bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart Rate and Oxygen Uptake Kinetics in Type 2 Diabetes Patients – A Pilot Study on the Influence of Cardiovascular Medication on Regulatory Processes
Authors: Koschate Jessica , Drescher Uwe , Baum Klaus , Brinkmann Christian , Schiffer Thorsten , Latsch Joachim , Brixius Klara , Hoffmann Uwe 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether there are differences in heart rate and oxygen uptake kinetics in type 2 diabetes patients, considering their cardiovascular medication. It was hypothesized that cardiovascular medication would affect heart rate and oxygen uptake kinetics and that this could be detected using a standardized exercise test. 18 subjects were tested for maximal oxygen uptake. Kinetics were measured in a single test session with standardized, randomized moderate-intensity work rate changes. Time series analysis was used to estimate kinetics. Greater maxima in cross-correlation functions indicate faster kinetics. 6 patients did not take any cardiovascular medication, 6 subjects took peripherally acting medication and 6 patients were treated with centrally acting medication. Maximum oxygen uptake was not significantly different between groups. Significant main effects were identified regarding differences in muscular oxygen uptake kinetics and heart rate kinetics. Muscular oxygen uptake kinetics were significantly faster than heart rate kinetics in the group with no cardiovascular medication (maximum in cross-correlation function of muscular oxygen uptake vs. heart rate; 0.32±0.08 vs. 0.25±0.06; p=0.001) and in the group taking peripherally acting medication (0.34±0.05 vs. 0.28±0.05; p=0.009) but not in the patients taking centrally acting medication (0.28±0.05 vs. 0.30±0.07; n.s.). It can be concluded that regulatory processes for the achievement of a similar maximal oxygen uptake are different between the groups. The used standardized test provided plausible results for heart rate and oxygen uptake kinetics in a single measurement session in this patient group.
Cross-Border Capacity Assessment in Dementia Care
Authors: Jongen Wesley , Commers Matthew , Schols Jos , Burazeri Genc , Brand Helmut 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Within the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, cross-border cooperation in the healthcare sector has taken place on different occasions and at different levels. However, it still proving to be difficult to have an overview of the existing structures and activities of Euregio in specific healthcare fields, such as for instance, dementia care. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent cooperation in the Dutch province of Limburg in the field of dementia care can be considered Euregionally oriented.
In order to create more cross-border transparency within the Euregional dementia care field, we conducted a capacity assessment analysis. Capacity assessment is the first step in the further development of healthcare capacities by mapping current as well as desired capacities. Although we related the model as applied in this study explicitly to dementia care in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, the model could be applicable in other cross-border settings and/or healthcare fields as well.
Despite the apparently well-functioning system of regional dementia care networks in the Dutch province of Limburg, none of the respondents declared to have structural contacts with similar organizations in the other (German and Belgian) parts of the Euregio. Moreover, many of our respondents argued that cross-border cooperation in the field of dementia care could be interesting in various ways, but at the same time there is currently no direct necessity to actively pursue such cooperation.
Despite the absence of structural cross-border cooperation initiatives in the field of dementia care in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, some suggestions can be made for the formulation of a potential capacity development response on the basis of the results of the capacity assessment as conducted in this study (showing gaps between current and desired capacities). Even if it is subsequently decided not to formulate a concrete capacity development response (for example due to the lack of a mutual objective need amongst organizations to engage in cross-border cooperation), a capacity assessment offers at the least a reflection on an organization’s own performance as well as providing transparency between organizations. The main opportunities for the formulation of a capacity development response on a Euregional level in the field of dementia care are related to knowledge development and the creation of partnerships.
Systemic delivery of factor IX messenger RNA for protein replacement therapy
Authors: Ramaswamy Suvasini , Tonnu Nina , Tachikawa Kiyoshi , Limphong Pattraranee , Vega Jerel B. , Karmali Priya P. , Chivukula Pad , Verma Inder M. 
Published: February 2017

SignificanceAbnormal gene expression is the underlying cause for many pathological states, and restoring normalcy through overexpression or knockdown is a conceptually simple solution. Despite the advantages over DNA and viral vectors, RNA-based therapeutics have been plagued by problems of poor translatability, stability, and adverse immune reactions. Efficient in vivo delivery has also been challenging because currently available lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can induce liver damage and elicit a strong immune response. In this study, we demonstrate the successful use of LUNAR—a safe, reproducible, and effective LNP mRNA delivery platform that can be used to treat diseases requiring protein replacement. We achieve therapeutic delivery of mRNAs in a preclinical model of hemophilia and demonstrate alleviation of disease symptoms.
A generalized association test based on U statistics
Authors: Wei Changshuai , Lu Qing 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Motivation
Second generation sequencing technologies are being increasingly used for genetic association studies, where the main research interest is to identify sets of genetic variants that contribute to various phenotypes. The phenotype can be univariate disease status, multivariate responses and even high-dimensional outcomes. Considering the genotype and phenotype as two complex objects, this also poses a general statistical problem of testing association between complex objects.

Results
We here proposed a similarity-based test, generalized similarity U (GSU), that can test the association between complex objects. We first studied the theoretical properties of the test in a general setting and then focused on the application of the test to sequencing association studies. Based on theoretical analysis, we proposed to use Laplacian Kernel-based similarity for GSU to boost power and enhance robustness. Through simulation, we found that GSU did have advantages over existing methods in terms of power and robustness. We further performed a whole genome sequencing (WGS) scan for Alzherimer’s disease neuroimaging initiative data, identifying three genes, APOE, APOC1 and TOMM40, associated with imaging phenotype.

Availability and Implementation
We developed a C ++ package for analysis of WGS data using GSU. The source codes can be downloaded at https://github.com/changshuaiwei/gsu.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Statins and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism: pooled analysis of published observational cohort studies
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Seidu Samuel , Khunti Kamlesh 
Published: February 2017

Aims
There have been suggestions that statins may have a potential role in secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) [which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)], but the evidence is inconsistent. We aimed to evaluate the association between statin use and risk of recurrent VTE.

Methods and results
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies. All relevant studies which reported associations between statin use and recurrent VTE outcomes were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and manual search of bibliographies from inception to January 2017. Study specific relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals were aggregated using random effects models. Eight eligible studies comprising of 103 576 participants and 13 168 recurrent VTE outcomes were included in the pooled analysis. In pooled analysis of 7 studies, the RR for recurrent VTE was 0.73 (0.68–0.79) when comparing statin use with no use. There was no evidence of heterogeneity between contributing studies (I2=0%, 0–71%; P = 0.93). The RRs for recurrent PE (three studies) and DVT (two studies) comparing statin use with no statin use were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.58–0.96) and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.60–0.71) respectively.

Conclusion
Available evidence from observational cohort studies suggests a beneficial effect of statin use on VTE recurrence. Well-designed intervention studies are needed to corroborate these findings.
Recovering the potential term in a fractional diffusion equation
Authors: Zhang Zhidong , Zhou Zhi 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
In this article, we consider an inverse problem of recovering the potential term in a 1D time-fractional diffusion equation from the overdetermined final time data. We introduce a reconstruction operator and show its contractivity and monotonicity, which give the unique determination and an efficient algorithm. Further, for noisy data, we propose a regularized iterative algorithm based on mollification and derive error estimates for the approximation. Extensive numerical experiments for both smooth and nonsmooth potential data are provided to illustrate the efficiency and stability of the algorithm, and to verify the convergence theory.
The Risk of Seizure Following Surgery for Brain Arteriovenous Malformation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: O’Donnell Joan Margaret , Morgan Michael Kerin , Heller Gillian Z 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The evidence for the risk of seizures following surgery for brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) is limited.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the risk of seizures after discharge from surgery for supratentorial bAVM.

METHODS
A prospectively collected cohort database of 559 supratentorial bAVM patients (excluding patients where surgery was not performed with the primary intention of treating the bAVM) was analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression models (Cox regression) were generated assessing risk factors, a Receiver Operator Characteristic curve was generated to identify a cut-point for size and Kaplan–Meier life table curves created to identify the cumulative freedom from postoperative seizure.

RESULTS
Preoperative histories of more than 2 seizures and increasing maximum diameter (size, cm) of bAVM were found to be significantly (P < .01) associated with the development of postoperative seizures and remained significant in the Cox regression (size as continuous variable: P = .01; hazard ratio: 1.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.3; more than 2 seizures: P = .02; hazard ratio: 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-3.8). The cumulative risk of first seizure after discharge from hospital following resection surgery for all patients with bAVM was 5.8% and 18% at 12 mo and 7 yr, respectively. The 7-yr risk of developing postoperative seizures ranged from 11% for patients with bAVM ≤4 cm and with 0 to 2 preoperative seizures, to 59% for patients with bAVM >4 cm and with >2 preoperative.

CONCLUSION
The risk of seizures after discharge from hospital following surgery for bAVM increases with the maximum diameter of the bAVM and a patient history of more than 2 preoperative seizures.
Hospital Variation in Maternal Complications Following Caesarean Delivery in the United States: 2006 to 2012
Authors: Moroz L.A. , Wright J.D. , Ananth C.V. , Friedman A.M. 
Published: February 2017

(BJOG. 2016;123:1115–1120)
Caesarean delivery (CD) is associated with postsurgery complications such as wound infections, hemorrhage, and organ injury, and is one factor associated with increased maternal morbidity. Earlier studies have demonstrated the role of hospital factors and obstetric factors in patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate patient, obstetric, and hospital-related factors associated with post-CD complications, and hypothesized that hospital variability may be a useful parameter to assess quality of care and ultimately serve as a target for implementing interventions with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
RETINAL LAYER SEGMENTATION AFTER SILICONE OIL OR GAS TAMPONADE FOR MACULA-ON RETINAL DETACHMENT USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Lee Sung Hoon , Han Jong Wook , Byeon Suk Ho , Kim Sung Soo , Koh Hyoung Jun , Lee Sung Chul , Kim Min 
Published: February 2017

Purpose:
To evaluate and compare the effect of silicone oil and gas on the thickness of all retinal layers in eyes with macula-on retinal detachment (RD).

Methods:
Three hundred and sixty-seven eyes of 367 patients who received silicone oil tamponade and 310 eyes of 310 patients who received gas tamponade for the treatment of rhegmatogenous RD were initially reviewed. Automated retinal segmentation method using Spectralis optical coherence tomography was used for analysis. The primary outcome measure was the change in thickness of each retinal layer in the central 1 mm zone (silicone oil vs. gas tamponade). The secondary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity at postoperative 6 months and 9 months after primary RD surgery.

Results:
Eyes in the silicone oil group (n = 33) had a statistically significant decrease in total retinal thickness of 23.61 + 17.01 μm and in the thickness of all retinal layers, except for photoreceptor layer at 6 months after primary RD surgery (P < 0.001). In the gas group (n = 31), the postoperative change in total retinal thickness was only 0.14 ± 7.26 μm (P = 0.93), with no significant decrease in any of the individual retinal layers. Postoperatively, the best-corrected visual acuity in the silicone oil groups was significantly worse than that in the gas group at 6 months and 9 months after RD surgery (P = 0.003 and P = 0.004, respectively). The postoperative decrease of the ganglion cell layer, outer plexiform layer, and outer nuclear layer thicknesses showed significant correlation with best-corrected visual acuity in the silicone oil group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Silicone oil tamponade had a significant impact on the reduction of retinal thickness and that the reduction of ganglion cell layer, outer plexiform layer, and outer nuclear layer thicknesses showed the strongest correlation with worse visual acuity outcome.
Spontaneous Canalicular Plug Erosion After Punctal Plug Placement
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Bitar Maya , Davis Richard M. 
Published: February 2017

Purpose:
To describe a case of keratoconjunctivitis sicca treated with punctal plug placement with the first reported complication of subsequent plug erosion through the canaliculus and extrusion through the lid.

Methods:
Punctal plugs were placed in a patient with Sjogren syndrome for treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. More than 12 years later, the plug was noted to have eroded through the canaliculus and extruded through the conjunctiva and lid.

Results:
The extruded plug was removed, and punctal cautery was performed on 2 other puncta with improved symptom control.

Conclusions:
Plug extrusion through the conjunctiva and lid is a possible consequence of punctal plug placement.
Precision of Epithelial Defect Measurements
Authors: Parikh Purak C. , Valikodath Nita G. , Estopinal Christopher B. , Shtein Roni M. , Sugar Alan , Niziol Leslie M. , Woodward Maria A. 
Published: February 2017

Purpose:
To ensure optimal care of patients, cornea specialists measure corneal features, including epithelial defects (ED), with slit-lamp calipers. However, caliper measurements are subject to interphysician variability. We examined the extent of variability in ED measurements between cornea specialists and discuss the potential clinical impact.

Methods:
A total of 48 variably sized EDs were created in pig eyes. Three cornea specialists measured the maximum vertical and horizontal ED lengths to the nearest 10th of a millimeter using slit-lamp microscopy. An absolute difference in ED measurement between cornea specialists of 0.5 mm was chosen to be the a priori threshold for clinical significance and was evaluated by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Interrater reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results:
The average absolute difference in the vertical ED length between pairs of examiners ranged from 0.54 to 0.63 mm, and that of the horizontal ED length ranged from 0.44 to 0.46 mm. These differences in ED measurement were not significantly different from 0.5 mm (all P > 0.06). However, pairs of examiners differed in vertical ED length measurements by >0.5 mm in 44% to 52% of EDs and by >1.0 mm in 13% to 17% of EDs. Pairs of examiners differed in horizontal ED length measurements by >0.5 mm in 31% to 40% of EDs and by >1.0 mm in 10% to 15% of EDs. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.91) for vertical and 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.74–0.90) for horizontal ED measurements.

Conclusions:
Cornea specialists showed good reliability in the measured EDs; however, depending on the threshold for clinical significance, a nontrivial percentage of cases have high interexaminer clinical variability.
Patient Experience With Office-Based Corneal Transplantation
Authors: Parker Jack , Krijgsman Marina , van Dijk Korine , Melles Gerrit R. J. 
Published: February 2017

Purpose:
To evaluate patient experience with office-based corneal transplantation.

Methods:
Five hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients had a corneal transplant in a stand-alone operation unit, ie, a unidirectional flow hood inside a dedicated treatment room in an office setting. Six months postoperatively, all patients received a questionnaire inquiring how they experienced corneal surgery and the operation unit; 354 patients responded to the questionnaire and their answers were scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.

Results:
The average score to the question “How would you rate your experience of your corneal operation in general?” was 4.4 ± 0.62 (n = 354), and the average score to the question “How would you rate your experience within the operation unit, taking into consideration feelings of claustrophobia and how comfortable you felt?” was 4.1 ± 0.82 (n = 348). Patients who had undergone previous ocular surgery in a conventional operating theater scored their office-based corneal transplant no less favorably than those patients for whom it was their first operation (P = 0.9 and P = 0.77, respectively). Most subjective comments pertained to the surgical stretcher, rather than to the experience of office-based surgery in general or to the unidirectional flow hood in particular.

Conclusions:
Regardless of the ophthalmic surgical history, patient experience with office-based corneal transplantation was generally positive.
Creating a Victim Notification Protocol for Untested Sexual Assault Kits: An Empirically Supported Planning Framework
Authors: Campbell Rebecca , Fehler-Cabral Giannina , Horsford Sheena 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT
In cities throughout the United States, hundreds of thousands of sexual assault kits (SAKs) have not been submitted by the police for forensic DNA testing. Given recent media attention and public outcry about this problem, many jurisdictions with large numbers of untested SAKs are deciding to test all previously unsubmitted SAKs, which raises complex issues regarding when and how victims ought to be notified about what has happened to the kits that were collected during their medical forensic examinations. In this project, we collaborated with one community that has had large numbers of untested SAKs—Detroit, Michigan—to develop an empirically supported planning framework for how to create a victim notification protocol. This planning tool presents 12 discussion questions that can guide communities through the process of creating a victim notification protocol tailored to the needs of their local jurisdiction. In this article, we review the evidence (both practice and research based) that can inform discussions about each of these 12 key questions.
Caregiver-Fabricated Illness in a Child: A Case Report of Three Siblings
Authors: Braham Mohamed Yassine , Jedidi Maher , Chkirbene Youssef , Hmila Imene , ElKhal Mohamed Cherif , Souguir Mohamed Kamel , Ben Dhiab Mohamed 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT
Caregiver-fabricated illness in a child is a form of child maltreatment caused by a caregiver inducing a child’s illness, leading to unnecessary and potentially harmful medical procedures and treatments. This condition can result in significant morbidity and mortality. We present the case of three siblings in Tunisia who were poisoned with chloralose by their own mother. The symptoms that the children presented with led to misdiagnoses, which resulted in the death of two of the children. Characteristics of the clinical presentation are articulated, followed by a discussion of the legal measures that apply to the offender and the role of physicians, nurses, and medicolegal experts involved in such a complex medical situation.
Long-term Results of the Risk-adapted Treatment for Childhood B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Report From the Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study ALL-97 Trial
Authors: Horibe Keizo , Yumura-Yagi Keiko , Kudoh Tooru , Nishimura Shinichiro , Oda Megumi , Yoshida Makoto , Komada Yoshihiro , Hara Junichi , Tawa Akio , Usami Ikuya , Tanizawa Akihiko , Kato Koji , Kobayashi Ryoji , Matsuo Keitaro , Hori Hiroki 
Published: February 2017

Purpose:
This study was conducted as the first clinical trial by Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study to improve the outcome of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and explore a less toxic reinduction block.

Patients and Methods:
From 1997 to 2002, 563 patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia aged 1 to 15 years were enrolled. The patients were assigned into 4 risk groups (standard, intermediate, high, or extremely high risk) and treated with regimens intensified according to the risk. Two randomized trials were conducted to compare 2 regimens with and without a 3-week reinduction therapy in the standard-risk group, and to compare the efficacy of pirarubicin with daunorubicin in the intermediate-risk and high-risk groups. Prophylactic cranial irradiation was restricted in patients with high or extremely high risk.

Results:
The event-free survival (EFS) rate at 10 years for all patients was 77.0%. Those in the standard-risk to extremely high-risk groups were 79.3%, 72.5%, 71.7%, and 66.3%, respectively. The 15-week induction/consolidation not followed by reinduction produced 76.4% of the EFS at 10 years comparable with the regimen with reinduction therapy. Pirarubicin at 25 mg/m2 administered 11 times throughout the treatment produced the EFS comparable with daunorubicin at 30 mg/m2.

Conclusion:
The trial produced high survival rates in NCI-HR patients, although the outcomes in NCI-SR patients were not satisfactory possibly due to less intensive central nervous system–directed therapy.