bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial Difference in Symptom Onset to Door Time in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Bolorunduro Oluwaseyi , Smith Blake , Chumpia Mason , Valasareddy Poojitha , Heckle Mark R. , Khouzam Rami N. , Reed Guy L. , Ibebuogu Uzoma N. 
Published: October 2016

Background

There are poorer outcomes following
ST
elevation myocardial infarction in blacks compared to white patients despite comparable door‐to‐reperfusion time. We hypothesized that delays to hospital presentation may be contributory.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the 1144 patients admitted for
STEMI
in our institution from 2008 to 2013. The door‐to‐balloon time (D2
BT
) and symptom‐onset‐to‐door time (
SODT
) were compared by race. Bivariate analysis was done comparing the median D2
BT
and
SODT
. Stratified analyses were done to evaluate the effect of race on D2
BT
and
SODT
, accounting for insurance status, age, sex and comorbidities. The mean age was 59±13 years; 56% of this population was black and 41% was white. Males accounted for 66% of this population. The median D2
BT
was 60 minutes (interquartile range [
IQR
] 42–82), and median
SODT
was 120 minutes (
IQR
60–720). There was no significant difference in D2
BT
by race (
P
=0.86). Black patients presented to the emergency room (
ER
) later than whites (
SODT
=180 [
IQR
60–1400] vs 120 [
IQR
60–560] minutes,
P
<0.01) and were more likely to be uninsured (
P
<0.01). After controlling for comorbidities, insurance, and socioeconomic status, blacks were 60% more likely to present late after a
STEMI
(
OR
1.6,
P
<0.01). A subset analysis excluding transferred patients showed similar results.

Conclusions

Black patients present later to the
ER
after
STEMI
with no difference in D2
BT
compared to whites. This difference in time to presentation may be one of the factors accounting for poor outcomes in this population.
Nonsustained Atrial Fibrillation in Ischemic Stroke Patients and Stroke‐Free Controls From the Perspective of Stroke Pathophysiology
Authors: Yetim Ezgi , Topcuoglu Mehmet Akif , Canpolat Ugur , Gocmen Rahsan , Oguz Kader K. , Ozer Necla , Aytemir Kudret , Arsava Ethem Murat 
Published: October 2016

Background

Short‐lasting (<30 s), nonsustained episodes of atrial fibrillation (
NS
‐
AF
) are considered a risk factor for future development of paroxysmal or persistent
AF
. Nonetheless, their causal role in stroke pathogenesis is currently unknown. In this study we determined the frequency of
NS
‐
AF
, together with the associated clinical and imaging features, in stroke‐free controls and ischemic stroke patients.

Methods and Results

A total of 332 controls, ≥50 years of age and no prior history of stroke or
AF
, were evaluated with 24‐hour Holter monitoring for the presence of <30‐s‐long
AF
episodes. The demographic and cardiovascular features of this cohort, together with imaging finding on magnetic resonance imaging, were compared to a consecutive series of ≥50‐year‐old ischemic stroke patients without
AF
(n=498). The prevalence of
NS
‐
AF
was significantly higher among ischemic stroke patients in comparison to controls (37% versus 27%;
P
=0.002). In multivariable analyses, after adjustment for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, patients with ischemic stroke were more likely to harbor
NS
‐
AF
episodes (odds ratio 1.43; 95% CI 1.01–2.02;
P
=0.041). The association between ischemic stroke and
NS
‐
AF
weakened when the analyses were restricted to cryptogenic stroke patients (odds ratio 1.31; 95%
CI
0.82–2.08). No significant association was observed between the presence of chronic cortical infarcts and
NS
‐
AF
.

Conclusions

Our study shows a higher prevalence of
NS
‐
AF
episodes in ischemic stroke patients in comparison to controls. Nonetheless, the lack of a stronger association with cryptogenic strokes and absence of a relationship with chronic cortical infarcts brings into question the causal influence of
NS
‐
AF
in the ischemic stroke setting.
Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation Alters Electrophysiologic Substrate
Authors: Nguyen Hoang H. , Shahanavaz Shabana , Van Hare George F. , Balzer David T. , Nicolas Ramzi , Avari Silva Jennifer N. 
Published: October 2016

Background

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (
PPVI
) is first‐line therapy for some congenital heart disease patients with right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction. The hemodynamics improvements after
PPVI
are well documented, but little is known about its effects on the electrophysiologic substrate. The objective of this study is to assess the short‐ and medium‐term electrophysiologic substrate changes and elucidate postprocedure arrhythmias.

Methods and Results

A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing
PPVI
from May 2010 to April 2015 was performed. A total of 106 patients underwent
PPVI
; most commonly these patients had tetralogy of Fallot (n=59, 55%) and pulmonary insufficiency (n=60, 57%). The median follow‐up time was 28 months (7‐63 months). Pre‐
PPVI
, 25 patients (24%) had documented arrhythmias: nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (
NSVT
) (n=9, 8%), frequent premature ventricular contractions (
PVC
s) (n=6, 6%), and atrial fibrillation/flutter (
AF
/
AFL
) (n=10, 9%). Post‐
PPVI
, arrhythmias resolved in 4 patients who had
NSVT
(44%) and 5 patients who had
PVC
s (83%). New arrhythmias were seen in 16 patients (15%): 7
NSVT
, 8
PVC
s, and 1
AF
/
AFL
. There was resolution at medium‐term follow‐up in 6 (86%) patients with new‐onset
NSVT
and 7 (88%) patients with new‐onset
PVC
s. There was no difference in
QRS
duration pre‐
PPVI
, post‐
PPVI
, and at medium‐term follow‐up (
P
=0.6). The median corrected
QT
lengthened immediately post‐
PPVI
but shortened significantly at midterm follow‐up (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions

PPVI
reduced the prevalence of
NSVT
. The majority of postimplant arrhythmias resolve by 6 months of follow‐up.
Laryngotracheal Stenosis in Children and Infants With Neurological Disorders
Authors: Nicollas Richard , Moreddu Eric , Le Treut-Gay Claire , Roman Stéphane , Mancini Julien , Triglia Jean-Michel 
Published: October 2016

Introduction: The goal of this retrospective study is to compare the management and outcome of surgical treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis in children and infants with and without an associated neurological disorder. Patients and Method: In a series of children operated on for subglottic stenosis (SGS), patients with an associated neurological disorder were identified. The following criteria were compared in children with and without neurological disease: grade of stenosis, age, technique (Crico-Tracheal Resection (CTR), Laryngo-Tracheo-Plasty (LTP) in single and 2 stage, laser), analyzing duration, preoperative tracheostomy, decannulation rate, preoperative gastrostomy, and number of days in intensive care unit and in hospital. Results: Two hundred twenty-three children were operated on for subglottic stenosis, of whom 68 (30.5%) had an associated neurological disorder. Some criteria were found to be statistically different between the 2 populations: mean age of 43 months in neurological population versus 13 months ( P < .001). The distribution of the grades of SGS appeared similar in the 2 groups ( P = .088), and the mean duration of stay in hospital and in ICU were not statistically different (respectively, P = .186 and P = .056) between the 2 groups; a 2-stage procedure was performed more frequently than 1-stage in the cases with associated neurological disorder—66.6% versus 36.5% ( P = .013); the median duration of stenting was 20 days in those with neurological disease versus 12 ( P = .021). Preoperative tracheotomy was noted in 75% of neurological patients versus 47.7% of the others ( P < .001). The outcome was considered to be good (decannulation and no further treatment) following a single procedure in 82.4% of patients with neurological disorder, as against 86.5% of neurologically unimpaired subjects. The difference in outcome of surgery was not statistically different ( P = .392) between the 2 groups. Discussion and Conclusion: It appears that subglottic stenosis in children with associated neurological disorder is not more severe than in neurologically normal patients. In three-quarters of the neurologically impaired cases, a preoperative tracheostomy was needed, but the rates of failure of postoperative decannulation are not statistically significant between the 2 groups. In our experience, 2-stage techniques are more often performed than single stage in this population in order to allow airway safety, for example after feeding. If properly managed, the final results are similar in the 2 populations.
Sinus Penetration of a Pulsating Device Versus the Classic Squeeze Bottle in Cadavers Undergoing Sinus Surgery
Authors: Chen Philip G. , Murphy Jae , Alloju Les M. , Boase Sam , Wormald Peter-John 
Published: October 2016

Objectives: Nasal irrigation is standard in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis both before and after surgical intervention. Numerous irrigation devices are commercially available. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a handheld pulse irrigation device against the gold standard manual squeeze bottle after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: Five cadaveric specimens were prepared with video visualization ports into each sinus. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed on each cadaver from minimal to maximal dissection. Sinuses were irrigated with fluorescein solution using both devices following each dissection. The irrigations were video recorded. A blinded independent observer scored each irrigation according to a defined scale. Results: Comparison of the 2 devices using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.39) showed the 2 systems differed. Observation of individual sinuses showed the squeeze bottle consistently provided greater irrigation in the maxillary ( P < .006), frontal ( P < .0001), and sphenoid ( P < .0001) sinuses. Pulse irrigation improved only in the maxillary sinus following ESS. Conclusion: The squeeze bottle consistently demonstrated superior irrigation in both native and operated conditions. Interestingly, saline penetration was not significantly improved after opening of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses. This is likely due to decreased backpressure in the nasal passage after opening the sinus cavities.
Improving access to primary mental health care for Australian children
Authors: Bassilios Bridget , Nicholas Angela , Reifels Lennart , King Kylie , Spittal Matthew J , Fletcher Justine , Pirkis Jane 
Published: October 2016

Objective: This study examines the uptake by children aged predominantly 0–11 years of an Australian primary mental health service – the Access to Allied Psychological Services programme – which began in 2001. In particular, it considers access to, and use of, the child component of Access to Allied Psychological Services, the Child Mental Health Service, introduced in 2010. Method: Using routinely collected programme data from a national minimum dataset and regional population data, we conducted descriptive and regression analysis to examine programme uptake, predictors of service reach and consumer- and treatment-based characteristics of service. Results: Between 2003 and 2013, 18,631 referrals for children were made and 75,178 sessions were scheduled via Access to Allied Psychological Services, over 50% of which were via the Child Mental Health Service in its first 3 years of operation. The rate of referrals for children to the Child Mental Health Service was associated with the rate of Access to Allied Psychological Services referrals for consumers aged 12+ years. Conclusions: The Child Mental Health Service has increased services provided within the Access to Allied Psychological Services programme for children with emotional and behavioural issues and their families, and is potentially filling a service gap in the area of prevention and early intervention for children who have significant levels of need but are unable to access other mental health services. Our findings are policy-relevant for other developed countries with a similar primary mental health care system that are considering means of improving service access by children.
The impact of potentially traumatic events on the mental health of males who have served in the military: Findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Wade Darryl , Mewton Louise , Varker Tracey , Phelps Andrea , Forbes David 
Published: October 2016

Objective:The study investigated the impact of potentially traumatic events on mental health outcomes among males who had ever served in the Australian Defence Force.Method:Data from a nationally representative household survey of Australian residents, the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, were used for this study.Results:Compared with community members, Australian Defence Force males were significantly more likely to have experienced not only deployment and other war-like events but also accidents or other unexpected events, and trauma to someone close. For non-deployed males, Australian Defence Force members were at increased risk of accidents or other unexpected events compared to community members. After controlling for the effect of potentially traumatic events that were more prevalent among all Australian Defence Force members, the increased risk of mental disorders among Australian Defence Force members was no longer evident. For non-deployed males, Australian Defence Force and community members were at comparable risk of poor mental health outcomes. A significant minority of Australian Defence Force members had onset of a mental disorder prior to their first deployment.Conclusions:Deployment and other potentially traumatic events among Australian Defence Force members can help to explain their increased vulnerability to mental disorders compared with community members. Providers should routinely enquire about a range of potentially traumatic events among serving and ex-serving military personnel.
Immobilizing hydroxyapatite microparticles on poly(lactic acid) nonwoven scaffolds using layer-by-layer deposition
Authors: Houdali Anssar , Behary Nemeshwaree , Hornez Jean-Christophe , Vroman Philippe , Campagne Christine , Chai Feng 
Published: October 2016

A composite porous scaffold for bone cell culture was fabricated by immobilizing HA (hydroxyapatite) (Ca10 (PO4)6 (OH)2) microparticles on PLA (poly(lactic acid)) nonwoven fibers using the layer-by-layer deposition technique. A nonwoven PLA of thickness 1 mm, with average pore size of 230 µm and a porosity of 94%, was used. The nonwoven was functionalized with aqueous 65% deacetylated chitosan followed by rinsing, and then a second padding with aqueous sodium alginate loaded with varying percentages of HA microparticles (0.01%, 0.1% and 0.2%), resulting in a composite porous nonwoven. Sodium alginate was revealed to be an efficient polymer for obtaining a stable dispersion of the HA microparticles in an aqueous medium. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images, zeta potential and wettability tests showed successfully the different surface modifications occurring at each step of surface functionalization. The chitosan coating cationized the PLA fiber surface, providing good adhesion of the HA-loaded anionic alginate coating. HA was almost homogeneously distributed at the PLA fiber surfaces with only a small reduction in the scaffold porosity, which reached 75%. The composite PLA/chitosan/alginate/HA nonwoven structures were tested as scaffold for adhesion and proliferation of rat pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. The results showed that higher loading with HA improved the MC3T3 cell adhesion and proliferation after 3 and 6 days of culture.
Ten-Year Course of Cosmic Transcendence in Older Adults in the Netherlands
Authors: Braam Arjan W. , Galenkamp Henrike , Derkx Peter , Aartsen Marja J. , Deeg Dorly J. H. 
Published: October 2016

Objectives Gerotranscendence is defined as a transition from a materialistic and rationalistic perspective to a more cosmic and transcendent view of life accompanying the aging process. Would gerotranscendence levels still increase in later life? The current prospective study investigates 10-year trajectories of cosmic transcendence (a core dimension of gerotranscendence). Methods Four interview cycles of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam with 3-year intervals from 1995 to 2006 provide data on cosmic transcendence, demographics (ages 57–85), religiousness, health, sense of mastery, and humor coping. Data are available for 2,257 respondents and 1,533 respondents in multivariate models. Results Latent Class Growth Analysis shows three course trajectories of cosmic transcendence: stable high, intermediate with a decrease, and stable low. Higher levels are predicted by age, importance of prayer, Roman Catholic affiliation, a low sense of mastery, higher cognitive ability, and humor coping. Similar results were obtained for the respondents who died during the study ( N = 378). Discussion Although levels of cosmic transcendence do not show much change during 10 years of follow-up, the oldest respondents nonetheless attain the highest cosmic transcendence levels. An inclination toward relativism and contemplation may facilitate cosmic transcendence. However, lower cognitive ability probably impairs the development toward cosmic transcendence.
Reviewing the Reviews: Examining Similarities and Differences Between Federally Funded Evidence Reviews
Authors: Westbrook T’Pring R. , Avellar Sarah A. , Seftor Neil 
Published: October 2016

Background: The federal government’s emphasis on supporting the implementation of evidence-based programs has fueled a need to conduct and assess rigorous evaluations of programs. Through partnerships with researchers, policy makers, and practitioners, evidence reviews—projects that identify, assess, and summarize existing research in a given area—play an important role in supporting the quality of these evaluations and how the findings are used. These reviews encourage the use of sound scientific principles to identify, select, and implement evidence-based programs. The goals and standards of each review determine its conclusions about whether a given evaluation is of high quality or a program is effective. It can be difficult for decision makers to synthesize the body of evidence when faced with results from multiple program evaluations. Sample: This study examined 14 federally funded evidence reviews to identify commonalities and differences in their assessments of evidence of effectiveness. Findings: There were both similarities and significant differences across the reviews. In general, the evidence reviews agreed on the broad critical elements to consider when assessing evaluation quality, such as research design, low attrition, and baseline equivalence. The similarities suggest that, despite differences in topic and the availability of existing research, reviews typically favor evaluations that limit potential bias in their estimates of program effects. However, the way in which some of the elements were assessed, such as what constituted acceptable amounts of attrition, differed. Further, and more substantially, the reviews showed greater variation in how they conceptualized “effectiveness.”
Meaningful Effect Sizes, Intraclass Correlations, and Proportions of Variance Explained by Covariates for Planning Two- and Three-Level Cluster Randomized Trials of Social and Behavioral Outcomes
Authors: Dong Nianbo , Reinke Wendy M. , Herman Keith C. , Bradshaw Catherine P. , Murray Desiree W. 
Published: October 2016

Background: There is a need for greater guidance regarding design parameters and empirical benchmarks for social and behavioral outcomes to inform assumptions in the design and interpretation of cluster randomized trials (CRTs). Objectives: We calculated the empirical reference values on critical research design parameters associated with statistical power for children’s social and behavioral outcomes, including effect sizes, intraclass correlations (ICCs), and proportions of variance explained by a covariate at different levels ( R2). Subjects: Children from kindergarten to Grade 5 in the samples from four large CRTs evaluating the effectiveness of two classroom- and two school-level preventive interventions. Measures: Teacher ratings of students’ social and behavioral outcomes using the Teacher Observation of Classroom Adaptation–Checklist and the Social Competence Scale–Teacher. Research design: Two types of effect size benchmarks were calculated: (1) normative expectations for change and (2) policy-relevant demographic performance gaps. The ICCs and R2 were calculated using two-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), where students are nested within schools, and three-level HLM, where students were nested within classrooms, and classrooms were nested within schools. Results and Conclusions: Comprehensive tables of benchmarks and ICC values are provided to inform prevention researchers in interpreting the effect size of interventions and conduct power analyses for designing CRTs of children’s social and behavioral outcomes. The discussion also provides a demonstration for how to use the parameter reference values provided in this article to calculate the sample size for two- and three-level CRTs designs.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI measurement of renal function in healthy participants
Authors: Eikefjord Eli , Andersen Erling , Hodneland Erlend , Hanson Erik A , Sourbron Steven , Svarstad Einar , Lundervold Arvid , Rørvik Jarle T 
Published: October 2016

Background High repeatability, accuracy, and precision for renal function measurements need to be achieved to establish renal dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) as a clinically useful diagnostic tool. Purpose To investigate the repeatability, accuracy, and precision of DCE-MRI measured renal perfusion and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using iohexol–GFR as the reference method. Material and Methods Twenty healthy non-smoking volunteers underwent repeated DCE-MRI and an iohexol–GFR within a period of 10 days. Single-kidney (SK) MRI measurements of perfusion (blood flow, Fb) and filtration (GFR) were derived from parenchymal intensity time curves fitted to a two-compartment filtration model. The repeatability of the SK-MRI measurements was assessed using coefficient of variation (CV). Using iohexol–GFR as reference method, the accuracy of total MR–GFR was determined by mean difference (MD) and precision by limits of agreement (LoA). Results SK-Fb (MR1, 345 ± 84; MR2, 371 ± 103 mL/100 mL/min) and SK–GFR (MR1, 52 ± 14; MR2, 54 ± 10 mL/min/1.73 m2) measurements achieved a repeatability (CV) in the range of 15–22%. With reference to iohexol–GFR, MR–GFR was determined with a low mean difference but high LoA (MR1, MD 1.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, LoA [−42, 45]; MR2, MD 6.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, LoA [−26, 38]). Eighty percent and 90% of MR–GFR measurements were determined within ± 30% of the iohexol–GFR for MR1 and MR2, respectively. Conclusion Good repeatability of SK-MRI measurements and good agreement between MR–GFR and iohexol–GFR provide a high clinical potential of DCE-MRI for renal function assessment. A moderate precision in MR-derived estimates indicates that the method cannot yet be used in clinical routine.