bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient preferences toward an interactive e-consent application for research using electronic health records
Authors: Harle Christopher A , Golembiewski Elizabeth H , Rahmanian Kiarash P , Krieger Janice L , Hagmajer Dorothy , Mainous Arch G , Moseley Ray E 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to assess patient perceptions of using an interactive electronic consent (e-consent) application when deciding whether or not to grant broad consent for research use of their identifiable electronic health record (EHR) information.

Materials and Methods
For this qualitative study, we conducted a series of 42 think-aloud interviews with 32 adults. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach.

Results
We identified themes related to patient preferences, reservations, and mixed attitudes toward consenting electronically; low- and high-information-seeking behavior; and an emphasis on reassuring information, such as data protections and prohibitions against sharing data with pharmaceutical companies. Participants expressed interest in the types of information contained in their EHRs, safeguards protecting EHR data, and specifics on studies that might use their EHR data.

Discussion
This study supports the potential value of interactive e-consent applications that allow patients to customize their consent experience. This study also highlights that some people have concerns about e-consent platforms and desire more detailed information about administrative processes and safeguards that protect EHR data used in research.

Conclusion
This study contributes new insights on how e-consent applications could be designed to ensure that patients’ information needs are met when seeking consent for research use of health record information. Also, this study offers a potential electronic approach to meeting the new Common Rule requirement that consent documents contain a “concise and focused” presentation of key information followed by more details.
Serum albumin concentration and risk of end-stage renal disease: the REGARDS study
Authors: Walther Carl P , Gutiérrez Orlando M , Cushman Mary , Judd Suzanne E , Lang Joshua , McClellan William , Muntner Paul , Sarnak Mark J , Shlipak Michael G , Warnock David G , Katz Ronit , Ix Joachim H 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Background
Serum albumin concentration is a commonly available biomarker with prognostic value in many disease states. It is uncertain whether serum albumin concentrations are associated with incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) independently of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR).

Methods
A longitudinal evaluation was performed of a population-based community-living cohort from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study. Participants were ≥45 years of age at study entry and had serum albumin, creatinine, cystatin C and spot urine ACR measured at the baseline visit (n = 19 633). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was from the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration combined creatinine-cystatin C equation. Baseline serum albumin concentration was the predictor variable, and hazard ratios (HRs) for incident ESRD (from US Renal Data System linkage) were calculated in sequentially adjusted models.

Results
Age at study entry was 63.9 ± 9.7 years, 62% of the participants were female and 40% were black. Mean eGFR at baseline was 83.3 ± 20.8 mL/min/1.73 m2. Over a median 8-year follow-up, 1.2% (n = 236) developed ESRD. In models adjusted for baseline eGFR, ACR and other ESRD risk factors, the HR for incident ESRD was 1.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.33] for each standard deviation (0.33 g/dL) lower serum albumin concentration. The HR comparing the lowest (&lt;4 g/dL) and highest quartiles (≥4.4 g/dL) of serum albumin was 1.61 (95% CI 0.98–2.63). Results were qualitatively similar among participants with eGFR &lt;60 and ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and those with and without diabetes.

Conclusions
In community-dwelling US adults, lower serum albumin concentration is associated with higher risk of incident ESRD independently of baseline urine ACR, eGFR and other ESRD risk factors.
Aiming at the Global Elimination of Viral Hepatitis: Challenges Along the Care Continuum
Authors: Heffernan Alastair , Barber Ella , Cook Nicola A , Gomaa Asmaa I , Harley Yolande X , Jones Christopher R , Lim Aaron G , Mohamed Zameer , Nayagam Shevanthi , Ndow Gibril , Shah Rajiv , Sonderup Mark W , Spearman C Wendy , Waked Imam , Wilkinson Robert J , Taylor-Robinson Simon D 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
A recent international workshop, organized by the authors, analyzed the obstacles facing the ambitious goal of eliminating viral hepatitis globally. We identified several policy areas critical to reaching elimination targets. These include providing hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination to all infants within 24 hours of birth, preventing the transmission of blood-borne viruses through the expansion of national hemovigilance schemes, implementing the lessons learned from the HIV epidemic regarding safe medical practices to eliminate iatrogenic infection, adopting point-of-care testing to improve coverage of diagnosis, and providing free or affordable hepatitis C treatment to all. We introduce Egypt as a case study for rapid testing and treatment scale-up: this country offers valuable insights to policy makers internationally, not only regarding how hepatitis C interventions can be expeditiously scaled-up, but also as a guide for how to tackle the problems encountered with such ambitious testing and treatment programs.
Does Working Memory Moderate the Within-Person Associations Between Pain Intensity and Negative Affect and Pain’s Interference With Work Goal Pursuit?
Authors: Mun Chung Jung , Karoly Paul , Okun Morris A. 
Published: November 2017

Objectives:
Chronic pain exerts a pervasive negative influence on workers’ productivity. However, a paucity of research has addressed the mechanisms underlying the pain → productivity relation. In the present study using intensive daily diary data, we examined whether working memory (WM) moderates the positive within-person associations between (1) morning pain intensity and (2) morning negative affect (NA) and later day pain’s interference of work-goal (WG) pursuit.

Methods:
A community sample of 131 adults with chronic pain completed a battery of questionnaires, laboratory-measured WM, and a 21-day daily diary.

Results:
WM did not moderate the positive within-person association between morning pain intensity and afternoon/evening ratings of pain’s interference with work goal pursuit. However, individuals with higher WM showed significantly attenuated positive within-person association between morning negative affect and pain’s interference with afternoon/evening work goal pursuit.

Discussion:
WM appears to protect goal-relevant information from distractions due to negative affective arousal. The continued use of ecologically valid observational and intervention studies would shed further light on the influence of WM on the pursuit of valued work goals in the face of pain and negative affect.
Associations Between Early Care Decisions and the Risk for Long-term Opioid Use for Patients With Low Back Pain With a New Physician Consultation and Initiation of Opioid Therapy
Authors: Fritz Julie M. , King Jordan B. , McAdams-Marx Carrie 
Published: November 2017

Objective:
The aim of this study was to identify associations between early care decisions and long-term opioid (LTO) use in opioid-naïve patients with a new physician consultation for low back pain (LBP) at which an opioid was prescribed.

Methods:
A retrospective study of claims data was used to identify opioid-naïve LBP patients who were prescribed opioids at the index physician visit. Early care variables captured included additional nonopioid medications prescribed within 14 days and provider visits or diagnostic imaging within 30 days of the index visit. A multivariate logistic model was used to identify early care variables associated with the outcome of (LTO) use in the year following the index visit controlling for patient factors.

Results:
A total of 707 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 38.1 (±11.6), and 67.8% were female individuals and 76.9% were Medicaid beneficiaries. Early care medications were muscle relaxants (32.2%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (29.3%), oral steroids (11.7%), and benzodiazepines (8.3%). The most common early care provider visits were with primary care (31.0%) and physical therapy (13.0%). A total of 172 patients (24.3%) progressed to LTO use. Controlling for patient factors, early care variables increasing risk for LTO use were an early benzodiazepine prescription and primary care visit. An early physical therapy visit was associated with reduced risk for LTO use.

Discussion:
Early care decisions were predictive of LTO use following a new LBP consultation at which opioids were prescribed. Our results support recommendations to avoid concurrent benzodiazepine prescribing and to consider other evidence-based pain treatments such as physical therapy early, particularly for patients at high risk for LTO use or misuse.
Short-term Impact of Assisted Deliveries
Authors: Rakza Thameur , Butruille Laura , Thirel Lucille , Houfflin-Debarge Veronique , Logier Régis , Storme Laurent , De Jonckheere Julien 
Published: November 2017

Objectives:
Assisted deliveries (ADs) are used in current practice by obstetrical teams during labor when the fetus is likely to face difficulties. In this study, we hypothesized that pain related to instrumental delivery could impair autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity.

Materials and Methods:
We investigated infants born by spontaneous delivery (SD group, n=35) and those whose deliveries were assisted by vacuum, forceps, or both (AD group, n=35) between the second and fourth hours of life. Pain was evaluated using the Echelle de Douleur et d’Inconfort du Nouveau-Né/Neonatal Pain and Discomfort Scale (EDIN) behavioral pain scale. ANS activity was analyzed using the newborn infant parasympathetic evaluation (NIPE) index, a heart rate variability based index which is related to the autonomic activity mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system.

Results:
Neonates in the AD group presented higher EDIN scores than neonates born by spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SD group) (P<0.0001). In contrast, the NIPE index was significantly reduced in the AD group compared with the SD group (P=0.005). A significant inverse correlation was found between the NIPE index and the EDIN score (r=−0.287, P=0.016).

Discussion:
ADs (vacuum, forceps, or both) are associated with persistent pain after birth, unlike normal vaginal deliveries. Moreover ADs are associated with reduced NIPE. Taken together, our results suggest that pain related to instrumental delivery impairs the ANS activity.
The Middle Ear Muscle Reflex in Rat: Developing a Biomarker of Auditory Nerve Degeneration
Authors: Chertoff Mark E. , Martz Ashley , Sakumura Joey T. , Kamerer Aryn M. , Diaz Francisco 
Published: November 2017

Objectives:The long-term goal of this research is to determine whether the middle ear muscle reflex can be used to predict the number of healthy auditory nerve fibers in hearing-impaired ears. In this study, we develop a high-impedance source and an animal model of the middle ear muscle reflex and explore the influence of signal frequency and level on parameters of the reflex to determine an optimal signal to examine auditory nerve fiber survival.Design:A high-impedance source was developed using a hearing aid receiver attached to a 0.06 diameter 10.5-cm length tube. The impedance probe consisted of a microphone probe placed near the tip of a tube coupled to a sound source. The probe was calibrated by inserting it into a syringe of known volumes and impedances. The reflex in the anesthetized rat was measured with elicitor stimuli ranging from 3 to 16 kHz presented at levels ranging from 35 to 100 dB SPL to one ear while the reflex was measured in the opposite ear containing the probe and probe stimulus.Results:The amplitude of the reflex increased with elicitor level and was largest at 3 kHz. The lowest threshold was approximately 54 dB SPL for the 3-kHz stimulus. The rate of decay of the reflex was greatest at 16 kHz followed by 10 and 3 kHz. The rate of decay did not change significantly with elicitor signal level for 3 and 16 kHz, but decreased as the level of the 10-kHz elicitor increased. A negative feedback model accounts for the reflex decay by having the strength of feedback dependent on auditory nerve input. The rise time of the reflex varied with frequency and changed with level for the 10- and 16-kHz signals but not significantly for the 3-kHz signal. The latency of the reflex increased with a decrease in elicitor level, and the change in latency with level was largest for the 10-kHz stimulus.Conclusions:Because the amplitude of the reflex in rat was largest with an elicitor signal at 3 kHz, had the lowest threshold, and yielded the least amount of decay, this may be the ideal frequency to estimate auditory nerve survival in hearing-impaired ears.
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY 2
Authors: Cereda Matteo G. , Corvi Federico , Cozzi Mariano , Pellegrini Marco , Staurenghi Giovanni 
Published: November 2017

Purpose:
To investigate the utility of new wide-field optical coherence tomography (OCT) device in the evaluation of mid and far retinal periphery and to show its feasibility and advantages in clinical practice.

Methods:
Consecutive patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including standard OCT and new prototype OCT2 derived from Heidelberg Spectralis.

Results:
Thirty-one eyes of 31 patients were studied with a total of 44 lesions, including 18 retinal detachments, 15 retinal holes and tears, 9 retinoschisis, and 2 retinal tufts. Fourteen (32%) lesions were found in mid and 30 (68%) in far periphery with 9 (20%) lesions in the superior region, 10 (23%) in the superior temporal, 8 (18%) in the temporal, 4 (9%) in the inferior temporal, 7 (16%) in the inferior, 4 (9%) in the nasal, and 2 (5%) in the superior nasal. Among the lesions evaluated by OCT2, 10 (71%) in mid periphery and 11 (37%) in far periphery could be imaged by standard OCT.

Conclusion:
The introduction of OCT2 into clinical practice may provide significant benefits for imaging peripheral retinal disorders. The application of OCT2 technology with 55° lens and scan length and angle modulation could improve our understanding of peripheral vitreoretinal disorders and facilitate their management.
Acquired Infection and Antimicrobial Utilization During Initial NICU Hospitalization in Infants With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Keene Sarah , Murthy Karna , Pallotto Eugenia , Brozanski Beverly , Gien Jason , Zaniletti Isabella , Hulbert Cheryl , Seabrook Ruth , Rintoul Natalie , Chicoine Louis , Porta Nicolas , Grover Theresa R. 
Published: November 2017

Background:
In addition to substantial medical and surgical intervention, neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia often have concurrent concerns for acquired infection. However, few studies focus on infection and corresponding antimicrobial utilization in this population.

Methods:
The Children’s Hospital Neonatal Database was queried for congenital diaphragmatic hernia infants hospitalized from January 2010 to February 2016. Patient charts were linked to the Pediatric Health Information Systems database. Descriptive clinical data including delivery history, cultures sent, diagnosed infection, antimicrobial use and outcomes were reported.

Results:
A total of 1085 unique patients were identified after data linkages; 275 (25.3%) were born at <37 weeks’ gestation. Bacteremia at delivery (2/1085) and in the first 7 days of life (8/1085) was less common than later infection, but 976 patients (89.9%) were treated with antibiotics. Median number of days on antibiotics was 6 [3,11] for those without a documented infection and 21 [13,36] for those with positive cultures. Incidence of urinary tract infection, bacteremia and pneumonia increased significantly over time and was most common after 28 days. Antibiotic use, conversely, decreased over time (92% of infants in week 1 to 44% in week 4 and beyond).

Conclusions:
Although culture positivity increased with age, risk of these selected infections was relatively low for a population in neonatal intensive care unit. An important mismatch is observed between culture negativity and high rates of antibiotic utilization. These data identify opportunities for antibiotic stewardship quality improvement programs.
Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Rothman Sarah , Pitaro Jacob , Hackett Asher , Kozer Eran , Gavriel Haim , Muallem-Kalmovich Limor , Eviatar Ephraim , Marom Tal 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Over-treatment of acute otitis media (AOM) with antibiotics is common, and poses a high burden on health-care systems.

Methods:
Records of children 6–36 months of age with AOM visiting a university-affiliated pediatric emergency department between 2014 and 2016 were reviewed for the treatment given: watchful waiting versus antibiotics. If antibiotics were prescribed, the type and duration were recorded. We evaluated appropriate and inappropriate treatment rates of eligible AOM cases, in respect to the local guidelines, which encourage watchful waiting in most mild–moderate cases.

Results:
Out of 1493 AOM visits, 863 (57.8%) were boys, with a median age of 14.9 months (interquartile range, 9–19). The overall pre-visit antibiotic rate was 24.1%, but among those children examined by a physician, this rate was 95.2%. Amoxicillin was the most common antibiotic, administered in 66.3% of the cases. Only 21 children (5.8%) had been treated with antibiotics for ≥7 days before their visit, and were considered as treatment failure. Antibiotic therapy upon discharge was recorded in 1394/1449 visits (96.2%), again with amoxicillin as the most common antibiotic therapy, in 80.8% of the cases. In these visits, the average duration of antibiotic treatment was 8.29 days. Appropriateness of treatment (watchful waiting or antibiotics) could be analyzed in 1134 visits; 20.9% were considered as inappropriate. Of them, 98.3% were prescribed with the wrong antibiotic type and duration.

Conclusions:
Adherence rate to the local guidelines treatment recommendations for uncomplicated AOM was high, as measured by whether appropriate treatment was given and type and duration of antibiotics.
Introduction of Routine HIV Birth Testing in the South African National Consolidated Guidelines
Authors: Moyo Faith , Haeri Mazanderani Ahmad , Barron Peter , Bhardwaj Sanjana , Goga Ameena Ebrahim , Pillay Yogan , Sherman Gayle G. 
Published: November 2017

Background:
South Africa represents the first high-burden setting to introduce routine virologic testing at birth within its early infant diagnosis program, implemented in June 2015. National HIV birth testing coverage, intrauterine transmission rates and case rates for the first year since introduction of universal birth testing are reported.

Methods:
HIV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test data from June 2015 to May 2016 were extracted from the National Health Laboratory Service’s central data repository by year, month, age, result and geographic location. Birth testing was defined as all HIV PCR tests performed at <7 days of life; coverage as the proportion of all HIV-exposed neonates born who were tested at birth; estimated intrauterine transmission rate as the percentage of HIV PCR positive tests in HIV-exposed neonates tested and case rates as the number of HIV PCR positive tests per 100,000 total live births.

Results:
Between June 2015 and May 2016, the South African national monthly birth testing coverage increased from 39% (8636 tests) to 93% (20,479 tests). During this period, the number of positive tests at birth increased from 114 to 234 per month, equating to a national intrauterine transmission rate of 1.1% and a birth case rate of 247 per 100,000 live births.

Conclusions:
Universal birth testing for all HIV-exposed neonates is rapidly being achieved in South Africa, facilitating earlier detection of intrauterine infected neonates. However, the successful linkage into care of HIV-infected neonates and their treatment outcomes remain to be assessed.
Offering eConsult to Family Physicians With Patients on a Pain Clinic Wait List: An Outreach Exercise
Authors: Poulin Patricia A. , Romanow Heather C. , Cheng Jeannette , Liddy Clare , Keely Erin J. , Smyth Catherine E. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT
Wait times for many chronic pain programs in Canada range from 6 months to 2 years. This project sought to determine the interest of primary care providers (PCPs) in using an electronic consult system for patient(s) waiting for a pain consultation. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the pain clinic of a Canadian tertiary academic health sciences center. Participants were PCPs who had submitted a referral to this clinic. Referrals received between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2014, were reviewed to determine their appropriateness for eConsult, and a letter providing information about eConsult and encouraging its use was sent to the referring PCP. Of the 585 referrals that were reviewed, 227 were appropriate for eConsult. Fifty-one (26%) of the 194 PCP responses received were positive. Technologies like eConsult may help address the growing demand for specialist advice. In addition to facilitating response to specific questions, the bidirectional nature of eConsult permits its use for educating PCPs about chronic pain treatment. Given that almost one third of responding PCPs indicated an interest in eConsult, its potential reach is vast. Additional study is needed to understand barriers to PCP acceptance and use of eConsult and the uptake of advice given.
Investigating Physicians' Views on Soft Signals in the Context of Their Peers' Performance
Authors: van den Goor Myra , Silkens Milou , Heineman Maas Jan , Lombarts Kiki 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Background:
Physicians are responsible for delivering high quality of care. In cases of underperformance, hindsight knowledge indicates forewarning being potentially available in terms of concerns, signs, or signals. It is not known how the physicians involved perceive such signals.

Purpose:
To openly explore how physicians perceive soft signals and react on them.

Methods:
In-depth interviews with 12 hospital-based physicians from various specialties and institutions following the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach.

Results:
Physicians perceive soft signals as an observable deviation from a colleague's normal behavior, appearance, or communication. Once observed, they evaluate the signal by reflecting on it personally and/or by consulting others, resulting in either an active (i.e., speaking up) or passive (i.e., avoidance) reaction. Observer sensitivity, closeness to the peer, and cohesion of the physician group influence this observation–evaluation–reaction process.

Conclusions and Implications:
Physicians perceive soft signals as indicators of well-being and collegiality, not as concerns about performance or patient safety. They feel it is their responsibility to be sensitive to and deal with expressed signals. Creating a psychological safe culture could foster such an environment. Because a threat to physicians' well-being may indirectly affect their professional performance, soft signals require serious follow-up.