bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of ultrasound shear wave elastography with magnetic resonance elastography and renal microvascular flow in the assessment of chronic renal allograft dysfunction
Authors: Marticorena Garcia Stephan R , Guo Jing , Dürr Michael , Denecke Timm , Hamm Bernd , Sack Ingolf , Fischer Thomas 
Published: December 2017

Background Monitoring of renal allograft function is essential for early identification of dysfunction and improvement of kidney transplant (KTX) outcome. Purpose To non-invasively assess renal stiffness in KTX recipients using ultrasound shear wave elastography (USE) in correlation with multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), renal allograft function, and renal microvascular flow determined using a novel ultrasound microvascular imaging technique. Material and Methods This prospective study investigated 25 KTXs (functional KTX [FCT], n = 14; chronic KTX insufficiency [DYS], n = 11) in 20 KTX recipients (mean age = 43 ± 14 years). USE was performed using a high-frequency broadband linear transducer and compared with MRE. Shear wave velocity (SWV) was correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Qualitative differences in renal microvascular flow were obtained using SMI. Results FCT had higher SWV than DYS in both cortex and pyramids (cortex, FCT: 3.75 ± 0.82 m/s vs. DYS: 2.79 ± 0.73 m/s, P = 0.0002; pyramid, FCT: 2.89 ± 0.46 m/s vs. DYS: 2.39 ± 0.34 m/s, P = 0.044). Cutoff values of 3.265 m/s for cortex, 2.535 m/s for pyramids, and 2.985 m/s for combined non-hilar parenchyma provided sensitivities of 72.7%, 77.8%, and 90.9% and specificities of 71.4%, 78.6%, and 85.7% for detecting renal allograft dysfunction with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.831, 0.841, 0.925 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.67–0.99, 0.66–1.02, 0.83–1.03). USE correlated positively with eGFR ( r = 0.741, P = 0.0004) and with MRE-derived SWV ( r = 0.562, P = 0.004). Renal microvascular flow was decreased in DYS. Conclusion USE is sensitive to renal allograft dysfunction, which is characterized by reduced SWV and renal perfusion. USE has higher image resolution than MRE, while MRE has slightly better diagnostic accuracy.
Sensory processing styles and eating behaviors in healthy adults
Authors: Hebert Karen R 
Published: December 2017

Introduction Engagement in unhealthy eating behaviors is a significant risk factor for the development of obesity. These eating behaviors include uncontrolled and mindless eating in response to emotional and sensory cues. This study examines the relationship between sensory processing styles and eating behaviors in typical adults. Method One hundred and fifty healthy individuals aged 18–60 completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, the Dutch Eating Behaviors Questionnaire, and a rating task of 40 healthy and unhealthy food images. Findings Sensory processing styles characterized by passive self-regulation strategies (low registration and sensory sensitivity) were positively correlated with rates of emotional and external eating behaviors. Sensory seeking was positively correlated with ratings of desirability of healthy food images. Conclusion Individuals whose sensory processing styles are characterized by passive self-regulation strategies are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors, including consuming food in relation to internal emotional and external sensory cues. Occupational therapists should consider the role of sensory factors when working with clients who engage in unhealthy food overconsumption.
The Role of Meniscal Tears in Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of the Knee: A Systematic Review of Suspected Etiology and a Call to Revisit Nomenclature
Authors: Hussain Zaamin B. , Chahla Jorge , Mandelbaum Bert R. , Gomoll Andreas H. , LaPrade Robert F. 
Published: December 2017

Background: The cause of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) and postarthroscopic osteonecrosis of the knee is unknown, and the mechanisms involved have been poorly characterized. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed systematic review of the literature to examine proposed etiological mechanisms for SONK in order to establish an improved understanding of the processes involved. We hypothesized that the etiology of SONK would be multifactorial. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Inclusion criteria were all original research articles presented in the English language that reported on the suspected etiology of SONK. Reviews, case reports with fewer than 3 patients, cost-effectiveness studies, technical reports, editorial articles, surveys, special topics, letters to the editor, personal correspondence, and studies that only proposed factors for the progression of SONK were excluded. Results: After a comprehensive review of 255 articles, 26 articles were included for final analysis. Twenty-one (80.7%) of 26 articles implicated the role of the meniscus in the development of SONK, in an association with either meniscal tears or its development after meniscectomy. The medial meniscus and posterior meniscal root tears were implicated more frequently. All 4 studies incorporating histological findings supported the insufficiency fracture hypothesis as a pathological basis of SONK. Conclusion: Physicians should be cognizant of the high prevalence of medial meniscus root tears in patients with SONK. Meniscectomy and meniscal tears, particularly of the medial meniscus posterior root, increase contact pressures and create an environment from which insufficiency fractures can emanate. We believe the term SONK is a misrepresentation of the etiology and pathogenesis of the condition and should be replaced with subchondral insufficiency fractures of the knee. Further elucidation of the etiology is required.
Testamentary Capacity Assessment: Legal, Medical, and Neuropsychological Issues
Authors: Voskou Panagiota , Douzenis Athanasios , Economou Alexandra , Papageorgiou Sokratis G. 
Published: December 2017

Introduction: The increase in the aging population and the number of patients with dementia led to the research in older adults’ capacity assessment over the last 3 decades. Many cases of contested wills occur due to lack of testamentary capacity (TC), especially in cases of dementia. Aim: Purpose of the present study was to overview the legal, medical, and neuropsychological aspects of TC as well as the instruments used for TC assessment. Findings: The testator/testatrix with intact TC has realistic perception of his or her property value, lack of psychopathology affecting contact with reality, and intact intention of how and to whom he or she will dispose his or her assets. It is frequent for the health practitioners to serve as “gold standards assessors” by examining an individual’s ability to make a valid will and giving evidence to the court to support or not a will contest. The TC assessment is a complex process of clinical and legal practice requiring usually a variety of methods, that is, interviews, evaluation of clinical records, and administration of neuropsychological instruments. Conclusion: The evaluation of TC is a multidimensional process that integrates both the legal and medical field, requiring a collaborative approach to its definition and assessment.
Use of Decision Support Software to Titrate Multiple Daily Injections Yielded Sustained A1c Reductions After 1 Year
Authors: Bode Bruce , Clarke John G. , Johnson Joseph 
Published: December 2017

Purpose: The purpose was to improve the quality of care of at-risk patients through the addition of connected BG meters and CDSS to improve workflow and thus provide more efficient titration of patient’s insulin regimens remotely between office visits in an attempt to treat them to their glucose targets faster and efficiently, and maintain that improvement over time. Methods: Hardware and software included a real-time cellular-enabled blood glucose (BG) meter and Glytec’s Glucommander™ clinical decision support software (CDSS). A quality improvement (QI) project with retrospective before-and-after comparison was conducted. The training period was 90 days and then the project ran for another 11 months. A protocol comprised Glytec CDSS software, which recommends titration intervals from 3 to 28 days as a function of glycemic control, specifically, longer intervals for better control. There were 46 clinic patients. Results: A1C decreased from a baseline average of 10.2% to 7.8% at 3 months, 7.8% at 6 months, 7.8% at 9 months, and 7.2% at 12 months. The baseline-to-final A1C decrease shows a P < .00001 by paired t-test. Out of 36 315 BGs, the average number of BG tests per day was 3.03 during the first 3 months and 2.47 during the final 3 months. The percentage of BGs < 54 mg/dL was 0.33% and the percentage of BGs < 40 mg/dL was 0.05%. Conclusions: This QI project demonstrated the use of CDSS including its built-in feature of titration interval recommendation can safely and effectively lower A1C for at-risk patients, treat patients to target safely, and maintain those improvements over 12 months of follow-up.
Riociguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, ameliorates right ventricular contraction in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Murata Mitsushige , Kawakami Takashi , Kataoka Masaharu , Kohno Takashi , Itabashi Yuji , Fukuda Keiichi 
Published: December 2017

Riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator used for pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatment. We evaluated right ventricular (RV) contractile function in 27 PH patients receiving riociguat. A comparison of pre‐ and post‐administration echocardiographic studies demonstrated significantly improved RV strain after riociguat treatment, even after adjusting for RV afterload.
Safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban for the secondary prevention following acute coronary syndromes among biomarker-positive patients: Insights from the ATLAS ACS 2-TIMI 51 trial
Authors: Korjian Serge , Braunwald Eugene , Daaboul Yazan , Verheugt Freek , Bode Christoph , Tendera Michal , Jain Purva , Plotnikov Alexei , Burton Paul , Gibson C Michael 
Published: December 2017

Background: Despite dual antiplatelet therapy, persistent thrombin generation and thrombin-mediated platelet activation account in part for the residual risk of atherothrombotic disease among patients with prior acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Inhibition of thrombin generation among high-risk ACS patients (biomarker-positive ACS) with the factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban may limit ongoing thrombus formation and myocardial necrosis and thereby improve clinical outcomes. Objectives and methods: ATLAS ACS 2-TIMI 51 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that randomized ACS patients to either rivaroxaban 2.5 mg b.i.d., rivaroxaban 5 mg b.i.d., or placebo plus standard-of-care antiplatelet therapy for a mean of 13.1 months and up to 31 months ( N=15,526). This post-hoc analysis evaluates the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban among biomarker-positive ACS patients with and without a history of prior stroke of transient ischemic attack in the ATLAS ACS 2-TIMI 51 trial. Results: A total of 12,626 biomarker-positive ACS patients were included in this analysis. Among biomarker-positive patients without a prior history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, rivaroxaban 2.5 b.i.d. was associated with a reduction in the primary efficacy endpoint (composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) as compared with placebo (hazard ratio=0.80, 95% confidence interval (0.68–0.94), p=0.007) at the expense of an increase in non-coronary-artery-bypass-graft-related Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major bleeding (1.9% vs. 0.7%, p<0.0001), but not a significant increase in either intracranial hemorrhage (0.4% vs. 0.2%, p=0.11) or fatal bleeding (0.1% vs. 0.3%, p=0.16). Conclusion: Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg b.i.d. was associated with a significant reduction in the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke with no increase in fatal bleeding. Biomarker-positive patients with no prior history of stroke or transient ischemic attack may be a optimal target population to receive “dual pathway” therapy with rivaroxaban plus dual antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention following ACS.
Laboratory demonstration of hydraulic fracture height growth across weak discontinuities
Authors: Xing Pengju , Yoshioka Keita , Adachi Jose , El-Fayoumi Amr , Bunger Andrew P. 
Published: December 2017

Decades of research have led to numerous insights in modeling the impact of stresses and rock properties on hydraulic fracture height growth. However, the conditions under which weak horizontal interfaces are expected to impede height growth remain for the most part unknown. We have developed an experimental study of the impact of weak horizontal discontinuities on hydraulic fracture height growth, including the influences of (1) abrupt stress contrasts between layers, (2) material fracture toughness, and (3) contrasts of stiffness between the reservoir and bounding layers. The experiments are carried out with an analog three-layered medium constructed from transparent polyurethane, considering toughnesses resisting vertical fracture growth. There are four observed geometries: containment, height growth, T-shape growth, and the combination of height growth and T-shape. Results are developed in a parametric space embodying the influence of the horizontal stress contrast, vertical stress, and horizontal barrier stress contrast, as well as the fluid pressure. The results indicate that these cases fall within distinct regions when plotted in the parametric space. The locations in the parametric space of these regions are strongly impacted by the vertical fracture toughness: Increasing the value of the vertical interface fracture toughness leads to a suppression of height growth in favor of containment and T-shaped growth. Besides providing detailed experimental data for benchmarking 3D hydraulic fracture simulators, these experiments show that the fracture height is substantially less than would be predicted in the absence of the weak horizontal discontinuities.
Characteristics and prediction of weathered volcanic rock reservoirs: A case study of Carboniferous rocks in Zhongguai paleouplift of Junggar Basin, China
Authors: Sun Xiaoming , Cao Siyuan , Pan Xiao , Hou Xiangyang , Gao Hui , Li Jiangbo 
Published: December 2017

Volcanic reservoirs have been overlooked for hydrocarbon exploration for a long time. Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the Zhongguai paleouplift contain proven reserves of [Formula: see text]. We have investigated the volcanic reservoirs integrating cores, well, and seismic data, and the proposed volcanic reservoir distribution is controlled by the weathering function, fractures, and lithology. The weathering process makes the originally tight igneous rocks become good-quality reservoirs, and fractures play an important role in connecting different types of pores and act as reservoir space. Isolated and ineffective pores become effective ones due to connection among fractures. Only volcanic breccia can be good-quality reservoirs without any weathering function. The nonlinear chaos inversion controlled by weathered layers shows that the good-quality reservoirs are distributed in the top of the weathering crust and the structural high. Furthermore, fluid-detection attributes and background information prove that oil and gas are distributed along the paleostructural high. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the characteristics of volcanic reservoirs and determine the controlled rules for reservoir distribution, (2) characterize the distribution of reservoirs and hydrocarbon, and (3) propose an effective workflow for hydrocarbon exploration in volcanic rocks combining geologic and geophysical methods.
The “Indy way”: Lessons from Brazilian sugar-cane biofuel supply chain
Authors: Santiago Christian , Batista Janaina Siegler Marques , Sa Marcelo Martins 
Published: December 2017

This paper explores how the Brazilian sugar-energetic processors used Indycar racing to increase exports to the United States and create value by transforming the Brazilian ethanol from a commodity fuel to an advanced biofuel, between 2009 to 2012. This case study uses the relationship between Brazilian Sugar-cane Industry Association (UNICA), Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (APEX-Brazil), and the IndyCar Racing League (IRL), to show the ability to learn and perform in a competitive scenario. Absorptive Capacity (ACAP) theory is used to understand how the Brazilian sugar-energetic processors identified, assimilated, transformed, and exploited knowledge from this relationship, as well as how this experience could be used in other industries. As a trading result, Brazilian biofuel exports to the United States increased 758.22% during the studied period and the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), an American tax act in vigor since the 1970’s, was extinguished at the end of 2011. The main contribution of this study: Identify how the Absorptive Capacity Theory can explain such impacts in the Brazilian Biofuel exports through the relationship between partners in the U.S. and Brazil.
Tooth anatomy: a practical guide part 2: drawing anterior teeth
Authors: Mackenzie Louis 
Published: December 2017

Understanding the anatomy of anterior and posterior teeth is important as the main aims of restorative dentistry are to restore the form, function and often the aesthetics of damaged teeth. The appearance of individual anterior teeth is complex and variable. The three most important aesthetic determinants are widely considered to be tooth shape, surface texture and colour, which are further complicated by soft tissue and dento-facial factors. Learning how these interlinked anatomical features affect the aesthetic appearance of anterior teeth is difficult and presents challenges to teachers. Also, tooth anatomy teaching and clinical training in restorative dentistry may be separated by months or even years, making it difficult for students to apply previously learned anatomical principles to aesthetic restorative procedures. This is the second of two papers describing a series of step-by-step tooth drawing exercises which aim to simplify the teaching and learning of tooth anatomy. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Detailed understanding of tooth anatomy will help clinicians accurately and predictably plan the restoration of anterior teeth.
Carbamide peroxide and its use in oral hygiene and health
Authors: Greenwall-Cohen Joseph , Greenwall Linda 
Published: December 2017

Plaque accumulation, dental caries and periodontal disease are an increasing concern for elderly, special care and orthodontic patients as a result of numerous predisposing factors which make maintenance of adequate oral hygiene difficult, even with traditional oral hygiene practices. This article will propose a technique whereby the anti-bacterial properties of tray-applied carbamide peroxide are used to improve oral health for these patients. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Traditional oral hygiene practices may be unsatisfactory for elderly, special care and orthodontic patients. This article proposes a technique whereby the anti-bacterial properties of tray-applied carbamide peroxide are used to improve the oral health for these patients.
Oral hygiene as a risk factor in infective endocarditis
Authors: Haworth Jennifer A , Mears Richard G , Jenkinson Howard F , Kerrigan Steve W , Nobbs Angela H 
Published: December 2017

There are many known associations between oral and systemic diseases. This review paper summarizes the proposed mechanisms underlying the links between dental disease and cardiovascular disease before introducing recent research regarding bacteria-platelet interactions. New protein factors have been identified on dental plaque bacteria. One of these, PadA, triggers blood to clot. This research provides new information about how Streptococcus bacteria and platelets interact and could lead to the development of new ways to control the formation of blood clots caused by micro-organisms that access the bloodstream. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article aims to provide the whole dental team with an overview of bacteria-platelet interactions. This is of particular relevance to infective endocarditis and the recent change in wording to the NICE antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines in the UK.
Radicular cyst expansion over a 10-year period – a case report
Authors: Mistry Vinay , Suida Mohamed Imran , Dalghous Abdul 
Published: December 2017

This article aims to illustrate and discuss the risks of failing to treat a radicular cyst appropriately. Here we report a 23-year-old male patient who sustained dental trauma to his maxillary anterior teeth on more than one occasion. The changes involved with the patient's dentition and expansion of the radicular cyst across his maxilla, over the course of a decade, highlight the importance of early intervention and appropriate treatment. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This case report aims to alert clinicians to the risks of radicular cyst expansion, and the link between dental trauma and radicular cyst formation
Utopías libertarias y sueños de igualdad: Mario Vargas Llosa y Flora Tristán
Authors: Estrada Oswaldo 
Published: December 2017

Este artículo analiza la reconstrucción ficcional que Mario Vargas Llosa realiza de Flora Tristán, tomando en cuenta diversas rearticulaciones histórico-literarias de los siglos XIX y XX. A diferencia de otras escrituras con respecto a la famosa escritora franco-peruana, la de Vargas Llosa en El paraíso en la otra esquina (2003) articula un mundo posible y coherente desde una perspectiva alternativa y disidente, sin la religiosidad, el fervor nacionalista o la actitud paternalista que hallamos en otros trabajos sobre Flora Tristán, la intelectual que luchó por alcanzar una utopía socialista de igualdad para las mujeres y los obreros oprimidos. Para realizar este análisis de reconstrucción histórica, el crítico analiza el ensamblaje feminista de Flora Tristán en la novela de Vargas Llosa, a la luz de varios de sus ensayos con respecto al mundo de la ficción y el poder político de la literatura.