bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual Offender Treatment Readiness, Responsivity, and Change: Linkages to Treatment Completion and Recidivism
Authors: Sowden Justina N. , Olver Mark E. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT
This study examined the interrelationship of treatment readiness, responsivity variables, and treatment change to sexual offender treatment outcome, featuring the Treatment Readiness, Responsivity, and Gain Scale: Short Version (TRRG:SV). The sample was composed of 185 Canadian federal offenders who attended a high-intensity sexual offender treatment program and were followed up an average of 9.3 years postrelease. Men with higher levels of education, employment history, and cognitive ability and who were married or equivalent, did not have a serious mental illness or intellectual disability, and were not actuarially high risk tended to show higher levels of treatment engagement across the TRRG:SV subscales. Significant pre–post changes, denoting improvement, were observed on the TRRG:SV. In turn, positive treatment engagement assessed by the TRRG:SV was associated with increased risk-relevant treatment change, decreased program attrition, and reductions in sexual and violent recidivism, even after controlling for baseline risk. The role of attention to responsivity variables and treatment readiness to promote client engagement and maximize therapeutic benefit is underscored.
The current status of biomarkers for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonias
Authors: Salluh Jorge I.F. , Souza-Dantas Vicente C. , Póvoa Pedro 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of reviewNosocomial pneumonia is a frequent and severe nosocomial infection divided in two distinct groups: hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). In this context, the VAP is notoriously difficult to diagnose clinically, resulting from the lack of a ‘gold standard’ method of diagnosis.Recent findingsThe use of biomarkers may potentially improve the early diagnosis of infections allowing earlier and better identification and treatment. An exhausting list of biomarkers has been studied and although far from perfect, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are the most studied biomarkers used in clinical practice. Data coming from literature suggests the use of PCT for VAP prognosis and as a based algorithm tool for the reduction of duration of pneumonia therapy, as well as, the use of the CRP dynamics to the early prediction of VAP and the response to the antibiotics.SummaryThe evidence for the use of biomarkers to diagnose nosocomial pneumonia as a stand-alone tool is low to moderate. Improved performance for both PCT and CRP can be obtained by using them in association with clinical features or scoring systems but prospective studies are still needed to validate this hypothesis.
What is new in the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia in the ICU?
Authors: Klompas Michael 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of review
To summarize and contextualize recent evidence on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Recent findings
Many centers continue to report dramatic decreases in VAP rates after implementing ventilator bundles. Interpreting these reports is complicated, however, by the subjectivity and lack of specificity of VAP definitions. More objective data suggest VAP rates may not have meaningfully changed over the past decade. If so, this compels us to re-examine and revise the prevention bundles we have been using to prevent VAP. New analyses suggest that most hospitals’ ventilator bundles include a mix of helpful and potentially harmful elements. Spontaneous awakening trials, spontaneous breathing trials, head-of-bed elevation, and thromboprophylaxis appear beneficial. Oral chlorhexidine and stress ulcer prophylaxis may be harmful. Subglottic secretion drainage, probiotics, and novel endotracheal cuff designs do not clearly improve objective outcomes. Selective digestive decontamination by contrast appears to lower VAP and mortality rates. Effective implementation is as important as choosing the right bundle components. Best practices include engaging and educating staff, creating structures that facilitate bundle adherence, and providing regular feedback on process measure performance and outcome rates.

Summary
VAP rates may still be elevated despite multiple reports to the contrary. Recent evidence suggests new ways to optimize the selection of ventilator bundle components and their implementation.
The evaluation of critically ill transplant patients with infectious diarrhea
Authors: Florescu Diana F. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of reviewThe review summarizes the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of the most important etiologic agents of infectious diarrhea in critically ill transplant recipients.Recent findingsDiarrhea, frequently caused by infectious pathogens, can cause significant morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. Diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, acute renal failure, medication toxicity, rejection, graft-versus-host disease and impairs patients’ quality of life. Opportunistic infectious pathogens can pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in immunocompromised hosts.SummaryIn transplant recipients, it is vital to differentiate infectious from noninfectious diarrhea to adequately manage their therapeutic approach. Supportive measures and reduction in immunosuppression are essential for the treatment management.
Efficacy and Safety of Proton Pump Inhibitors in the Long-Term Aspirin Users: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Dahal Khagendra , Sharma Sharan P. , Kaur Jaspreet , Anderson Billie J. , Singh Gurpinder 
Published: July 2017

Background:
Long-term aspirin use in cardiovascular disease prevention may result in gastrointestinal bleeding. Although proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have been shown to reduce the risks of peptic ulcers and dyspeptic symptoms in long-term aspirin users in the randomized controlled trials, there are safety concerns about the long-term use of PPI.

Study Question:
What is the safety and efficacy of PPI in patients using aspirin in long term for prevention of cardiovascular diseases and stroke?

Methods:
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, ProQuest, and relevant references from inception through February 2015, and used random-effects model for meta-analysis.

Results:
A total of 10 publications from 9 studies (n = 6382) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with control, PPI reduced the risks of peptic ulcers [risk ratio (RR): 0.19; 95% confidence interval: 0.13–0.26; P < 0.00001], gastric ulcers [0.24 (0.16–0.35); P < 0.00001], duodenal ulcers [0.12 (0.05–0.29); P < 0.00001], bleeding ulcers [0.22 (0.10–0.51); P = 0.0004], and erosive esophagitis [0.14 (0.07–0.28); P < 0.00001]. PPI increased the resolution of epigastric pain [1.13 (1.03–1.25); P = 0.01], heartburn [1.24 (1.18–1.31); P < 0.00001], and regurgitation [1.26 (1.13–1.40); P < 0.0001], but did not increase the risks of all-cause mortality [1.72 (0.61–4.87); P = 0.31], cardiovascular mortality [1.80 (0.59–5.44); P = 0.30], nonfatal myocardial infarction/ischemia [0.56 (0.22–1.41); P = 0.22], ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack [1.09 (0.34–3.53); P = 0.89] and other adverse events.

Conclusions:
The PPI seems to be effective in preventing peptic ulcers and erosive esophagitis and in resolution of dyspeptic symptoms without increasing adverse events, cardiac risks or mortality in long-term aspirin users.
Comparison of 3-Factor Versus 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate With Regard to Warfarin Reversal, Blood Product Use, and Costs
Authors: DeAngelo Jessica , Jarrell Daniel , Cosgrove Richard , Camamo James , Edwards Christopher , Patanwala Asad E. 
Published: July 2017

Background:
Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are drug products containing varying amounts of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X. The evidence comparing 3-factor PCC (3-PCC) versus 4-factor PCC (4-PCC) for warfarin reversal is conflicting. It has been hypothesized that 3-PCC may be less effective than 4-PCC because of relatively lower factor VII content.

Study Question:
The primary objective of this study was to compare international normalized ratio (INR) reversal between 3-PCC and 4-factor PCC (4-PCC) in warfarin-treated patients. The secondary objectives include comparing blood product use, total reversal costs, and cost-effectiveness between the groups.

Study Design:
This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in 2 affiliated, academic institutions in the United States. Consecutive adult patients who received 3-PCC or 4-PCC for warfarin reversal were included.

Measures and Outcomes:
The primary outcome was adequate INR reversal defined as a final INR ≤1.5. Secondary outcomes were the utilization of plasma, red blood cells and platelets, reversal costs, and the cost-effectiveness ratio.

Results:
There were 89 patients who were included in the overall cohort (3-PCC = 57, 4-PCC = 32). Adequate INR reversal occurred less commonly with 3-PCC (45.6%) compared with 4-PCC (87.5%) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who received plasma (32% vs. 28%, P = 0.813), red blood cells (37% vs. 47%, P = 0.377), or platelets (16% vs. 28%, P = 0.180) between the 3-PCC and 4-PCC groups, respectively. The median reversal cost of 3-PCC ($3663) was lower than 4-PCC ($5105) (P = 0.001). The cost-effective ratio favored 4-PCC ($5105/87.5% = $5834) compared with 3-PCC ($3663/45.6% = $8033).

Conclusions:
Four-PCC was more effective than 3-PCC with regard to INR reversal in patients taking warfarin, but blood product use was similar. Although 4-PCC is associated with increased reversal costs, it may be cost-effective in terms of INR reversal.
High Turnover Among State Health Officials/Public Health Directors: Implications for the Public's Health
Authors: Halverson Paul K. , Lumpkin John R. , Yeager Valerie A. , Castrucci Brian C. , Moffatt Sharon , Tilson Hugh 
Published: July 2017

Context:
State health officials (SHOs) serve a critical role as the leaders of state public health systems. Despite their many responsibilities, there is no formal process for preparation to become an SHO, and few requirements influence the selection of an SHO. Furthermore, to date, no studies have examined SHO tenure or their experiences.

Objective:
This study examines SHO tenure over time and the relationship between SHO tenure and organizational and state attributes.

Design:
This longitudinal study employed primary data on SHOs and secondary data from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials on organizational attributes of state public health agencies.

Setting:
This study examines SHOs within the United States.

Participants:
SHOs who served in years 1980-2017.

Main Outcome Measures:
Annual average SHO tenure; average SHO tenure by state.

Results:
In the 38 years of this study, 508 individuals served as SHOs in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The average tenure over this period was 4.1 years, with a median tenure of 2.9 years. During the study period, almost 20% of SHOs served terms of 1 year or less. A total of 32 SHOs (32/508 or 6.3%) served for 10 years or longer. Excluding SHOs who served 10 years or longer (n = 32 SHOs who had a collective 478 years of tenure) reduces the average term in office to 3.5 years. The average number of new SHOs per year is 12.3. SHOs appointed by a board of health averaged more than 8 years in office compared with averages just under 4 years for those appointed by governors or secretaries of state agencies.

Conclusions:
There are notable differences in SHO tenure across states. Future research is needed to further examine SHO tenure, effectiveness, job satisfaction, transitions, and the relationship between SHOs and state health. It may be valuable to expand on opportunities for new SHOs to learn from peers who have moderate to long tenures as well as SHO alumni. Given that average SHO tenure is approximately 4 years and that an SHO could be thrust into the national spotlight at a moment's notice, governors may want to consider experience over partisanship as they appoint new SHOs.
Aquatic Exercises in the Treatment of Low Back Pain
Authors: Shi Zhongju , Zhou Hengxing , Lu Lu , Pan Bin , Wei Zhijian , Yao Xue , Kang Yi , Liu Lu , Feng Shiqing 
Published: July 2017

Objective
Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal condition with a high prevalence. There was no sufficient evidence to recommend that aquatic exercise was potentially beneficial to patients with low back pain. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze all evidence available in the literature about effectiveness of the aquatic exercise.

Design
A comprehensive search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health was conducted from their inceptions to November 2016 for randomized controlled trials, which concerned the therapeutic aquatic exercise for low back pain. The results were expressed in terms of standardized mean difference and the corresponding 95% confidence interval.

Results
Eight trials involving 331 patients were included in the meta-analysis, and the results showed a relief of pain (standardized mean difference = −0.65, 95% confidence interval = −1.16 to −0.14) and physical function (standardized mean difference = 0.63, 95% confidence interval = 0.17 to 1.09) after aquatic exercise. However, there was no significant effectiveness with regard to general mental health in aquatic group (standardized mean difference = 0.46; 95% confidence interval = −0.22 to 1.15).

Conclusions
Aquatic exercise can statistically significantly reduce pain and increase physical function in patients with low back pain. Further high-quality investigations on a larger scale are required to confirm the results.
Quality and Safety in Health Care, Part XXIX
Authors: Harolds Jay A. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The American College of Cardiology, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and other organizations cooperated to form the Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry. This registry studies information on the outcome of valve therapy device placement with a transcatheter approach. The companies that manufacture these devices can use the registry to meet the post–product sale surveillance requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration. There will also be linkage to the registry information from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, which has information on open cardiac valve surgery.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Lewis Richard A. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of review
As a syndrome with typical and atypical cases, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has been a difficult disorder to diagnose and treat. The pathophysiologic basis for CIDP has not been established, contributing to the challenges in dealing with these patients. However, as one of only a handful of treatable peripheral neuropathies, there has been a tendency to diagnose CIDP to attempt a therapeutic intervention. We are also aware that there has also been overtreatment of some patients. This combination of overdiagnosis and prolonged treatment has been a concern. This chapter will review these challenges and discuss recent findings that will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.

Recent findings
The factors leading to misdiagnosis of CIDP were explored in a cohort of patients referred to a neuromuscular center. On a more positive note, the identification of two disorders with antibodies directed at paranodal constituents has excited the field. Treatment options have increased and been clarified. Pulse corticosteroids have been compared with oral prednisone and with intravenous immunoglobulin. The clinical trial of subcutaneous immunoglobulin in CIDP has shown both efficacy and a very low side effect profile adding to our therapeutic options.

Summary
The current review will identify recent developments that show both the challenges and the exciting growth in our ability to diagnose and treat CIDP.
Update on diagnostics of metabolic myopathies
Authors: Toscano Antonio , Barca Emanuele , Musumeci Olimpia 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of review
This review aims to highlight the most relevant clinical and laboratory findings, regarding acute and progressive metabolic myopathies, and to develop an algorithm addressing clinicians to clinical practice.

Recent findings
Although diagnosis of metabolic myopathies remains still challenging, the recent identification of new disorders has increased the number of patients requiring specific investigations. Nowadays, a more detailed characterization of the clinical spectrum of metabolic myopathies improved awareness as well as a deeper knowledge on their natural history or multisystem involvement. Diagnostic procedures, as first-line screening tests are necessary for an earlier and more accurate diagnostic work up, not only in infantile cases, but also in adults with suspected metabolic myopathies. New generation diagnostic techniques such as NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) and whole exome/genome sequencing have emerged as innovative tools to extensively evaluate either known genes variants or new candidate genes as possible causes of metabolic myopathies.

Summary
Diagnosis of metabolic myopathies is still challenging for clinicians because of rarity and clinical heterogeneity which is often overlapping with other neuromuscular disorders. Detailed algorithms supported by advanced laboratory investigations may be helpful to timely reach a diagnosis, so allowing an earlier therapeutic decision.
Beyond the Hype: Deep Neural Networks Outperform Established Methods Using A ChEMBL Bioactivity Benchmark Set
Authors: Lenselink Eelke B. , Dijke Niels ten , Bongers Brandon , Papadatos George , van Vlijmen Herman W.T. , Kowalczyk Wojtek , IJzerman Adriaan P. , van Westen Gerard J.P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe increase of publicly available bioactivity data in recent years has fueled and catalyzed research in chemogenomics, data mining, and modeling approaches. As a direct result, over the past few years a multitude of different methods have been reported and evaluated, such as target fishing, nearest neighbor similarity-based methods, and Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR)-based protocols. However, such studies are typically conducted on different datasets, using different validation strategies, and different metrics.In this study, different methods were compared using one single standardized dataset obtained from ChEMBL, which is made available to the public, using standardized metrics (BEDROC and Matthews Correlation Coefficient). Specifically, the performance of Naive Bayes, Random Forests, Support Vector Machines, Logistic Regression, and Deep Neural Networks was assessed using QSAR and proteochemometric (PCM) methods. All methods were validated using both a random split validation and a temporal validation, with the latter being a more realistic benchmark of expected prospective execution.Deep Neural Networks are the top performing classifiers, highlighting the added value of Deep Neural Networks over other more conventional methods. Moreover, the best method (‘DNN_PCM’) performed significantly better at almost one standard deviation higher than the mean performance. Furthermore, Multi task and PCM implementations were shown to improve performance over single task Deep Neural Networks. Conversely, target prediction performed almost two standard deviations under the mean performance. Random Forests, Support Vector Machines, and Logistic Regression performed around mean performance. Finally, using an ensemble of DNNs, alongside additional tuning, enhanced the relative performance by another 27% (compared with unoptimized DNN_PCM).Here, a standardized set to test and evaluate different machine learning algorithms in the context of multitask learning is offered by providing the data and the protocols.
Conventional and hyperspectral time-series imaging of maize lines widely used in field trials
Authors: Liang Zhikai , Pandey Piyush , Stoerger Vincent , Xu Yuhang , Qiu Yumou , Ge Yufeng , Schnable James C. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTMaize (Zea maysssp.mays) is one of three crops, along with rice and wheat, responsible for more than 1/2 of all calories consumed around the world. Increasing the yield and stress tolerance of these crops is essential to meet the growing need for food. The cost and speed of plant phenotyping is currently the largest constraint on plant breeding efforts. Datasets linking new types of high throughput phenotyping data collected from plants to the performance of the same genotypes under agronomic conditions across a wide range of environments are essential for developing new statistical approaches and computer vision based tools. A set of maize inbreds – primarily recently off patent lines – were phenotyped using a high throughput platform at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. These lines have been previously subjected to high density genotyping, and scored for a core set of 13 phenotypes in field trials across 13 North American states in two years by the Genomes to Fields consortium. A total of 485 GB of image data including RGB, hyperspectral, fluorescence and thermal infrared photos has been released. Correlations between image-based measurements and manual measurements demonstrated the feasibility of quantifying variation in plant architecture using image data. However, naive approaches to measuring traits such as biomass can introduce nonrandom measurement errors confounded with genotype variation. Analysis of hyperspectral image data demonstrated unique signatures from stem tissue. Integrating heritable phenotypes from high-throughput phenotyping data with field data from different environments can reveal previously unknown factors influencing yield plasticity.
Emphasizing the ‘positive’ in positive reinforcement: Using non-binary rewarding for training monkeys on cognitive tasks
Authors: Fischer Benjamin , Wegener Detlef 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNon-human primates constitute an indispensable model system for studying higher brain functions at the neurophysiological level. They can be trained on highly demanding cognitive tasks, and studies involving these animals elucidated the neuronal mechanisms of various cognitive and executive functions, such as visual attention, working memory, and decision-making. The training of behavioral tasks used to study these processes builds on reinforcement learning and involves many discrete stages. It may takes several months, but frequently lasts a year or longer. The training is usually based on applying a liquid reward as the reinforcer to strengthen the desired behavior, and absence of the reward if the animal’s response was wrong. We here propose an alternative, non-binary rewarding scheme that aims to minimize unrewarded behavior. We show the potential of this alternative scheme to significantly speed up the training of an animal at various stages, without trade-off in accessible task difficulty or task performance.
Creating a highly directional anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Buts Vyacheslav A. , Skibenko Klavdiya P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA simple method of creating a highly directional anti-tumor immunity is proposed. It is shown that under the influence of ultrasound of small and medium intensity, it is possible to tear off antigens from the cell surface (surface antigens (SA)). It was found that the immunogenicity of these SAs is not less than the immunogenicity of intact cells. These results give a new opportunity for creating specific, acute-directed immunity against malignant tumors.