bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Trigger Finger in Adults: A Prospective Case Series
Authors: Inoue Motohiro , Nakajima Miwa , Hojo Tatsuya , Itoi Megumi , Kitakoji Hiroshi 
Published: July 2016

Objective To determine the effect of acupuncture performed at the synovial and ligamentous tendon sheath (A1 pulley site) on pain during snapping and the severity of the snapping phenomenon in patients with trigger finger. Methods In this observational study, changes in the patients’ condition were compared before and after acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture was performed on 19 fingers of 15 patients. Acupuncture needles were inserted into the radial and ulnar sides of the flexor tendon at the A1 pulley of the affected finger. Treatment was performed daily up to a maximum of five times. Before and after each treatment, pain during snapping and the severity of snapping were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results VAS scores for pain and snapping severity were significantly improved immediately after the first treatment (p<0.001). Pain during snapping, assessed before each treatment, improved over time, reaching statistical significance from the second treatment onwards (p<0.001); similarly, a significant improvement in the severity of snapping was observed, also from the second treatment (p<0.001). Patients with clinically significant improvements (≥50%) in pain and snapping severity had a significantly shorter duration of the disorder than those with <50% improvement (p<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture at the impaired A1 pulley site may be an effective treatment for trigger finger. We postulate that acupuncture may reduce inflammation/swelling of the synovial membrane of the tendon sheath, which predominates when the disorder is of short duration. Further research is required to confirm the efficacy/effectiveness of acupuncture for trigger finger and its mechanisms of action.
Does a hospital admission in old age denote the beginning of life with a compromised health-related quality of life? A longitudinal study of men and women aged 65 years and above participating in the Stockholm Public Health Cohort
Authors: Karampampa Korinna , Frumento Paolo , Ahlbom Anders , Modig Karin 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to analyse how hospitalisation after the age of 60 affected individuals' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The main hypothesis was that a hospital admission in old age can be seen as a proxy of ill health and possibly as a health divider, separating life into a healthy and an unhealthy part. The extent to which this is true depends on which disease individuals face and how functional ability and HRQoL are affected.SettingsThis was a longitudinal study, based on an older cohort of individuals who participated in the Stockholm Public Health Cohort (SPHC) survey in 2006; the survey took place in Stockholm, Sweden. Information regarding hospitalisations and deaths, which is available through Swedish administrative registers, was linked to the survey from the National Patient Register and Cause of Death Register.Participants2101 individuals, 65+ years old at inclusion, with no previous hospitalisations at baseline (2006), were followed for 4 years until 2010 (end of follow-up).Primary and secondary outcome measuresHRQoL was assessed through a utility index derived from the EuroQol 5D questionnaire, at baseline and at 2010. The change in HRQoL after admission(s) to the hospital was estimated as the difference between the 2010 and 2006 levels using linear regression, also considering several covariates.ResultsA single hospitalisation did not reduce individuals' HRQoL, either for men or women. On the other hand, multiple any-cause hospitalisations reduced HRQoL between 3.2% and 6.5%. When looking into hospitalisations for specific causes, such as hip fractures, a decrease in HRQoL was observed as well; however, conclusions regarding this were impeded by the small sample size.ConclusionsHospital admissions in old age may indicate a shift from a healthy life to a life of compromised health when considering their frequency and cause over a period of time.
Protocol to describe the analysis of text-based communication in medical records for patients discharged from intensive care to hospital ward
Authors: Parsons Leigh Jeanna , Brown Kyla , Buchner Denise , Stelfox Henry T 
Published: July 2016

IntroductionEffective communication during hospital transitions of patient care is fundamental to ensuring patient safety and continuity of quality care. This study will describe text-based communication included in patient medical records before, during and after patient transfer from the intensive care unit (ICU) to a hospital ward (n=10 days) by documenting (1) the structure and focus of physician progress notes within and between medical specialties, (2) the organisation of subjective and objective information, including the location and accessibility of patient data and whether/how this changes during the hospital stay and (3) missing, illegible and erroneous information.MethodsThis study is part of a larger mixed methods prospective observational study of ICU to hospital ward transfer practices in 10 ICUs across Canada. Medical records will be collected and photocopied for each consenting patient for a period of up to 10 consecutive days, including the final 2 days in the ICU, the day of transfer and the first 7 days on the ward (n=10 days). Textual analysis of medical record data will be completed by 2 independent reviewers to describe communication between stakeholders involved in ICU transfer.Ethics and disseminationResearch ethics board approval has been obtained at all study sites, including the coordinating study centre (which covers 4 Calgary-based sites; UofC REB 13-0021) and 6 additional study sites (UofA Pro00050646; UBC PHC Hi4-01667; Sunnybrook 336-2014; QCH 20140345-01H; Sherbrooke 14-172; Laval 2015-2171). Findings from this study will inform the development of an evidence-based tool that will be used to systematically analyse the series of notes in a patient's medical record.
Preventing violence-related injuries in England and Wales: a panel study examining the impact of on-trade and off-trade alcohol prices
Authors: Page Nicholas , Sivarajasingam Vaseekaran , Matthews Kent , Heravi Saeed , Morgan Peter , Shepherd Jonathan 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveTo examine the influence of real on-trade and off-trade alcohol prices and socioeconomic and environmental factors on rates of violence-related emergency department (ED) attendances in England and Wales over an 8-year period.MethodsAnonymised injury data which included attendance date, age and gender of patients aged over 18 years who reported injury in violence were collected from a structured sample of 100 EDs across England and Wales between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2012. Alcohol prices and socioeconomic measures were obtained from the UK Office for National Statistics. Panel techniques were used to derive a statistical model.ResultsReal on-trade (β=−0.661, p<0.01) and off-trade (β=−0.277, p<0.05) alcohol prices were negatively related with rates of violence-related ED attendance among the adult population of England and Wales, after accounting for the effects of regional poverty, income inequality, youth spending power and seasonal effects. It is estimated that over 6000 fewer violence-related ED attendances per year in England and Wales would result from a 1% increase in both on-trade and off-trade alcohol prices above inflation. Of the variables studied, changes in regional poverty and income inequality had the greatest effect on violence-related ED attendances in England and Wales.ConclusionsSmall increases in the price of alcohol, above inflation, in both markets, would substantially reduce the number of patients attending EDs for treatment of violence-related injuries in England and Wales. Reforming the current alcohol taxation system may be more effective at reducing violence-related injury than minimum unit pricing.
High concentrations of crude glycerin on ruminal parameters, microbial yield, and in vitro greenhouse gases production in dairy cows
Authors: van Cleef E.H.C.B. , Sancanari J.B.D. , Silva Z.F. , D’Aurea A.P. , Fávaro V.R. , van Cleef F.O.S , Homem Júnior A.C. , Ezequiel J.M.B. 
Published: July 2016

Holstein cows were used to evaluate the inclusion of elevated concentrations of crude glycerin on ruminal parameters, production of greenhouse gases, and microbial yield. The use of up to 300 g kg−1 reduces ruminal bacteria yield and NH3-N, without affecting the pH. Moreover, 300 g kg−1 glycerin increases methane production.
DFT simulation on the temperature-dependent electronic transition of V (Nb or Ta) substituted NiMn2O4
Authors: Li Hai-Long , Bian Liang , Chang Ai-Ming , Jian Ji-Kang , Hou Wen-Ping , Gao Lei , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Wang Lei , Ren Wei , Song Mian-Xin , Dong Fa-Qin 
Published: July 2016

Previously, we reported that the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] (Mn-[Formula: see text]–O-[Formula: see text]) orbital hybridization induces Mn valence change (Mn[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]) in the octahedron. The electron transfer mechanism can be controlled by modifying the Mn-[Formula: see text] orbital in the octahedron. Here, we used the density functional theory (DFT) with generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and two-dimensional correlation analysis (2D-CA) techniques to calculate the electron transfer mechanism of the V (Nb or Ta) substituted NiMn2O4 (NMO) in the temperature range of 50–1500 K. The results show that the heat accumulation accelerates the O-[Formula: see text] orbital splitting, inducing charge disproportionation. The V-[Formula: see text] substituted Mn increases the intensity and of the partial density of state (PDOS) at conduction band (1–3 eV), this enhances the V-[Formula: see text]–O-[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] orbital. The Nb-[Formula: see text]/Ta-[Formula: see text] substituted Mn reduces the intensity of the PDOS at conduction band (1–5 eV), this weakens the Nb-[Formula: see text]/Ta-[Formula: see text]–O-[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] orbital. This study effectively analyzes the microscopic changes of the electron transfer caused by the heat accumulation, provides a theoretical basis for the design of NMO-based negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors.
Challenges Facing Early Phase Trials Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute: An Analysis of Corrective Action Plans to Improve Accrual
Authors: Massett Holly A. , Mishkin Grace , Rubinstein Larry , Ivy S. Percy , Denicoff Andrea , Godwin Elizabeth , DiPiazza Kate , Bolognese Jennifer , Zwiebel James A. , Abrams Jeffrey S. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Accruing patients in a timely manner represents a significant challenge to early phase cancer clinical trials. The NCI Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program analyzed 19 months of corrective action plans (CAP) received for slow-accruing phase I and II trials to identify slow accrual reasons, evaluate whether proposed corrective actions matched these reasons, and assess the CAP impact on trial accrual, duration, and likelihood of meeting primary scientific objectives. Of the 135 CAPs analyzed, 69 were for phase I trials and 66 for phase II trials. Primary reasons cited for slow accrual were safety/toxicity (phase I: 48%), design/protocol concerns (phase I: 42%, phase II: 33%), and eligibility criteria (phase I: 41%, phase II: 35%). The most commonly proposed corrective actions were adding institutions (phase I: 43%, phase II: 85%) and amending the trial to change eligibility or design (phase I: 55%, phase II: 44%). Only 40% of CAPs provided proposed corrective actions that matched the reasons given for slow accrual. Seventy percent of trials were closed to accrual at time of analysis (phase I = 48; phase II = 46). Of these, 67% of phase I and 70% of phase II trials met their primary objectives, but they were active three times longer than projected. Among closed trials, 24% had an accrual rate increase associated with a greater likelihood of meeting their primary scientific objectives. Ultimately, trials receiving CAPs saw improved accrual rates. Future trials may benefit from implementing CAPs early in trial life cycles, but it may be more beneficial to invest in earlier accrual planning. Clin Cancer Res; 22(22); 5408–16. ©2016 AACR.
See related commentary by Mileham and Kim, p. 5397
Novel Bispecific Domain Antibody to LRP6 Inhibits Wnt and R-spondin Ligand-Induced Wnt Signaling and Tumor Growth
Authors: Jackson Heather , Granger David , Jones Gavin , Anderson Louisa , Friel Sarah , Rycroft Daniel , Fieles William , Tunstead James , Steward Michael , Wattam Trevor , Walker Adam , Griggs Jeremy , Al-Hajj Muhammad , Shelton Christopher 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Aberrant WNT signaling is associated with the formation and growth of numerous human cancer types. The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) is the least redundant component of the WNT receptor complex with two independent WNT ligand-binding sites. Using domain antibody (dAb) technology, a bispecific antibody (GSK3178022) to LRP6 was identified that is capable of blocking stimulation in the presence of a range of WNT and R-spondin (RSPO) ligands in vitro. GSK3178022 was also efficacious in reducing WNT target gene expression in vivo, in both cancer cell line and patient-derived xenograft models, and delays tumor growth in a patient-derived RSPO fusion model of colorectal cancer.
Implications: This article demonstrates the inhibition of a key oncogenic receptor, intractable to mAb inhibition due to multiple independent ligand interaction sites, using an innovative dAb approach. Mol Cancer Res; 14(9); 859–68. ©2016 AACR.
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3/MicroRNA-21 Feedback Loop Contributes to Atrial Fibrillation by Promoting Atrial Fibrosis in a Rat Sterile Pericarditis Model
Authors: Huang Zhengrong , Chen Xiao-jun , Qian Cheng , Dong Qian , Ding Dan , Wu Qiong-feng , Li Jing , Wang Hong-fei , Li Wei-hua , Xie Qiang , Cheng Xiang , Zhao Ning , Du Yi-mei , Liao Yu-hua 
Published: July 2016

Background—
Postoperative atrial fibrillation is a frequent complication in cardiac surgery. The aberrant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) contributes to the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) promotes atrial fibrosis. Recent studies support the existence of reciprocal regulation between STAT3 and miR-21. Here, we test the hypothesis that these 2 molecules might form a feedback loop that contributes to postoperative atrial fibrillation by promoting atrial fibrosis.

Methods and Results—
A sterile pericarditis model was created using atrial surfaces dusted with sterile talcum powder in rats. The inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, transforming growth factor-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α, along with STAT3 and miR-21, were highly upregulated in sterile pericarditis rats. The inhibition of STAT3 by S3I-201 resulted in miR-21 downregulation, which ameliorated atrial fibrosis and decreased the expression of the fibrosis-related genes, α-smooth muscle actin, collagen-1, and collagen-3; reduced the inhomogeneity of atrial conduction; and attenuated atrial fibrillation vulnerability. Meanwhile, treatment with antagomir-21 decreased STAT3 phosphorylation, alleviated atrial remodeling, abrogated sterile pericarditis–induced inhomogeneous conduction, and prevented atrial fibrillation promotion. The culturing of cardiac fibroblasts with IL-6 resulted in progressively augmented STAT3 phosphorylation and miR-21 levels. S3I-201 blocked IL-6 induced the expression of miR-21 and fibrosis-related genes in addition to cardiac fibroblast proliferation. Transfected antagomir-21 decreased the IL-6–induced cardiac fibroblast activation and STAT3 phosphorylation. The overexpression of miR-21 in cardiac fibroblasts caused the upregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation, enhanced fibrosis-related genes, and increased cell numbers.

Conclusions—
Our results have uncovered a novel reciprocal loop between STAT3 and miR-21 that is activated after heart surgery and can contribute to atrial fibrillation.
Impact of New Technologies and Approaches for Post–Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation During Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Yamashita Seigo , Cochet Hubert , Sacher Frédéric , Mahida Saagar , Berte Benjamin , Hooks Darren , Sellal Jean-Marc , Al Jefairi Nora , Frontera Antonio , Komatsu Yuki , Lim Han S. , Amraoui Sana , Denis Arnaud , Derval Nicolas , Sermesant Maxime , Laurent François , Hocini Mélèze , Haïssaguerre Michel , Montaudon Michel , Jaïs Pierre 
Published: July 2016

Background—
During the past years, many innovations have been introduced to facilitate catheter ablation of post–myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia. However, the predictors of outcome after ablation were not thoroughly studied.

Methods and Results—

From 2009 to 2013, consecutive patients referred for post–myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia ablation were included. The end point of the procedure was complete elimination of local abnormal ventricular activities (LAVA) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) noninducibility. The predictors of outcome with primary end point of VT recurrence were assessed. A total of 125 patients were included (age: 64±11 years; 7 women) for 142 procedures. The left ventricle was accessed via transseptal, retrograde aortic, and epicardial approaches in 87%, 33%, and 37% of patients, respectively. Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system was used in 70%, multipolar catheter in 51%, and real-time image integration in 38% (from magnetic resonance imaging in 39% and multidetector computed tomography in 93%) of patients. Before ablation, VT was inducible in 75%, and endocardial/epicardial LAVA were present in 88%/75%. After ablation, complete LAVA elimination was achieved in 60%, and VT noninducibility in 83%. During a median follow-up of 850 days (interquartile range, 439–1707), VT recurrence was observed in 36%. Multivariable analysis identified 3 independent outcome predictors: the ability to achieve complete LAVA elimination (
R
2
=0.29;
P
<0.0001; risk ratio=0.52 [0.38–0.70]), the use of real-time image integration (
R
2
=0.21;
P
=0.0006; risk ratio=0.49 [0.33–0.74]), and the use of multipolar catheters (
R
2
=0.08;
P
=0.05; risk ratio=0.75 [0.56–1.00]).

Conclusions—
Achievement of complete LAVA elimination and use of scar integration from imaging and multipolar catheters to focus high-density mapping are independent predictors of VT-free survival after catheter ablation for post–myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia.
Outcomes 1 Year After Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator Lead Abandonment Versus Explantation for Unused or Malfunctioning Leads
Authors: Zeitler Emily P. , Wang Yongfei , Dharmarajan Kumar , Anstrom Kevin J. , Peterson Eric D. , Daubert James P. , Curtis Jeptha P. , Al-Khatib Sana M. 
Published: July 2016

Background—
Patients with an unused or malfunctioning implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) lead may have the lead either abandoned or explanted; yet there are limited data on the comparative acute and longer-term safety of these 2 approaches.

Methods and Results—

We examined in-hospital events among 24 908 subject encounters using propensity score 1:1 matching for ICD lead abandonment or explantation in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) ICD Registry (April 2010 to June 2014). Relative to patients undergoing lead abandonment, patients undergoing lead explantation had more in-hospital procedure-related complications: 2.19% (n=273) versus 3.77% (n=469;
P
<0.001), respectively. Similarly, patients undergoing lead explantation had slightly higher rates of in-hospital death: 0.21% (n=26) versus 0.64% (n=80;
P
<0.001), respectively. At 1 year in a Medicare subset for survival, there was a trend of increased mortality in the explantation group (11% versus 8%;
P
=0.06). In the Medicare subset analyzed for postprocedure complications, there was no difference with respect to 6-month bleeding (4.80% in both the groups), tamponade (0.38% versus 0.58%), infection (1.34% versus 3.07%), upper extremity thrombosis (0.77% versus 0.96%), pulmonary embolism (0.38% versus 0.96%), or urgent surgery (1.15% for both the groups;
P
>0.05 for all).

Conclusions—
After matching, patients undergoing removal of an unused or malfunctioning ICD lead had slightly higher in-hospital complications and deaths than those with a lead abandonment strategy. Although the 1-year mortality risk was slightly higher in the lead explantation group, this difference was not statistically significant and may be explained by chance.
Resolving Myocardial Activation With Novel Omnipolar Electrograms
Authors: Massé Stéphane , Magtibay Karl , Jackson Nicholas , Asta John , Kusha Marjan , Zhang Boyang , Balachandran Ram , Radisic Milica , Deno D. Curtis , Nanthakumar Kumaraswamy 
Published: July 2016

Background—
With its inherent limitations, determining local activation times has been the basis of cardiac mapping for over a century. Here, we introduce omnipolar electrograms that originate from the natural direction of a travelling wave and from which instantaneous conduction velocity amplitude and direction can be computed at any single location without first determining activation times. We sought to validate omnipole-derived conduction velocities and explore potential application for localization of sources of arrhythmias.

Methods and Results—
Electrograms from omnipolar mapping were derived and validated using 4 separate models and 2 independent signal acquisition methodologies. We used both electric signals and optical signals collected from monolayer cell preparations, 3-dimensional constructs built with cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells, simultaneous optical and electric mapping of rabbit hearts, and in vivo pig electrophysiology studies. Conduction velocities calculated from omnipolar electrograms were compared with wavefront propagation from optical and electric-mapping studies with a traditional local activation time–based method. Bland–Altman analysis revealed that omnipolar measurements on optical data were in agreement with local activation time methods for wavefront direction and velocity within 25 cm/s and 30°, respectively. Similar agreement was also found on electric data. Furthermore, mathematical operations, such as curl and divergence, were applied to omnipole-derived velocity vector fields to locate rotational and focal sources, respectively.

Conclusions—
Electrode orientation–independent cardiac wavefront trajectory and speed at a single location for each cardiac activation can be determined accurately with omnipolar electrograms. Omnipole-derived vector fields, when combined with mathematical transforms may aid in real-time detection of cardiac activation sources.