bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The experiences and beliefs of patients with complex regional pain syndrome: An exploratory survey study
Authors: Louw Adriaan , Zimney Kory , Cox Terry , O'Hotto Christine , Wassinger Craig A 
Published: July 2017

Objectives To determine the beliefs and describe the health care experiences of patients with complex regional pain syndrome. Methods A survey tool for patients with complex regional pain syndrome was designed for this study. The survey tool collected self-reported measures associated with pain, disability, health care experiences, education, beliefs, and treatments. Results Thirty-one patients attending physical therapy for complex regional pain syndrome (mean age 40.48; female n = 20) completed the survey. Patients with presented with high levels of pain and disability and reported various changes associated with altered neuroplasticity such as confused body part recognition, left/right discrimination, neglect, and spreading pain. The patients’ experiences with diagnostic testing and interventions are not in line with the current pain science research and/or evidence-based practice. Overall, patients are ill-informed, confused, and receive conflicting information. Discussion The suffering associated with complex regional pain syndrome is real, as told by patients. This suffering coincides with a lack of consensus by health care providers and conflicting information on complex regional pain syndrome. Overall, patient experiences show health care providers are not up to date with the current best-evidence regarding complex regional pain syndrome.
Association between UGT2B7 gene polymorphisms and fentanyl sensitivity in patients undergoing painful orthognathic surgery
Authors: Muraoka Wataru , Nishizawa Daisuke , Fukuda Kenichi , Kasai Shinya , Hasegawa Junko , Wajima Koichi , Nakagawa Taneaki , Ikeda Kazutaka 
Published: July 2017

Background Fentanyl is often used instead of morphine for the treatment of pain because it has fewer side effects. The metabolism of morphine by glucuronidation is known to be influenced by polymorphisms of the UGT2B7 gene. Some metabolic products of fentanyl are reportedly metabolized by glucuronate conjugation. The genes that are involved in the metabolic pathway of fentanyl may also influence fentanyl sensitivity. We analyzed associations between fentanyl sensitivity and polymorphisms of the UGT2B7 gene to clarify the hereditary determinants of individual differences in fentanyl sensitivity. Results This study examined whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the UGT2B7 gene affect cold pain sensitivity and the analgesic effects of fentanyl, evaluated by a standardized pain test and fentanyl requirements in healthy Japanese subjects who underwent uniform surgical procedures. The rs7439366 SNP of UGT2B7 is reportedly associated with the metabolism and analgesic effects of morphine. We found that this SNP is also associated with the analgesic effects of fentanyl in the cold pressor-induced pain test. It suggested that the C allele of the rs7439366 SNP may enhance analgesic efficacy. Two SNPs of UGT2B7, rs4587017 and rs1002849, were also found to be novel SNPs that may influence the analgesic effects of fentanyl in the cold pressor-induced pain test. Conclusions Fentanyl sensitivity for cold pressor-induced pain was associated with the rs7439366, rs4587017, and rs1002849 SNPs of the UGT2B7 gene. Our findings may provide valuable information for achieving satisfactory pain control and open to new avenues for personalized pain treatment.
Geographical access to critical care services in Scotland
Authors: Emerson Philip , Dodds Naomi , Green David R , Jansen Jan O 
Published: July 2017

Background Critical illness requires specialist and timely management. The aim of this study was to create a geographic accessibility profile of the Scottish population to emergency departments and intensive care units. Methods This was a descriptive, geographical analysis of population access to ‘intermediate’ and ‘definitive’ critical care services in Scotland. Access was defined by the number of people able to reach services within 45 to 60 min, by road and by helicopter. Access was analysed by health board, rurality and as a country using freely available geographically referenced population data. Results Ninety-six percent of the population reside within a 45-min drive of the nearest intermediate critical care facility, and 94% of the population live within a 45-min ambulance drive time to the nearest intensive care unit. By helicopter, these figures were 95% and 91%, respectively. Some health boards had no access to definitive critical care services within 45 min via helicopter or road. Very remote small towns and very remote rural areas had poorer access than less remote and rural regions.
Use and effectiveness of behavioural economics in interventions for lifestyle risk factors of non-communicable diseases: a systematic review with policy implications
Authors: Blaga Oana M , Vasilescu Livia , Chereches Razvan M 
Published: July 2017

Aim: There is limited evidence on what behavioural economics strategies are effective and can be used to inform non-communicable diseases (NCDs) public health policies designed to reduce overeating, excessive drinking, smoking, and physical inactivity. The aim of the review is to examine the evidence on the use and effectiveness of behavioural economics insights on reducing NCDs lifestyle risk factors. Methods: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and EconLit were searched for studies published between January 2002 and July 2016 and reporting empirical, non-pharmacological, interventional research focusing on reducing at least one NCDs lifestyle risk factor by employing a behavioural economics perspective. Results: We included 117 studies in the review; 67 studies had a low risk of bias and were classified as strong or very strong, 37 were moderate, and 13 were weak. We grouped studies by NCDs risk factors and conducted a narrative synthesis. The most frequent behavioural economics precepts used were incentives, framing, and choice architecture. We found inconclusive evidence regarding the success of behavioural economics strategies to reduce alcohol consumption, but we identified several strategies with policy-level implications which could be used to reduce smoking, improve nutrition, and increase physical activity. Conclusion: Most studies targeting tobacco consumption, physical activity levels, and eating behaviours from a behavioural economics perspective had promising results with potential impact on NCDs health policies. We recommend future studies to be implemented in real-life settings and on large samples from diverse populations.
Dual control of pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone secretion by thyroxine and triiodothyronine in athyreotic patients
Authors: Hoermann Rudolf , Midgley John E. M. , Dietrich Johannes W. , Larisch Rolf 
Published: July 2017

Background: Patient responses to levothyroxine (LT4) monotherapy vary considerably. We sought to differentiate contributions of FT4 and FT3 in controlling pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the relationships between TSH and thyroid hormones in 319 patients with thyroid carcinoma through 2914 visits on various LT4 doses during follow-up for 5.5 years (median, IQR 4.2, 6.9). We also associated patient complaints with the relationships. Results: Under varying dose requirements (median 1.84 µg/kg, IQR 1.62, 2.11), patients reached TSH targets below 0.4, 0.1 or 0.01 mIU/l at 73%, 54% and 27% of visits. While intercept, slope and fit of linearity of the relationships between lnTSH and FT4/FT3 varied between individuals, gender, age, LT4 dose and deiodinase activity influenced the relationships in the cohort (all p < 0.001). Deiodinase activity impaired by LT4 dose significantly affected the lnTSH–FT4 relationship. Dose increase and reduced conversion efficiency displaced FT3–TSH equilibria. In LT4-treated patients, FT4 and FT3 contributed on average 52% versus 38%, and by interaction 10% towards TSH suppression. Symptomatic presentations (11%) accompanied reduced FT3 concentrations (–0.23 pmol/l, p = 0.001) adjusted for gender, age and BMI, their relationships being shifted towards higher TSH values at comparable FT3/FT4 levels. Conclusions: Variation in deiodinase activity and resulting FT3 levels shape the TSH–FT4 relationship in LT4-treated athyreotic patients, suggesting cascade control of pituitary TSH production by the two hormones. Consequently, measurement of FT3 and calculation of conversion efficiency may identify patients with impaired biochemistry and a resulting lack of symptomatic control.
Serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Italy
Authors: Di Pasquale Marta , Aliberti Stefano , Azzari Chara , Moriondo Maria , Nieddu Francesco , Blasi Francesco , Mantero Marco 
Published: July 2017

Background: Pneumonia remain an important public health problem. The primary objective was to determine the proportion of community-acquired pneumonia that is attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection; secondary objectives were the description of community-acquired pneumonia attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae according to socio-demographic and clinical variables, the clinical evolution of community-acquired pneumonia and the description of the serotype distribution of vaccine-preventable disease and antibiotic resistance rate of pneumococcal infections. Methods: An observational, prospective study was conducted on consecutive patients coming from the community, who were hospitalized with pneumonia. Data on admission, at discharge and 30 days after discharge were collected. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the risk factors independently associated with pneumococcal pneumonia. Results: Among the 193 patients enrolled in the study, the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia was identified in 60 patients (33%) and 35 (18%) of evaluable patients had community-acquired pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Of all clinical characteristics, if no previous antibiotic treatment was performed, there was a 13-fold higher risk of presenting community-acquired pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae (odds ratio, 12.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–117.9). Moreover, the most frequent isolated serotypes were 35F, 3 and 24 (29%, 23% and 16%, respectively). Conclusion: The most frequent serotypes in pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia are 35F, 3, 24, 6 and 7A, and thus almost 50% of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains could be covered by pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 in adult patients with risk factors for pneumococcal infections.
Acute aortic occlusion due to tumor embolism in a patient with lung malignancy
Authors: Lioudaki Stella , Kontopodis Nikolaos , Palioudakis Stefanos , Koutsopoulos Anastasios V , Drositis Ioannis , Ioannou Christos V 
Published: July 2017

Objectives: Acute lower limb ischemia caused by tumor embolization is rare, despite the fact that cancer is a common cause of hypercoagulability predisposing to venous thrombosis. Arterial embolization is mostly associated with intracardiac tumors while lung malignancies are the second most common cause of tumor embolism. Methods: In this report, we present a male patient who developed acute bilateral lower limb ischemia in the immediate postoperative period after a thoracotomy for attempted left upper lobe resection for lung cancer. Results: The patient was treated with a subclavian-bifemoral bypass, since an initial attempted embolectomy was unsuccessful. Histopathological characteristics of thrombus obtained during embolectomy were consistent with the histopathology of the primary tumor. Conclusion: Acute ischemia is an emergency that should be diagnosed and treated immediately. Interestingly, in this case, the presence of epidural anesthesia masked the initial symptoms and delayed diagnosis. Preoperative assessment with transesophageal echocardiography may reveal patients at high risk for tumor embolism.
Comminuted Patella Fracture in Elderly Patients: A Systematic Review and Case Report
Authors: Matthews Brent , Hazratwala Kaushik , Barroso-Rosa Sergio 
Published: July 2017

Objectives: To review comminuted patella fracture in the elderly patients and examine the surgical options to avoid complications such as fixation failure and poor functional outcome. To provide an example of mesh augmentation in comminuted patella fracture in the elderly patients. Data Sources: A literature review was conducted by the authors independently using Ovid, Medline, Cochrane, PubMed, and Clinical Key in English. We aimed to review data on patients older than 65 with comminuted patella fracture. Search conducted between July and December 2015. Study Selection: Search terms included patella fracture, elderly, and fixation failure. Abstracts were included if they were a case report, cohort series, or randomized control trial. Further inclusion criteria were that they were available in full text and included patient age(s), operative details, follow-up, and outcome discussion. Data Extraction: Each study was assessed according to its level of evidence, number of patients, age of patients, fracture patterns described, complications of treatment, and results summarized. Data Synthesis: Paucity of data and heterogeneity of studies limited statistical analysis. Data are presented as a review table with the key points summarized. Conclusion: In patella fracture, age >65 years and comminuted fracture pattern are predictors of increased fixation failure and postoperative stiffness, warranting special consideration. There is a trend toward improved functional outcomes when augmented fixation using mesh or plates is used in this group. Further level 1 studies are required to compare and validate new treatment options and compared them to standard surgical technique of tension band wire construct.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion Using a Local Source for Cancellous Autograft: A Biomechanical Analysis of Vertebral Body Stability in an Osteopenic Bone Model
Authors: Walterscheid Zakk , O’Neill Conor , Ochs Alex , D’Averso Adrian , Dew Christopher , Huntington Alyssa , Ma Grace , Behrend Caleb , De Vita Rafaella , Carmouche Jonathan 
Published: July 2017

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion is an effective treatment for patients having cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. To reduce morbidity associated with autograft taken from the iliac crest without sacrificing high fusion rates, a novel technique that harvests bone from the vertebral body adjacent to the operative disc space has been proposed. The effects of square and round bone graft harvest techniques on the mechanical stability of the osteopenic donor vertebrae are unknown. We analyzed the biomechanical implications of the technique by subjecting osteopenic models to uniaxial compression to compare yield strengths of surgically altered and unaltered specimens. Methods: Biomechanical grade polyurethane foam was cut into 60 different 12 mm × 17 mm × 20 mm blocks. The foam had a density of 10 pounds per cubic foot, simulating osteoporotic bone. Rectangular prism (4 mm × 4 mm × 6 mm) and cylindrical cores ( r = 2 mm, h = 8 mm) were removed from 20 blocks per group. Twenty samples were left intact as a control group. Anterior plate screws were applied to the models and a Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) interbody spacer was placed on top. Samples underwent uniaxial compression at 0.1 mm/s until mechanical failure. Points of structural failure were determined using a 0.1% offset on a force–displacement curve and compared to determine the reductions in compressive strength. Results: The mean force eliciting structural failure for intact samples was 450.6 N. Average failure forces for rectangular prisms and cylindrical cores removed were 383.2 and 395.4 N, respectively. Removal of a rectangular prismatic core of the necessary volume resulted in a 15.0% reduction in compressive strength, while removal of a cylindrical core of comparable volume facilitated a reduction of 12.2%. Conclusion: Local autograft harvested from adjacent vertebrae reduces morbidity associated with a second surgical site while minimally reducing the compressive strength of the donor vertebra in an osteopenic model, lending credence to the efficacy of this technique in elderly patient populations.
ASA Classification as a Risk Stratification Tool in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Study of 5805 Patients
Authors: Somani Sulaiman , Capua John Di , Kim Jun S. , Phan Kevin , Lee Nathan J. , Kothari Parth , Kim Joung-Heon , Dowdell James , Cho Samuel K. 
Published: July 2017

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Objectives: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is a highly complex procedure that has high complication rates. Risk stratification tools can improve patient management and may lower complication rates and associated costs. The goal of this study was to identify the independent association between American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class and postoperative outcomes following ASD surgery. Methods: The 2010-2014 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried using Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes relevant to ASD surgery. Patients were divided based on their ASA classification. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to quantify the increased risk of 30-day postoperative complications for patients with increased ASA scores. Results: A total of 5805 patients met the inclusion criteria, 2718 (46.8%) of which were ASA class I-II and 3087 (53.2%) were ASA class III-IV. Multivariate logistic regression revealed ASA class to be a significant risk factor for mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 21.0), reoperation within 30 days (OR = 1.6), length of stay ≥5 days (OR = 1.7), overall morbidity (OR = 1.4), wound complications (OR = 1.8), pulmonary complications (OR = 2.3), cardiac complications (OR = 3.7), intra-/postoperative red blood cell transfusion (OR = 1.3), postoperative sepsis (OR = 2.7), and urinary tract infection (OR = 1.6). Conclusions: This is the first study evaluating the role of ASA class in ASD surgery with a large patient database. Use of ASA class as a metric for preoperative health was verified and the association of ASA class with postoperative morbidity and mortality in ASD surgery suggests its utility in refining the risk stratification profile and improving preoperative patient counseling for those individuals undergoing ASD surgery.
Complications Associated With Spine Surgery in Patients Aged 80 Years or Older: Japan Association of Spine Surgeons with Ambition (JASA) Multicenter Study
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuyoshi , Imagama Shiro , Ando Kei , Ishiguro Naoki , Yamashita Masaomi , Eguchi Yawara , Matsumoto Morio , Ishii Ken , Hikata Tomohiro , Seki Shoji , Terai Hidetomi , Suzuki Akinobu , Tamai Koji , Aramomi Masaaki , Ishikawa Tetsuhiro , Kimura Atsushi , Inoue Hirokazu , Inoue Gen , Miyagi Masayuki , Saito Wataru , Yamada Kei , Hongo Michio , Nishimura Hirosuke , Suzuki Hidekazu , Nakano Atsushi , Watanabe Kazuyuki , Chikuda Hirotaka , Ohya Junichi , Aoki Yasuchika , Shimizu Masayuki , Futatsugi Toshimasa , Mukaiyama Keijiro , Hasegawa Masaichi , Kiyasu Katsuhito , Iizuka Haku , Iizuka Yoichi , Kobayashi Ryoichi , Nishida Kotaro , Kakutani Kenichiro , Nakajima Hideaki , Murakami Hideki , Demura Satoru , Kato Satoshi , Yoshioka Katsuhito , Namikawa Takashi , Watanabe Kei , Nakanishi Kazuyoshi , Nakagawa Yukihiro , Yoshimoto Mitsunori , Fujiwara Hiroyasu , Nishida Norihiro , Imajo Yasuaki , Yamazaki Masashi , Sakane Masataka , Abe Tetsuya , Fujii Kengo , Kaito Takashi , Furuya Takeo , Orita Sumihisa , Ohtori Seiji 
Published: July 2017

Study Design: Retrospective study of registry data. Objectives: Aging of society and recent advances in surgical techniques and general anesthesia have increased the demand for spinal surgery in elderly patients. Many complications have been described in elderly patients, but a multicenter study of perioperative complications in spinal surgery in patients aged 80 years or older has not been reported. Therefore, the goal of the study was to analyze complications associated with spine surgery in patients aged 80 years or older with cervical, thoracic, or lumbar lesions. Methods: A multicenter study was performed in patients aged 80 years or older who underwent 262 spinal surgeries at 35 facilities. The frequency and severity of complications were examined for perioperative complications, including intraoperative and postoperative complications, and for major postoperative complications that were potentially life threatening, required reoperation in the perioperative period, or left a permanent injury. Results: Perioperative complications occurred in 75 of the 262 surgeries (29%) and 33 were major complications (13%). In multivariate logistic regression, age over 85 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.007, P = 0.025) and estimated blood loss ≥500 g (HR = 3.076, P = .004) were significantly associated with perioperative complications, and an operative time ≥180 min (HR = 2.78, P = .007) was significantly associated with major complications. Conclusions: Elderly patients aged 80 years or older with comorbidities are at higher risk for complications. Increased surgical invasion, and particularly a long operative time, can cause serious complications that may be life threatening. Therefore, careful decisions are required with regard to the surgical indication and procedure in elderly patients.
The accuracy and safety of fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pedicle screws in the thoracic and lumbosacral spine in the Asian population: A CT scan analysis of 1002 screws
Authors: Chiu Chee Kidd , Chan Chris Yin Wei , Kwan Mun Keong 
Published: July 2017

Purpose: This study investigates the safety and accuracy of percutaneous pedicle screws placed using fluoroscopic guidance in the thoracolumbosacral spine among Asian patients. Methods: Computerized tomography scans of 128 patients who had surgery using fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pedicle screws were selected. Medial, lateral, superior, and inferior screw perforations were classified into grade 0 (no violation), grade 1 (<2 mm perforation), grade 2 (2–4 mm perforation), and grade 3(>4 mm perforation). Anterior perforations were classified into grade 0 (no violation), grade 1 (<4 mm perforation), grade 2 (4–6 mm perforation), and grade 3(>6 mm perforation). Grade 2 and grade 3 perforation were considered as “critical” perforation. Results: In total, 1002 percutaneous pedicle screws from 128 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 52.7 ± 16.6. There were 70 male patients and 58 female patients. The total perforation rate was 11.3% (113) with 8.4% (84) grade 1, 2.6% (26) grade 2, and 0.3% (3) grade 3 perforations. The overall “critical” perforation rate was 2.9% (29 screws) and no complications were noted. The highest perforation rates were at T4 (21.6%), T2 (19.4%), and T6 (19.2%). Conclusion: The total perforation rate of 11.3% with the total “critical” perforation rate of 2.9% (2.6% grade 2 and 0.3% grade 3 perforations). The highest perforation rates were found over the upper to mid-thoracic region. Fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pedicle screws insertion among Asians has the safety and accuracy comparable to the current reported percutaneous pedicle screws and open pedicle screws techniques.