bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intracranial hemorrhages in neonates born from 32 weeks of gestation—low frequency of associated fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: a register‐based study
Authors: Refsum Erle , Håkansson Stellan , Mörtberg Anette , Wikman Agneta , Westgren Magnus 
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUNDFetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of one in 1000 to 2000 live births. Predominantly, FNAIT is due to maternal alloantibodies that target paternally derived human platelet antigen (HPA) 1a. The most feared complication is an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of associated maternal platelet (PLT) alloimmunization in a population of neonates born from 32 weeks of gestation and diagnosed with an ICH.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe Swedish Neonatal Quality (SNQ) register was used to identify neonates diagnosed with an ICH born between 2003 and 2012. Mothers were invited to donate peripheral blood, to investigate their HPA‐1a antigen status, and test for anti‐HPA and anti‐HLA Class I alloantibodies. Clinical data for the neonates were retrieved from the SNQ register and available clinical records.RESULTSOf 286 registered neonates, 278 mothers were contacted. Of 105 analyzed maternal samples, two (1.9%) were HPA‐1a antigen negative. Antibody analyses revealed in total three (2.9%) mothers with anti‐HPA: one mother (0.94%) with anti‐HPA‐1a and two mothers (1.9%) with anti‐HPA‐5b, of whom one had concurrent anti‐HPA‐15a. Twenty‐four percent tested positive for anti‐HLA Class I antibodies. A total of 8.5% of neonates (5/59) with PLT counts available in clinical records were severely thrombocytopenic, with PLT counts of less than 50 × 109/L.CONCLUSIONSThis retrospective cohort revealed a wide range of factors associated with ICH in neonates born from 32 weeks of gestation and suggests PLT alloimmunization to be a less common contributor than anticipated.
A nucleic acid amplification repeat testing algorithm reveals high risk of hepatitis B and C transmission with serologic blood screening practice in Punjab, India
Authors: Kumar R. , Shyamala V. , Lelie N. , Kumar P. , Kaur A. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundLack of confirmatory testing of reactive donations for hepatitis C (HCV), B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency (HIV) viruses hampers reliable residual transmission risk analysis in India.Materials and MethodsIn our centre, 39 295 blood donations were tested for HIV Ag/Ab, anti‐HCV and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by a variety of ELISAs and in parallel by individual donation nucleic acid amplification technology (ID‐NAT). NAT yields were confirmed by triplicate repeat reactivity in primary test‐tube and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) samples as well as by viral load (VL) testing and supplemental serologic assays.ResultsNAT and serology concordant reactive results included 23 (0·06%), 290 (0·74%) and 254 (0·65%) donations for HIV, HCV and HBV, respectively. Additionally, 15 HCV (1/2620) and 29 HBV (1/1355) seronegative NAT yield donations were confirmed. HBV marker testing identified three (1/13 100) window period (WP), 25 (1/1637) occult HBV infection (OBI) and one anti‐HBs breakthrough infection. ID‐NAT has reduced residual risk of infection from 1/2600 to 1/270 000 for HCV WP, 1/8000 to 1/21 000 for HBV WP and 1/11 000 to 1/66 000 for OBI.ConclusionA NAT repeat test algorithm was instrumental for confirmation of viral infection and revealed high residual risk of hepatitis B and C transmission by the practiced ELISA blood testing.
Use of skin stretchers for single‐stage bilateral mastectomies in a dog and a cat
Authors: Miyazaki Yuta , Aikawa Takeshi , Shimatsu Taichi , Nishimura Masaaki , Sadahiro Shigeo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the application of skin stretchers for closure of single‐stage bilateral mastectomies in a dog and a cat.Study DesignClinical case report.AnimalsA 12‐year‐old intact female Miniature Dachshund and a 13‐year‐old spayed female domestic short‐hair cat.MethodsSkin stretchers were applied to the site of the skin adjacent to mammary glands for 2‐4 days before surgery. Cable tension was adjusted every 6‐8 hours to elongate the skin and to achieve primary closure of single‐stage bilateral mastectomy without tension.ResultsWound closure after single‐stage bilateral mastectomy was achieved without tension or major complication in both animals.ConclusionUse of skin stretchers allows primary closure of single‐stage bilateral mastectomy in dogs and cats.
Non‐invasive methods for the assessment of brown adipose tissue in humans
Authors: Chondronikola Maria , Beeman Scott C. , Wahl Richard L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBrown adipose tissue (BAT) is a recently rediscovered tissue in people that has shown promise as a potential therapeutic target against obesity and its metabolic abnormalities. Reliable non‐invasive assessment of BAT volume and activity is critical to allow its importance in metabolic control to be evaluated. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in combination with 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoroglucose administration is currently the most frequently used and most established method for the detection and quantification of activated BAT in humans. However, it involves radiation exposure and can detect activated (e.g. after cold exposure), but not quiescent, BAT. Several alternative methods that overcome some of these limitations have been developed including different PET approaches, single‐photon emission imaging, CT, magnetic resonance based approaches, contrast‐enhanced ultrasound, near infrared spectroscopy, and temperature assessment of fat depots containing brown adipocytes. The purpose of this review is to summarize and critically evaluate the currently available methods that non‐invasively probe various aspects of BAT biology in order to assess BAT volume and/or metabolism. Although several of these methods show promise for the non‐invasive assessment of BAT volume and function, further research is needed to optimize them to enable an accurate, reproducible and practical means for the assessment of human BAT content and its metabolic function.
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Design of Bio-Inspired Mobile Robot Using Piezoelectric Transducers As Drives
Authors: Jovanova Jovana , Dobrivojevski Filip , Dimoska Martina 
Published: November 2017

This paper focuses on the design and development of a bio-inspired mobile robot using piezoelectric transducers as drives. The design of the device aimed to imitate the trajectory movement of a crawl-like animal. Design constraints as producing controlled movement with piezoelectric transducer, as well as the combination of multiple piezoelectric patches into one mobile robot are presented in their practical aspects. The robot uses 2 piezoelectric transducers as main drives, but also as main structural components of the device. The patches are connected with a thin light rod, and the kinematic of movement is achieved with 4 tiny wooden legs connected on each of the patches.
The project investigates the possibility and effectiveness of the piezoelectric transducers for movement of the bio-inspired mobile robot. From conceptual development, to the mechanical design and control, the mobile robot is used to test different trajectories of movement. Ni RIO Evaluation kit has been incorporated as a real-time and FPGA control platform for the mobile robot while using Labview programing environment. To accomplish complex trajectories of movement the velocity of the robot was measured for straight line and rotation of the robot.
How the news media activate public expression and influence national agendas
Authors: King Gary , Schneer Benjamin , White Ariel 
Published: November 2017

Measuring the impact of the mediaThe active participation of the people is one of the central components of a functioning democracy. Kinget al.performed a real-world randomized experiment in the United States to understand the causal effect of news stories on increasing public discussion of a specific topic (see the Policy Forum by Gentzkow). Social media posts increased by almost 20% the first day after the publication of news stories on a wide range of topics. Furthermore, the posts were relatively evenly distributed across political affiliation, gender, and region of the United States.Science, this issue p.776; see also p.726
Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture for Chronic Knee Pain
Authors: Zhang Qinhong , Yue Jinhuan , Golianu Brenda , Sun Zhongren , Lu Ying 
Published: November 2017

Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic knee pain (CKP). Methods We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTERAL, CINAHL and four Chinese medical databases from their inception to June 2017. We included randomised controlled trials of acupuncture as the sole treatment or as an adjunctive treatment for CKP. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale and 11-point numeric rating scale. Secondary outcome measurements included the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and adverse events. The quality of all included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias criteria and the STRICTA (Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture) checklist. Results Nineteen trials were included in this systematic review. Of these, data from 17 studies were available for analysis. Regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture alone or combined with other treatment, the results of the meta-analysis showed that acupuncture was associated with significantly reduced CKP at 12 weeks on WOMAC pain subscale (mean difference (MD) −1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.98 to −0.26, I2=62%, 3 trials, 608 participants) and VAS (MD −10.56, 95% CI −17.69 to −3.44, I2=0%, 2 trials, 145 patients). As for safety, no difference was found between the acupuncture and control groups (risk ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.17, I2=29%). Conclusion From this systematic review, we conclude that acupuncture may be effective at relieving CKP 12 weeks after acupuncture administration, based on the current evidence and our protocol. However, given the heterogeneity and methodological limitations of the included trials, we are currently unable to draw any strong conclusions regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic knee pain. In addition, we found that acupuncture appears to have a satisfactory safety profile, although further studies with larger numbers of participants are needed to confirm the safety of this technique. Strengths Systematic review without language restrictions. Limitations Only a few high-quality and consistent trials could be included in this review.
Optical coherence tomographic angiography identifies peripapillary microvascular dilation and focal non-perfusion in giant cell arteritis
Authors: Gaier Eric D , Gilbert Aubrey L , Cestari Dean M , Miller John B 
Published: November 2017

AimsWe set out to determine the optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCT-A) characteristics of arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AAION) in the context of giant cell arteritis (GCA).MethodsThis is an observational case series of four patients with AAION secondary to GCA, three with unilateral AAION and one with bilateral AAION. We reviewed the charts, fundus photography, visual fields, fluorescein angiography (FA) and OCT-A images for all patients to identify a unifying theme in a range of AAION clinical severity. Imaging of two healthy control eyes from two patients of similar age to the patients in our series were used for comparison.ResultsSuperficial peripapillary capillary dilation was seen in eyes with acute AAION. It was also noted in the fellow eyes of two patients. Retinal capillary perfusion defects corresponded to visual field loss. Dense optic disc oedema and cotton-wool spots imparted blockage effects. OCT-A laminar analysis did not highlight the choroidal/choriocapillaris perfusion defects seen on FA in two patients. Follow-up OCT-A was obtained in two patients and revealed progression to superficial peripapillary capillary attenuation that corresponded with visual field loss.ConclusionsThere are acute and chronic vascular changes in AAION that are detectable by OCT-A that correspond with visual function. Though the microvascular changes seen in GCA and AAION are not specific, the nearly ubiquitous findings among preclinical and clinically affected eyes in this series of patients with GCA support OCT-A as a potentially useful adjunctive diagnostic test in the work-up of ambiguous cases of suspected ischaemic optic neuropathy.
Simulation-based inter-professional education to improve attitudes towards collaborative practice: a prospective comparative pilot study in a Chinese medical centre
Authors: Yang Ling-Yu , Yang Ying-Ying , Huang Chia-Chang , Liang Jen-Feng , Lee Fa-Yauh , Cheng Hao-Min , Huang Chin-Chou , Kao Shou-Yen 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesInter-professional education (IPE) builds inter-professional collaboration (IPC) attitude/skills of health professionals. This interventional IPE programme evaluates whether benchmarking sharing can successfully cultivate seed instructors responsible for improving their team members’ IPC attitudes.DesignProspective, pre-post comparative cross-sectional pilot study.Setting/participantsThirty four physicians, 30 nurses and 24 pharmacists, who volunteered to be trained as seed instructors participated in 3.5-hour preparation and 3.5-hour simulation courses. Then, participants (n=88) drew lots to decide 44 presenters, half of each profession, who needed to prepare IPC benchmarking and formed Group 1. The remaining participants formed Group 2 (regular). Facilitators rated the Group 1 participants’ degree of appropriate transfer and sustainable practice of the learnt IPC skills in the workplace according to successful IPC examples in their benchmarking sharing.ResultsFor the three professions, improvement in IPC attitude was identified by sequential increase in the post-course (second month, T2) and end-of-study (third month, T3) Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) and Attitudes Towards Healthcare Teams Scale (ATHCTS) scores, compared with pre-course (first month, T1) scores. By IEPS and ATHCTS-based assessment, the degree of sequential improvements in IPC attitude was found to be higher among nurses and pharmacists than in physicians. In benchmarking sharing, the facilitators’ agreement about the degree of participants’appropriate transfer and sustainable practice learnt ‘communication and teamwork’ skills in the workplace were significantly higher among pharmacists and nurses than among physicians. The post-intervention random sampling survey (sixth month, Tpost) found that the IPC attitude of the three professions improved after on-site IPC skill promotion by new programme-trained seed instructors within teams.ConclusionsAddition of benchmark sharing to a diamond-based IPE simulation programme enhances participants’ IPC attitudes, self-reflection, workplace transfer and practice of the learnt skills. Furthermore, IPC promotion within teams by newly trained seed instructors improved the IPC attitudes across all three professions.
Study protocol for the Cities Changing Diabetes programme: a global mixed-methods approach
Authors: Napier A. David , Nolan John J , Bagger Malene , Hesseldal Louise , Volkmann Anna-Maria 
Published: November 2017

IntroductionUrban living has been shown to affect health in various ways. As the world is becoming more urbanised and almost two-thirds of people with diabetes now live in cities, research into the relationship between urban living, health and diabetes is key to improving the lives of many. The majority of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, a subset linked to overweight and obesity, decreased physical activity and unhealthy diets. Diabetes has significant consequences for those living with the condition as well as their families, relationships and wider society. Although care and management are improving, complications remain common, and diabetes is among the leading causes of vision loss, amputation, neuropathy and renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide. We present a research protocol for exploring the drivers of type 2 diabetes and its complications in urban settings through the Cities Changing Diabetes (CCD) partnership programme.Methods and analysisA global study protocol is implemented in eight collaborating CCD partner cities. In each city, academic institutions, municipal representatives and local stakeholders collaborate to set research priorities and plan implementation of findings. Local academic teams execute the study following the global study protocol presented here. A quantitative Rule of Halves analysis obtains measures of the magnitude of the diabetes burden, the diagnosis rates in each city and the outcomes of care. A qualitative Diabetes Vulnerability Assessment explores the urban context in vulnerability to type 2 diabetes and identifies social factors and cultural determinants relevant to health, well-being and diabetes.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol steers the collection of primary and secondary data across the study sites. Research ethics board approval has been sought and obtained in each site. Findings from each of the local studies as well as the result from combined multisite (global) analyses will be reported in a series of core scientific journal papers.
Naoxuekang, Xinnaoshutong and Xuesaitong capsules for treating stroke: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chen Huiling , Cao Hongbo , Guo Xu , Zhao Meidan , Xia Qing , Chen Bo , Zhao Tieniu , Gao Wenyuan 
Published: November 2017

IntroductionAfter stroke, hemiplegia, dysphasia and facial paralysis can manifest during the convalescent period. Currently, no Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is previously reported to cure each of these symptoms primarily, and thus, there are no relevant instructions for the use of CPM. This study presents a new approach based on comparative effectiveness research to distinguish the curative effects of three CPMs that are often used in stroke convalescence to determine the ideal medicine for the treatment of each symptom.Methods and analysisIn this multicentre and double-blind clinical trial, stratified randomisation is used to group the patients according to their primary symptoms (hemiplegia, dysphasia and facial paralysis). Three strata will be enrolled, with 80 eligible participants included in each stratum. Each stratum will be randomly and equally divided into four groups, and each group will receive one of the following treatments: Naoxuekang, Xinnaoshutong (XNST), Xuesaitong (XST) or placebo. This study will include two stages: the initial treatment period (30 days) and a follow-up period (180 days). Three replicates for each data point will be completed during this trial. The first visit will occur on day 0 after enrolment, the second visit on day 30±2 and the third visit on day 210±5. The Delphi technique is adopted to achieve index weighting, which ensures that the evaluation outcome is patient oriented. The weighted index value will be computed as the final measurement index of the outcome.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (registration number TJUTCM-EC20160007). The results will be offered for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberThis trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-17010397). The date of registration was 11 January 2017.
Quality of reporting of pilot and feasibility cluster randomised trials: a systematic review
Authors: Chan Claire L , Leyrat Clémence , Eldridge Sandra M 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesTo systematically review the quality of reporting of pilot and feasibility of cluster randomised trials (CRTs). In particular, to assess (1) the number of pilot CRTs conducted between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014, (2) whether objectives and methods are appropriate and (3) reporting quality.MethodsWe searched PubMed (2011–2014) for CRTs with ‘pilot’ or ‘feasibility’ in the title or abstract; that were assessing some element of feasibility and showing evidence the study was in preparation for a main effectiveness/efficacy trial. Quality assessment criteria were based on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) extensions for pilot trials and CRTs.ResultsEighteen pilot CRTs were identified. Forty-four per cent did not have feasibility as their primary objective, and many (50%) performed formal hypothesis testing for effectiveness/efficacy despite being underpowered. Most (83%) included ‘pilot’ or ‘feasibility’ in the title, and discussed implications for progression from the pilot to the future definitive trial (89%), but fewer reported reasons for the randomised pilot trial (39%), sample size rationale (44%) or progression criteria (17%). Most defined the cluster (100%), and number of clusters randomised (94%), but few reported how the cluster design affected sample size (17%), whether consent was sought from clusters (11%), or who enrolled clusters (17%).ConclusionsThat only 18 pilot CRTs were identified necessitates increased awareness of the importance of conducting and publishing pilot CRTs and improved reporting. Pilot CRTs should primarily be assessing feasibility, avoiding formal hypothesis testing for effectiveness/efficacy and reporting reasons for the pilot, sample size rationale and progression criteria, as well as enrolment of clusters, and how the cluster design affects design aspects. We recommend adherence to the CONSORT extensions for pilot trials and CRTs.