bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Platelet indices in dogs with Babesia rossi infection
Authors: Goddard Amelia , Leisewitz Andrew L. , Kristensen Annemarie T. , Schoeman Johan P. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundThrombocytopenia without clinical bleeding is a consistent finding in virulent canine babesiosis.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to investigate the platelet index phenotype in Babesia rossi‐infected dogs and the association with disease outcome. We hypothesized that an increased proportion of large, activated platelets would be present.MethodsNinety‐six infected and 15 control dogs were included. Babesia‐infected dogs were further divided into survivors and nonsurvivors. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet volume distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet mass (MPM), mean platelet component concentration (MPC), and platelet component distribution width (PCDW) were measured at presentation, and at 24 and 48 hours in admitted survivors.ResultsMortality rate was 13% (12/96). At presentation, compared to controls, PLT and PCT were significantly decreased in survivors and nonsurvivors (P < .001 for both). Mean platelet volume was significantly increased in survivors and nonsurvivors compared to the controls (P < .001 for both); however, MPM was only significantly increased in the survivors (P < .001). There were no differences between the survivors and nonsurvivors for any of the indices at presentation. Platelet count and PCT were significantly increased at 24 and 48 hours, and MPC significantly increased at 24 hours for admitted survivors compared to the values at presentation.ConclusionLarge, activated platelets were significantly increased and may play a role in the lack of a bleeding phenotype, despite severe thrombocytopenia, in canine babesiosis.
Safety culture perceptions of pharmacists in Malaysian hospitals and health clinics: a multicentre assessment using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire
Authors: Samsuri Srima Elina , Pei Lin Lua , Fahrni Mathumalar Loganathan 
Published: November 2015

ObjectiveTo assess the safety attitudes of pharmacists, provide a profile of their domains of safety attitude and correlate their attitudes with self-reported rates of medication errors.DesignA cross-sectional study utilising the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ).Setting3 public hospitals and 27 health clinics.Participants117 pharmacists.Main outcome measure(s)Safety culture mean scores, variation in scores across working units and between hospitals versus health clinics, predictors of safety culture, and medication errors and their correlation.ResultsResponse rate was 83.6% (117 valid questionnaires returned).Stress recognition(73.0±20.4) andworking condition(54.8±17.4) received the highest and lowest mean scores, respectively. Pharmacists exhibited positive attitudes towards:stress recognition(58.1%),job satisfaction(46.2%),teamwork climate(38.5%),safety climate(33.3%),perception of management(29.9%) andworking condition(15.4%). With the exception ofstress recognition, those who worked in health clinics scored higher than those in hospitals (p<0.05) and higher scores (overall score as well as score for each domain except forstress recognition) correlated negatively with reported number of medication errors. Conversely, those working in hospital (versus health clinic) were 8.9 times more likely (p<0.01) to report a medication error (OR 8.9, CI 3.08 to 25.7). Asstress recognitionincreased, the number of medication errors reported increased (p=0.023). Years of work experience (p=0.017) influenced the number of medication errors reported. For every additional year of work experience, pharmacists were 0.87 times less likely to report a medication error (OR 0.87, CI 0.78 to 0.98).ConclusionsA minority (20.5%) of the pharmacists working in hospitals and health clinics was in agreement with the overall SAQ questions and scales. Pharmacists in outpatient and ambulatory units and those in health clinics had better perceptions of safety culture. As perceptions improved, the number of medication errors reported decreased. Group-specific interventions that target specific domains are necessary to improve the safety culture.
High-Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Larynx
Authors: Deep Nicholas L. , Ekbom Dale C. , Hinni Michael L. , Zarka Matthew A. , Patel Samir H. 
Published: November 2015

Objective: To report a single institutional series of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx (NCL), a very rare yet aggressive tumor. To review the management of NCL, including discussion of clinical behavior, treatment outcome, and prognosis. Method: A retrospective chart review of high-grade laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas at a single institution, including small- and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas. A total of 8 patients with high-grade NCL treated at our institution from 1992 to 2014 were identified. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 65.5 years (range, 43-80). Five patients were male. Two patients had a known smoking history. Primary tumor location was supraglottic in 7 patients and glottic in 1 patient. Primary treatment consisted of surgery alone (3 patients), radiotherapy alone (1 patient), combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (1 patient), and surgery followed by postoperative chemoradiotherapy (3 patients). Locoregional recurrence followed by distant metastasis occurred in 6 patients. Median overall survival was 44.0 months (95% CI, 3-62.0). Conclusion: High-grade NCL is a rare diagnosis. Compared to well- and moderately differentiated NCL, high-grade NCL has a far more aggressive clinical course and associated with a worse prognosis. To our knowledge, this is the largest series of patients with high-grade NCL treated at a single institution. Prompt diagnosis and multimodality therapy including elective neck dissection may improve survival.
Laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a patient with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chung A , Smith LI , McMurran AEL , Ali A 
Published: November 2015

Introduction Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is rare cause of intestinal obstruction. We report an unusual case of a patient with Parkinson’s disease who developed superior mesenteric artery syndrome and discuss her management including laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis. Case presentation A 78-year-old patient with advanced Parkinson’s disease presented with significant malnutrition, vomiting and post-prandial abdominal pain. Computed tomography confirmed duodenal compression by the superior mesenteric artery. We hypothesised this was likely triggered by extreme weight loss associated with advanced Parkinson’s disease. As the patient failed to improve with conservative measures, laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis was successfully performed without complications and the patient discharged on day 7. Conclusion Successful treatment was achieved due to early recognition of the consequences of chronic illness and addressing malnutrition. From this experience, we propose that laparoscopic gastric bypass is a safe and minimally invasive effective treatment option for superior mesenteric artery syndrome.
A clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety of cefepime monotherapy versus piperacillin-tazobactam in patients of paediatric age group with febrile neutropenia in a tertiary care centre of north India
Authors: Aamir Mohammad , Abrol Pankaj , Sharma Deepak , Punia Harish 
Published: November 2015

Objective To evaluate clinically the efficacy and safety in northern India of cefepime monotherapy versus piperacillin-tazobactam in patients of paediatric age group with febrile neutropenia. Material and Methods Children aged ≤18 years admitted febrile with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia were randomised into two groups comprising 20 cases in each group viz. CEF (receiving cefepime only) and PIP-TAZO (receiving piperacillin-tazobactam). Based on clinical and laboratory tests, patients were classified into: microbiologically documented infections (MDI); clinically documented infections (CDI); and unexplained fever (UF). They were assessed for clinical signs and symptoms as well as laboratory parameters at the time of enrolment and subsequently on days 3 and 7. Results Incidence of MDI, CDI and UF were 22.5%, 47.5% and 30%, respectively. The mean duration of neutropenia (in days) was 5.45 ± 2.1 in the PIP-TAZO group and 5.5 ± 1.5 in the CEF group ( P = 0.305). The success rate defined as clearing infection effectively and improvement of neutropenia was comparable ( P = 0.705). There was a mortality rate of 20% in the PIP-TAZO group as compared to 10% in the CEF group. Conclusion We conclude that cefepime monotherapy and piperacillin-tazobactam are equally efficacious and safe in treating patients with febrile neutropenia. Empirical monotherapy with cefepime would prevent an unnecessary extra economic burden as well as avoiding the serious adverse or toxic effects of multi-drug regimes, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Late onset aura may herald cerebral amyloid angiopathy: A case report
Authors: Samanci Bedia , Coban Oguzhan , Baykan Betul 
Published: November 2015

Background Although migraine usually begins in the early decades of life, late onset of migraine with aura is occasionally observed and can occur without headache, causing confusion in the differential diagnosis. Case report A 72-year-old man presented with recurrent episodes of visual aura lasting for 20 minutes. These episodes had started at 57 years of age and were only once accompanied by a severe headache. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed changes in the periventricular white matter, left occipital haemorrhage and subcortical haemosiderin deposits, compatible with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Previous treatment with antiplatelet drugs was discontinued. His episodes of visual aura stopped on treatment with lamotrigine and add-on treatment with verapamil. Conclusion In patients with a late onset of migraine aura, doctors must consider other under-recognized causes of transient neurological symptoms, such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Blood-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging sequences are the best tool for the early detection of an underlying pathology and therefore treatment with antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs should be avoided as this may increase the risk of haemorrhage.
Inhibition of Atherosclerosis Progression, Intimal Hyperplasia, and Oxidative Stress by Simvastatin and Ivabradine May Reduce Thoracic Aorta’s Stiffness in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits
Authors: Koniari Ioanna , Mavrilas Dimosthenis , Apostolakis Efstratios , Papadimitriou Evangelia , Papadaki Helen , Papalois Apostolos , Poimenidi Evangelia , Xanthopoulou Ioanna , Hahalis George , Alexopoulos Dimitrios 
Published: November 2015

Aims: This study aims to evaluate atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, and arterial stiffness attenuation by simvastatin and ivabradine in hyperlipidemic rabbits. Methods and Results: Forty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: atherogenic diet (group C), atherogenic diet plus simvastatin (group S), atherogenic diet plus ivabradine (group I), and atherogenic diet plus simvastatin and ivabradine (group S + I). After 9 weeks, rabbits were euthanized and descending aortas excised for mechanical testing. Atherogenic diet induced the development of significant atherosclerotic lesions in group C animals but in none of groups S, I, and S + I. RAM-11 and HHF-35–positive cells were significantly reduced in groups S, I, and S + I compared with group C ( P < .001). A significant neointimal hyperplasia and intima–media ratio reduction was demonstrated in groups S ( P = .015 and P < .001), I ( P = .021 and P < .001), and S + I ( P = .019 and P < .001) compared with group C. Protein nitrotyrosine levels were significantly decreased in group S compared with group C ( P = .009), and reactive oxygen species levels were decreased in group I compared with group C ( P = .011). Aortic stiffness was significantly reduced in groups S, I, and S + I compared with group C ( P = .003, P = .011, and P = .029). Conclusion: Simvastatin and ivabradine significantly inhibited intimal hyperplasia and oxidative stress contributing to aortic stiffness reduction in hyperlipidemic rabbits.
Disentangling the effects of long-term language contact and individual bilingualism: The case of monophthongs in Welsh and English
Authors: Mayr Robert , Morris Jonathan , Mennen Ineke , Williams Daniel 
Published: November 2015

Aims and objectives: This study investigates the effects of individual bilingualism and long-term language contact on monophthongal vowel productions in English and Welsh. Design: To this end, we recorded the Welsh and English vowel productions of two sets of Welsh-English bilinguals differing in home language use, as well as the English vowel productions of English monolinguals. Data and analysis: The data were analysed acoustically, with a focus on spectral and temporal properties. Comparisons were then made within each language and cross-linguistically. Findings: The results of a cross-linguistic acoustic comparison revealed a high degree of convergence in the monophthong systems of Welsh and English, but also some language-specific categories. Interestingly, at the individual level we found no effect of linguistic experience on vowel production: the two sets of bilinguals and the English monolinguals did not differ in their realisation of English vowels, and the two sets of bilinguals did not differ in their realisation of Welsh vowels. Originality: This is one of few studies to examine the effect of linguistic background on variation in Welsh and English bilingual speech, and the first to compare the speech of Welsh-English bilinguals and English monolinguals. More specifically, it investigates the extent to which a speaker’s home language can affect phonetic variation in a close-knit community of speakers and in a situation characterised by long-term language contact. Implications: The findings demonstrate pervasive phonetic convergence in a language contact situation with a historical substrate. They also indicate that a homogeneous peer group with shared values can override the effects of individual linguistic experience.
A Chinese Decoction, Kuan-Sin-Yin, Improves Autonomic Function and Cancer-Related Symptoms of Metastatic Colon Cancer
Authors: Chien Tsai-Ju , Liu Chia-Yu , Ko Pin-Hao , Hsu Chung-Hua 
Published: November 2015

Background Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction, which has been shown to have cytostatic effects on cancer cells and involved in the TCM theory of promoting yin-yang balance.Sonce many cancer patients suffer from autonomic dysfunction (AD), which correspond to yin-yang imbalance in TCM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effect of KSY in metastatic colon cancer (mCRC) patients with AD. Methods We conducted a single-group experiment. Total 52 qualified patients were enrolled. Participants took the KSY daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was KSY efficacy as reflected in the heart rate variability (HRV) and electrical conductivity (µA) over 12 meridian points. Autonomic function was examined before and after the KSY intervention. The vagal and sympathetic tone were recorded by HRV; 12 meridian energies were measured using a meridian energy analysis device. Secondary outcomes were cancer-related symptoms and patient quality of life (QoL). Results The results showed that the KSY intervention improved AD via increasing the vagal tone (HF: P = .041), but not the sympathetic tone (LF: P = .154); total autonomic activity was significantly enhanced (HRV activity: P = .013). Intriguingly, energy increased more over the yin meridian (P = .010) than over the yang meridian (P = .015). Cancer-related symptoms and QoL were significantly improved (P < .05). Conclusion The safety and effectiveness of KSY in improving AD in mCRC patients are through regulating the vagal-sympathetic dynamic balance, which correspond to the TCM yin-yang concept of energy.
Outcome and periprocedural time management in referred versus directly admitted stroke patients treated with thrombectomy
Authors: Weber Ralph , Reimann Gernot , Weimar Christian , Winkler Angela , Berger Klaus , Nordmeyer Hannes , Hadisurya Jeffrie , Brassel Friedhelm , Kitzrow Martin , Krogias Christos , Weber Werner , Busch Elmar W. , Eyding Jens ,   on behalf of the Neurovascular Net Ruhr
Published: November 2015

Background: After thrombectomy has shown to be effective in acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion, the potential benefit of secondary referral for such an intervention needs to be validated. Aims: We aimed to compare consecutive stoke patients directly admitted and treated with thrombectomy at a neurointerventional centre with patients secondarily referred for such a procedure from hospitals with a stroke unit. Methods: Periprocedure times and mortality in 300 patients primarily treated in eight neurointerventional centres were compared with 343 patients referred from nine other hospitals in a prospective multicentre study of a German neurovascular network. Data on functional outcome at 3 months was available in 430 (76.4%) patients. Results: In-hospital mortality (14.8% versus 11.7%, p = 0.26) and 3 months mortality (21.9% versus 24.1%, p = 0.53) were not statistically different in both patient groups despite a significant shorter symptom to groin puncture time in directly admitted patients, which was mainly caused by a longer interfacility transfer time. We found a nonsignificant trend for better functional outcome at 3 months in directly admitted patients (modified Rankin Scale 0–2, 44.0% versus 35.7%, p = 0.08). Conclusions: Our results show that a drip-and-ship thrombectomy concept can be effectively organized in a metropolitan stroke network. Every effort should be made to speed up the emergency interfacility transfer to a neurointerventional centre in stroke patients eligible for thrombectomy after initial brain imaging.
Spontaneously reported haemorrhagic adverse events associated with rivaroxaban and dabigatran in Australia
Authors: Chen Esa Y. H. , Diug Basia , Bell J. Simon , Mc Namara Kevin P. , Dooley Michael J. , Kirkpatrick Carl M. , McNeil John J. , Caughey Gillian E. , Ilomäki Jenni 
Published: November 2015

Objectives: The objective of our study was to describe spontaneously reported haemorrhagic adverse events associated with rivaroxaban and dabigatran in Australia. Methods: Data were sourced from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Database of Adverse Event Notifications between June 2009 and May 2014. Records of haemorrhagic adverse events in which rivaroxaban or dabigatran was considered as a potential cause were analysed. Results: There were 240 haemorrhagic adverse events associated with rivaroxaban and 504 associated with dabigatran. Age was specified for 164 (68%) haemorrhages associated with rivaroxaban, of which 101 occurred in people aged ⩾75 years. Age was specified for 437 (87%) haemorrhages associated with dabigatran, of which 300 occurred in people aged ⩾75 years. Time from treatment initiation to haemorrhage was specified for 122 (51%) haemorrhages associated with rivaroxaban, with 69 (57%) haemorrhages occurring within 30 days of rivaroxaban initiation. Time from treatment initiation to haemorrhage was specified for 253 (50%) haemorrhages associated with dabigatran, with 123 (49%) haemorrhages occurring within 30 days of dabigatran initiation. Gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhages were the most frequent type of haemorrhages associated with both rivaroxaban ( n = 105, 44%) and dabigatran ( n = 302, 60%). Data were available on the severity of haemorrhage for 101 (42%) haemorrhages associated with rivaroxaban, with haemorrhage leading to death in 17 people. The severity of haemorrhage was specified for 384 (76%) haemorrhages associated with dabigatran, with haemorrhage leading to death in 61 people. Conclusions: Our study highlights the need for research on the haemorrhagic complications of anticoagulation in clinical care. A considerable proportion of reported haemorrhagic events occurred within 30 days of rivaroxaban and dabigatran initiation. This highlights the importance of considering bleeding risk at the time of treatment initiation.
Do employers prefer migrant workers? Evidence from a Chinese job board
Authors: Kuhn Peter , Shen Kailing 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWe study urban, private sector Chinese employers’ preferences between workers with and without a local permanent residence permit (hukou) using callback information from an Internet job board. We find that these employers prefer migrant workers to locals who are identically matched to the job’s requirements; these preferences are strongest in jobs requiring lower levels of education and offering low pay. While migrant-native payroll tax differentials might account for some of this gap, we argue that the patterns are hard to explain without some role for a migrant productivity advantage in less skilled jobs. Possible sources of this advantage include positive selection of nonlocals into migration, negative selection of local workers into formal search for unskilled private sector jobs, efficiency wage effects related to unskilled migrants’ limited access to the urban social safety net, and intertemporal labor and effort substitution by temporary migrants that makes them more desirable workers.Jel codes:O15, R23
Does the family “need” depression? A pilot study of family consultations
Authors: Janusz Bernadetta , Chwal-Błasińska Martyna , Michałowska Karina , Furgał Mariusz , Bobrzyński Jakub , de Barbaro Bogdan , Siwek Marcin , Dudek Dominika 
Published: November 2015

CelCelem badania jest analiza związków między lekooporną postacią depresji a sposobem, w jaki choroba jest opisywania przez pacjenta i członków jego rodziny. W szczególności weryfikacji wymaga hipoteza, zgodnie z którą choroba i chorowanie mogą stanowić czynnik stabilizujący system rodzinny, a w konsekwencji leczenie tego rodzaju depresji może napotkać na dodatkowe trudności i wzmacniać „lekooporność” poprzez „zatrzymywanie depresji” przez rodzinę.MetodaBadaniem objęto 20 pacjentów i ich rodziny. Konsultacje przeprowadzone z każdą z tych rodzin stanowiły materiał do prezentowanych badań. Wstępne wyniki badania wskazują na wyraźny związek między tym, w jaki sposób pacjent i jego rodzina definiują okoliczności choroby i leczenia a typem interakcji pomiędzy nimi, manifestowanymi werbalnie i niewerbalnie.WynikiWyniki analizy ilościowej wskazują, że jeśli pacjent w czasie konsultacji zastanawia się, jak opisać sytuację, w której się znalazł i uwarunkowania jego choroby, to najczęściej ma to miejsce w opozycji do członków rodziny generacyjnej. Natomiast w sytuacji, kiedy manifestuje objawy depresyjne, wchodzi bardziej w rolę zależną od członków rodziny, którzy wyrażają wobec niego postawę ciepła.WnioskiLekooporność depresji powinna być rozpatrywana także z uwzględnieniem kontekstu rodzinnego pacjenta.
La grammaire du monde
Authors: Vallet Éric 
Published: November 2015

RésuméCette étude traite de l’un des textes les plus emblématiques du plurilinguisme qui s’épanouit dans l’Orient islamique à l’âge mongol, un glossaire en six langues connu sous le nom d’Hexaglotte rassoulide. La découverte du préambule inédit de ce document invite à le replacer dans le cadre plus vaste des activités savantes du « roi grammairien » et sultan du Yémen al-Afḍal (1363-1377) et à explorer les différentes dimensions idéologiques de cette tentative d’ordonner le monde par le recours aux sciences du langage. L’article invite plus largement à reconsidérer la place de l’Arabie occidentale dans les mutations culturelles de l’Islam entre le XIIIeet le XVesiècle.