; post_CRT=0.42±0.5 mm/mm Hg; post6_CRT =0.84±0.12 mm/mm Hg). Of all exercise echocardiography variables, the TAPSE/SPAP ratio demonstrated the strongest correlation with V
o
2
peak (
r
=0.475), VE/V
co
2
(
r
=−0.585), and workload (
r
=0.476) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (
P
<0.05 all). Multivariate predictors affecting exercise ventricular-arterial coupling after CRT included metrics of residual exercise mitral regurgitation and systolic and diastolic left ventricular function.

Conclusions
Chronic CRT beneficially influences pulmonary pressures and right ventricular-arterial coupling during exercise, which strongly relates to functional status. These findings are mechanistically linked to reverse remodeling with improved interventricular dependence and reduction in exercise mitral regurgitation.
Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Platelet Function Profiles in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Taking Dual Antiplatelet Therapy
Authors: Gong Wei , Wang Xiao , Fan Jingyao , Nie Shaoping , Wei Yongxiang 
Published: September 2018

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (
OSA
) is a novel risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (
ACS
). Several studies have shown
OSA
to be associated with induced platelet reactivity. However, whether
OSA
have effects on platelet function profiles in
ACS
patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy remains unexplored.

Methods and Results

This was a cross‐sectional observational study, in which
ACS
patients taking maintenance aspirin and clopidogrel therapy were included.
OSA
was defined as an apnea‐hypopnea index ≥15 events/hour. The inhibitory rate of arachidonic acid or adenosine diphosphate pathway were assessed with thrombelastography and defined patients with high residual on‐treatment platelet reactivity. Platelet indices were obtained from routine analysis of blood samples using an automated blood cell counter. A total of 127
ACS
patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy were analyzed. Platelet volume indices, including mean platelet volume and platelet large cell ratio, were significantly increased in patients with
OSA
. Patients with
OSA
(n=68) had significantly lower inhibitory rate of adenosine diphosphate receptor pathway (
P
=0.028) compared with those without (n=59). After adjustment for potential confounders, patients with
OSA
were more likely to have high residual on‐treatment platelet reactivity after clopidogrel therapy (adjusted odds ratio: 3.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.19–8.87,
P
=0.021).

Conclusions

In
ACS
patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy,
OSA
is associated with an increased level of platelet volume indices, reduced clopidogrel‐induced antiplatelet effects and a greater prevalence of high residual on‐treatment platelet reactivity.
Effect of Fetal Growth on 1‐Year Mortality in Neonates With Critical Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Steurer Martina A. , Baer Rebecca J. , Burke Edmund , Peyvandi Shabnam , Oltman Scott , Chambers Christina D. , Norton Mary E. , Rand Larry , Rajagopal Satish , Ryckman Kelli K. , Feuer Sky K. , Liang Liang , Paynter Randi A. , McCarthy Molly , Moon‐Grady Anita J. , Keller Roberta L. , Jelliffe‐Pawlowski Laura L. 
Published: September 2018

Background

Infants with critical congenital heart disease (
CCHD
) are more likely to be small for gestational age (GA). It is unclear how this affects mortality. The authors investigated the effect of birth weight
Z
score on 1‐year mortality separately in preterm (GA <37 weeks), early‐term (GA 37–38 weeks), and full‐term (GA 39–42 weeks) infants with
CCHD
.

Methods and Results

Live‐born infants with
CCHD
and
GA
22 to 42 weeks born in California 2007–2012 were included in the analysis. The primary predictor was
Z
score for birth weight and the primary outcome was 1‐year mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used. Results are presented as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (
CIs
). The authors identified 6903 infants with
CCHD
. For preterm and full‐term infants, only a
Z
score for birth weight <−2 was associated with increased mortality compared with the reference group (
Z
score 0–0.5, adjusted odds ratio, 2.15 [95%
CI
, 1.1–4.21] and adjusted odds ratio, 3.93 [95%
CI
, 2.32–6.68], respectively). In contrast, in early‐term infants, the adjusted odds ratios for
Z
scores <−2, −2 to −1, and −1 to −0.5 were 3.42 (95%
CI
, 1.93–6.04), 1.78 (95%
CI
, 1.12–2.83), and 2.03 (95%
CI
, 1.27–3.23), respectively, versus the reference group.

Conclusions

GA
seems to modify the effect of birth weight
Z
score on mortality in infants with
CCHD
. In preterm and full‐term infants, only the most severe small‐for‐GA infants (
Z
score <−2) were at increased risk for mortality, while, in early‐term infants, the risk extended to mild to moderate small‐for‐GA infants (
Z
score <−0.5). This information helps to identify high‐risk infants and is useful for surgical planning.
Rising China and Global Investment Governance: An Overview of Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Pathirana Dilini 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
International investment is one of the fields of global governance that is likely to be affected by China’s rise as a global superpower in general, and its rise as a global investor in particular. It has become manifest by China’s leadership in forming of the G20 Guiding Principles for Global Investment Policymaking and in establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, while signaling the country’s growing capacity to influence global investment governance. However, China’s aspiration to steer global investment governance is being hindered by the increased backlash against globalisation and the investment treaty regime, as well as the rapid growth of Chinese investments. At the same time that protectionist measures aimed at Chinese investments are on the rise, the Belt and Road Initiative is underway, which will increase Chinese desire to safeguard the interests of Chinese investors. Consequently, it is possible that a Beijing-based pole in global investment governance could emerge, just as reforms are underway to address the legitimacy crisis in the regime.
An Aircraft-Based Study of Strong Gap Flows in Nares Strait, Greenland
Authors: Heinemann Günther 
Published: September 2018

AbstractGap flows and the stable boundary layer were studied in northwest Greenland during the aircraft-based Investigation of Katabatic Winds and Polynyas during Summer (IKAPOS) experiment in June 2010. The measurements were performed using the research aircraft POLAR 5 of Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI; Bremerhaven). Besides navigational and basic meteorological instrumentation, the aircraft was equipped with radiation and surface temperature sensors and a turbulence measurement system. In the area of Smith Sound at the southern end of the Nares Strait, a stable, but fully turbulent, boundary layer with strong winds of up to 22 m s−1 was found during conditions of synoptically induced northerly winds through the Nares Strait. Strong surface inversions were present in the lowest 100–200 m. As a consequence of channeling effects, a well-pronounced low-level jet system was documented for each of four flights. The wind maximum is located at 20–50-km distance from the exit of Smith Sound. The 3D boundary layer structure past this gap is studied in detail. The channeling process is consistent with gap flow theory. The flow through the gap and over the surrounding mountains leads to the lowering of isotropic surfaces and the acceleration of the flow. The orographically channeled flow through Smith Sound plays a key role for the formation of the North Water polynya being the largest ice-producing polynya in the Arctic.
Formative research to underpin a text messaging home safety intervention for young mothers
Authors: Mello Michael J , Gilbard Zoe , Burstein Dina , Baird Janette , Zonfrillo Mark R , Flanagan Patricia , Linakis James G , Hackman Holly , Howland Jonathan 
Published: September 2018

Objective: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for infants and young children in the USA, and the children of young mothers are at an even higher risk. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been successful in promoting behaviour change for many health conditions. This study assessed interest in mSafety, a text and video messaging mHealth intervention targeting injury prevention knowledge, behaviour and self-efficacy in young mothers. Design: Interviews with young mothers were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Setting: Interviews took place at a health clinic for teenage mothers and their children and at a local public charter high school which serves pregnant teenagers and young mothers. Method: A trained research assistant conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 young mothers (ages 15–20). Participants were asked both closed and open-ended questions to elicit opinions about their willingness to utilise mSafety. Results: The results of the interviews were positive. Participants were most interested in learning about the prevention of falls and poisonings, as well as safe sleep. Many emphasised that the language of the messages should be simple and that videos could be included to demonstrate methods of injury prevention. Most interviewees were willing to participate in a ‘virtual home safety visit’ in which participants text home photos to an expert to evaluate home safety practices. Conclusion: The concept of an mHealth intervention that would provide young mothers with the tools to prevent injuries among their children received positive feedback.
Carcinoembryonic antigen levels correlated with advanced disease in medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Turkdogan Sena , Forest Véronique-Isabelle , Hier Michael P. , Tamilia Michael , Florea Anca , Payne Richard J. 
Published: September 2018

Background Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) cells are capable of secreting various tumor markers including calcitonin and carcinoembyronic antigen (CEA). The purpose of this study is to determine whether abnormal CEA levels may be used as a tumor marker to predict the severity of disease in MTC. Methods A retrospective analysis was completed for 33 patients with MTC who had preoperative serum CEA levels. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to quantify the relationship between serum CEA levels and tumor stage and prognosis. Results On multivariate analysis, elevated preoperative CEA levels were significantly associated with the size and stage of tumor, distant metastasis, decreased biochemical cure, and mortality. There was a significant association between tumor size greater than 37 mm and elevated CEA levels (> 271 ng/ml). There was also a positive correlation with increased cancer stage (> 377 ng/ml), distant metastasis (> 405 ng/ml), and contralateral compartment location of lymph node metastasis (> 162 ng/ml). When pre-operative CEA levels are > 500 ng/ml, patient mortality was 67%. Conclusion In this study, both pre-operative calcitonin and CEA levels were significantly correlated with the extent of disease in MTC. While calcitonin has a linear relationship with disease progression, abnormal CEA levels were a better indicator of advanced disease. CEA levels > 271 ng/ml are significant for advanced tumor size and staging, metastasis to the central compartment, and decreased chance of biochemical cure. CEA levels greater than 500 ng/ml are associated with significant patient mortality.
Improving vaccination uptake in pediatric Cochlear implant recipients
Authors: Jin Lisa , Téllez Paula , Chia Ruth , Lu Daphne , Chadha Neil K. , Pauwels Julie , Dobson Simon , Al Eid Hazim , Kozak Frederick K. 
Published: September 2018

Background An Infectious Disease vaccine specialist joined our institution's Cochlear Implant Team in 2010 in order to address the high percentage of non-compliance to immunization prior to surgery identified previously from an internal review. The purpose of this study was to (1) review the immunization status of cochlear implant recipients in 2010–2014, (2) assess if introducing a vaccine specialist made a significant change in vaccination compliance and (3) elucidate any barriers to vaccination compliance. Methods Retrospective chart review and a telephone survey. Medical records of 116 cochlear implant recipients between 2010 and 2014 were reviewed. A telephone survey was conducted to obtain the current vaccination status in children who required post-operative vaccinations with incomplete records on chart review and, if applicable, the reason for non-compliance. Results Between 2010 and 2014, 98% of children were up-to-date at the time of surgery, compared to 67% up-to-date at the time of surgery between 2002 and 2007. 27 children were included in our post-operative immunization analysis. 29.6% (8/27) failed to receive necessary vaccinations post-surgery. Pneumovax-23, a vaccine for high-risk patients (such as cochlear implant candidates) was missed in all cases. Conclusion Pre-operative vaccination for cochlear implant recipients improved dramatically with the addition of a vaccine specialist. However, a significant proportion of patients requiring vaccinations post-surgery did not receive them. The main reason for non-compliance was due to parents being unaware that their children required this vaccine postoperatively by being “high-risk”. Although improvement was demonstrated, a communication gap continued to impede the adequacy of vaccination uptake in pediatric cochlear implant recipients following surgery at age 2 when the high-risk vaccine was due.
Reverse shoulder joint replacement in rheumatoid arthritis: medium-term results in 37 patients
Authors: Makarov M. A. , Roskidailo A. A. , Panteleev M. V. 
Published: September 2018

Objective:to assess functional results and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after reverse shoulder joint replacement.Patients and methods.Examinations were made in 37 patients with RA involving the shoulder joint, who underwent shoulder joint replacement using a reverse DeltaX-tend DePuy prosthesis in 2006–2017. The investigators studied the volume of movements, the level of pain using the visual analogue scale, the function of the shoulder joint using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score and the upper limb as a whole by the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, a patient's functional status by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), quality of life (QL) by EQ-5D (Euro Quolish instrument) and analyzed shoulder X-ray films before and in the late periods after surgery.Results.The volume of shoulder joint movements was found to increase. At 28.7 months postsurgery, the mean volume of flexion, abduction, and external rotation was 107.4Ѓ}15.2, 128.3Ѓ}8.5, and 46.4Ѓ}5.5°; respectively (p≤0.05). The patients experienced no pain in the late periods following surgery. Prior to surgery and at control examination, the mean ASES scores were 25.0Ѓ}4.7 and 79.4Ѓ}6.4, respectively (p≤0.05). Before surgery, the mean DASH score was 63.8Ѓ}4.2; in the late periods it decreased to 18.2Ѓ}8.6 (p ≤ 0.05). The mean preoperative HAQ score was 2.81; following surgery, it also decreased to 1.39 (p≤0.05). The postoperative EQ-5D QOL index score increased from 0.41 to 0.72. The rate of complications reached 10.8%.Conclusion.Reverse endoprosthetic replacement for end-stage shoulder joint damage (Larsen 4–5) with rotator cuff defect makes it possible to increase the volume of movements, to reduce pain, and to improve upper limb function, functional status, and quality of life in patients with RA.
Deep CNN Combined With Relevance Feedback for Trademark Image Retrieval
Authors: Pinjarkar Latika , Sharma Manisha , Selot Smita 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Trademark recognition and retrieval is a vital appliance component of content-based image retrieval (CBIR). Reduction in the semantic gap, attaining more accuracy, reduction in computation complexity, and hence in execution time, are the major challenges in designing and developing a trademark retrieval system. The direction of the proposed work takes into account these challenges by implementing trademark image retrieval through deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) integrated with a relevant feedback mechanism. The dataset features are optimized through particle swarm optimization (PSO), reducing the search space. These best/optimized features are given to the self-organizing map (SOM) for clustering at the preprocessing stage. The CNN model is trained on feature representations of relevant and irrelevant images, using the feedback information from the user bringing the marked relevant images closer to the query. Experimentation proved a significant performance when evaluated using FlickrLogos-27, FlickrLogos-32, and FlickrLogos-32 PLUS datasets, as illustrated in the performance results section.