bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of specialist palliative care on coping with Parkinson’s disease: patients and carers
Authors: Badger Nathan J , Frizelle Dorothy , Adams Debi , Johnson Miriam J 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesUK guidelines recommend palliative care access for people with Parkinson’s disease; however, this remains sporadic, and it is unknown whether specialist palliative care helps patients and carers cope with this distressing condition. This study aimed to explore whether, and how, access to specialist palliative care services affected patients’ and carers’ coping with Parkinson’s disease.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and verbatim transcribed. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants were patients with advanced idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (n=3), and carers of people with Parkinson’s disease (n=5, however, one diagnosis was reviewed) receiving care from an integrated specialist palliative care and Parkinson’s disease service in North East England.ResultsAccess to specialist palliative care helped participants cope with some aspects of advanced Parkinson’s disease. Three superordinate themes were developed:‘ managing uncertainty’, ‘impacts on the self’ and ‘specialist palliative care maintaining a positive outlook’.ConclusionsSpecialist palliative care helped patients and carers cope with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Specialist palliative care is a complex intervention that acknowledges the complex and holistic nature of Parkinson’s disease, enabling health in some domains despite continued presence of pathology. These exploratory findings support the utility of this approach for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Guillain-Barré syndrome in southern China: retrospective analysis of hospitalised patients from 14 provinces in the area south of the Huaihe River
Authors: Liu Shuping , Xiao Zheman , Lou Min , Ji Fang , Shao Bei , Dai Hongyuan , Luo Can , Hu Bo , Zhou Ruiling , Zou Zhangyu , Li Jing , Li Xiaoyi , Xu Jun , Hu Fan , Qin Chao , Wang Lian , Liu Tao , Bai Runtao , Chen Yangmei , Lv Haiyan , Zhang Ruxu , Wang Xiaoming , Wang Yunfu , Ren Shanling , He Xiaoming , Jiang Zhenwei , Wu Huiwen , Yu Donghui , Yang Wenqiong , Luo Wenjing , Gong Daokai , Chen Bin , Liu Yin , Yao Jiajia , Yang Yujie , Guan Jingxia , Zhu Mingzhen , Fu Xiujuan , Gao Genshan , Zhang Hong , Ding Man , Fan Shanghua , Cao Qian , Lu Jingyi , Lu Zuneng 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesThe clinical and epidemiological profiles of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in southern China have yet to be fully recognised. We aimed to investigate the subtypes of GBS in southern China, compare the clinical features of demyelinating form with that of axonal form and test whether preceding infections and age have influence on the clinical phenotype, disease course and severity of GBS.MethodsMedical records of patients with a diagnosis of GBS admitted to 31 tertiary hospitals, located in 14 provinces in southern China, from 1 January 2013 to 30 September 2016, were collected and retrospectively reviewed.ResultsFinally. 1056 patients, including 887 classic GBS and 169 variants, were enrolled. The 661 classic patients with available electromyographic data were grouped as having acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP, 49.0%), acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN, 18.8%), inexcitable (0.9%) and equivocal (31.3%). In contrast to AIDP, patients with AMAN were characterised by earlier nadir (P=0.000), higher Hughes score at nadir (P=0.003) and at discharge (P=0.000). Preceding upper respiratory infections were identified in 369 (34.9%) patients, who were more inclined to develop AIDP (P=0.000) and Miller-Fisher syndrome (P=0.027), whereas gastrointestinal infection were found in 89 (8.4%) patients, who were more prone to develop AMAN (P=0.000), with more severe illness (P=0.001) and longer hospital stay (P=0.009). Children (≤15 years) and the elderly (≥56 years) were more severe at nadir, the elderly had the longest hospital stay (P=0.023).ConclusionAIDP is the predominant form in southern China, which is different from data of northern China. The different subtypes, preceding infection and age of onset can partially determine the disease progression, severity and short-term recovery speed of GBS.Clinical trial registrationChiCTR-RRC-17014152.
Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain: Results of an aquatic physical therapy protocol
Authors: Martin Daniela Gomez , Wiener Carolina David , de Freitas Caroline Xavier , Costa Joice Luisa , Rombaldi Airton José , Oses Jean Pierre 
Published: January 2018

Objectives: This work aims to assess changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in women after the practice of a specific short duration 10-session aquatic physical therapy protocol in patients with fibromyalgia (FB). Methods: Case–control study. Thirteen women diagnosed with FB and 11 controls with the same age group, 35–55 years. Patients were evaluated according to the visual analog scale of pain and the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ). All were subjected to a short protocol totaling 10 sessions of 40 min twice a week for five weeks. Heart rate and pain were monitored. BDNF levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay. Results: A statistically significant increase in BDNF values was noted in patients with FB between the pre- and post-10th session assessments (mean of 35.52–41.96; p = 0.041). Conclusion: BDNF values may present fluctuations during a short duration moderate aerobic exercise protocol, when measured and analyzed in a longitudinal design. Further studies with a more frequent BDNF evaluation could help in understanding its behavior more accurately and are warranted.
ДО ПИТАННЯ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ ПРОГРАМИ РЕАБІЛІТАЦІЇ ХВОРИХ З ІШЕМІЧНОЮ ХВОРОБОЮ СЕРЦЯ ПІСЛЯ ХІРУРГІЧНОЇ РЕВАСКУЛЯРИЗАЦІЇ МІОКАРДУ В ОДЕСЬКІЙ ОБЛАСТІ
Authors: Kolodenko O. V. 
Published: January 2018

Мета – проаналізувати розповсюдженість ішемічної хвороби серця Одеській області та обгрунтувати організаційну модель відновлювального лікування у хворих з ІХС після перенесеної хірургічної реваскуляризації.Матеріли та методи. Вивчалися офіційні статистичні дані (звітна документація про стан захворюваності за період з 2010 р. по 2016 р. в Одеській області та дані Центру медичної статистики МОЗ України).Результати. Смертність на 100 тис. населення від хвороб системи кровообігу в 2016 році збільшилась на 3,6 %, від ІХС – на 2,6 %, від інфаркту міокарду – на 11,2 %. Кількості операційних втручань з приводу реваскуляризації міокарду в Одеській області зросла, а, також зросла і післяопераційна летальність після проведення ХРМ і була у 2015 р. була найвищою (5,6%) в порівняні із загальноукраїнськими показниками.Висновки. Активне впровадження нових методів лікування ІХС, зокрема ХРМ потребує розробки системи відновлювального лікування пацієнтів цієї категорії, а також системи вторинної профілактики прогресування ІХС.
Machine Learning Algorithm Predicts Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Outcomes
Authors: Kalscheur Matthew M. , Kipp Ryan T. , Tattersall Matthew C. , Mei Chaoqun , Buhr Kevin A. , DeMets David L. , Field Michael E. , Eckhardt Lee L. , Page C. David 
Published: January 2018

Background
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular function and intraventricular conduction delay. However, individual outcomes vary significantly. This study sought to use a machine learning algorithm to develop a model to predict outcomes after CRT.

Methods and Results

Models were developed with machine learning algorithms to predict all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization at 12 months post-CRT in the COMPANION trial (Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing, and Defibrillation in Heart Failure). The best performing model was developed with the random forest algorithm. The ability of this model to predict all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality alone was compared with discrimination obtained using a combination of bundle branch block morphology and QRS duration. In the 595 patients with CRT-defibrillator in the COMPANION trial, 105 deaths occurred (median follow-up, 15.7 months). The survival difference across subgroups differentiated by bundle branch block morphology and QRS duration did not reach significance (
P
=0.08). The random forest model produced quartiles of patients with an 8-fold difference in survival between those with the highest and lowest predicted probability for events (hazard ratio, 7.96;
P
<0.0001). The model also discriminated the risk of the composite end point of all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization better than subgroups based on bundle branch block morphology and QRS duration.

Conclusions
In the COMPANION trial, a machine learning algorithm produced a model that predicted clinical outcomes after CRT. Applied before device implant, this model may better differentiate outcomes over current clinical discriminators and improve shared decision-making with patients.
Exercise Hemodynamic and Functional Capacity After Mitral Valve Replacement in Patients With Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Fino Carlo , Iacovoni Attilio , Pibarot Philippe , Pepper John R. , Ferrero Paolo , Merlo Maurizio , Galletti Lorenzo , Caputo Massimo , Ferrazzi Paolo , Anagnostopoulos Constantinos , Cugola Diego , Senni Michele , Bellavia Diego , Magne Julien 
Published: January 2018

Background
In patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation requiring mitral valve replacement (MVR), the choice of the prosthesis type is crucial. The exercise hemodynamic and functional capacity performance in patients with contemporary prostheses have never been investigated. To compare exercise hemodynamic and functional capacity between biological (MVRb) and mechanical (MVRm) prostheses.

Methods and Results

We analyzed 86 consecutive patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent MVRb (n=41) or MVRm (n=45) and coronary artery bypass grafting. All patients underwent preoperative resting echocardiography and 6-minute walking test. At follow-up, exercise stress echocardiography was performed, and the 6-minute walking test was repeated. Resting and exercise indexed effective orifice areas of MVRm were larger when compared with MVRb (resting: 1.30±0.2 versus 1.19±0.3 cm
2
/m
2
;
P
=0.03; exercise: 1.57±0.2 versus 1.18±0.3 cm
2
/m
2
;
P
=0.0001). The MVRm had lower exercise systolic pulmonary arterial pressure at follow-up compared with MVRb (41±5 versus 59±7 mm Hg;
P
=0.0001). Six-minute walking test distance was improved in the MVRm (pre-operative: 242±43, post-operative: 290±50 m;
P
=0.001), whereas it remained similar in the MVRb (pre-operative: 250±40, post-operative: 220±44 m;
P
=0.13). In multivariable analysis, type of prosthesis, exercise indexed effective orifice area, and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure were joint predictors of change in 6-minute walking test (ie, difference between baseline and follow-up).

Conclusions
In patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation, bioprostheses are associated with worse hemodynamic performance and reduced functional capacity, when compared with MVRm. Randomized studies with longer follow-up including quality of life and survival data are required to confirm these results.
Efficacy of Ranolazine in Patients With Symptomatic Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Olivotto Iacopo , Camici Paolo G. , Merlini Piera Angelica , Rapezzi Claudio , Patten Monica , Climent Vicent , Sinagra Gianfranco , Tomberli Benedetta , Marin Francisco , Ehlermann Philipp , Maier Lars S. , Fornaro Alessandra , Jacobshagen Claudius , Ganau Antonello , Moretti Luciano , Hernandez Madrid Antonio , Coppini Raffaele , Reggiardo Giorgio , Poggesi Corrado , Fattirolli Francesco , Belardinelli Luiz , Gensini Gianfranco , Mugelli Alessandro 
Published: January 2018

Background
The late sodium current inhibitor ranolazine reverses the main electrophysiological and mechanical abnormalities of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) cardiomyocytes in vitro, suggesting potential clinical benefit. We aimed to assess the effect of ranolazine on functional capacity, symptomatic status, diastolic function, and arrhythmias in HCM.

Methods and Results

In this multicenter, double-blind, phase 2 study, 80 adult patients with nonobstructive HCM (age 53±14 years, 34 women) were randomly assigned to placebo (n=40) or ranolazine 1000 mg bid (n=40) for 5 months. The primary end point was change in peak VO
2
compared with baseline using cardiopulmonary exercise test. Echocardiographic lateral and septal E/E′ ratio, prohormone brain natriuretic peptide levels, 24-hour Holter arrhythmic profile, and quality of life were assessed. Ranolazine was safe and well tolerated. Overall, there was no significant difference in VO
2
peak change at 5 months in the ranolazine versus placebo group (delta 0.15±3.96 versus −0.02±4.25 mL/kg per minute;
P
=0.832). Ranolazine treatment was associated with a reduction in 24-hour burden of premature ventricular complexes compared with placebo (>50% reduction versus baseline in 61% versus 31%, respectively;
P
=0.042). However, changes in prohormone brain natriuretic peptide levels did not differ in the ranolazine compared with the placebo group (geometric mean median [interquartile range], −3 pg/mL [−107, 142 pg/mL] versus 78 pg/mL [−71, 242 pg/mL];
P
=0.251). Furthermore, E/E′ ratio and quality of life scores showed no significant difference.

Conclusions
In patients with nonobstructive HCM, ranolazine showed no overall effect on exercise performance, plasma prohormone brain natriuretic peptide levels, diastolic function, or quality of life. The drug showed an excellent safety profile and was associated with reduced premature ventricular complex burden. Late sodium current inhibition does not seem to improve functional capacity in HCM.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu
. Unique identifier: 2011-004507-20
On two new species of potamid and sesarmid crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura) from caves in Myanmar
Authors: Ng Peter K. L. 
Published: January 2018

Two new species of brachyuran crabs are represented in a recent collection from caves in southern Myanmar [= Burma]. Demanietta burmanica sp. nov. (Potamidae) is the third species of Demanietta Bott, 1966, recorded from the country, and is closest to D. renongensis (Rathbun, 1904) from Thailand, but differs in the form of the carapace and details of the male first gonopod structure. Pseudosesarma brehieri sp. nov. (Sesarmidae) is allied to P. edwardsii (De Man, 1887) and P. crassimanum (De Man, 1887), both from the Mergui Archipelago, but can be easily distinguished by the distinctive form of its male first gonopod.
Struktura predykatowo-argumentowa jako narzędzie analizy tekstu: pro et contra
Authors: Szumska Dorota 
Published: January 2018

The predicate-argument structure as a tool for text analysis: pro et contraThe aim of the present paper is to take part in the discussion about semantic syntax, also known as predicate-argument syntax on account of its key concepts. The article deals with the problem of the limited effectiveness of the model caused by the lack of an objective method of distinguishing arguments from adjuncts, which is crucial to defining the scope of propositional structure under analysis. The final conclusion is that the theory of predicative-argument structure needs to be reexamined in the light of the results of text corpora analysis that is more reliable than artificially prepared linguistic data. Struktura predykatowo-argumentowa jako narzędzie analizy tekstu: pro et contraCelem prezentowanego artykułu jest wzięcie udziału w dyskusji na temat składni semantycznej, określanej też jako składnia predykatowo-argumentowa ze względu na kluczowe pojęcia, którymi operuje. Rozważania koncentrują się na problemie ograniczonej efektywności modelu, spowodowanej brakiem obiektywnej procedury rozróżniania argumentów od adiunktów, co stanowi podstawę określenia granic poddawanej analizie struktury propozycjonalnej. Wnioski końcowe sprowadzają się do postulatu przetestowania możliwości metodologicznych modelu na szeroko zakrojonej analizie korpusów tekstów.
Anti‐inflammatory and antiplatelet effects of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in acute phase of ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Nakase Taizen , Moroi Junta , Ishikawa Tatsuya 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecently, non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants such as direct thrombin and direct factor Xa inhibitors have been prescribed for prevention of embolic stroke. While in Japan, argatroban, also a direct thrombin inhibitor, is available for the treatment of atherothrombotic stroke patients. This study aimed to explore whether there is any differences between direct thrombin and direct factor Xa inhibitors regarding the inhibiting effect against thrombogenesis in the clinical setting of acute ischemic stroke.MethodsAcute ischemic stroke patients newly prescribed anti‐thrombotic agents were consecutively screened, and 44 patients with single medicine were enrolled (median 72.0 years‐old). Blood samples were obtained at 1 and 2 weeks after the medication started. The extent of anticoagulation activity, inflammatory markers and platelet aggregation were assessed. Patients with antiplatelets were used as control.ResultsPrescribed antithrombotics were dabigatran (group D: n = 12), apixaban (group A: n = 14) and antiplatelet agents (group P: n = 18). Prevalence of stroke risks and anticoagulation activity were not different between groups D and A. The alteration of inflammatory markers in a week in the group A showed similar trend to those in the group P. The group D presented relatively lower amount of high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein and higher amount of pentraxin‐3 compared with groups A and P. While 88.9% of group P patients showed decreased platelet aggregation activity with adenosine diphosphate, 55.6% of group D and 40.0% of group A presented the inhibition of platelet aggregation activity.ConclusionsEven in acute ischemic stroke patients, both apixaban and dabigatran equally showed the anticoagulation activity. The reduction of inflammatory response might be prominent in apixaban, whereas the inhibition of platelet aggregation activity might be evident in dabigatran.
Application of 2D full-waveform tomography on land-streamer data for assessment of roadway subsidence
Authors: Tran Khiem T. , Sperry Justin 
Published: January 2018

Roadways are key components of the modern transportation system. Therefore, assessment of roadway subsidence is critical to the health and safety of the traveling public. Existing seismic refraction and waveform tomography methods can be used for subsidence evaluation; however, the data acquisition time is significant because they require multiple source impacts (shots) along a test line. To mitigate the negative impact caused by closing the traffic flow under seismic testing, a land-streamer seismic testing system and waveform analysis are developed. An existing 2D Gauss-Newton full-waveform inversion (FWI) method is extended for analysis of the land-streamer waveform data. The main advantage of using land-streamer waveform data is that geophones are not coupled to test materials and source-receiver offsets are fixed; thus, the whole test system can be moved along the roadway quickly for data acquisition. To demonstrate the effectiveness of land-streamer waveform data, the FWI method was tested on synthetic and field data sets. The synthetic result reveals that buried voids can be well-characterized by the land-streamer waveform analysis. Field data were collected on asphalt pavement using a 24 channel land streamer and a propelled energy generator to induce seismic wave energy. The test system was towed by a pickup truck along a roadway with an on-going subsidence (repaired sinkhole). The data were collected over 277.5 m distance at a 3 m interval, and the total data acquisition time was approximately 1 h. The field data result indicates that the waveform analysis was able to delineate low-velocity soil zones and laterally variable bedrock. The FWI results are also compared with multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) results. The 2D [Formula: see text] profiles from the FWI and MASW methods are consistent; however, the FWI method provides more detailed information ([Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] cells) of low-velocity anomalies for assessment of roadway subsidence.
Congenital Hyperinsulinism and Hypopituitarism Attributable to a Mutation in FOXA2
Authors: Vajravelu Mary Ellen , Chai Jinghua , Krock Bryan , Baker Samuel , Langdon David , Alter Craig , De León Diva D 
Published: January 2018

AbstractContextPersistent hypoglycemia in the newborn period most commonly occurs as a result of hyperinsulinism. The phenotype of hypoketotic hypoglycemia can also result from pituitary hormone deficiencies, including growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency. Forkhead box A2 (Foxa2) is a transcription factor shown in mouse models to influence insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells. In addition, Foxa2 is involved in regulation of pituitary development, and deletions of FOXA2 have been linked to panhypopituitarism.ObjectiveTo describe an infant with congenital hyperinsulinism and hypopituitarism as a result of a mutation in FOXA2 and to determine the functional impact of the identified mutation.Main Outcome MeasureDifference in wild-type (WT) vs mutant Foxa2 transactivation of target genes that are critical for β cell function (ABCC8, KNCJ11, HADH) and pituitary development (GLI2, NKX2-2, SHH).ResultsTransactivation by mutant Foxa2 of all genes studied was substantially decreased compared with WT.ConclusionsWe report a mutation in FOXA2 leading to congenital hyperinsulinism and hypopituitarism and provide functional evidence of the molecular mechanism responsible for this phenotype.
Intravenously Administered Lidocaine and Magnesium During Thyroid Surgery in Female Patients for Better Quality of Recovery After Anesthesia
Authors: Kim Myoung Hwa , Kim Min Soo , Lee Jae Hoon , Kim Sang Tae , Lee Jeong-Rim 
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND:
Although systemic lidocaine and magnesium have been widely studied as perioperative analgesic adjuvants, they have been rarely evaluated with respect to recovery quality under the same conditions. We compared the quality of recovery 40 (QoR-40) scores of female patients who received intravenous lidocaine, magnesium, and saline during thyroidectomy to investigate their effects on comprehensive recovery from anesthesia.

METHODS:
In this prospective, double-blind trial, 135 female patients scheduled for open thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to the lidocaine group (group L), magnesium group (group M), or control group (group C). Immediately after induction, lidocaine (2 mg/kg for 15 minutes followed by 2 mg/kg/h) was administered in group L and magnesium sulfate (20 mg/kg over 15 minutes followed by 20 mg/kg/h) was administered in group M. Group C received an equivalent volume of saline. The QoR-40 survey was conducted on postoperative days 1 and 2.

RESULTS:
The mean global QoR-40 scores on postoperative day 1 were 186.3 (standard deviation, 5.5) in group L, 184.3 (4.7) in group M, and 179.4 (17.8) in group C, and there was a significant difference only between group L and group C (mean difference, 6.9; adjusted P = .018). Among the 5 dimensions of QoR-40, emotional state, physical comfort, and pain were superior in group L compared to group C.

CONCLUSIONS:
Lidocaine administered intravenously during anesthesia led to better quality of postoperative recovery measured by QoR-40 compared with the group C. Magnesium was found to be insufficient to induce any significant improvement with the dose used in the present study.