bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON AMONG DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC METHODS IN THE STUDY OF TYPE AND ACTIVITY OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANES IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors: Ravera Vittoria , Giani Andrea , Pellegrini Marco , Oldani Marta , Invernizzi Alessandro , Carini Elisa , Cigada Mario , Bottoni Ferdinando , Staurenghi Giovanni 
Published: December 2017

Purpose:
To determine interobserver and intraobserver agreement in classifying the subtypes of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and the decision of retreatment in patients affected by exudative age-related macular degeneration. Different imaging techniques were evaluated individually and compared with multiimaging.

Methods:
Fifty-two patients with naive CNV in age-related macular degeneration were evaluated after 3 monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Choroidal neovascularization subtype and activity were evaluated using spectral domain optical coherence tomography, infrared light, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The evaluation was performed independently by 10 different retina specialists, 2 for each test. Other two operators analyzed all the information available together.

Results:
The interobserver k regarding the types of CNV was 0.69 for multiimaging, 0.63 for spectral domain optical coherence tomography, 0.43 for FA, and 0.46 for ICGA. The k values for interobserver for retreatment decision were 0.77 for multiimaging, 0.88 for spectral domain optical coherence tomography, 0.61 for infrared, 0.37 for fundus autofluorescence, 0.25 for FA, and 0.23 for ICGA. Fluorescein angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, ICGA, and infrared showed good association with multiimaging on defining CNV activity (P = 0.0003, P < 0.0001, P = 0.01, and P = 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion:
Optical coherence tomography and infrared evaluations of CNV activity were reproducible and strongly associated with multiimaging, whereas FA and ICGA evaluations showed poor reproducibility.
RETINAL TELANGIECTASIA IN PATIENTS WITH PATHOLOGIC MYOPIA
Authors: Lei Boya , Gu Ruiping , Jiang Chen , Xu Gezhi 
Published: December 2017

Purpose:
To describe the characteristics of retinal telangiectasia in eyes with pathologic myopia.

Methods:
The study included 10 patients (18 eyes) who were diagnosed with pathologic myopia combined with retinal telangiectasia. The patients visited our retinal clinic every 3 months. Nine eyes underwent vitrectomy for vision-threatening complications after diagnosis. All eyes underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations including multimodal retinal imaging at presentation and at each follow-up.

Results:
Retinal telangiectasia in pathologic myopia was characterized by saccular aneurysmal dilatation of the capillary bed without hard exudates in color fundus photographs and hyporeflective saccular structure in infrared reflectance fundus photographs, and it was filled in the early retinal arteriovenous phase with minimal dye leakage in the late phase of fundus fluorescein angiography. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomographic angiography showed that retinal telangiectasia was primarily located in the superficial retina, together with myopic traction maculopathy. In the 9 eyes that underwent vitrectomy, the retinal telangiectasia regressed within 3 months of surgery. Retinal telangiectasia remained stable in the other nine eyes, but these eyes were at risk of spontaneous bleeding.

Conclusion:
Retinal telangiectasia is a relatively quiescent and uncommon disorder in patients with pathologic myopia that might be closely related to myopic traction maculopathy.
Improvement of Smoking Abstinence Rates With Increased Varenicline Dosage
Authors: Karam-Hage Maher , Kypriotakis George , Robinson Jason D. , Green Charles E. , Mann Gurtej , Rabius Vance , Wippold Rosario , Blalock Janice A. , Mouhayar Elie , Tayar Jean , Chaftari Patrick , Cinciripini Paul M. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Purpose/Background
It is unclear whether increasing the dose of varenicline beyond the standard dose of 2 mg/d would improve smoking abstinence.

Methods
We examined the effect of 3 mg/d of varenicline on smoking abstinence among smokers who had reduced their smoking by 50% or more in response to 2 mg/d for at least 6 weeks but had not quit smoking. Of 2833 patients treated with varenicline, dosage of a subset of 73 smokers was increased to 3 mg/d after 6 weeks. We used a propensity score analysis involving multiple baseline covariates to create a comparative sample of 356 smokers who remained on 2 mg/d. All smokers received concurrent and similar smoking-cessation counseling.

Results
At 3 months, we found higher 7-day point prevalence smoking-abstinence rate in the 3-mg group (26%) than in the 2-mg group (11.5%, χ2 = 10.60, P < 0.001; risk ratio [RR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–3.6). The difference in abstinence rates remained significant at the 6-month (P < 0.001; RR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.6–3.9) and 9-month follow-up (P < 0.001; RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4–3.3).

Conclusions
A relatively small increase in the daily dose of varenicline seems to offer a benefit for those who are not able to achieve total abstinence after approximately 6 weeks of 2 mg/d.
Results of a second examination of the right side of the colon in screening and surveillance colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ai Xiuyun , Qiao Weiguang , Han Zemin , Tan Wenxin , Bai Yang , Liu Side , Zhi Fachao 
Published: December 2017

Background
Screening colonoscopy is less effective in preventing proximal colon cancers than distal colon cancers. A repeat examination of the right side of the colon may increase the lesion detection. The study aimed to assess the results of a second examination of the right side of the colon with forward-view or retroflexion colonoscopy performed immediately after the initial examination.

Materials and methods
We carried out a meta-analysis of all primary studies that performed a second examination of the right side of the colon with forward-view or retroflexion colonoscopy performed immediately after the initial examination.

Results
Six cohorts of five studies with 4155 participants were included in the final study. The adenoma detection rate (ADR) was 28.8% of the combined examinations compared with 24.1% of the single examination (P<0.001), for a pooled odds ratio of 1.34 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.59]. For retroflexion assessment, ADR was achieved in 25.4% patients in the combined group, compared with 22.3% in the single examination group (P=0.002), for a pooled odds ratio of 1.19 (95% CI: 1.06–1.33). For forward-view assessment, ADR was achieved in 46.0% patients in the combined group, compared with 33.5% in the single examination group (P<0.001), for a pooled odds ratio of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.40–2.22).

Conclusion
For ADR of the right side of the colon, a repeat examination could lead to a modest improvement in the detection of lesions in the proximal colon, irrespective of forward-view or retroflexion assessment.
Stroke severity quantification by critical care physicians in a mobile stroke unit
Authors: Hov Maren R. , Røislien Jo , Lindner Thomas , Zakariassen Erik , Bache Kristi C.G. , Solyga Volker M. , Russell David , Lund Christian G. 
Published: December 2017

Background
Cerebral revascularization in acute stroke requires robust diagnostic tools close to symptom onset. The quantitative National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is widely used in-hospital, whereas shorter and less specific stroke scales are used in the prehospital field. This study explored the accuracy and potential clinical benefit of using NIHSS prehospitally.

Patients and methods
Thirteen anesthesiologists trained in prehospital critical care enrolled patients with suspected acute stroke in a mobile stroke unit. NIHSS was completed twice in the acute phase: first prehospitally and then by an on-call resident neurologist at the receiving hospital. The agreement between prehospital and in-hospital NIHSS scores was assessed by a Bland–Altman plot, and inter-rater agreement for predefined clinical categories was tested using Cohen’s κ.

Results
This Norwegian Acute Stroke Prehospital Project study included 40 patients for analyses. The mean numerical difference between prehospital and in-hospital NIHSS scores was 0.85, with corresponding limits of agreement from − 5.94 to 7.64. Inter-rater agreement (κ) for the corresponding clinical categories was 0.38. A prehospital diagnostic workup (NIHSS and computed tomographic examination) was completed in median (quartiles) 10 min (range: 7–14 min). Time between the prehospital and in-hospital NIHSS scores was median (quartiles) 40 min (32–48 min).

Conclusion
Critical care physicians in a mobile stroke unit may use the NIHSS as a clinical tool in the assessment of patients experiencing acute stroke. The disagreement in NIHSS scores was mainly for very low values and would not have changed the handling of the patients.
The role of serologic testing for Zika virus infection
Authors: Tran Anthony , Theel Elitza S. 
Published: December 2017

Direct detection of Zika virus (ZIKV) nucleic acid with nucleic acid tests is definitive laboratory evidence of infection. Initial studies suggest that the ZIKV viremic period is limited, leading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend that nucleic acid tests be utilized only up to 14 days postsymptom onset in serum and urine. The host immune response to flaviviruses, including to ZIKV, primarily targets the viral envelope (E) protein, which has three main domains (ED I–III). Recent studies suggest that neutralizing antibodies against the EDIII domain are relatively specific and potentially able to discriminate between ZIKV and dengue virus, which share 29% amino acid homology at that region. Comparatively, neutralizing antibodies to EDI and EDII, with amino acid homologies of 35 and 51% between these two viruses, respectively, are highly cross-reactive and likely responsible for the nonspecific reactions observed in the respective serologic assays.
The current article describes the humoral immune response to ZIKV, reviews serologic assays for detection of antibodies to ZIKV, discusses performance characteristics of commercially available tests, and summarizes the strengths and limitations of currently available serologic methods. Assays examined in the review include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Zika IgM antibody capture ELISA, InBios ZIKV Detect IgM Capture ELISA, DiaSorin, LIAISON XL Zika Capture IgM Assay, Euroimmun anti-ZIKV IgM ELISA, and plaque reduction neutralization tests. Despite the availability of multiple diagnostic tests, there remains a need for modified and novel testing strategies, including the potential use of multiple enzyme immunoassays either in parallel or sequentially and IgG in addition to IgM determination.
Management of Intussusception in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Vo Andrea , Levin Terry L. , Taragin Benjamin , Khine Hnin 
Published: December 2017

Background
The standard treatment for intussusception is air reduction enema (ARE) with inpatient observation for 24 to 48 hours to monitor for recurrence. More recent but limited observations suggest that patients who have undergone successful ARE can safely be discharged after 4 to 6 hours of observation. Our primary objective was to identify risk factors associated with early recurrence. Our secondary objectives included validating risk criteria from prior studies and identifying risk factors for ARE failures.

Design/Methods
A retrospective cohort study of children discharged from a large urban quaternary hospital with a final diagnosis of intussusception (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 560.0) or who underwent ARE from 2005 to 2015 was identified. Demographic data, radiology images, and clinical course were recorded. Repeat visits, cases with incomplete medical records, and those with incorrect diagnoses were excluded.

Results
A total of 250 cases were identified. Two hundred cases were included for analysis. Fifty were excluded. Of the 163 who had successful reduction with ARE, 22 patients (13.5%) recurred, and 12 (7.3%) recurred within 48 hours. Fever (odds ratio, 4.25; P = 0.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–17.3) and female sex (odds ratio, 7.94; P = 0.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.82–34.6) were independently associated with early recurrence. No radiologic features were associated with early recurrence.

Conclusions
Early recurrence after successful ARE was low, although more frequent in girls and in those with fever over 100.4°F. We therefore advocate for prospective studies to validate these risk criteria to identify patients who are at low risk for early recurrence and may qualify for early discharge from the emergency department.
Comparison Between Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid Injection Above Versus Below the Median Nerve in Mild to Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Babaei-Ghazani Arash , Nikbakht Nadere , Forogh Bijan , Raissi Gholam Reza , Ahadi Tannaz , Ebadi Safoora , Roomizadeh Peyman , Fadavi Hamid Reza , Raeissadat Seyed Ahmad , Eftekharsadat Bina 
Published: December 2017

Objective
In this study, the clinical effectiveness of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection “above” versus “below” the median nerve for treatment of patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome was compared.

Design
This prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial included 44 patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups to receive ultrasound-guided injection of 40 mg of triamcinolone either “above” or “below” the involved median nerve. Outcome measures were the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, visual analog scale, electrophysiological tests, and ultrasonographic measurement of the median nerve cross-sectional area at baseline, 6, and 12 wks after the injection.

Results
All outcome measures improved significantly in both groups at 6 wks after intervention, and these improvements were persevered up to 12 wks of follow-up (all P values <0.05). However, there was no significant difference in measured outcomes between the two groups. No adverse effects were observed.

Conclusions
Both above and under median nerve ultrasound-guided steroid injection techniques were effective in reducing the symptoms, improving the function, and improving electrodiagnostic and sonographic findings of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, the amount of improvement in the outcomes did not differ between groups, implying that none of technique has the superiority over another.
The Impact of Osteoarthritis on the Functioning and Health Status of a Low-Income Population
Authors: Esquivel-Valerio Jorge A. , Orzua-de la Fuente Wendy Marisol , Vázquez-Fuentes Brenda R. , Garza-Elizondo Mario Alberto , Negrete-López Roberto , Treviño-Montes Daniel O. , Martínez-Villarreal Rebeca Thelma , Rodríguez-Amado Jaqueline , Peláez-Ballestas Ingris , Loyola-Sánchez Adalberto 
Published: December 2017

Objective
The aim of this study was to measure the impact of osteoarthritis on the functioning and health status of individuals living in a low-income urban community in Mexico.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional, community-based study from December 2014 to November 2015, using the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases methodology to identify cases of musculoskeletal disease in a sample of adults older than 18 years in Pueblo Nuevo, Apodaca, Mexico. Two rheumatologists confirmed all cases of osteoarthritis (OA) using predefined criteria. Functioning was evaluated through (a) self-report of difficulty doing personal care, work, and leisure activities; (b) the modified Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index; and (c) the Timed Up and Go test. Health status was evaluated using the EuroQoL 5 Dimensions. Statistical analyses were performed using χ2 tests and logistic regression models.

Results
Four hundred thirty-nine individuals with a mean age of 45.2 years were included, and 83 cases of OA were confirmed. The presence of OA was not significantly associated with having difficulties to do personal care, work, or leisure activities, but it was significantly associated with a higher Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index score, longer time to complete the Timed Up and Go, and lower health status.

Conclusions
Osteoarthritis is associated with having higher disability and worse health status in the community studied. A disability paradox was detected as some individuals perceived disability for doing standard activities but did not present disability performing their real-life activities. This underlies the importance of addressing the mental dimension during the management of this population.
Incidence of Antidrug Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients From Argentina Treated With Adalimumab, Etanercept, or Infliximab in a Real-World Setting
Authors: Maid Pablo J. , Xavier Ricardo , Real Rosa M. , Pedersen Ron , Shen Qi , Marshall Lisa , Solano Gaston , Borlenghi Cecilia Elena , Hidalgo Rodolfo Pardo 
Published: December 2017

Background
Biologic agents may induce immune responses that could impact drug action.

Objectives
The aims of this study were to assess antidrug antibodies (ADAs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from Argentina treated with etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab at a single visit and correlate it with efficacy outcomes.

Methods
In this subset analysis of a noninterventional, multinational, cross-sectional study (NCT01981473), adult patients with RA treated continuously for 6 to 24 months with etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab were evaluated for ADAs and trough drug concentrations of 2 days or less prior to the next scheduled dose. Efficacy measurements included Disease Activity Score based on a 28-joint count–erythrocyte sedimentation rate, low disease activity, and Health Assessment Questionnaire—Disability Index. Targeted medical history of injection site/infusion reactions, serum sickness, and thromboembolic events were reported.

Results
Baseline demographics, disease characteristics, and duration of treatment of the 119 patients (etanercept: n = 54, adalimumab: n = 52, infliximab: n = 13) were similar across all groups. No etanercept-treated patient tested positive for ADAs compared with 19 (36.5%) of 52 patients and 4 (30.8%) of 13 patients treated with adalimumab and infliximab, respectively. In adalimumab- and infliximab-treated patients, ADA presence correlated negatively with trough drug levels. A greater proportion of ADA-negative patients achieved Health Assessment Questionnaire—Disability Index of 0.5 or less and had better composite efficacy measures compared with ADA-positive patients. The rate of targeted medical events reported was low.

Conclusions
In this subset analysis, RA patients from Argentina treated with adalimumab or infliximab, but not etanercept, tested positive for ADAs. Antidrug antibody–negative patients showed a tendency toward better clinical outcomes compared with ADA-positive patients.
Cross-sectional Areas of the Thoracic Aorta in Children and Adolescents With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Obtained by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Authors: Gräfe Daniel , Gutberlet Matthias , Mende Meinhard , Dähnert Ingo , Lücke Christian , Kostelka Martin , Nitzsche Stefan , Hoffmann Janine , Grothoff Matthias 
Published: December 2017

Purpose:
Dilatation of the thoracic aorta is a well-known finding in corrected Tetralogy of Fallot. Complications are rare but can be life-threatening. Standard 1-dimensional (1D) measurements have several limitations. We sought to establish contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography cross-sectional areas of the aorta that could serve as reference values and to identify parameters that are associated with aortic dilatation.

Materials and Methods:
We enrolled 101 children and adolescents. The aortic areas were measured at the level of the aortic sinus (AS), the sinotubular junction (STJ), the ascending aorta (AA), the brachiocephalic trunk (TBC), and the descending aorta (DA). Sex-specific aortic dimensions were presented as percentile curves as well as regression equations. Furthermore volumetric and functional parameters as well as clinical data were analyzed to identify parameters that are associated with aortic dilatation.

Results:
Aortic areas (mm2) for female subjects were 139+366×body surface area (BSA) for the AS, 134+255×BSA for the STJ, 113+239×BSA for the AA, 88+185×BSA proximal to the TBC, and 2.9+88×BSA for the DA. Aortic areas (mm2) for male subjects were 162+403×BSA for the AS, 171+258×BSA for the STJ, 151+233×BSA for the AA, 73+206×BSA proximal to the TBC, and 21+80×BSA for the DA. The postoperative interval and age at examination were parameters associated with aortic size.

Conclusions:
We provide aortic areas in children and adolescents after correction of Tetralogy of Fallot measured by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography. Our 2D data may better depict the geometry of enlarged aortae than standard 1D diameters and serve as reference values for evaluating aortic disease in these patients.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair Using the Uphold Vaginal Support System: 5-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Rahkola-Soisalo Päivi , Mikkola Tomi S. , Altman Daniel , Falconer Christian 
Published: December 2017

Objective
This study aimed to assess the long-term (5 years) outcomes of the Uphold Vaginal Support System for symptomatic vaginal apical prolapse with or without anterior colporraphy.

Methods
In total, 164 (81.2%) of 202 women operated on in 24 centers were reached for follow-up. Outcomes were assessed by using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory 20, and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire questionnaires. Pain on pelvic area was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Adverse events and secondary procedures were recorded.

Results
An optimal outcome at the apical compartment (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification stage <2) was achieved in 83.3% of patients (94% at 1 year). Quality of life improved in 78.8% of the women, with a significant decrease of bother in all domains (pelvic organ prolapse, rectoanal, urinary) compared with that preoperatively. Overall sexual satisfaction improved after 1 year, but the number of sexually active women was low. In total, 19.7% of patients had undergone repeat pelvic surgery during follow-up, most common of these were midurethral sling (38.4%), followed by prolapse-related operations. Mesh removal due to pain was performed in 3 women. Number of women with any pain decreased overall from 1 to 5 years, but 3 women had persistent severe pain despite treatment efforts (visual analog scale ≥7).

Conclusions
Apical objective and subjective outcomes were sustained after 5 years in women operated on for apical compartment prolapse by the Uphold Vaginal Support System.