bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
N-Acetylcysteine’s Role in Sepsis and Potential Benefit in Patients With Microcirculatory Derangements
Authors: Chertoff Jason 
Published: March 2017

Objective: To review the data surrounding the utility of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in sepsis and identify areas needed for additional research. Data Sources: A review of articles describing the mechanisms of action and clinical use of NAC in sepsis. Summary of Review: Despite many advances in critical care medicine, still as many as 50% of patients with septic shock die. Treatments thus far have focused on resuscitation and restoration of macrocirculatory targets in the early phases of sepsis, with less focus on microcirculatory dysfunction. N-acetylcysteine, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, has been readily investigated in sepsis and has yielded largely incongruous and disappointing results. In addition to its known anti-inflammatory and antioxidative roles, one underappreciated property of NAC is its ability to vasodilate the microcirculation and improve locoregional blood flow. Some investigators have sought to capitalize on this mechanism with promising results, as evidenced by microcirculatory vasodilation, improvements in regional blood flow and oxygen delivery, and reductions in lactic acidosis, organ failure, and mortality. Conclusion: In addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, N-acetylcysteine possesses vasodilatory properties that could benefit the microcirculation in sepsis. It is imperative that we investigate these properties to uncover NAC’s full potential for benefit in sepsis.
HIV Testing Behaviors Among Latina Women Tested for HIV in Florida, 2012
Authors: Taveras Janelle , Trepka Mary Jo , Madhivanan Purnima , Gollub Erica L. , Devieux Jessy , Ibrahimou Boubakari 
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Latina women in the United States (US) are not only disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but also underuse HIV prevention services, such as HIV testing. Method: HIV testing events were examined to describe the HIV testing behaviors and test results among Latinas tested in 2012 at publicly funded sites in Florida, United States. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the demographic characteristics associated with reports of previous testing and positive HIV test results. Results: Of the 184,037 testing events, 87,569 (45.6%) were among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), 47,926 (26.0%) non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), 41,117 (22.3%) Latinas, 5,672 (3.1%) those with unknown race/ethnicity, and 1,753 (1.0%) other racial/ethnic groups. Compared to NHW and NHB women, Latinas testing for HIV were older (mean age = 32.1, NHW = mean age 30.3, NHB = mean age 30.0; p < .0001). Results indicated that women who reported previous HIV testing had decreased odds of being Latina (adjusted odds ratio = 0.90; 95% confidence interval [0.87, 0.94]). Conclusion: These findings indicate that Latinas are underusing HIV testing, and efforts are needed to increase the proportion of Latinas, especially younger Latinas, tested for HIV in Florida.
A Model of Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Measurement Error
Authors: Vettoretti Martina , Facchinetti Andrea , Sparacino Giovanni , Cobelli Claudio 
Published: March 2017

Background: A reliable model of the probability density function (PDF) of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) measurement error would be important for several applications in diabetes, like testing in silico insulin therapies. In the literature, the PDF of SMBG error is usually described by a Gaussian function, whose symmetry and simplicity are unable to properly describe the variability of experimental data. Here, we propose a new methodology to derive more realistic models of SMBG error PDF. Methods: The blood glucose range is divided into zones where error (absolute or relative) presents a constant standard deviation (SD). In each zone, a suitable PDF model is fitted by maximum-likelihood to experimental data. Model validation is performed by goodness-of-fit tests. The method is tested on two databases collected by the One Touch Ultra 2 (OTU2; Lifescan Inc, Milpitas, CA) and the Bayer Contour Next USB (BCN; Bayer HealthCare LLC, Diabetes Care, Whippany, NJ). In both cases, skew-normal and exponential models are used to describe the distribution of errors and outliers, respectively. Results: Two zones were identified: zone 1 with constant SD absolute error; zone 2 with constant SD relative error. Goodness-of-fit tests confirmed that identified PDF models are valid and superior to Gaussian models used so far in the literature. Conclusions: The proposed methodology allows to derive realistic models of SMBG error PDF. These models can be used in several investigations of present interest in the scientific community, for example, to perform in silico clinical trials to compare SMBG-based with nonadjunctive CGM-based insulin treatments.
Patient-Reported Outcomes After Multiligament Knee Injury
Authors: Hanley Jessica M. , Anthony Christopher A. , DeMik David , Glass Natalie , Amendola Annunziato , Wolf Brian R. , Bollier Matthew 
Published: March 2017

Background: Management of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in the setting of a multiligamentous knee injury (MLKI) represents an area of great controversy. Purpose: Our study was designed to compare long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after MCL repair versus reconstruction in the setting of a multiligamentous injury of the knee. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: At a single institution, 68 patients were identified over a 10-year period as having MCL intervention in the setting of MLKI. Of these patients, 34 (50%) were successfully contacted via telephone to collect Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. A retrospective chart review of these subjects was also conducted to identify patient and surgical factors affecting PROs. Results: At a mean 6-year follow-up (range, 2-11 years), the mean Lysholm score was 77.4 ± 23.1 and mean IKDC score was 72.6 ± 23.6. Univariate analyses identified time to surgery ( P = .005) and MCL reconstruction ( P = .001) as risk factors for Lysholm score ≤75. Univariate analyses identified patient age ( P = .049), time to surgery ( P = .018), and MCL reconstruction ( P = .004) as risk factors for IKDC score ≤75. On subsequent multivariate analysis, MCL reconstruction was found to be a predictor of Lysholm or IKDC score of ≤75. Conclusion: Patients undergoing MCL repair in the setting of MLKI generally had higher PROs than those undergoing reconstructions at a mean 6 years of follow-up. Further work is needed to elucidate patient and surgical factors that may influence subjective outcomes after multiligament knee injuries.
Management of COPD exacerbations: a European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society guideline
Authors: Wedzicha Jadwiga A. , Miravitlles Marc , Hurst John R. , Calverley Peter M.A. , Albert Richard K. , Anzueto Antonio , Criner Gerard J. , Papi Alberto , Rabe Klaus F. , Rigau David , Sliwinski Pawel , Tonia Thomy , Vestbo Jørgen , Wilson Kevin C. , Krishnan Jerry A. 
Published: March 2017

This document provides clinical recommendations for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.Comprehensive evidence syntheses, including meta-analyses, were performed to summarise all available evidence relevant to the Task Force's questions. The evidence was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach and the results were summarised in evidence profiles. The evidence syntheses were discussed and recommendations formulated by a multidisciplinary Task Force of COPD experts.After considering the balance of desirable and undesirable consequences, quality of evidence, feasibility, and acceptability of various interventions, the Task Force made: 1) a strong recommendation for noninvasive mechanical ventilation of patients with acute or acute-on-chronic respiratory failure; 2) conditional recommendations for oral corticosteroids in outpatients, oral rather than intravenous corticosteroids in hospitalised patients, antibiotic therapy, home-based management, and the initiation of pulmonary rehabilitation within 3 weeks after hospital discharge; and 3) a conditional recommendation against the initiation of pulmonary rehabilitation during hospitalisation.The Task Force provided recommendations related to corticosteroid therapy, antibiotic therapy, noninvasive mechanical ventilation, home-based management, and early pulmonary rehabilitation in patients having a COPD exacerbation. These recommendations should be reconsidered as new evidence becomes available.
Screening for COPD: the gap between logic and evidence
Authors: Kaplan Alan , Thomas Mike 
Published: March 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease leading to further morbidity and significant mortality. The first step for any condition is to make the appropriate diagnosis, and spirometry barriers abound in practice around the world. It is tempting to undertake mass screening on all smokers to detect COPD. While this would pick up cases of COPD, results of studies of its effect on COPD end-points such as exacerbations, hospitalisations and mortality are disappointing. As such, aggressive case finding of COPD by screening for symptoms that patients may not themselves perceive is very important in primary care, with subsequent spirometry defining the diagnosis.We also have to separate out population screening from individual patient interactions. Performing spirometry, even on a truly asymptomatic patient, may allow earlier diagnosis and modification of risk factors such as smoking (mostly) and exacerbation risk. It also recognises patients with early disease who are at high risk of comorbidities such as cardiac illness, such that appropriate treatment strategies can be implemented. Making a diagnosis, and even the fact of worrying about such a diagnosis, can affect the motivational level of the individual patient to cease smoking; all patients should of course be counselled to stop smoking. As such, consider the individual patient in front of you for unrecognised symptoms and therefore unrecognised illness, as making a diagnosis earlier can allow the institution of care, including smoking cessation, vaccination, bronchodilators and comorbidity management.
The association between self-reported and clinically determined hypomanic symptoms and the onset of major mood disorders
Authors: Goodday Sarah Margaret , Preisig Martin , Gholamrezaee Mehdi , Grof Paul , Angst Jules , Duffy Anne 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundHypomanic symptoms may be a useful predictor of mood disorder among young people at high risk for bipolar disorder.AimsTo determine whether hypomanic symptoms differentiate offspring of parents with bipolar disorder (high risk) and offspring of well parents (control) and predict the development of mood episodes.MethodHigh-risk and control offspring were prospectively assessed using semi-structured clinical interviews annually and completed the Hypomania Checklist-32 Revised (HCL-32). Clinically significant sub-threshold hypomanic symptoms (CSHS) were coded.ResultsHCL-32 total and active or elated scores were higher in control compared with high-risk offspring, whereas 14% of high-risk and 0% of control offspring had CSHS. High-risk offspring with CSHS had a fivefold increased risk of developing recurrent major depression (P=0.0002). The median onset of CSHS in high-risk offspring was 16.4 (6–31) years and was before the onset of major mood episodes.ConclusionsCSHS are precursors to major mood episodes in high-risk offspring and could identify individuals at ultra-high risk for developing bipolar disorder.
Poetry as Memoir: Shi Zhecun's Miscellaneous Poems of a Floating Life
Authors: Chang Kang-i Sun 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
At the age of eighty-five, writer Shi Zhecun 施蟄存 (1905–2003) recollected his long and difficult life journey in a poetic memoir, Fusheng zayong 浮生雜詠 (Miscellaneous Poems of a Floating Life). Comprising of eighty poems, this memoir focuses on the 1930s, when Shi experienced the first big storm of his life, a literary battle with the legendary writer Lu Xun 魯迅 (1881–1936). As a result, Shi lost his “space for survival” in the Shanghai literary world, but fortunately his background in both modern and traditional education provided him with resilience. Indeed, one of the appeals of Shi's poetic memoir lies in the author's deliberate fusing of subtle/classical sentiments with public/modern concerns. As this article demonstrates, while Shi's poems embody an implicit metaphorical quality, his self-commentaries are often down-to-earth and self-referential, creating a tension between the two that allows the reader to have as much space for imagination as desired.
On the Critical Reception of Lu Xun's Early Classical-Style Essays of the Japan Period
Authors: von Kowallis Jon Eugene 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLu Xun's 魯迅 (1881–1936) early classical-style essays are concerned with issues in the history and philosophy of science, as well as literature, philosophy, politics, and aesthetics during an era in which China went through profound cultural changes. Part of their significance also lies in the way they provide us with an unabashed glimpse at what Lu Xun, who was to become China's most important writer of the twentieth century, set out to accomplish with his intended literary career. They first appeared in the Chinese expatriate journal Henan 河南 (Ho-nan, 1907–8). Although they are products of his last student years in Japan, the fact that he chose to include the two longest of them at the very front of his 1926 anthology Fen 墳 (The Grave) indicates that he considered the views expressed therein neither too immature nor too dated to reprint at the height of his career as a creative writer. In fact, he suggests in his preface to Fen that one of his reasons for doing so was that the poets and causes treated there had, ironically, taken on an increased relevance for China in the years “after the founding of the republic.” Over the years since they were written, the content and style of these essays have been the subject of considerable scholarly scrutiny, but this has drawn out divergent views. Scholars in Japan have done an admirable job of tracing down the sources of some of the essays, although their interpretation was not without controversy there. Chinese scholars have first discounted, then eschewed, then annotated, and finally extolled them as harbingers of a new poetics or a profound meditation on unresolved issues still facing China. Westerners, by and large, give them a degree of primacy, but from different perspectives and to different degrees. This article examines the reception of these essays internationally, recontextualizing it within the historical factors that contributed to and molded it.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) as an indicator of disease activity and severity in lupus
Authors: Khan Abidullah , Haider Iqbal , Ayub Maimoona , Khan Salman 
Published: March 2017

Background: Amongst the different clinical and laboratory parameters used to monitor disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mean platelet volume (MPV) is a novel biomarker. Although MPV has been studied in other rheumatological conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, its role in adult SLE needs to be defined, especially in Pakistan. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MPV as a biomarker of disease activity in SLE. Fifty patients were recruited through a consecutive non-probability sampling technique for this cross-sectional study. On the basis of their SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score of greater or lesser than 5, these 50 participants were divided into two equal groups respectively;25 patients with active SLE, and another 25 participants with stable, inactive lupus. MPV was measured in each group and compared using SPSS version 16. MPV was also correlated with SLEDAI and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Independent sample t-test and Spearman’s rho and Pearson’s correlation tests were applied. Sensitivity and specificity of MPV were checked through ROC analysis. Results: The MPV of patients with active SLE (n=25, mean [M]=7.12, SD=1.01) was numerically lower than those in the inactive-SLE group (n=25, M= 10.12, SD=0.97), and this was statistically significant ( P<0.001). MPV had an inverse relationship with both ESR (r=-0.93, P<0.001) and SLEDAI (rs= -0.89, P<0.001). However, there was a strong positive correlation between ESR and SLEDAI (rs=0.90, P<0.001). For MPV, a cutoff value of less than 8.5fl had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% ( P< 0.001). Conclusions: Higher disease activity in SLE is associated with a correspondingly low MPV.
Evidence synthesis and decision modelling to support complex decisions: stockpiling neuraminidase inhibitors for pandemic influenza usage
Authors: Watson Samuel I. , Chen Yen-Fu , Nguyen-Van-Tam Jonathan S. , Myles Puja R. , Venkatesan Sudhir , Zambon Maria , Uthman Olalekan , Chilton Peter J. , Lilford Richard J. 
Published: March 2017

Objectives: The stockpiling of neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) antivirals as a defence against pandemic influenza is a significant public health policy decision that must be made despite a lack of conclusive evidence from randomised controlled trials regarding the effectiveness of NAIs on important clinical end points such as mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether NAIs should be stockpiled for treatment of pandemic influenza on the basis of current evidence. Methods: A decision model for stockpiling was designed. Data on previous pandemic influenza epidemiology was combined with data on the effectiveness of NAIs in reducing mortality obtained from a recent individual participant meta-analysis using observational data. Evidence synthesis techniques and a bias modelling method for observational data were used to incorporate the evidence into the model. The stockpiling decision was modelled for adults (≥16 years old) and the United Kingdom was used as an example. The main outcome was the expected net benefits of stockpiling in monetary terms. Health benefits were estimated from deaths averted through stockpiling. Results: After adjusting for biases in the estimated effectiveness of NAIs, the expected net benefit of stockpiling in the baseline analysis was £444 million, assuming a willingness to pay of £20,000/QALY ($31,000/QALY). The decision would therefore be to stockpile NAIs. There was a greater probability that the stockpile would not be utilised than utilised. However, the rare but catastrophic losses from a severe pandemic justified the decision to stockpile. Conclusions: Taking into account the available epidemiological data and evidence of effectiveness of NAIs in reducing mortality, including potential biases, a decision maker should stockpile anti-influenza medication in keeping with the postulated decision rule.
State Mode and Management Style: the Difficulties of Democratic Transformation
Authors: Охотский  , Okhotskiy Evgeniy 
Published: March 2017

The article attempts to analyze the scientific relevance and practical relevance for the modern system
of public administration mainstreaming mode of governance and management style, their forms and
manifestations in practice. Thus explores the underlying quality characteristics and stylistic peculiarities of
functioning of the state apparatus, the difficulty of optimizing performance, problematic and contradictory
nature of overcoming corruption and bureaucratic pathologies, threats, dysfunctions and other deformations
in the practice of public administration. It is emphasized that at some point the corrupt and bureaucratic
mechanisms become latent shadow control system, which resist very difficult. In the result remain on top of
the bureaucracy, the corruption, the brutality, the callousness and irresponsibility, and the bottom begins to
dominate legal nihilism, distrust of authorities, double standards.
Analyzing the distinguished types of styles, the author stops at the optimally-effective style performance
focuses on the value of the benefits and ways of learning, introduces into scientific circulation the concept
of “style of meanness and hypocrisy” – style, based on lies, double standards, fraud, provocations and
corruption.
This article presents some value judgments made appropriate generalizations and conclusions, analyzes
the actions taken by a state in respect of establishing proper order in the system of public administration
and public service. Formulated proposals which, in the opinion of the author, will help accurately implement
the tasks put by the state in terms of democratic governance and innovation updates of the struggle against
formalism, bureaucratic abuse, corruption, hardware isolation.
Using spirometry as a diagnostic tool in COPD management
Authors: Strivens Karen 
Published: March 2017

NICE guidelines now recommend the use of spirometry to diagnose COPD, but as Karen Strivens points out, some confusion exists over how to diagnose itThe use of spirometry is recommended by national guidelines to aid the diagnosis of COPD. There is, however, confusion and debate around training, interpretation of results and when to undertake spirometry in practice. This can lead to underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis, resulting in inappropriate or delayed treatment. Clear guidance and education is necessary to ensure appropriate interpretation and diagnosis; ultimately, however, spirometry should be performed to support a thorough clinical history where COPD is suspected.
Reviews
Authors: Feeley Claire , Gosse Johanna , Child Danielle , Leahy Olivia , Charnley Kim , Mulholland Neil 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
DISAPPEARING ACTS: 8TH LOFOTEN INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL, SVOLVAER, NORWAY, 29 AUGUST–27 SEPTEMBER 2015
LEAP BEFORE YOU LOOK: BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE 1933–1957, INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART, BOSTON, 10 OCTOBER 2015–24 JANUARY 2016
LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL 2016, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, 9 JULY–16 OCTOBER 2016
SUNRIDGE AVENUE PROJECTS, LUTON, 7 MAY–4 JUNE 2016
TIM ETCHELLS, FOR NOW, PLYMOUTH ART CENTRE, 25 SEPTEMBER 2015–3 JANUARY 2016
PLAY AND PARTICIPATION IN CONTEMPORARY ARTS PRACTICES, TIM STOTT (2015) London: Routledge, 156 pp., ISBN: 9781138850286, h/bk, £95
The social life of the caftan in eighteenth-century Russia
Authors: Ivleva Victoria 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
This article explores the ‘cultural biography’ of the caftan, a garment, which underwent significant changes as a part of Peter I’s urban clothing revolution. The article discusses the evolution of the caftan and changes in its functions and meanings, its historical, social and literary modes of circulation and the semiotic value it acquired in the eighteenth-century clothing system, and more broadly in eighteenth-century Russian culture. As a key garment of the Petrine dress reforms, the caftan became a material symbol of eighteenth-century modernizing processes and was often employed by writers to comment on social and cultural policies and practices. When the caftan (as part of a uniform) started to be associated with state control and the infringement on individual freedom, it was replaced by the dressing gown, which became a symbol of internal peace, freedom and creativity in literature and cultural life.