bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between insurance and 30‐day readmission rates in patients 65 years and older discharged from an acute care hospital with hospice services
Authors: Whitney Patricia , Chuang Elizabeth J. 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDPatients who are dual eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid have previously been shown to have increased healthcare utilization and cost. However, this relationship has not been examined for patients at the end of life. Dual eligible patients enrolled in hospice may receive more comprehensive care in the community, reducing readmissions in the final weeks or months of life.OBJECTIVEDetermine whether patients who have dual coverage with Medicare and Medicaid and are discharged with referral to hospice services after palliative care consult during their hospitalization differ in their 30‐day readmission rate compared with similar patients with other types of insurance.DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.SETTINGThree acute care hospitals affiliated with Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York.PATIENTSIn total, 2755 inpatients who received palliative care consultation and were discharged with hospice services.PREDICTORDual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid compared with other insurance status. MEASUREMENTS: Readmission to Montefiore Medical Center for any reason within 30 days of the index admission.RESULTSOverall, 9.24% of patients with dual Medicare and Medicaid coverage were readmitted within 30 days compared with 13.12% of others (adjusted odds ratio: 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.59‐0.98; P = 0.041).CONCLUSIONSDual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid is associated with lower 30‐day readmission rates in patients enrolled in a hospice program. Insurance coverage that increases access to custodial care (home attendant hours and residential care) may help decrease burdensome hospital readmissions near the end of life. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:688–693. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Urban effects on summertime air temperature in Germany under climate change
Authors: Grossman‐Clarke Susanne , Schubert Sebastian , Fenner Daniel 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe impact of global climate change on urban relative to rural summertime air temperatures is investigated for nine major cities in Germany, under the Representative Concentration Pathway trajectory 8.5. The analysis is based on simulations of representative summers with a regional climate model (RCM) in conjunction with a multilayer urban parametrization when driven by three global circulation models (GCMs). The GCMs are selected because they project different warming rates for Germany. Specifically, each GCM provides boundary conditions for the RCM for two past and two future summers that resemble average conditions for Germany with respect to 2‐m air temperature statistics during a historical (1976–2005) and a future (2031–2060) period. Thus, one emphasis of our study is on the effects of the different driving GCMs on urban–rural air temperature differences (ΔTu−r). The simulations show climate change signals (CCSs) in summer‐mean ΔTu−r of the city ensemble of up to 0.15 K. Across all driving GCMs, the largest changes are projected for the city of Berlin. Characteristics of the diurnal courses of ΔTu−r, the magnitude of the CCS and its physical reasons are GCM specific. Specifically, CCSs are caused either by positive or negative changes in the Bowen ratio of the rural boundary with little change in the urban surface fluxes, or vice versa. The study emphasizes the importance of the driving GCM in RCM simulations when investigating urban effects on air temperature under global climate change.
A new classification algorithm for daughter cyclone formation with respect to the parent's frontal system – application for the Mediterranean Basin
Authors: Saaroni Hadas , Harpaz Tzvi , Ziv Baruch 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThis article presents a semi‐objective methodology to classify formation scenarios of a new ‘daughter’ cyclone (DC), based on the thermal field characteristics of the parent cyclone (PC). An automated algorithm assigns a DC to one of seven formation types, according to the following considerations: Whether the DC is formed on a front belonging to the parent's frontal system or to a different frontal system, and whether this frontal system is cold, warm or quasi‐stationary. An additional type contains DCs formed within the warm sector of the parent. The algorithm uses measures derived from wind and temperature fields at 850‐hPa: the temperature gradient, the temperature advection and the temperature Laplacian, each computed at the formation location of the DC, and also the temperature difference between the DC and the PC. The classification method was applied to 4303 Mediterranean DCs which were observed during 33 winters. Totally 85% of the DCs were identified as belonging to one of the seven predefined types, implying that the formation of the remaining 15% was not related to baroclinic or thermal factors. Among the successfully classified DCs, over half were formed on the frontal system of the parent, a third of the DCs on a separate frontal system and only 13% were formed within the warm sector. Most of the ‘cold front’ cyclones were formed at the major Mountain Lee locations, whereas those formed on warm fronts were generated mostly over the Adriatic, Ligurian and Aegean Seas. Inspection of composite maps of distinct formation types in various regions revealed unique formation scenarios, like DCs forming over western Morocco but belonging to third generation Genoa Lows. Other reflects discontinuous movement of cyclones, resulting from encounter with topographical obstacles, found mostly on PCs' warm fronts, or from the attraction of cyclogenetic areas left behind, mostly on PCs' cold fronts.
Systemic inflammatory markers as prognostic factors in stage IIA colorectal cancer
Authors: Park Byung Kwan , Park Ji Won , Han Eon Chul , Ryoo Seung‐Bum , Han Sae‐Won , Kim Tae‐You , Chie Eui Kyu , Jeong Seung‐Yong , Park Kyu Joo 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate systemic inflammatory markers as prognostic factors in patients with stage IIA colorectal cancer.MethodsAmong the patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer at Seoul National University Hospital between 2002 and 2010, 1,035 who were classified as postoperative pathologic stage IIA (T3N0M0) were included. Systemic inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and serum fibrinogen level, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the cut‐off values of the systemic inflammatory markers after receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Survival analysis was performed to identify factors associated with disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsAge, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, tumor location, number of harvested lymph nodes, venous invasion, perineural invasion, adjuvant treatment and PNI (HR = 1.534, 95%CI: 1.065–2.211, P = 0.022; HR = 1.915, 95%CI: 1.286–2.852, P = 0.001 for DFS and OS, respectively) were independent significant prognostic factors for both DFS and OS.ConclusionsPNI can be a prognostic marker in stage IIA colorectal cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:216–221. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinicopathological features of colloid adenocarcinoma of the lung: A report of six cases
Authors: Masai Kyohei , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Suzuki Shigeki , Asakura Keisuke , Nakagawa Kazuo , Watanabe Shun‐Ichi 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesColloid adenocarcinoma of the lung (CA) is a rare neoplasm that is associated with abundant mucin, which destroys alveoli. We evaluated the clinicopathological features of CA.MethodsA total of 4,648 patients underwent surgical resection of primary lung cancer at our institution from 2002 to 2014. We analyzed the clinicopathological features of CA in six (0.13%) of these patients.ResultsAll patients were asymptomatic. The median age was 60.5 years. The median tumor size was 2.4 cm. All tumors appeared as solitary solid nodules on computed tomography (CT). Four of the six showed intense 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG–PET) accumulation, and the remaining two showed weak 18F‐FDG accumulation. All patients underwent lobectomy with systematic lymph node dissection. Histologically, CAs presented with various degrees of a non‐mucinous component in addition to abundant mucin. Only one patient with pN2 had recurrence.ConclusionsOn CT, CA appears a solitary solid nodule. Further, FDG–PET findings present various 18F‐FDG accumulations. Lobectomy with systematic lymph node dissection is an appropriate procedure in view of lymph node metastasis. Since the definitive diagnosis of CA of the lung is difficult, further immunohistochemical and genetic analyses are needed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:211–215. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term follow‐up of amitriptyline treatment for idiopathic cough
Authors: Ryan Marisa A. , Cohen Seth M. 
Published: May 2016

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate short‐ and long‐term treatment outcomes of amitriptyline for idiopathic cough.Study DesignRetrospective chart review and anonymous survey of a patient cohort.MethodsWe evaluated a cohort of adults treated for cough at the Duke Voice Care Center with amitriptyline over a 2‐ to 3‐year period. We characterized demographics, symptoms, treatment variability, and treatment effects from chart review and survey responses. We performed univariate analysis comparing cough improvement to age, gender, symptoms of throat irritation, cough duration, concurrent speech therapy, and dosage.ResultsEighty‐nine percent were taking the medication at the first clinical follow‐up at a mean 2.6 months, and overall, 67% reported ≥50% improvement. No statistically significant predictors of cough improvement with medication were identified. At follow‐up 2 to 3 years later, overall, 53% reported ≥50% improvement, with only 34% of patients still taking amitriptyline. After 2 to 3 years, 65% of patients had titrated the medication to effect, and 33% restarted the medication. Occurrence of side effects was the most frequent reason for stopping the medication.ConclusionsAmitriptyline can be an effective and well‐tolerated part of short‐ and long‐term management of idiopathic cough in adults. Titrating the dose and restarting are often necessary. Larger studies and randomized control trials are needed to better understand the outcomes of using amitriptyline to treat idiopathic cough.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 126:2758–2763, 2016
Evaluation of type II thyroplasty on phonatory physiology in an excised canine larynx model
Authors: Devine Erin E. , Hoffman Matthew R. , McCulloch Timothy M. , Jiang Jack J. 
Published: May 2016

Objectives/HypothesisType II thyroplasty is an alternative treatment for spasmodic dysphonia, addressing hyperadduction by incising and lateralizing the thyroid cartilage. We quantified the effect of lateralization width on phonatory physiology using excised canine larynges.MethodsNormal closure, hyperadduction, and type II thyroplasty (lateralized up to 5 mm at 1‐mm increments with hyperadducted arytenoids) were simulated in excised larynges (N = 7). Aerodynamic, acoustic, and videokymographic data were recorded at three subglottal pressures relative to phonation threshold pressure (PTP). One‐way repeated measures analysis of variance assessed effect of condition on aerodynamic parameters. Random intercepts linear mixed effects models assessed effects of condition and subglottal pressure on acoustic and videokymographic parameters.ResultsPTP differed across conditions (P < .001). Condition affected percent shimmer (P < .005) but not percent jitter. Both pressure (P < .03) and condition (P < .001) affected fundamental frequency. Pressure affected vibratory amplitude (P < .05) and intrafold phase difference (P < .05). Condition affected phase difference between the vocal folds (P < .001).ConclusionsHyperadduction increased PTP and worsened perturbation compared to normal, with near normal physiology restored with 1‐mm lateralization. Further lateralization deteriorated voice quality and increased PTP. Acoustic and videokymographic results indicate that normal physiologic relationships between subglottal pressure and vibration are preserved at optimal lateralization width, but then degrade with further lateralization. The 1‐mm optimal width observed here is due to the small canine larynx size. Future human trials would likely demonstrate a greater optimal width, with patient‐specific value potentially determined based on larynx size and symptom severity.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 2016 127:396–404, 2017
Factors that impact health‐related quality of life over time for individuals with head and neck cancer
Authors: Reeve Bryce B. , Cai Jianwen , Zhang Hongtao , Weissler Mark C. , Wisniewski Kathy , Gross Heather , Olshan Andrew F. 
Published: May 2016

Objectives/HypothesisTo identify sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors associated with health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients over time.Study DesignA population‐based longitudinal cohort study.MethodsNewly diagnosed HNC patients (N = 587) were administered the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Head and Neck questionnaire at baseline (median 3 months postdiagnosis) and two follow‐up assessments (median 22 and 42 months). Linear mixed‐effect models were used with backward variable selection to identify factors associated with HRQOL over time (P < .05). Adjusted means reported at 2 years postdiagnosis.ResultsAfrican Americans reported better Functional Well‐Being than whites (mean of 20.01 vs. 18.53) and fewer HNC symptoms over time. Older patients (75+ years) reported better HRQOL than younger patients (< 50 years). Current tobacco use compared to no tobacco use had worse Physical (20.20 vs. 21.50), Emotional (17.55 vs. 19.06), Social (21.28 vs. 22.88), and Functional (17.32 vs. 19.29) Well‐Being and more HNC symptoms (21.50 vs. 23.71). Radiation therapy was associated with worse Physical and Functional Well‐Being and more head and neck symptoms over time, but HRQOL was similar to those who were not irradiated by 2 to 4 years postdiagnosis.ConclusionThis study identified key factors for individuals at risk for poorer HRQOL that may help clinicians and caregivers find solutions to address these decrements. Smoking cessation programs can be encouraged for survivors who use tobacco. Psychological and social support and medications may help for dealing with emotional distress and dealing with the physical symptoms from treatment.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:2718–2725, 2016
Evaluation of Sediment Deposition in a Mediterranean Reservoir: Comparison of Long Term Bathymetric Measurements and SWAT Estimations
Authors: Licciardello Feliciana , Toscano Attilio , Cirelli Giuseppe L. , Consoli Simona , Barbagallo Salvatore 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis study aims to demonstrate that the SWAT model can be used to predict discharge and sediment yield values in reservoir contributing catchments helping also to define the main factors that determine sedimentation rates in semi‐arid Mediterranean environments. This aim was achieved by comparing SWAT simulation results with water flows (over 29 years) and sediment deposition (over 47 years) volumes collected (by a campaign of bathymetric surveys) in a Sicilian reservoir. The mean monthly runoff coefficient calculated for the period 1980–2008 was 0·17. The mean sedimentation volume in the reservoir during the period 1963–2009 was 51,000 m3 year−1. Field surveys and collection of spatially distributed databases of soil, topography and climate were carried out in order to characterize the contributing catchment. The SWAT model was applied to simulate sediment volumes cumulated over group of years as well as water flow volumes reaching annual and monthly the reservoir. The performance of the hydrological and erosion components of the model was evaluated by a combination of both summary and difference statistical measures after a sensitivity analysis and a calibration/validation process. The model was able to simulate observed runoff volumes at both annual and monthly scale. The mean sedimentation volume simulated by SWAT during the whole period was 8·1% lower than the value obtained by the bathymetric measurements (equal to 72·103 Mg) with very good values of the efficiency coefficient (equal to 0·91). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solvent Effect on Electrochemical Properties of a Co(II)‐Based Metallo‐Supramolecular Polymer Film
Authors: Hsu Chih‐Yu , Zhang Jian , Moriyama Satoshi , Higuchi Masayoshi 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe influence of solvents on the electrochemical properties of a Co(II)‐bisterpyridine‐based metallo‐supramolecular polymer (polyCo) thin films are studied. A redox couple of the polyCo film on GC electrode is observed in the reduction domain due to the redox reaction between Co(II) and Co(I) which belongs to a Nernstian reversible process in aqueous electrolyte solution. While a significant difference on the electrochemical stability of polyCo film is found in the electrolyte solution of organic solvent. A shrinking behaviour of the film is observed after redox switching in acetonitrile solution. The formation of the mixed‐ligand of cobalt ion with water molecules as well as the hydrophilic property of the anion enable a stable redox switching of polyCo film in aqueous electrolytes.
Physico‐Chemical and Rheological Properties of Gellan in Aqueous‐Salt Solutions and Oilfield Saline Water
Authors: Kudaibergenov Sarkyt E. , Tatykhanova Gulnur S. , Sigitov Vladimir B. , Nurakhmetova Zhanar A. , Blagikh Eugene V. , Gussenov Iskander Sh. , Seilkhanov Tulegen M. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe physico‐chemical and rheological properties of low acyl gellan (LAG) were investigated in aqueous solutions of various salts. 1H NMR spectroscopic study of LAG was conducted in salt‐free solutions at different temperatures. FTIR spectra revealed that the characteristic bands of both asymmetric and symmetric carboxylate groups are shifted to higher frequency regions as a result of effective surrounding of glucuronate residuesby mono‐ and divalent cations of salts. According to viscometricresults the effectiveness of salts to enhance gelation of gellan changes in the following order: BaCl2 > CaCl2 ≈ MgCl2 > KCl > NaCl. The behavior of LAG in model aqueous‐salt solutions and real oilfield saline water was evaluated by means of rheological measurements.The shear rate (and effective viscosity) of 0.5 wt.% gellan solution versus shear stress increases (and decreases) in the sequence of CaCl2 > MgCl2 > KCl > NaCl demonstrating the pseudo plastic character. The sol‐gel and liquid‐solid phase transitions of gellan solutionswere observed upon addition of oilfield water containing 73 g · L−1 of alkaline and alkaline earth metal ions. The effectiveness of salts to induce the separation of liquid and solid phases changes in the sequence: NaCl > KCl > MgCl2 ≈ CaCl2 ≈ BaCl2. The mechanical properties of gellan gels under compression were studied and the Young modules and breaking stresses were found. Sol‐gel transition of gellan solution inside of sand pack model was demonstrated. The hydrodynamic behavior of 0.5 wt.% gellan solution injected into the sand pack model with high (20 d) and low (2 d) permeability is useful to model the oil reservoirs in the process of enhanced oil recovery. The influence of clay minerals – bentonite on the rheological characteristics of gellan solution was evaluated for simulation of drilling mud ability to carry up the drilled rock particles from the bottomhole of the well to the surface.
Resolving phase ambiguity in dual‐echo dixon imaging using a projected power method
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Yuxin , Bao Shanshan , Alley Marcus T. , Pauly John M. , Hargreaves Brian A. , Vasanawala Shreyas S. 
Published: May 2016

PurposeTo develop a fast and robust method to resolve phase ambiguity in dual‐echo Dixon imaging.MethodsA major challenge in dual‐echo Dixon imaging is to estimate the phase error resulting from field inhomogeneity. In this work, a binary quadratic optimization program was formulated to resolve the phase ambiguity. A projected power method was developed to efficiently solve the optimization problem. Both the 1‐peak fat model and 6‐peak fat model were applied to three‐dimensional (3D) datasets. Additionally, the proposed method was extended to dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications using the 6‐peak fat model. With institutional review board (IRB) approval and patient consent/assent, the proposed method was evaluated and compared with region growing on 29 consecutive 3D high‐resolution patient datasets.ResultsFast and robust water/fat separation was achieved by the proposed method in different representative 3D datasets and dynamic 3D datasets. Superior water/fat separation was achieved using the 6‐peak fat model compared with the 1‐peak fat model. Compared to region growing, the proposed method reduced water/fat swaps from 76 to 7% of the patient cohort.ConclusionThe proposed method can achieve fast and robust phase error estimation in dual‐echo Dixon imaging. Magn Reson Med 77:2066–2076, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
P2Y2 purinergic receptors are highly expressed in cardiac and diaphragm muscles of mdx mice, and their expression is decreased by suramin
Authors: De Oliveira Moreira Drielen , Santo Neto Humberto , Marques Maria Julia 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and in the mdx mouse model of DMD, the lack of dystrophin leads to increased calcium influx and muscle necrosis. Patients suffer progressive muscle loss, and cardiomyopathy is an important determinant of morbidity. P2 purinergic receptors participate in the increased calcium levels in dystrophic skeletal muscles. Methods: In this study, we evaluated whether P2 receptors are involved in cardiomyopathy in mdx mice at later stages of the disease. Results: Western blotting revealed that P2Y2 receptor levels were upregulated (54%) in dystrophic heart compared with a normal heart. Suramin reduced the levels of P2Y2 to almost normal values. Suramin also decreased heart necrosis (reduced CK‐MB) and the expression of the stretch‐activated calcium channel TRPC1. Conclusions: This study suggests that P2Y2 may participate in cardiomyopathy in mdx mice. P2‐selective drugs with specific actions in the dystrophic heart may ameliorate cardiomyopathy in dystrophinopathies. Muscle Nerve 55: 116–121, 2017