bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lingual Tonsillectomy for Pediatric Persistent Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Rivero Alexander , Durr Megan 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveTo determine the role of lingual tonsillectomy (LT) in pediatric patients with persistent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A).Data SourcesPubMed, OVID‐MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central from 2006 to 2017.Review MethodsInclusion criteria included English‐language studies containing original data on LT in pediatric patients with persistent OSA. Exclusion criteria included case reports and studies without outcome measures. Two investigators independently reviewed all manuscripts and performed quality assessment using validated tools. Meta‐analysis was performed.ResultsOf the 866 abstracts identified, 5 studies met inclusion criteria. All studies were case series (level of evidence 4). Outcome measures included apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), minimum oxygen saturation (minSaO2), comorbidity status, and adverse events. Qualitatively, all studies demonstrated reduction in AHI and increase in minSaO2 after LT. Comorbidities may not affect the success of LT for lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH). LT had similar adverse event rates as T&A. Meta‐analysis was performed on 4 studies. LT showed a mean change in reduction of AHI and increase of minSaO2 of −6.64 (95% CI, −8.63 to −4.65) and 4.17 (95% CI, 1.25‐7.08), respectively. The overall success rate, defined as postoperative AHI <5, was 52%.ConclusionLT for LTH can be a safe and effective adjunct surgery for persistent OSA in patients after T&A. LT may reduce AHI and increase minSaO2, though complete resolution of OSA is rare. Given the limited number of patients studied, no formal recommendations can be made for the routine use of LT for LTH in persistent pediatric OSA.
Association between Asthma and Chronic Rhinosinusitis Severity in the Context of Asthma Control
Authors: Campbell Adam P. , Phillips Katie M. , Hoehle Lloyd P. , Gaudin Robert A. , Caradonna David S. , Gray Stacey T. , Sedaghat Ahmad R. 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveComorbid asthma is associated with decreased quality of life (QOL) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). It is unclear whether this association is independent of the patients’ clinical asthma status. We therefore sought to determine if asthma is associated with lower QOL in CRS, independent of asthma control.Study DesignCross‐sectional cohort study of 350 patients with CRS.SettingTertiary academic rhinology clinic.Subjects and MethodsIn total, 350 participants with CRS were recruited and 28.3% were asthmatic. CRS‐specific QOL was measured using the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). Asthma control was assessed with the Asthma Control Test (ACT). General health‐related QOL was assessed with the EuroQoL 5‐dimensional general health‐related quality of life survey visual analog scale (EQ‐5D VAS). Associations were sought between SNOT‐22 and EQ‐5D VAS (dependent variables) and asthma (independent variable), while controlling for ACT. ACT score for patients with CRS without asthma was set at 25 (indicating completely controlled, asymptomatic asthma).ResultsComorbid asthma was associated with SNOT‐22 (β = 11.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.2‐17.3; P <. 001) and EQ‐5D VAS (β = −6.2; 95% CI, −11.2 to −1.3; P =. 014). After controlling for ACT, asthma was no longer associated with SNOT‐22 (P =. 147) or EQ‐5D VAS (P =. 994). Instead, ACT score was associated with SNOT‐22 (β = −2.1; 95% CI, −3.2 to −1.1; P <. 001) and EQ‐5D VAS (β = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.0; P <. 001). ACT score completely drove the association between asthma and worse QOL.ConclusionComorbid asthma is not necessarily reflective of decreased QOL in CRS. The association of comorbid asthma with lower QOL in CRS is related to the clinical status (eg, control) of asthma.
Costs and benefits of different methods of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Authors: Yanasoot Alongkorn , Yolsuriyanwong Kamtorn , Ruangsin Sakchai , Laohawiriyakamol Supparerk , Sunpaweravong Somkiat 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundA minimally invasive approach to esophagectomy is being used increasingly, but concerns remain regarding the feasibility, safety, cost, and outcomes. We performed an analysis of the costs and benefits of minimally invasive, hybrid, and open esophagectomy approaches for esophageal cancer surgery.MethodsThe data of 83 consecutive patients who underwent a McKeown’s esophagectomy at Prince of Songkla University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2014 were analyzed. Open esophagectomy was performed in 54 patients, minimally invasive esophagectomy in 13, and hybrid esophagectomy in 16. There were no differences in patient characteristics among the 3 groups Minimally invasive esophagectomy was undertaken via a thoracoscopic-laparoscopic approach, hybrid esophagectomy via a thoracoscopic-laparotomy approach, and open esophagectomy by a thoracotomy-laparotomy approach.ResultsMinimally invasive esophagectomy required a longer operative time than hybrid or open esophagectomy ( p = 0.02), but these patients reported less postoperative pain ( p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in blood loss, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, or postoperative complications among the 3 groups. Minimally invasive esophagectomy incurred higher operative and surgical material costs than hybrid or open esophagectomy ( p = 0.01), but there were no significant differences in inpatient care and total hospital costs.ConclusionMinimally invasive esophagectomy resulted in the least postoperative pain but the greatest operative cost and longest operative time. Open esophagectomy was associated with the lowest operative cost and shortest operative time but the most postoperative pain. Hybrid esophagectomy had a shorter learning curve while sharing the advantages of minimally invasive esophagectomy.
Cognitive components of foreign word stress processing difficulty in speakers of a native language with non-contrastive stress
Authors: Honbolygó Ferenc , Kóbor Andrea , Csépe Valéria 
Published: September 2017

Objectives: Stress “deafness” is a difficulty in the detection of stress pattern changes of second language (L2) words. This study investigated the influence of cognitive factors and L2 proficiency on the processing of L2 stress. Methodology: Fifty-four native speakers of Hungarian, a language with non-contrastive stress, participated in the study; the participants were categorized as not speaking German or having a proficiency at the intermediate or advanced level. They had to recall sequences with increasing length consisting of German pseudowords that differed in either their phonemes (phoneme task) or stress patterns (stress task). Cognitive factors measured included working memory, phonological awareness and inhibitory control. Data and Analysis: The accuracy data obtained in the sequence recall task was analysed with generalized linear mixed modelling. Two separate analyses were performed to investigate the presence of stress “deafness” and the effect of cognitive factors. Findings: Results showed that the stress task led to lower performance than the phoneme task, irrespective of L2 proficiency. Furthermore, the analysis showed different cognitive factors contributing to the performance in the tasks: in the phoneme task, it was working memory, phonological awareness and inhibitory control, while in the stress task, it was only working memory and phonological awareness but not the inhibitory control. Originality: This is the first study to provide evidence about the cognitive background of the stress “deafness” effect, and to suggest the differential role of inhibitory control in phoneme and stress processing. Implications: These findings demonstrate the robustness of the stress “deafness” effect in a language with non-contrastive stress, provide evidence of the effect being independent of L2 proficiency and suggest that speakers of languages with non-contrastive stress do not have the necessary cognitive basis to form accurate L2 stress representations.
The PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization
Authors: Audebert Heinrich , Fassbender Klaus , Hussain M Shazam , Ebinger Martin , Turc Guillaume , Uchino Ken , Davis Stephen , Alexandrov Anne , Grotta James 
Published: September 2017

Background The PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization was formed in 2016 as an international consortium of medical practitioners involved in pre-hospital treatment of patients with acute stroke. Aims PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization’s mission is to improve stroke outcomes by supporting research and advocacy for pre-hospital stroke treatment in Mobile Stroke Units. PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization will provide a platform to enhance collaborative research across the spectrum of acute stroke management in the pre-hospital setting. PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization will also facilitate the appropriate proliferation and distribution of Mobile Stroke Units by providing a forum for professional communication, resource for public education, and stimulus for government, industry, and philanthropic support. Summary of review In this “white paper”, we describe the evidence supporting pre-hospital stroke treatment, progress to date, practical issues such as application in various environments and staffing, planned research initiatives, and organizational structure. Conclusions PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization is not-for-profit, with membership open to anyone involved (or hoping to become involved) in pre-hospital stroke care. PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization has a Steering Committee comprised of members from Europe, U.S., Canada, Australia, and other regions having a Mobile Stroke Unit in operation. PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization convenes satellite meetings for membership at the International Stroke Conference and European Stroke Congress each year to address the PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization mission. The first research collaborations agreed upon are to: (1) develop a list of common data elements to be collected by all Mobile Stroke Unit programs and entered into a common research database, and (2) develop a protocol for investigating the natural history of hyper-acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
Restoration of active pick-up function in patients with total brachial plexus avulsion injuries
Authors: Li Feng , Wang Shu-feng , Li Peng-cheng , Xue Yun-hao , Zou Ji-yao , Li Wen-jun 
Published: September 2017

We designed multiple nerve transfers in one surgery to restore active pick-up function in patients with total brachial plexus avulsion injuries. Forty patients with total brachial plexus avulsion injuries first underwent multiple nerve transfers. These included transfer of the accessory nerve onto the suprascapular nerve to recover shoulder abduction, contralateral C7 nerve onto the lower trunk via the modified prespinal route with direct coaptation to restore lower trunk function and onto the musculocutaneous nerve with interpositional bridging by medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve arising from lower trunk to restore elbow flexion, and the phrenic nerve onto the posterior division of lower trunk to recover elbow and finger extension. At least three years after surgery, the patients who had a meaningful recovery were selected to perform secondary reconstruction to restore active pick-up function. Active pick-up function was successfully restored in ten patients after they underwent multiple nerve transfers combined with additional secondary functional hand reconstructions. Level of evidence: IV
Relationship between engagement and level of functional status in older adults
Authors: Dombrowsky Thomas A 
Published: September 2017

Functional status is an important component of quality of life for older adults and for their caregivers. Factors associated with level of functional status include age, comorbidity, cognitive status, depression, social support, and activity. Of the types of activity linked with functional status, the strongest evidence is for physical exercise, with weaker evidence for social and productive activity. Engagement is a construct including motivation, commitment, and participation. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether or not engagement is associated with level of functional status after controlling for age, comorbidity, and depression among older adults. Methods: In all, 92 older adults were recruited from senior living centers and a university-based senior exercise group. The main independent variable was engagement. Other independent variables were age, comorbidity, and depression. The dependent variable was level of functional status. Two different measures of level of functional status were used: the Katz Activities of Daily Living Index and the Lawton–Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Results: Engagement was a significant predictor of Lawton–Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale level of function in the Lawton–Brody model (odds ratio: 1.147 (1.011–1.302)) and age was a significant negative predictor (odds ratio: 0.838 (0.769–0.914)). There were no significant predictors in the Katz model. Conclusion: Engagement is a significant predictor of perfect Lawton–Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale score after controlling for age, comorbidity, and depression. Health-care professionals should consider including engagement in their assessment of older clients, whether using formal instruments such as the Engagement with Meaningful Activity Survey or assessing informally.
Dexmedetomidine provides less body motion and respiratory depression during sedation in double-balloon enteroscopy than midazolam
Authors: Oshima Hiroshi , Nakamura Masanao , Watanabe Osamu , Yamamura Takeshi , Funasaka Kohei , Ohno Eizaburo , Kawashima Hiroki , Miyahara Ryoji , Goto Hidemi , Hirooka Yoshiki 
Published: September 2017

Objectives: Patients undergoing double-balloon enteroscopy require sedatives such as midazolam; however, patient’s body motion often hampers the outcome of double-balloon enteroscopy. Recently, dexmedetomidine has been used for endoscopic sedation and was reported to effectively reduce body motion. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sedation with dexmedetomidine in double-balloon enteroscopy (UMIN ID000015785). Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted in 81 patients who underwent 111 double-balloon enteroscopy from July to December 2015 (dexmedetomidine group). The medical records of 112 patients who underwent 166 double-balloon enteroscopy with midazolam and pentazocine sedation from January 1 to October 31, 2014, were used for comparison (midazolam group). After propensity score matching, 182 double-balloon enteroscopy (91 double-balloon enteroscopy for each group) were analyzed. Results: There were 13 cases (11.7%) with body movements in the dexmedetomidine group. Comparison of the two groups matched by propensity score showed that the dexmedetomidine group had less body movement (12.1% vs 34.1%, p = 0.001) and less respiratory depression (50.5% vs 68.1%, p = 0.023). Hypotension (8.8% vs 4.4%, p = 0.232) and bradycardia (2.2% vs 0%, p = 0.497) were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusion: Using dexmedetomidine for conscious sedation can reduce body motion and respiratory depression compared to our previous records.
Which symptoms contribute the most to patients’ perception of health in multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Green Rivka , Cutter Gary , Friendly Michael , Kister Ilya 
Published: September 2017

Background Multiple sclerosis is a polysymptomatic disease. Little is known about relative contributions of the different multiple sclerosis symptoms to self-perception of health. Objectives To investigate the relationship between symptom severity in 11 domains affected by multiple sclerosis and self-rated health. Methods Multiple sclerosis patients in two multiple sclerosis centers assessed self-rated health with a validated instrument and symptom burden with symptoMScreen, a validated battery of Likert scales for 11 domains commonly affected by multiple sclerosis. Pearson correlations and multivariate linear regressions were used to investigate the relationship between symptoMScreen scores and self-rated health. Results Among 1865 multiple sclerosis outpatients (68% women, 78% with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, mean age 46.38 ± 12.47 years, disease duration 13.43 ± 10.04 years), average self-rated health score was 2.30 (‘moderate to good’). Symptom burden (composite symptoMScreen score) highly correlated with self-rated health ( r = 0.68, P < 0.0001) as did each of the symptoMScreen domain subscores. In regression analysis, pain ( t = 7.00), ambulation ( t = 6.91), and fatigue ( t = 5.85) contributed the highest amount of variance in self-rated health ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Pain contributed the most to multiple sclerosis outpatients’ perception of health, followed by gait dysfunction and fatigue. These findings suggest that ‘invisible disability’ may be more important to patients’ sense of wellbeing than physical disability, and challenge the notion that physical disability should be the primary outcome measure in multiple sclerosis.
Impact of Baseline Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Neurologic, Functional, and Safety Outcomes in Patients With Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Kurpad Shekar , Martin Allan R. , Tetreault Lindsay A. , Fischer Dena J. , Skelly Andrea C. , Mikulis David , Flanders Adam , Aarabi Bizhan , Mroz Thomas E. , Tsai Eve C. , Fehlings Michael G. 
Published: September 2017

Study Design: Systematic review. Objective: To perform a systematic review to evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: An electronic search of Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration Library, and Google Scholar was conducted for literature published through May 12, 2015, to answer key questions associated with the use of MRI in patients with acute SCI. Results: The literature search yielded 796 potentially relevant citations, 8 of which were included in this review. One study used MRI in a protocol to decide on early surgical decompression. The MRI-protocol group showed improved outcomes; however, the quality of evidence was deemed very low due to selection bias. Seven studies reported MRI predictors of neurologic or functional outcomes. There was moderate-quality evidence that longer intramedullary hemorrhage (2 studies) and low-quality evidence that smaller spinal canal diameter at the location of maximal spinal cord compression and the presence of cord swelling are associated with poor neurologic recovery. There was moderate-quality evidence that clinical outcomes are not predicted by SCI lesion length and the presence of cord edema. Conclusions: Certain MRI characteristics appear to be predictive of outcomes in acute SCI, including length of intramedullary hemorrhage (moderate-quality evidence), canal diameter at maximal spinal cord compression (low-quality evidence), and spinal cord swelling (low-quality evidence). Other imaging features were either inconsistently (presence of hemorrhage, maximal canal compromise, and edema length) or not associated with outcomes. The paucity of literature highlights the need for well-designed prospective studies.
Factors impacting perceived safety among staff working on mental
health wards
Authors: Haines Alina , Brown Andrew , McCabe Rhiannah , Rogerson Michelle , Whittington Richard 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundSafety at work is a core issue for mental health staff working on
in-patient units. At present, there is a limited theoretical base
regarding which factors may affect staff perceptions of safety.AimsThis study attempted to identify which factors affect perceived staff
safety working on in-patient mental health wards.MethodA cross-sectional design was employed across 101 forensic and
non-forensic mental health wards, over seven National Health Service
trusts nationally. Measures included an online staff survey, Ward
Features Checklist and recorded incident data. Data were analysed using
categorical principal components analysis and ordinal regression.ResultsPerceptions of staff safety were increased by ward brightness, higher
number of patient beds, lower staff to patient ratios, less dayroom space
and more urban views.ConclusionsThe findings from this study do not represent common-sense assumptions.
Results are discussed in the context of the literature and may have
implications for current initiatives aimed at managing in-patient
violence and aggression.
Kinetic Study and Optimization of Dehydration of Dimethyl Amino Ethyl Azide (DMAZ) Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Pakdehi Shahram Ghanbari , Babaee Saeed , Azizi Hamid Reza 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
This research highlights the dehydration of dimethyl amino ethyl azide (DMAZ), parametric optimization, and describes equilibrium and kinetics of water adsorption on 3A sieves. Central composite design (CCD) was successfully employed for experimental design and analysis of the results. It was indicated that the optimum adsorption capacity (191.3 mg/g) was obtained at contact time = 150 min, liquid/solid ratio = 10:1, initial concentration of water = 3 wt% and agitating rate = 150 rpm. Langmuir-Freundlich and intra-particle diffusion models were appropriate to describe isotherms and kinetics of dehydration, respectively. Thermal stability and regeneration behavior of the adsorbent were investigated using XRD and TGA/DSC methods. It was revealed that the best regeneration occurred in the range of 250–300 °C and the zeolite structure was stable up to 400 °C. Also, the thermal analysis verified that DMAZ molecules cannot diffuse into the aforementioned zeolite pores.
Comparison of panoramic radiography and cone beam CT in the assessment of juxta-apical radiolucency
Authors: Nascimento Eduarda Helena Leandro , Oenning Anne Caroline Costa , Freire Bernardo Barbosa , Gaêta-Araujo Hugo , Haiter-Neto Francisco , Freitas Deborah Queiroz 
Published: September 2017

Objectives: To compare the performance of panoramic radiography (PAN) and cone beam CT (CBCT) in the detection of juxta-apical radiolucency (JAR), as well as to investigate, in CBCT images, if there are factors associated with the detection of JAR on PAN. Methods: Two oral radiologists assessed the presence of JAR in PAN and CBCT images of 175 individuals (308 mandibular third molars). The cortical plates involvement and the JAR size and location were assessed on CBCT to evaluate if these factors were related to JAR detection on PAN. McNemar’s test and multiple logistic regression were performed. Results: PAN and CBCT differed significantly in the detection of JAR (p = 0.001). On PAN, JAR was identified on 24% of the patients while on CBCT its detection increased to 32.6%. JAR was detected only on CBCT and only on PAN in 26 and 7 cases, respectively. Distal/mesial surfaces of dental roots were where JAR was mostly located (84.5%), cortical thinning was found in 59.2% of cases and the mean (SD) of JAR size was 5.03 (±1.8) mm. However, these factors were not associated with JAR detection on PAN (p > 0.05). On the other hand, the location of the cortical involvement (if buccal or lingual) was associated with JAR detection on PAN, which was more detectable when the thinning was on buccal cortical. Conclusions: Juxta-apical radiolucency is more often detected on CBCT than on PAN. JAR detection on PAN was improved when it was related to the buccal cortical plate of the mandible.