bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Ambrosino Pasquale , Tarantino Luciano , Di Minno Giovanni , Paternoster Mariano , Graziano Vincenzo , Petitto Maurizio , Nasto Aurelio , Di Minno Matteo Nicola 
Published: October 2016

SummarySome studies suggest that patients with cirrhosis have an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Unfortunately, available data on this association are contrasting. It was the objective of this study to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature to evaluate the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with cirrhosis. Studies reporting on VTE risk associated with cirrhosis were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases. Eleven studies (15 data-sets) showed a significantly increased VTE risk in 695,012 cirrhotic patients as compared with 1,494,660 non-cirrhotic controls (OR: 1.703; 95 %CI: 1.333, 2.175; P<0.0001). These results were confirmed when specifically considering the risk of DVT (7 studies, OR: 2.038; 95 %CI: 1.817, 2.285; P<0.0001) and the risk of PE (5 studies, OR: 1.655; 95 %CI: 1.042, 2.630; p=0.033). The increased VTE risk associated with cirrhosis was consistently confirmed when analysing nine studies reporting adjusted risk estimates (OR: 1.493; 95 %CI: 1.266, 1.762; p<0.0001), and after excluding studies specifically enrolling populations exposed to transient risk factors for VTE (OR: 1.689; 95 %CI: 1.321, 2.160; p<0.0001). Meta-regression models suggested that male gender may significantly impact on the risk of VTE associated with cirrhosis. Results of our meta-analysis suggest that cirrhotic subjects may exhibit an increased risk of VTE. This should be considered to plan specific prevention strategies in this clinical setting.Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Heart Failure, Left Ventricular Remodeling, and Circulating Nitric Oxide Metabolites
Authors: Chirinos Julio A. , Akers Scott R. , Trieu Lien , Ischiropoulos Harry , Doulias Paschalis‐Thomas , Tariq Ali , Vasim Izzah , Koppula Maheswara R. , Syed Amer Ahmed , Soto‐Calderon Haideliza , Townsend Raymond R. , Cappola Thomas P. , Margulies Kenneth B. , Zamani Payman 
Published: October 2016

Background

Stable plasma nitric oxide (
NO
) metabolites (

NO
M

), composed predominantly of nitrate and nitrite, are attractive biomarkers of
NO
bioavailability.

NO
M

levels integrate the influence of
NO
‐synthase‐derived
NO
production/metabolism, dietary intake of inorganic nitrate/nitrite, and clearance of

NO
M

. Furthermore, nitrate and nitrite, the most abundant

NO
M

, can be reduced to
NO
via the nitrate‐nitrite‐
NO
pathway.

Methods and Results

We compared serum

NO
M

among subjects without heart failure (n=126), subjects with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (
HF
p
EF
; n=43), and subjects with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (
HF
r
EF
; n=32).
LV
mass and extracellular volume fraction were measured with cardiac
MRI
. Plasma

NO
M

levels were measured after reduction to
NO
via reaction with vanadium (
III
)/hydrochloric acid. Subjects with
HF
p
EF
demonstrated significantly lower unadjusted levels of

NO
M

(8.0 μmol/L; 95%
CI
6.2–10.4 μmol/L;
ANOVA
P
=0.013) than subjects without
HF
(12.0 μmol/L; 95%
CI
10.4–13.9 μmol/L) or those with
HF
r
EF
(13.5 μmol/L; 95%
CI
9.7–18.9 μmol/L). There were no significant differences in

NO
M

between subjects with
HF
r
EF
and subjects without
HF
. In a multivariable model that adjusted for age, sex, race, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, current smoking, systolic blood pressure, and glomerular filtration rate,
HF
p
EF
remained a predictor of lower

NO
M

(β=−0.43;
P
=0.013).

NO
M

did not correlate with
LV
mass, or
LV
diffuse fibrosis.

Conclusions

HF
p
EF
, but not
HF
r
EF
, is associated with reduced plasma

NO
M

, suggesting greater endothelial dysfunction, enhanced clearance, or deficient dietary ingestion of inorganic nitrate. Our findings may underlie the salutary effects of inorganic nitrate supplementation demonstrated in recent clinical trials in
HF
p
EF
.
An Ensemble Kalman Filter for Numerical Weather Prediction Based on Variational Data Assimilation: VarEnKF
Authors: Buehner Mark , McTaggart-Cowan Ron , Heilliette Sylvain 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSeveral NWP centers currently employ a variational data assimilation approach for initializing deterministic forecasts and a separate ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) system both for initializing ensemble forecasts and for providing ensemble background error covariances for the deterministic system. This study describes a new approach for performing the data assimilation step within a perturbed-observation EnKF. In this approach, called VarEnKF, the analysis increment is computed with a variational data assimilation approach both for the ensemble mean and for all of the ensemble perturbations. To obtain a computationally efficient algorithm, a much simpler configuration is used for the ensemble perturbations, whereas the configuration used for the ensemble mean is similar to that used for the deterministic system. Numerous practical benefits may be realized by using a variational approach for both deterministic and ensemble prediction, including improved efficiency for the development and maintenance of the computer code. Also, the use of essentially the same data assimilation algorithm would likely reduce the amount of numerical experimentation required when making system changes, since their impacts in the two systems would be very similar. The variational approach enables the use of hybrid background error covariances and may also allow the assimilation of a larger volume of observations. Preliminary tests with the Canadian global 256-member system produced significantly improved ensemble forecasts with VarEnKF as compared with the current EnKF and at a comparable computational cost. These improvements resulted entirely from changes to the ensemble mean analysis increment calculation. Moreover, because each ensemble perturbation is updated independently, VarEnKF scales perfectly up to a very large number of processors.
Assessing Mental Models of Emergencies Through Two Knowledge Elicitation Tasks
Authors: Whitmer Daphne E. , Sims Valerie K. , Torres Michael E. 
Published: October 2016

Objective: The goals of this study were to assess the risk identification aspect of mental models using standard elicitation methods and how university campus alerts were related to these mental models. Background: People fail to follow protective action recommendations in emergency warnings. Past research has yet to examine cognitive processes that influence emergency decision-making. Method: Study 1 examined 2 years of emergency alerts distributed by a large southeastern university. In Study 2, participants listed emergencies in a thought-listing task. Study 3 measured participants’ time to decide if a situation was an emergency. Results: The university distributed the most alerts about an armed person, theft, and fire. In Study 2, participants most frequently listed fire, car accident, heart attack, and theft. In Study 3, participants quickly decided a bomb, murder, fire, tornado, and rape were emergencies. They most slowly decided that a suspicious package and identify theft were emergencies. Conclusion: Recent interaction with warnings was only somewhat related to participants’ mental models of emergencies. Risk identification precedes decision-making and applying protective actions. Examining these characteristics of people’s mental representations of emergencies is fundamental to further understand why some emergency warnings go ignored. Application: Someone must believe a situation is serious to categorize it as an emergency before taking the protective action recommendations in an emergency warning. Present-day research must continue to examine the problem of people ignoring warning communication, as there are important cognitive factors that have not yet been explored until the present research.
Homelessness, Unsheltered Status, and Risk Factors for Mortality
Authors: Montgomery Ann Elizabeth , Szymkowiak Dorota , Marcus Jessica , Howard Paul , Culhane Dennis P. 
Published: October 2016

Objectives: People who live in unsheltered situations, such as the streets, often have poorer health, less access to health care, and an increased risk of premature mortality as compared with their sheltered counterparts. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness who were sleeping primarily in unsheltered situations with those who were accessing homeless shelters and other sheltered situations, (2) identify correlates of unsheltered status, and (3) assess the relationship between unsheltered status and increased risk of mortality. Methods: Using primary data collected as part of the 100    000 Homes Campaign—a national effort to help communities find homes for vulnerable and chronically homeless Americans—we estimated 2 generalized linear mixed models to understand the correlates of unsheltered status and risk factors for mortality. Independent variables included demographic characteristics; history of homelessness, incarceration, foster care, and treatment for mental illness or substance use; sources of income; and past and present medical conditions. The study sample comprised 25489 people experiencing homelessness who responded to an assessment of their housing and health as part of the 100    000 Homes Campaign from 2008 to 2014. Results: In the full model, the following characteristics were associated with unsheltered status: being a veteran (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.10); having <high school education (aOR = 1.09); accessing informal income (aOR = 2.37); and having a history of foster care (aOR = 1.14), chronic homelessness (aOR = 1.36 for 1-5 years, aOR = 1.95 for >5 years), incarceration (aOR = 1.32), or substance use (aOR = 1.10 for ever abusing drugs or alcohol, aOR = 1.13 for ever using intravenous drugs, aOR = 1.98 for drinking alcohol every day for past month). Being unsheltered (aOR = 1.12), being female (aOR = 1.22), or receiving entitlements (aOR = 1.63) increased respondents’ odds of having risk factors for mortality. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to assertively reach out to vulnerable populations and provide interventions to assist them during their transition—for example, as they exit incarceration or age out of foster care. Such a response could prevent unsheltered homelessness and thereby address increased mortality risk. Connecting people with resources to increase their access to employment, benefits, and other sources of income is especially important.
A Scan of CDC-Authored Articles on Legal Epidemiology, 2011-2015
Authors: Martini Leila , Presley David , Klieger Sarah , Burris Scott 
Published: October 2016

Objective: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts research on legal epidemiology, the scientific study of law as a factor in the cause, distribution, and prevention of disease. This study describes a scan of articles written by CDC staff members to characterize the frequency and key features of legal epidemiology articles and their distribution across CDC departments and divisions. Methods: CDC librarians searched an internal repository for journal articles by CDC staff published from January 1, 2011, to May 31, 2015. Researchers reviewed and coded the abstracts to produce data on key features of the articles. Results: Researchers identified 158 CDC-authored legal epidemiology articles published in 83 journals, most frequently in Preventing Chronic Disease (14 publications), Journal of Public Health Management Practice (10 publications), and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (9 publications). Most articles concerned the use and impact of law as a deliberate tool of intervention. Thirteen articles addressed the legal infrastructure of public health, and 3 assessed the incidental or unintended effects of nonhealth laws. CDC-authored articles encompassed policy making, implementation, and impact. Literature reviews and studies mapping laws across multiple jurisdictions constituted one-quarter of all publications. Studies addressed laws at the international, national, state, local, and organizational levels. Conclusion: Results of the scan can be used to identify opportunities for the agency to better support research, professional development, networking, publication, and tracking of publication in this emerging field.
Short-term results of isolated phlebectomy with preservation of incompetent great saphenous vein (ASVAL procedure) in primary varicose veins disease
Authors: Zolotukhin Igor A , Seliverstov Evgeny I , Zakharova Elena A , Kirienko Alexander I 
Published: October 2016

Objective To establish an effect of isolated phlebectomy in patients with incompetent great saphenous vein (Ambulatory Selective Varices Ablation under Local anesthesia (ASVAL) procedure) on the reflux and diameter of the trunk and to assess recurrence rate of varicose veins at one year. Material and methods We conducted a prospective study on patients with primary varicose veins and with C2 or C2,3 or C2,3,4 or C2,4 classes of chronic venous disease and great saphenous vein incompetence. The study included 67 patients (51 women and 16 men; 75 limbs in total). Age varied from 17 to 71 years; mean age was 46.8 years (SD 13.9). We recorded the presence or absence of reflux in the great saphenous vein with duplex ultrasound before and after surgery. The recurrence of varicose veins was evaluated at 12 months. All the patients underwent isolated phlebectomy with preservation of incompetent great saphenous vein (ASVAL procedure) under local anesthesia. Results At one year after removing of tributaries of the incompetent trunk, 66% of them were competent. Reflux persisted in 17% of great saphenous veins with reflux above mid-thigh and in 61% of trunks with reflux extended below the mid-thigh (p = 0.0004). The diameter of all the veins decreased significantly no matter reflux disappeared or not. Varicose veins reoccurred in 13.5% cases. In 6.5% of limbs with a reflux above the mid-thigh, the recurrence was registered at one year, while in the limbs with the reflux below the mid-thigh at a baseline, the recurrence rate was 25% (p = 0.036). Conclusion Isolated phlebectomy with a preservation of incompetent great saphenous vein leads to disappearance of reflux in a majority of cases and to significant decrease of vein diameter in all the cases. ASVAL procedure could be considered as a less aggressive and less expensive approach in selected cases. Clear indications for isolated phlebectomy need to be established.
Cost savings analysis and toxicity audit of a bevacizumab dose rounding policy at a community cancer center
Authors: Moore Donald C , McVey Gary Neal 
Published: October 2016

Purpose To evaluate the potential cost savings incurred from a policy to round doses of bevacizumab to the nearest vial size. Secondarily, to determine differences in rates of adverse events between patients who had their doses rounded up compared with those who had doses rounded down. Methods This study is a retrospective chart review of all patients who received at least one rounded dose of bevacizumab over a period of 22 months. Doses of bevacizumab were calculated based on actual body weight. The calculated dose was then rounded to the nearest 400 or 100 mg vial size. The predicted effect on cost was calculated in US dollars for both the pre-rounded dose and the rounded dose. Adverse events including hypertension, proteinuria, and vascular events were compared between those that received a dose that was rounded up and those with a dose rounded down. Results A total of 55 patients received at least one dose bevacizumab between 1 August 2014 and 31 May 2016. A total of 470 doses were administered. The estimated cost savings by rounding bevacizumab doses to the nearest 100 mg during the study time period was $164,617.92. Patients receiving either a dose that was rounded up or rounded down to the nearest 100 mg experienced similar rates of adverse events. Conclusion Dose rounding of bevacizumab to the nearest vial size resulted in significant cost savings and did not significantly impact the incidence of adverse events.
Is there a relationship between ultrasound scanning ability (sonography) and visuospatial perception or psychomotor ability?
Authors: Chapman Elizabeth , Hagen Suzanne , Gallagher Helen 
Published: October 2016

Background Competent sonography is thought to include a unique combination of skills not yet fully defined. This presents challenges when recruiting the correct people for training. Skills are thought to include visuospatial perception and psychomotor skills, but little is known about the relationship between these aptitudes and scanning ability. This feasibility study explored such relationships, to identify evaluation techniques which may improve selection and recruitment. Methods A sample of 30 experienced ultrasound practitioners and 30 trainees at commencement and on completion of training were administered eight tests. Results No significant relationships between experienced practitioners’ or trainees’ visuospatial abilities or psychomotor abilities and scanning abilities were found. Results demonstrated that two of the visuospatial perception tests were not influenced by training and therefore, may be measuring the innate skills of ultrasound practitioners. As ultrasound practitioners had not performed any of the tests previously, ranges of scores for each of the eight tests were established for this group. This included measures for psychomotor skills which added to the current body of knowledge for sonography. Conclusions Although no significant correlations were found between participants’ visuospatial perception or psychomotor abilities and scanning ability, performance on the Obstetric Structured Assessment Test (combining all the skills required) pre-training gave the best indication of post-training scanning performance. The Obstetric Structured Assessment Test may prove a useful tool for initial assessment of potential trainees but abilities will require further investigation.
Prospective multicentre study in intensive care units in five cities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional approach on rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection
Authors: Al-Abdely Hail M , Alshehri Areej Dhafer , Rosenthal Victor Daniel , Mohammed Yassir Khidir , Banjar Weam , Orellano Pablo Wenceslao , Assiri Abdullah Mufareh , Kader Nahla Moustafa Abedel , Enizy Hessa Abdullah Al , Mohammed Diaa Abdullah , Al-Awadi Duaa Khalil , Cabato Analen Fabros , Wasbourne Maria , Saliya Randa , Aromin Rosita Gasmin , Ubalde Evangelina Balon , Diab Hanan Hanafy , Alkamaly Modhi Abdullah , Alanazi Nawal Mohammed , Hassan Assiry Ibtesam Yahia , Molano Apsia Musa , Flores Baldonado Celia , Al-Azhary Mohamed , Al Atawi Sharifa , Molano Apsia Musa , Al Adwani Fatima Mohammad , Casuyon Pahilanga Arlu Marie , Nakhla Raslan , Al Adwani Fatma Mohammad , Nair Deepa Sasithran , Sindayen Grace , Malificio Annalyn Amor , Helali Najla Jameel , Al Dossari Haya Barjas , Kelany Ashraf , Algethami Abdulmajid Ghowaizi , Yanne Leigh , Tan Avigail , Babu Sheema , Abduljabbar Shatha Mohammad , Bukhari Syed Zahid , Basri Roaa Hasan , Mushtaq Jeyashri Jaji , Rushdi Hala , Turkistani Abdullah Abdulaziz , Gonzales Celiz Jerlie Mae , Al Raey Mohammed Abdullah , Al-Zaydani Asiri Ibrahim AM , Aldarani Saeed Ali , Laungayan Cortez Elizabeth , Demaisip Nadia Lynette , Aziz Misbah Rehman , Omer Abdul Aziz Ali , Al Manea Batool , Samy Eslam , Al-Dalaton Mervat , Alaliany Mohammed Jkedeb 
Published: October 2016

Objective: To analyse the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Approach (IMA) and INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS) on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in five intensive care units (ICUs) from October 2013 to September 2015. Design: Prospective, before-after surveillance study of 3769 patients hospitalised in four adult ICUs and one paediatric ICU in five hospitals in five cities. During baseline, we performed outcome and process surveillance of CLABSI applying CDC/NHSN definitions. During intervention, we implemented IMA and ISOS, which included: (1) a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions; (2) education; (3) outcome surveillance; (4) process surveillance; (5) feedback on CLABSI rates and consequences; and (6) performance feedback of process surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results: During baseline, 4468 central line (CL) days and 31 CLABSIs were recorded, accounting for 6.9 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days. During intervention, 12,027 CL-days and 37 CLABSIs were recorded, accounting for 3.1 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days. The CLABSI rate was reduced by 56% (incidence-density rate, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.28–0.72; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Implementing IMA through ISOS was associated with a significant reduction in the CLABSI rate in the ICUs of Saudi Arabia.
Revisiting the internal consistency and factorial validity of the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale
Authors: Zongo Arsène , Guénette Line , Moisan Jocelyne , Guillaumie Laurence , Lauzier Sophie , Grégoire Jean-Pierre 
Published: October 2016

Objective: To assess the internal consistency and factorial validity of the adapted French 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale in assessing adherence to noninsulin antidiabetic drug treatment. Study Design and Setting: In a cross-sectional web survey of individuals with type 2 diabetes of the Canadian province of Quebec, self-reported adherence to the antidiabetes drug treatment was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8. We assessed the internal consistency of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 with Cronbach’s alpha, and factorial validity was assessed by identifying the underlying factors using exploratory factor analyses. Results: A total of 901 individuals completed the survey. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.60. Two factors were identified. One factor comprised five items: stopping medication when diabetes is under control, stopping when feeling worse, feeling hassled about sticking to the prescription, reasons other than forgetting and a cross-loading item (i.e. taking drugs the day before). The second factor comprised three other items that were all related to forgetfulness in addition to the cross-loading item. Conclusion: Cronbach’s alpha of the adapted French Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 was below the acceptable value of 0.70. This observed low internal consistency of the scale is probably related to the causal nature of the items of the scale but not necessarily a lack of reliability. The results suggest that the adapted French Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 is a two-factor scale assessing intentional (first factor) and unintentional (second factor) non-adherence to the noninsulin antidiabetes drug treatment. The scale could be used to separately identify these outcomes using scores obtained on each of the sub-scales.