bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic efficacy of circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine in patients with peripheral arterial disease: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Chu Renzhu , Yu Dawei , Chu Junyi , Lin Mingqiang , Yu Hongbo 
Published: September 2017

Background Asymmetric dimethylarginine is suggested to be a marker of poor prognosis in patients with atherosclerosis. However, the predictive role of circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine for clinical outcome in patients with peripheral arterial disease has not been determined. Aims To quantitatively assess the predictive value of circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine for clinical outcome in patients with peripheral arterial disease in a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Methods Relevant studies were identified by systematically searching of PubMed and Embase databases. A random-effect model was used to synthesize the results. Sensitivity analyses by omitting one study at a time were performed to evaluate the robustness of the results. Results Six studies with 2535 peripheral arterial disease patients were included. Patients with higher circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine at baseline were associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.28–2.06, I2 = 16%), and major adverse cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–3.73, I2 = 78%) as compared with those with lower circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine at baseline. Specifically, every increment of 0.1 µmol/l of asymmetric dimethylarginine was associated with 18% (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.31) increased risk for all-cause mortality and 14% (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–1.25) increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular disease. Sensitivity analyses by omitting one study at a time did not significantly change the results. Conclusion Higher circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine at baseline may be associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Success of scaphoid nonunion surgery is independent of proximal pole vascularity
Authors: Rancy Schneider K. , Swanstrom Morgan M. , DiCarlo Edward F. , Sneag Darryl B. , Lee Steve K. , Wolfe Scott W. ,   Scaphoid Nonunion Consortium
Published: September 2017

We followed 35 consecutive patients with scaphoid nonunions in a prospective longitudinal registry. All nonunions were treated with curettage, non-vascularized autogenous grafting and headless screw fixation. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, intraoperative bleeding points and histopathological analysis of cancellous bone in the proximal pole were recorded as measures of viability. Healing was categorized as ≥50% bony bridging on computed tomographic images in the plane of the scaphoid. Nine of 23 proximal poles demonstrated ischaemia on magnetic resonance imaging but none were interpreted as infarcted. Twenty-eight of 33 were found to have impaired vascularity as assessed by intraoperative bleeding. Fourteen of 32 demonstrated ≥50% trabecular necrosis and four of 33 demonstrated ≥50% tissue necrosis on histopathological analysis. Thirty of 33 demonstrated focal or robust remodelling activity. Despite pathological evidence of impaired vascularity in over half of the patients, 33 of the 35 scaphoids had healed by 12 weeks. We conclude that proximal pole infarction is decidedly rare and that vascularized bone grafting is seldom required. Level of evidence: IV
Breast cancer screening among women in Namibia: explaining the effect of health insurance coverage and access to information on screening behaviours
Authors: Kangmennaang Joseph , Mkandawire Paul , Luginaah Isaac 
Published: September 2017

Objectives: Breast cancer contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality in Namibia as is the case in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is a dearth of nationally representative studies that examine the odds of screening for breast cancer in Namibia and SSA at large. This paper aims to fill this gap by examining the determinants of breast cancer screening guided by the Health Belief Model. Methods: We applied hierarchical binary logit regression models to explore the determinants of breast cancer screening using the 2013 Namibia Demography and Health Survey (NDHS). We accounted for the effect of unobserved heterogeneity that may affect breast cancer, testing behaviours among women cluster level. The NDHS is a nationally representative dataset that has recently started to collect information on cancer screening. Results: The results show that women who have health insurance coverage (odds ratio (OR) = 1.62, p ≤ 0.01), maintain contact with health professionals (OR = 1.47, p = 0.01), and who have secondary (OR = 1.38, p = 0.01) and higher (OR = 1.77, p ≤ 0.01) education were more likely to be screened for breast cancer. Factors that influence women’s perception of their susceptibility to breast cancer such as birthing experience, age, region and place of residence were associated with screening in this context. Conclusions: Overall, the health belief model predicted women’s testing behaviours and also revealed the absence of relevant risk factors in the NDHS data that might influence screening. Overall, our results show that strategies for early diagnosis of breast cancer should be given major priority by cancer control boards as well as ministries of health in SSA. These strategies should centre on early screening and may involve reducing or eliminating barriers to health care, access to relevant health information and encouraging breast self-examination.
Does structural integrity following rotator cuff repair affect functional outcomes and pain scores? A meta-analysis
Authors: Haque Aziz , Pal Singh Harvinder 
Published: September 2017

Background To assess whether the integrity of rotator cuff repairs has an impact on functional outcomes, as well as pain scores, after surgery. Methods Systematic review and meta-analyses performed for Level Ι, ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ studies that presented functional outcome scores and radiological assessment of integrity following rotator cuff repair. Extracted data included patient demographics, functional outcome scores [Constant Score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, visual analogue scale (VAS) Pain score], as well as assessment of repair integrity on radiological investigations. A meta-analysis was performed using weighted means and a random effects model. Results Twelve studies were included in the final analysis. Average re-tear rate for the 800 included patients was 22% at a mean follow-up of 27.5 months after surgery. Patients with intact repairs had a significantly higher Constant Score (8.61 points, p < 0.00001), UCLA shoulder score (2.96 points, p < 0.0001) and ASES shoulder score (9.49 points, p < 0.0006). Patients with intact repairs also reported lower pain VAS Pain scores by 0.62 points ( p < 0.0004) Conclusions Our results show better functional outcome and pain scores in patients with intact rotator cuffs at follow-up when compared to those that have re-torn. This difference is equivalent to the published Minimal Clinically Important Difference for the ASES but not Constant Scores. This review has also highlighted that shoulder strength in patients with intact cuff repairs is likely to be greater than in patients with a failed repair.
Recent Exposure to Hypoglycemia Increases Glucose Variability Following a Hyper/Hypoglycemic Metabolic Challenge in T1D
Authors: Fabris Chiara , Farhy Leon S. , Anderson Stacey M. , Nass Ralf M. , Kovatchev Boris P. , Breton Marc D. 
Published: September 2017

Aims: In type 1 diabetes (T1D), repeated hypoglycemic episodes may reduce hormonal defenses and increase the risk for severe hypoglycemia. In this work, we investigate the effect of a structured hyper/hypoglycemic metabolic challenge on the postintervention glucose variability in T1D subjects studied at home. Methods: Thirty T1D subjects using insulin pump were monitored with blood glucose meters (SMBG) during a 1-month observation period. After 2 weeks of monitoring, participants were admitted at the University of Virginia Clinical Research Unit to undergo an 8-hour metabolic challenge. The intervention was designed to create hyperglycemia shortly followed by hypoglycemia, mimicking a real-life scenario of underbolused meal followed by overcorrection. After the intervention, subjects were monitored for 2 more weeks. Glycemic variability was assessed before and after the challenge using the low blood glucose index (LBGI). Glucagon counterregulation (GCR) response to induced hypoglycemia was also measured. LBGI variation and GCR were linked to prior exposure to hypoglycemia. Results: Subjects significantly exposed to hypoglycemia in the 2 weeks before the intervention had a significant increase of postchallenge LBGI ( P < .001) and lower GCR response ( P < .05). Recent occurrence of hypoglycemia and number of years not using an insulin pump were identified as significant predictors of postchallenge LBGI ( P < .001). Conclusion: Glycemic swings, a common result of suboptimal insulin treatment, have a significant impact on future (days) glycemic control in T1D subjects with a recent history of hypoglycemia, as measured in the field. Choice of past insulin therapy may also mediate this effect.
Visfatin level in children and adolescents with autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Farghaly Hekma Saad , Metwalley Kotb Abbass , Ahmed Faisal-Alkhateeb , Raafat Duaa Mohamed , El-Asheer Osama , Ali Ahmed Mahmood , Bahdawy Ahlam , Zahran Asmaa Mohamed 
Published: September 2017

Background: This study aims to assess the levels of visfatin in children and adolescents with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and its relationship with disease-related variables. Methods The study included 84 children and adolescents with AIT and 84 healthy subjects. Measurements of fasting glucose, insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4), antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were completed, with assessment of visfatin levels. Results: Overt hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 58 cases, while subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 26 of the studied patients. Total studied cases, overt and subclinical subgroups had significantly higher levels of TSH, HOMA-IR, TPOAb, TgAb and visfatin and significantly lower FT4 level compared with the control. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that visfatin was correlated positively with BMI, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), TSH and TPOAb, while inversely correlation with FT4. In logistic regression analysis, visfatin was correlated only with TPOAb. Conclusions: This preliminary study provides evidence of significantly higher level of visfatin in children and adolescents with AIT. Visfatin might have a potential role in the pathogenesis of AIT, which needs to be validated by measuring immunological responses in children and adolescents with AIT.
A large proportion of fecal immunochemical test-positive participants in colorectal cancer screening is symptomatic
Authors: de Klerk Clasine M , van der Vlugt Manon , Bossuyt Patrick M , Dekker Evelien 
Published: September 2017

Background Symptomatic invitees are advised not to participate in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening but to directly consult their general practitioner (GP), because fecal immunochemical test (FIT) sensitivity for cancer is not optimal. This recommendation may not always be followed in daily practice. We evaluated how many FIT-positive participants had CRC-related symptoms and whether the presence of symptoms was associated with the presence and location of CRC/advanced neoplasia. Methods We prospectively collected data on CRC-related symptoms in all FIT-positive participants in the Dutch CRC screening program, referred to our endoscopy centers between 2014 and 2016, and evaluated whether symptoms were associated with detected CRC/advanced neoplasia at colonoscopy. Results Of 527 FIT-positive participants, 314 had advanced neoplasia, of which 41 had CRC. Overall, 246 (47%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.51) reported CRC-related symptoms. A change in bowel habits (odds ratio (OR) 2.86, CI 1.23–6.62) and visible blood in stool (OR 8.65, CI 2.34–32.0) were associated with the detection of CRC at colonoscopy. We did not observe significant associations between evaluated symptoms and advanced neoplasia. Conclusions A large proportion of FIT-positive screening participants have CRC-related symptoms. This suggests that current instructions do not retain symptomatic screening invitees from participation and awareness of CRC-related symptoms is inadequate.
Arthroscopic Stabilization After a First-Time Dislocation: Collision Versus Contact Athletes
Authors: Ranalletta Maximiliano , Rossi Luciano A. , Alonso Hidalgo Ignacio , Sirio Adrian , Puig Dubois Julieta , Maignon Gastón D. , Bongiovanni Santiago L. 
Published: September 2017

Background: There is no universally accepted definition of “contact” or “collision” sports in the literature. The few available studies evaluating contact and collision sports consider them to be synonymous. However, athletes in collision sports purposely hit or collide with each other or with inanimate objects with greater force and frequency than in contact sports, which could jeopardize functional outcomes. Purpose: To compare the functional outcomes, return to sports, and recurrences in a series of contact and collision athletes with a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation treated using arthroscopic stabilization with suture anchors. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 56 athletes were enrolled in this study, including 22 contact athletes and 34 collision athletes. All athletes underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilization using suture anchors. Range of motion, the Rowe score, a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System (ASOSS) were used to assess functional outcomes. Return to sports and recurrences were also evaluated. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 22.2 years, and the mean follow-up was 62.4 months (range, 36-94 months). No significant difference in shoulder motion was found between preoperative and postoperative results or between the contact and collision groups. The Rowe, VAS, and ASOSS scores showed statistical improvement in both groups after surgery ( P = .001). Patients in the contact group returned to sports significantly faster than those in the collision group (5.2 vs 6.9 months, respectively; P = .01). In all, 43 athletes (76.8%) returned to near-preinjury sports activity levels (≥90% recovery) after surgery: 86.4% of patients in the contact group and 70.6% in the collision group ( P = .04). The total recurrence rate was 8.9%. There were 5 recurrences (14.7%) in the collision group and no recurrences in the contact group ( P < .01). Conclusion: Arthroscopic stabilization for anterior instability of the shoulder is a reliable procedure with respect to shoulder function, range of motion, and postoperative return to sports in contact and collision athletes. Compared with the contact group (0%), the collision group yielded a higher failure rate (14.7%). Moreover, patients in the contact group returned significantly faster (5.2 vs 6.9 months, respectively) and to and more returned to preinjury or near-preinjury activity levels (86.4% vs 70.6% of patients, respectively) than patients in the collision group.
Petroleum system of Miocene troughs of the Pannonian Basin in southern Hungary, based on 3D basin modeling
Authors: Lemberkovics Viktor , Kissné Pável Edina , Badics Balázs , Lőrincz Katalin , Rodionov Alexander , Galimullin Iskander 
Published: September 2017

The role of the Middle-Upper Miocene source rocks in the Late Neogene petroleum system of the Pannonian Basin is undoubtedly significant, but it is not entirely understood. Only a few general publications exist that describe these sediments and their importance. We have focused on understanding the Neogene tectono-stratigraphic development and petroleum systems of these relatively small syn-rift grabens in southern Hungary. We have developed a workflow for organic geochemical, seismic, and facies interpretation; basin subsidence; and 3D basin modeling to better understand the Miocene-Pliocene-age petroleum system in a [Formula: see text] study area. This area fully covers two small-scale (less than [Formula: see text] size each) troughs filled by syn-rift and postrift deposits in large thickness with significantly different structural histories. During our investigation, six source rock beds were identified and built into the model. Thousands of meters of Lower Miocene, (Karpatian age) sediment accumulated in a “pull-apart,” but later structurally inverted Kiskunhalas Trough in the south, where four moderate- to good-quality (2 wt% estimated original total organic carbon [TOC], 200 HI), dominantly gas-prone, immature to wet gas mature source rock beds were identified. In the overlying Middle Miocene (Badenian age) sediments, generally good quality (2 wt% estimated original [TOC], 300–500 HI, type II and II-S), oil-prone, dominantly oil mature source bed was identified. This layer, as the regional Miocene source rock, is mainly responsible for the known hydrocarbon (HC) accumulations. The 3D basin and petroleum system modeling helped us understand the HC migration into the already-discovered fields as well as identify possible future exploration objects.
The management of acute myocardial infarction in the Russian Federation: protocol for a study of patient pathways
Authors: Kontsevaya Anna , Bobrova Natalia , Barbarash Olga , Duplyakov Dmitry , Efanov Alexey , Galyavich Albert , Frants Maria , Khaisheva Larisa , Malorodova Tatyana , Mirolyubova Olga , Nedbaikin Andrei , Osipova Irina , Platonov Dmitry , Posnenkova OIga , Syromiatnikova Liudmila , Bates Katie , Leon David A , McKee Martin 
Published: September 2017

Background: Death rates from cardiovascular disease in Russia are among the highest in the world. In recent years, the Russian government has invested substantially in the healthcare system, with a particular focus on improving access to advanced technology, especially for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This protocol describes a study to understand the management of AMI in different Russian regions, investigating the role of patient, clinical, and health system characteristics. Methods: A prospective observational study has recruited a representative sample of AMI patients from 16 hospitals in 13 regions across Russia. Criteria for inclusion are being aged 35-70 years with a confirmed diagnosis of AMI and surviving until the day after admission. Information being collected includes health system contacts and features of clinical management prior to the event and in the 12 months following discharge from hospital. Following initial exploration of the data to generate hypotheses, multilevel modelling will be applied to assess the role of these characteristics in both treatment decisions and any delays in time critical interventions. Between June 2015 and August 2016, 1,122 patients have been recruited at baseline and follow-up to 12 months post-discharge is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2017. The study is unique in examining patient factors, clinical management prior to admission and in hospital in the acute phase and throughout the critical first year of recovery across a diverse range of geographies and facilities. It uses standardized instruments to collect data from patients and health care providers and includes regions that are diverse in terms of geography and development of cardiology capacity. However, given the limited health services research capacity in the Russian Federation, it was not possible to obtain a sample that was truly nationally representative.
Complementarity of Signals in Early-Stage Equity Investment Decisions: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment
Authors: Bapna Sofia 
Published: September 2017

This study employs a randomized field experiment to causally identify what type of signal is likely to complement another signal in the context of financing technology ventures. The study examines the effect of product certification by expert intermediaries, prominent customers, and social proof (that is, others’ interest in investing in a venture) on interest in investing. These three signals are primarily signals of a venture’s product, market, and investment characteristics, respectively. The study finds that signals of product certification and prominent customers, and product certification and social proof are complements. In particular, investors who were able to view the combined product certification and prominent customer signals have a 72% higher likelihood of indicating an interest in making an equity investment than those who did not receive any of the three signals. Similarly, investors who were able to view the combined product certification and social proof signals have a 65% higher likelihood of indicating an interest in investing. These results suggest that in the context of technology ventures, a signal about product characteristics is the key to unlocking the value of signals of market or investment characteristics. This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Customer Acquisition, Retention, and Service Access Quality: Optimal Advertising, Capacity Level, and Capacity Allocation
Authors: Afèche Philipp , Araghi Mojtaba , Baron Opher 
Published: September 2017

Problem definition We provide guidelines on three fundamental decisions of customer relationship management (CRM) and capacity management for profit-maximizing service firms that serve heterogeneous repeat customers, whose acquisition, retention, and behavior depend on their service access quality to bottleneck capacity: how much to spend on customer acquisition, how much capacity to deploy, and how to allocate capacity and tailor service access quality levels to different customer types. Academic/ practical relevance These decisions require a clear understanding of the connections between customers’ behavior and value, their service access quality, and the capacity allocation. However, existing models ignore these connections. Methodology We develop and analyze a novel fluid model that accounts for these connections. Simulation results suggest that the fluid-optimal policy also yields nearly optimal performance for large stochastic queueing systems with abandonment. Results First, we derive new customer value metrics that extend the standard ones by accounting for the effects of the capacity allocation, the resulting service access qualities, and customer behavior: a customer’s lifetime value; her Vμ index, where V is her one-time service value and μ her service rate; and her policy-dependent value, which reflects the Vμ indices of other served types. Second, we link these metrics to the profit-maximizing policy and to new capacity management prescriptions, notably, optimality conditions for rationing capacity and for identifying which customers to deny service. Further, unlike standard index policies, the optimal policy prioritizes customers based not on their Vμ indices, but on policy- and type-dependent functions of these indices. Managerial implications First, our study highlights the importance of basing decisions on more complete metrics that link customer value to the service access quality; marketing-focused policies that ignore these links may reduce profits significantly. Second, the proposed metrics provide guidelines for valuing customers in practice. Third, our decision guidelines help managers design more profitable policies that effectively integrate CRM and capacity management considerations. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0635 .