bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positive airway pressure adherence and mask interface in the setting of sinonasal symptoms
Authors: Schell Amy E. , Soose Ryan J. 
Published: April 2017

Objectives/HypothesisDespite reports of lower positive pressure adherence rates with oronasal masks, patients with sinonasal problems are often prescribed this interface over a nasal interface. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between mask type and therapy adherence in the setting of sinonasal symptoms.Study DesignRetrospective case series with chart review.MethodsWe reviewed 328 patients who underwent positive pressure titration between January 2012 and May 2015. Follow‐up adherence data were available for 218 patients (66.5%). Multivariate analysis examined whether patients with sinonasal symptoms have improved adherence with oronasal masks compared to nasal or nasal pillow interfaces.ResultsAt a median follow‐up of 95 days, positive pressure adherence in patients with sinonasal symptoms was highest with the nasal pillow interface. When compared with oronasal interfaces, the odds of adequate therapy adherence were >5 times greater with nasal pillow interfaces (odds ratio [OR] = 5.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.61‐16.80, P = .006) and >3 times greater with nasal interfaces (OR = 3.67, 95% CI = 1.20‐11.26, P = .02) in these symptomatic patients.ConclusionsThe presence of nasal problems does not predict the need for an oronasal mask. Positive pressure adherence rates are higher with nasal and nasal pillow interfaces compared to oronasal masks, even in patients with sinonasal complaints.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2418–2422, 2017
Survival, Mortality, Causes and Places of Death in a European Huntington's Disease Prospective Cohort
Authors: Rodrigues Filipe Brogueira , Abreu Daisy , Damásio Joana , Goncalves Nilza , Correia‐Guedes Leonor , Coelho Miguel , Ferreira Joaquim J. ,   REGISTRY Investigators of the European Huntington's Disease Network
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundHuntington's disease (HD) is a rare and fatal inherited genetic disorder characterized by progressive motor, cognitive, and behavioral impairment. It leads to premature death, but data regarding advanced‐stage disease are scarce. We sought to determine HD‐associated survival, mortality, and causes and places of death.MethodsData from the European HD Network prospective study (REGISTRY) collected from 2001 through 2013 were used, including the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale and death report forms. Group comparisons were performed using the t test or the χ2 test. Survival analyses were computed through Kaplan‐Meier estimates of median survival. All tests were 2‐sided with a significance level of P = 0.05.ResultsIn total, 5164 participants were analyzed. The mean age at diagnosis was 49 years, and the mean age at death was 58 years. At the end of the study period, there were 533 deaths (10.3% of patients). Median survival was 24 years from diagnosis and 35 years from symptom onset. The most frequent causes of death were pneumonia (19.5%), other infections (6.9%), and suicide (6.6%). The most frequent places of death were the hospital (29.8%), the home (23.9%), and nursing houses (19.8%).ConclusionsPatients with HD tend to die from the same conditions as patients with other neurodegenerative diseases. However, compared with nonhereditary Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, the median time from onset to death is longer, and the places of death are distinctive.
Low‐dimensional half‐metallic materials: theoretical simulations and design
Authors: Li Xingxing , Yang Jinlong 
Published: April 2017

Spintronics, which uses the spin of electrons for information processing, is viewed as one of the most promising next‐generation information technology with high speed and low energy consumption. To generate pure spins for subsequent spin transport and manipulation, a half‐metallic material with 100% spin polarization around the Fermi level is highly desired. Half metal features a unique electronic structure, with one spin channel metallic while keeping the other spin channel insulating. In order to minimize the size of spintronic devices and achieve high integration density, low‐dimensional half‐metallic materials are eagerly pursued in recent years, although they are still at an early stage of theoretical predictions and corresponding experimental verifications remain challenging. Intrinsic half‐metallicity in low dimension is found to be very limited and we still lack a general scheme to achieve such materials. Alternatively, the large number of emerging nanomaterials and their easy tunability by external stimuli provide another opportunity to realize low‐dimensional half‐metals. In this article, we attempt to give a brief review of designing low‐dimensional half‐metals from theoretical aspect, and analyze the basic ideas and strategies used in the design process. Proposals on future developments are also presented. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2017, 7:e1314. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1314This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
Factors Associated with Choice and Success of One- Versus Two-Stage Revision Arthroplasty for Infected Hip and Knee Prostheses
Authors: Castellani Lucas , Daneman Nick , Mubareka Samira , Jenkinson Richard 
Published: April 2017

Background Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) of hip and knee arthroplasties are becoming increasingly common with an aging population and an increasing demand for these procedures. Despite attempts at standardization, medical and surgical approaches vary widely among practitioners. Questions/Purposes We first sought to determine if there were specific factors associated with choice of one- versus two-stage revision. Then we investigated whether the type of revision approach influenced clinical treatment success. Finally, among two-stage revisions, we assessed if an antibiotic holiday prior to the second procedure affected clinical treatment success. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who had revision surgery for infection of a hip or knee arthroplasty between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2013, at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Holland Orthopedic and Arthritic Centre. PJI cases were identified using the Ontario Joint Replacement Registry. Infection was defined by gross intraoperative evidence of infection, positive intraoperative culture(s), and/or sinus tract prior to operation. The primary outcome was treatment failure at 1 year after revision surgery based on requirement for further surgery, ongoing infection, and/or continuous suppressive antibiotics. Results Of 110 eligible patients identified, 35 patients had a one-stage and 75 patients had a two-stage revision. Choice of a one-stage approach was most influenced by particular surgeon preference and was more likely for hip revision versus knee revision (OR 3.39 (95%CI 1.85–6.23). There was no statistical difference in clinical treatment success rate between one-stage (33/35; 94.2% success) and two-stage revision (63/75; 84%; p = 0.13). Enterococcus spp. (21 versus 3%; p = 0.027) and Peptostreptococcus spp. (14 versus 1%; p = 0.042) were more common among clinical treatment failures than successes, with a trend towards the same for Staphylococcus aureus (29 versus 9%; p = 0.06). Additionally, treatment success was not influenced by whether the patient had an antibiotic holiday with a two-stage revision. Conclusion Our findings confirm the uncertainty of surgical strategy for treatment of PJI in hip and knee arthroplasty. Superiority of one- versus two-stage revision and the value of antibiotic-free periods prior to definitive revision remain unclear. Large prospective studies or randomized controlled trials are needed to inform best practice for treatment of these complex clinical problems.
Altered levels of blood proteins in Alzheimer's disease longitudinal study: Results from Australian Imaging Biomarkers Lifestyle Study of Ageing cohort
Authors: Gupta Veer Bala , Hone Eugene , Pedrini Steve , Doecke James , O'Bryant Sid , James Ian , Bush Ashley I. , Rowe Christopher C. , Villemagne Victor L. , Ames David , Masters Colin L. , Martins Ralph N. ,   AIBL Research Group
Published: April 2017

AbstractIntroductionA blood‐based biomarker panel to identify individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) would be an inexpensive and accessible first step for routine testing.MethodsWe analyzed 14 biomarkers that have previously been linked to AD in the Australian Imaging Biomarkers lifestyle longitudinal study of aging cohort.ResultsLevels of apolipoprotein J (apoJ) were higher in AD individuals compared with healthy controls at baseline and 18 months (P = .0003) and chemokine‐309 (I‐309) were increased in AD patients compared to mild cognitive impaired individuals over 36 months (P = .0008).DiscussionThese data suggest that apoJ may have potential in the context of use (COU) of AD diagnostics, I‐309 may be specifically useful in the COU of identifying individuals at greatest risk for progressing toward AD. This work takes an initial step toward identifying blood biomarkers with potential use in the diagnosis and prognosis of AD and should be validated across other prospective cohorts.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with cognitive decline at Alzheimer's disease conversion within mild cognitive impairment patients
Authors: Lee Eunjee , Giovanello Kelly S. , Saykin Andrew J. , Xie Fengchang , Kong Dehan , Wang Yue , Yang Liuqing , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Doraiswamy P. Murali , Zhu Hongtu ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe growing public threat of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has raised the urgency to quantify the degree of cognitive decline during the conversion process of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD and its underlying genetic pathway. The aim of this article was to test genetic common variants associated with accelerated cognitive decline after the conversion of MCI to AD.MethodsIn 583 subjects with MCI enrolled in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI; ADNI‐1, ADNI‐Go, and ADNI‐2), 245 MCI participants converted to AD at follow‐up. We tested the interaction effects between individual single‐nucleotide polymorphisms and AD diagnosis trajectory on the longitudinal Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognition scores.ResultsOur findings reveal six genes, including BDH1, ST6GAL1, RAB20, PDS5B, ADARB2, and SPSB1, which are directly or indirectly related to MCI conversion to AD.DiscussionThis genome‐wide association study sheds light on a genetic mechanism of longitudinal cognitive changes during the transition period from MCI to AD.
Efficacy and safety of diclofenac in osteoarthritis: Results of a network meta-analysis of unpublished legacy studies
Authors: Guyot Patricia , Pandhi Shaloo , Nixon Richard M. , Iqbal Asif , Chaves Ricardo L. , Moore R. Andrew 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Background and aim
Diclofenac is widely prescribed for the treatment of pain. Several network meta-analyses (NMA), largely of published trials have evaluated the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The present NMA extends these analyses to unpublished older (legacy) diclofenac trials.

Methods
We identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of diclofenac with planned study duration of at least 4 weeks for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) from ‘legacy’ studies conducted by Novartis but not published in a peer reviewed journal or included in any previous pooled analyses. All studies reporting efficacy and/or safety of treatment with diclofenac or other active therapies or placebo were included. We used a Bayesian NMA model, and estimated relative treatment effects between pairwise treatments. Main outcomes included pain relief measured using visual analogue scale at 2, 4 and 12 weeks and patient global assessment (PGA) at 4 and 12 weeks for efficacy, all-cause withdrawals, and adverse events.

Results
A total of 19 RCTs (5030 patients) were included; 18 of which were double-blind and one singleblind. All studies were conducted before cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors (COXIBs) became commercially available. Data permitted robust efficacy comparison between diclofenac and ibuprofen, but the amount of data for other comparators was limited. Diclofenac 150 mg/day was more efficacious than ibuprofen 1200 mg/day and had likely favourable outcomes for pain relief compared to ibuprofen 2400 mg/day. Diclofenac 100 mg/day had likely favourable outcomes compared to ibuprofen 1200 mg/day in alleviating pain. Based on PGA, diclofenac 150 mg/day was more efficacious and likely to be favourable than ibuprofen 1200 mg/day and 2400 mg/day, respectively. Risk of withdrawal due to all causes with diclofenac and ibuprofen were comparable. Diclofenac 150 mg/day was likely to have favourable efficacy and comparable tolerability with diclofenac 100 mg/day. Results comparing diclofenac and ibuprofen were similar to those from NMAs of published trials.

Conclusions
Results from these unpublished ‘legacy’ studies were similar to those from NMAs of published trials. The favourable efficacy results of diclofenac compared to ibuprofen expand the amount of available evidence comparing these two NSAIDs. The overall benefit-risk profile of diclofenac was comparable to that of ibuprofen in OA.

Implications
The present NMA results reassures that the older unpublished blinded trials have similar results compared to more recently published trials and also contributes to increase the transparency of clinical trials performed with diclofenac further back in the past.
An englacial hydrologic system of brine within a cold glacier: Blood Falls, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: BADGELEY JESSICA A. , PETTIT ERIN C. , CARR CHRISTINA G. , TULACZYK SLAWEK , MIKUCKI JILL A. , LYONS W. BERRY ,   MIDGE Science Team
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTTaylor Glacier hosts an active englacial hydrologic system that feeds Blood Falls, a supraglacial outflow of iron-rich subglacial brine at the terminus, despite mean annual air temperatures of −17°C and limited surface melt. Taylor Glacier is an outlet glacier of the East Antarctic ice sheet that terminates in Lake Bonney, McMurdo Dry Valleys. To image and map the brine feeding Blood Falls, we used radio echo sounding to delineate a subhorizontal zone of englacial brine upstream from Blood Falls and elongated in the ice flow direction. We estimate volumetric brine content in excess of 13% within 2 m of the central axis of this zone, and likely much higher at its center. Brine content decreases, but remains detectable, up to 45 m away along some transects. Hence, we infer a network of subparallel basal crevasses allowing injection of pressurized subglacial brine into the ice. Subglacial brine is routed towards Blood Falls by hydraulic potential gradients associated with deeply incised supraglacial valleys. The brine remains liquid within the subglacial and englacial environments through latent heat of freezing coupled with elevated salt content. Our findings suggest that cold glaciers could support freshwater hydrologic systems through localized warming by latent heat alone.
NEMATODE MANAGEMENT IN RAIN-FED SMALLHOLDER MAIZE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS UNDER CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN ZIMBABWE
Authors: MADAMOMBE SANDRA M. , NYAGUMBO ISAIAH , MVUMI BRIGHTON M. , NYAMUGAFATA PHILLIP , WUTA MENAS , CHINHEYA CLEOPAS C. 
Published: April 2017

SUMMARYNematode infestation in Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) cropping systems, worsened by poor crop rotations, is a major factor contributing to limited utilisation of applied nutrients and water, leading to low maize (Zea maysL.) yields particularly on sandy soils. The effects of nematode infestation on maize productivity were evaluated under conservation agriculture (CA) on granitic sandy soils in sub-humid smallholder farms of Goromonzi district of Zimbabwe. Four treatments were tested for three seasons on six smallholder farmers’ fields in a randomised complete block design, each farm being a replicate: fenamiphos 40EC (a commercial synthetic nematicide), lime + fenamiphos 40EC, lime and an untreated control. Results of the study showed that independent application of fenamiphos 40EC and lime significantly reduced plant parasitic nematode infestations in maize roots by more than 10 times those present in the untreated plots while maize yield also increased significantly. Yield increase from fenamiphos and lime applications amounted to 53 and 42% respectively, compared to the untreated controls. Maize yield was negatively correlated with density ofPratylenchusspp. nematodes. Nematode management strategies involving fenamiphos 40EC or lime could significantly reduce maize yield losses in maize-based smallholder farming systems of SSA under CA. It was more economical to use fenamiphos than lime to control nematodes.
Living with tigers Panthera tigris: patterns, correlates, and contexts of human–tiger conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Authors: Dhungana Rajendra , Savini Tommaso , Karki Jhamak Bahadur , Dhakal Maheshwar , Lamichhane Babu Ram , Bumrungsri Sara 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHuman–tiger conflict arises when tigers Panthera tigris attack people or their livestock, and poses a significant threat to both tigers and people. To gain a greater understanding of such conflict we examined spatio-temporal patterns, correlates, causes and contexts of conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, and its buffer zone, during 2007–2014. Data, mostly from compensation applications, were collected from the Park office. Fifty-four human casualties (32 fatalities, 22 injuries) and 351 incidents of livestock depredation were recorded, clustered in defined areas, with 75.9% of human casualties occurring in the buffer zone and 66.7% within 1 km of the Park boundary. A linear model indicated there was a significant increase in human casualties during 2007–2014. Livestock were killed in proportion to their relative availability, with goats suffering the highest depredation (55%). There was a positive correlation between livestock depredation and National Park frontage (the length of Village Development Committee/municipality boundary abutting the National Park), but not human population, livestock population, forest area in the buffer zone, rainfall or temperature. There was no relationship between tiger attacks on people and any of the correlates examined. Wild prey density was not correlated with conflict. Of the tigers removed because of conflict, 73.3% were male. The majority of attacks on people occurred during accidental meetings (77.8%), mostly while people were collecting fodder or fuelwood (53.7%), and almost half (48.2%) occurred in the buffer zone forests. We recommend the use of the conflict map developed here in the prioritization of preventive measures, and that strategies to reduce conflict should include zoning enforcement, improvement of livestock husbandry, participatory tiger monitoring, an insurance scheme, and community awareness.
OVERVIEW ON THE CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN HUNGARY
Authors: Németh Bertalan , Csanádi Marcell , Kaló Zoltán 
Published: April 2017

Objectives:Our objectives were to assess the current implementation of health technology assessment (HTA) in Hungary and to identify country-specific patterns of challenges and potential improvements.Methods:We applied a structure that can be used to create HTA implementation roadmaps to evaluate various issues regarding HTA implementation. A comprehensive description of the Hungarian HTA system is presented according to relevant literature and experiences of the authors.Results:By investigating eight components of HTA implementation, we identified the most important strengths and weaknesses of the Hungarian system. More specifically, we were mainly focusing on the emergence of HTA capacity, the establishment and current role of Department of HTA, the complex process of decision making, the quality elements developed in the near past, and the activity of Hungarian experts at international collaborations.Conclusions:We concluded that there is a sophisticated methodological and educational basis for HTA in Hungary. A permanent focus on capacity building and changes to the reimbursement procedure can further improve transparency and the scientific basis of decision making in the country.
ATTITUDES OF ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALISTS TOWARD EFFECTS OF MEDICAL DEVICE PURCHASING
Authors: Lingg Myriam , Merida-Herrera Everth , Wyss Kaspar , Durán-Arenas Luis 
Published: April 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess viewpoints of end-users concerning the purchasing process of high-risk medical devices and to discuss the relevance of health technology assessments (HTAs) at the hospital level and other potential areas for improvement of purchasing processes.Methods: We used a cross-sectional study and assessed the attitudes and thoughts of orthopedic specialists. The study took place between June and October 2015 in Mexico.Results: We collected data from 187 orthopedic surgeons. Involvement of orthopedic specialists in purchasing was reported by 86 percent. However, clinical practice was perceived as negatively influenced by purchasing outcomes by 92 percent. The problems were described as: material failure; effectiveness of medical devices; obsolete medical device technology; incomplete provision of implant / instrument sets; delayed provision of implants and instruments.Conclusions: To prevent sub-standard outcomes of purchasing decisions, this study and the current literature suggest that technologies should be assessed during the purchasing process, end-users should be adequately involved, and decisions should be based on multiple criteria including clinical impact in the short-term (e.g., primary stability of implant) and long-term (e.g., survival of implant). The focus on Mexico is particularly novel and provides insights into a health system where HTA is mainly present at the macro level and can be used for the listing of medical device technologies in the standard list. This study concludes that Mexican stakeholders of the purchasing process underestimate the contribution of HTAs at the level of purchasing decisions. HTA in Mexico has improved over the past years but still requires more advancement.
Post-dispersal seed removal by rodents in Ranomafana rain forest, Madagascar
Authors: Razafindratsima Onja H. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract:Seed-consuming rodents are increasingly recognized for their roles in the maintenance of tree species diversity, by acting on crucial post seed-dispersal processes. Yet, studies examining the extent to which rodents may act as secondary seed dispersers and/or predators in Madagascar's forests are limited. Thread-marking seed experiments were run to address this, using the seeds of two native large-seeded, frugivore-dispersed tree species (Abrahamia thouvenotii and Cryptocarya crassifolia), in disturbed and less-disturbed habitats in the rain forests of Ranomafana National Park, during the dry season. Data show that post-dispersal handling of seeds by rodents (predation and removal) was significantly lower in disturbed than in less-disturbed habitats (1.31–3.78 times lower; n = 2200). Also, seeds were more likely to be predated or left on the forest ground after removal than being larder- or scatter-hoarded: 27–78% of the removed seeds were found on the ground, <12% found in burrows and there was no evidence of scatter-hoarding (n = 132). Based on pictures from camera traps, the native rodent species, Nesomys rufus, was potentially responsible for seed predation and/or removal in the less-disturbed habitat; but no indication of the rodent species active in the disturbed habitat was obtained. The lack of scatter-hoarding suggests a limited role of rodents in secondary seed dispersal in this system. These findings form a preliminary account of the potential roles of rodents in post seed-dispersal processes in Madagascar's forests, but this warrants further study.