bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Efficacy of Paclitaxel-Eluting Balloon Catheters and Everolimus-Eluting Stents in the Treatment of Coronary In-Stent Restenosis
Authors: Pleva Leos , Kukla Pavel , Kusnierova Pavlina , Zapletalova Jana , Hlinomaz Ota 
Published: April 2016

Background—
The aim of this prospective randomized noninferiority study was to compare the efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting balloon (PEB) catheters and everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in the treatment of bare metal stent restenosis.

Methods and Results—

A total of 136 patients were enrolled in the study. Each treatment group included 68 patients with 74 in-stent restenotic lesions. The primary end point was in-segment late lumen loss (LLL) at 12 months. Secondary end points were the incidence of binary in-stent restenosis and 12-month major adverse cardiac events. The 2-sided 95% confidence interval of LLL difference between treatments (0.149–0.558) was greater than noninferiority margin (0.12), which demonstrates both noninferiority and superiority of PEB treatment. Furthermore, the PEB group had significantly less 12-month LLL than the EES group (0.02 versus 0.19 mm;
P
=0.0004). The difference in the incidence of repeated binary restenosis (8.7% versus 19.12%;
P
=0.078) and 12-month major adverse cardiac events (10.29% versus 19.12%;
P
=0.213) was not significant. The 12-month LLL was significantly less in the PEB group and also in subgroups with in-stent restenosis >10 mm (0.05 versus 0.26 mm;
P
=0.0002) and artery diameter <3 mm (0.05 versus 0.16 mm;
P
=0.003) compared with the EES groups, but not in the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus (
P
=0.254). In the EES group, repetitive binary restenosis had a significantly greater chance of occurring (odds ratio=3.132; 95% confidence interval, 1.058–9.269;
P
=0.039), even when adjusting for other risk factors.

Conclusions—
Treatment of bare metal stent restenosis using PEB led to significantly less 12-month LLL than the implantation of second-generation EES.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01735825.
Growth ecology of the tree lizard Urosaurus bicarinatus (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae), in a tropical dry forest of the Chamela Region, Mexico
Authors: Ramírez-Bautista Aurelio , Hernández-Salinas Uriel , Zamora-Abrego J. Gastón 
Published: April 2016

Determination of growth rate provides an important component of an organism’s life history, making estimations of size at maturity, survival rate, and longevity possible. Here, we report on growth rate of males and females of the tropical tree lizardUrosaurus bicarinatus, in a seasonal environment in the state of Jalisco on the Mexican Pacific Coast. We calculated body growth rates and fitted these to the Von Bertalanffy, the logistic-by-length, and the logistic-by-weight growth models. The Von Bertalanffy model provided the best fit, and we used it to analyze the growth pattern. Males and females did not differ in estimated asymptotic size and other characteristic growth parameters. Estimated growth curve predicted an age at maturity of 38 mm SVL on 120 days for males, and 40 mm SVL on 170 days for females. On the basis of the similarities in the growth rates between the sexes, comparisons were made between seasons, and we found that the average rate of growth was slightly, albeit insignificantly, higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. The similarities in the growth patterns for the sexes of this species might be indicative of variance in its life history traits (e.g., fecundity, egg size) compared to those of other populations of this species and other species of this genus; therefore, it is important to document interpopulation differences to understand the evolutionary changes that have led to optimal adaptation in a particular environment more accurately.
Global Water Vapor Trend from 1988 to 2011 and Its Diurnal Asymmetry Based on GPS, Radiosonde, and Microwave Satellite Measurements
Authors: Wang Junhong , Dai Aiguo , Mears Carl 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
This study analyzes trends in precipitable water (PW) over land and ocean from 1988 to 2011, the PW–surface temperature Ts relationship, and their diurnal asymmetry using homogenized radiosonde data, microwave satellite observations, and ground-based global positioning system (GPS) measurements. It is found that positive PW trends predominate over the globe, with larger magnitudes over ocean than over land. The PW trend is correlated with surface warming spatially over ocean with a pattern correlation coefficient of 0.51. The PW percentage increase rate normalized by Ts expressed as is larger and closer to the rate implied by the Clausius–Clapeyron (C–C) equation over ocean than over land. The 2-hourly GPS PW data show that the PW trend from 1995 to 2011 is larger at night than during daytime. Nighttime PW monthly anomalies correlate positively and significantly with nighttime minimum temperature Tmin at all stations, but this is not true for daytime PW and maximum temperature Tmax. The ratio of relative PW changes with Tmin () is larger and closer to the C–C equation’s implied value of ~7% K−1 than . This suggests that the relationship between PW and Ts at night is a better indicator of the water vapor feedback than that during daytime, when clouds and other factors also influence Ts.
Identification and Prevalence of Allergic, Nonallergic, and Local Allergic Rhinitis Patients in Western Area, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Badran Hatem S. , Hussein Ahmed , Salah Mohamad , Lotfi Wassim T. 
Published: April 2016

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of skin prick test (SPT) and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies level in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the role of nasal provocation test (NPT) for the determination of local allergic rhinitis (LAR) in patients with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). Methodology: This multi-center study included 1230 patients with clinical manifestations for ≥2 years. Patients were classified according to the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and scored according to the quantitative Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR). The SPT and total IgE antibody levels were done for all patients. Patients gave negative SPT underwent NPT, and its result was interpreted using Lebel Symptom Score Scale. Results: The SPT was positive in 77.8% of patients, mostly for grass pollen and dust mites. All patients were sensitive to multiple allergens. Median serum IgE antibody level for total study population was 162 IU/ml. Forty-two patients (3.4%) with negative SPT showed a weak response to NPT, while 231 patients (18.7%) with negative SPT had a high response to NPT and were considered to have LAR. Conclusion: The SPT could discriminate between AR and NAR patients. The NPT could identify LAR in 84.6% of patients with rhinitis among those considered as NAR.
Sclerotherapy is a safe method of treatment of chronic venous disorders in older patients: A prospective and comparative study of consecutive patients
Authors: Gillet Jean-Luc , Desnos Claudine H , Lausecker Michel , Daniel Christian , Guex Jean-Jerome , Allaert François-André 
Published: April 2016

Objectives An aging population requires evaluation of methods of treatment for older patients. Our objective was to evaluate the indications, practical modalities, safety and tolerability of sclerotherapy in patients 75 years of age and older (group 1) and compare with a control group of patients 18 to74 years of age (group 2). Method This observational, multicentre, prospective and comparative study was conducted by the French Society of Phlebology. Each centre collected in 10 to 20 patients ≥75 years of age and an equal number of patients <75 years of age treated by sclerotherapy, the treatment indication, the patient's personal history, the CEAP clinical class, the type of the veins being treated, the characteristics of sclerotherapy and the complications (immediately after treatment and at one-month follow-up). Results Population: In total, 418 patients were enrolled in 15 centres: 176 patients in group 1 (mean: 79.4 years) and 242 patients in group 2 (mean: 52.7 years).CEAP clinical classes C4, C5 and C6, history of deep vein thrombosis (12.5%) and superficial vein thrombosis (11.9%), long-term anticoagulant therapy (9.1%) and antiplatelet therapy (16.5%) were more frequent in older patients.All types of veins were treated from saphenous veins to telangiectasias. Sclerotherapy features: There was no difference in concentration of the sclerosing agents. When foam sclerotherapy was used (84% of patients), the injected volume was lower in group 1. Complications: One vasovagal syncope occurred in group 1. One asymptomatic distal deep vein thrombosis, confined to the Medial Gastrocnemius Veins, was reported in both groups at one-month follow-up. Conclusions This study shows the feasibility and safety of sclerotherapy in older patients, with no specific complications nor need for special precautions.
Duplex ultrasound for identifying renal artery stenosis: direct criteria re-evaluated
Authors: Zachrisson Karin , Herlitz Hans , Lönn Lars , Falkenberg Mårten , Eklöf Hampus 
Published: April 2016

Background Renal artery duplex ultrasound (RADUS) is an established method for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis (RAS), but there is no consensus regarding optimal RADUS criteria. Purpose To define optimal cutoff values for RADUS parameters when screening for RAS using intra-arterial trans-stenotic pressure gradient measurement (PGM) as reference. Material and Methods The renal arteries of 58 consecutive patients evaluated for renovascular hypertension were examined by RADUS and PGM. Conclusive measurements with both methods were obtained in 76 arteries. Hemodynamically significant RAS was defined as PGM ≥15 mmHg and was found in 43 of the 76 arteries. RADUS parameters included renal artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the renal–aortic ratio (RAR) of flow velocities. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) and Youden’s index were used to calculate optimal RADUS criteria for RAS. Results When traditional RADUS criteria for RAS were used, with a combination of PSV ≥180 cm/s and RAR ≥3.5, the sensitivity was 62% and the specificity was 91%. When RADUS criteria were optimized for sensitivity, then RAR ≥2.6 alone resulted in a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 69%. Conclusion The RAR ≥2.6 is a more sensitive criterion than traditional RADUS criteria when screening patients with clinical suspicion of RAS.
Adverse effects of metallic artifacts on voxel-wise analysis and tract-based spatial statistics in diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Goto Masami , Abe Osamu , Hata Junichi , Fukunaga Issei , Shimoji Keigo , Kunimatsu Akira , Gomi Tsutomu 
Published: April 2016

Background Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that reflects the Brownian motion of water molecules constrained within brain tissue. Fractional anisotropy (FA) is one of the most commonly measured DTI parameters, and can be applied to quantitative analysis of white matter as tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and voxel-wise analysis. Purpose To show an association between metallic implants and the results of statistical analysis (voxel-wise group comparison and TBSS) for fractional anisotropy (FA) mapping, in DTI of healthy adults. Material and Methods Sixteen healthy volunteers were scanned with 3-Tesla MRI. A magnetic keeper type of dental implant was used as the metallic implant. DTI was acquired three times in each participant: (i) without a magnetic keeper (FAnon1); (ii) with a magnetic keeper (FAimp); and (iii) without a magnetic keeper (FAnon2) as reproducibility of FAnon1. Group comparisons with paired t-test were performed as FAnon1 vs. FAnon2, and as FAnon1 vs. FAimp. Results Regions of significantly reduced and increased local FA values were revealed by voxel-wise group comparison analysis (a P value of less than 0.05, corrected with family-wise error), but not by TBSS. Conclusion Metallic implants existing outside the field of view produce artifacts that affect the statistical analysis (voxel-wise group comparisons) for FA mapping. When statistical analysis for FA mapping is conducted by researchers, it is important to pay attention to any dental implants present in the mouths of the participants.
Performance and Style of Play After Returning From Concussion in the National Hockey League
Authors: Kuhn Andrew W. , Zuckerman Scott L. , Totten Douglas , Solomon Gary S. 
Published: April 2016

Background: Few studies have empirically examined outcomes of concussion in the National Hockey League (NHL) and whether these athletes return to games after concussion at a performance level comparable to preconcussion play. Hypothesis: NHL players would not demonstrate changes in performance or style of play after returning from a concussion when compared with a group of control athletes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: NHL players with a reported hockey-related concussion during the 2008-2009 through 2014-2015 seasons were identified utilizing secondary media sources. Players who missed games for non–injury related causes were selected as the control group. “Performance” was operationally defined as the statistics for goals, assists, points, plus-minus, and shots, and “style of play” was operationally defined as the statistics for penalty minutes, blocked shots, hits, giveaways, and time on ice. Each gameplay statistic was recorded and totaled for the 5 games before and after each player′s injury or absence. After meeting strict inclusion criteria, the 2 groups were compared across each postconcussion/absence statistic by generalized linear models while incorporating the particular preconcussion/absence statistic, position played, games missed, and concussion history as covariates to control for intraplayer and between-group differences. Results: A total of 287 players sustained a concussion; 130 missed time for non–injury related reasons and were identified as controls. After the exclusion criteria were applied, 94 concussed players were compared with 58 controls. None of the models reached statistical significance, indicating that the concussion and control groups did not differ across performance or style of play after returning from a concussion or non–injury related absence. Conclusions: When compared with a control group, players who returned to consistent play after concussion did not demonstrate changes in performance or style of play.
Posterior Tibial Slope Angle Correlates With Peak Sagittal and Frontal Plane Knee Joint Loading During Robotic Simulations of Athletic Tasks
Authors: Bates Nathaniel A. , Nesbitt Rebecca J. , Shearn Jason T. , Myer Gregory D. , Hewett Timothy E. 
Published: April 2016

Background: Tibial slope angle is a nonmodifiable risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, the mechanical role of varying tibial slopes during athletic tasks has yet to be clinically quantified. Purpose: To examine the influence of posterior tibial slope on knee joint loading during controlled, in vitro simulation of the knee joint articulations during athletic tasks. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A 6 degree of freedom robotic manipulator positionally maneuvered cadaveric knee joints from 12 unique specimens with varying tibial slopes (range, −7.7° to 7.7°) through drop vertical jump and sidestep cutting tasks that were derived from 3-dimensional in vivo motion recordings. Internal knee joint torques and forces were recorded throughout simulation and were linearly correlated with tibial slope. Results: The mean (±SD) posterior tibial slope angle was 2.2° ± 4.3° in the lateral compartment and 2.3° ± 3.3° in the medial compartment. For simulated drop vertical jumps, lateral compartment tibial slope angle expressed moderate, direct correlations with peak internally generated knee adduction ( r = 0.60-0.65), flexion ( r = 0.64-0.66), lateral ( r = 0.57-0.69), and external rotation torques ( r = 0.47-0.72) as well as inverse correlations with peak abduction ( r = −0.42 to −0.61) and internal rotation torques ( r = −0.39 to −0.79). Only frontal plane torques were correlated during sidestep cutting simulations. For simulated drop vertical jumps, medial compartment tibial slope angle expressed moderate, direct correlations with peak internally generated knee flexion torque ( r = 0.64-0.69) and lateral knee force ( r = 0.55-0.74) as well as inverse correlations with peak external torque ( r = −0.34 to −0.67) and medial knee force ( r = −0.58 to −0.59). These moderate correlations were also present during simulated sidestep cutting. Conclusion: The investigation supported the theory that increased posterior tibial slope would lead to greater magnitude knee joint moments, specifically, internally generated knee adduction and flexion torques. Clinical Relevance: The knee torques that positively correlated with increased tibial slope angle in this investigation are associated with heightened risk of ACL injury. Therefore, the present data indicated that a higher posterior tibial slope is correlated to increased knee loads that are associated with heightened risk of ACL injury.
The role of pre-invasive disease in overdiagnosis: A microsimulation study comparing mass screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer
Authors: van Luijt Paula A , Rozemeijer Kirsten , Naber Steffie K , Heijnsdijk Eveline AM , van Rosmalen Joost , van Ballegooijen Marjolein , de Koning Harry J 
Published: April 2016

Objective Although early detection of cancer through screening can prevent cancer deaths, a drawback of screening is overdiagnosis. Overdiagnosis has been much debated in breast cancer screening, but less so in cervical cancer screening. We examined the impact of overdiagnosis by comparing two screening programmes in the Netherlands. Methods We estimated overdiagnosis rates by microsimulation for breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening, using a cohort of women born in 1982 with lifelong follow-up. Overdiagnosis estimates were made analogous to two definitions formed by the UK 2012 breast screening review. Pre-invasive disease was included in both definitions. Results Screening prevented 921 cervical cancers (−55%) and 378 cervical cancer deaths (−59%), and 169 (−1.3%) breast cancer cases and 970 breast cancer deaths (−21%). The cervical cancer overdiagnosis rate was 74.8% (including pre-invasive disease). Breast cancer overdiagnosis was estimated at 2.5% (including pre-invasive disease). For women of all ages in breast cancer screening, an excess of 207 diagnoses/100,000 women was found, compared with an excess of 3999 diagnoses/100,000 women in cervical cancer screening. Conclusions For breast cancer, the frequency of overdiagnosis in screening is relatively low, but consequences are evident. For cervical cancer, the frequency of overdiagnosis in screening is high, because of detection of pre-invasive disease, but the consequences per case are relatively small due to less invasive treatment. This illustrates that it is necessary to present overdiagnosis in relation to disease stage and consequences.
Registry-based assessment of the status of cervical screening in Sweden
Authors: Elfström K Miriam , Sparén Pär , Olausson Peter , Almstedt Pouran , Strander Björn , Dillner Joakim 
Published: April 2016

Objectives Comprehensive nationwide monitoring and evaluation of screening through registry-based review of key indicators is necessary for programme optimization, especially as new tests and strategies are introduced. We aimed to investigate and report on the use of these key indicators in the Swedish programme. Setting and methods Organized population-based cervical screening targeting women aged 23–50 and 51–60 every three and five years, respectively, is regionally implemented in Sweden. All cytological and histopathological test results and invitations are exported to the National Cervical Screening Registry. We describe the methods to obtain registry-based quality indicators by age, region, and calendar period. Results In 2013, there were 633,592 cervical smears in Sweden, of which 69% were organized smears resulting from an invitation. Screening test coverage for women aged 23–60 was 80% and similar for the previous decade, but varied greatly between and within counties over-time. Among women aged 23–25, test coverage increased dramatically during the previous six years, reaching 87% in 2013. The proportion of women with cytological high-grade cervical lesions found in cytology that had been followed-up with biopsy within one year was 97%. Major variations in cervical cancer incidence between counties were observed. Conclusions Registry-based analyses of key quality indicators provided the basis for prioritizing improvements of the organized cervical screening programme.
Some Determinants of Changes in the Real Income of Microfinance Programme Participating Households in Kerala
Authors: Babu M. Muneer 
Published: April 2016

This article examines whether the family households participating in the microfinance programme experience positive changes in their real income. This article uses the individual data of 300 microfinance participating households, the data of 45 credit delivery groups in three sample branches of a microfinance institution (Evangelical Social Action Forum-Microfinance and Investments Pvt Ltd [ESAF-MFIL]/Evangelical Social Action Forum-Self-help Group [ESAF-SHG] federation) in Kerala, India. The analysis has been conducted by using logistic regression model. This study finds that either (a) an increase in the number of working members in a family household, or (b) presence of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) employed members in a family household or (c) an increase in the expenditure on assets by members of a family household is likely to increase the real income of the family household. However, the presence of educated members in a family household is less likely to increase the real income of the family household. Our study suggests that the employability of the educated members is crucial for achieving positive changes in the real income of a family household. This study finds no evidence for the impact of total loan amount of family households on changes in their real income, since most loans are drawn for non-income generation purposes, pointing out that the loan amount should be spent on economically valuable assets, as it raises the real income of family households participating in the microfinance programme.