bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
One‐Year Outcome of Intensive Insulin Therapy Combined to Glucose‐Insulin‐Potassium in Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Bouida Wahid , Beltaief Kaouthar , Msolli Mohamed Amine , Bzeouich Nasri , Sekma Adel , Echeikh Malek , Mzali Malek , Boubaker Hamdi , Grissa Mohamed Habib , Boukef Riadh , Hassine Mohsen , Dridi Zohra , Belguith Asma , Najjar Fadhel , Khochtali Ines , Nouira Semir ,   the GREAT Network
Published: November 2017

Background
A number of factors may offset the cardioprotective effects of glucose‐insulin‐potassium (GIK) on outcome of patients with acute coronary syndrome, such as hyperglycemia induced by this cocktail infusion. We performed a study to evaluate the effect of intensive insulin therapy in association with GIK on 1‐year outcome in patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome.

Methods and Results

In a randomized prospective controlled trial we included 772 patients with non–ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: GIKI
2
group, who received GIK with intensive insulin therapy for 24 hours; GIK group, who received GIK with nonintensive insulin therapy; and control group, who received usual care. The primary outcome criteria were the rates of major cardiovascular events combining death, reinfarction, and stroke rate at 1 year. In addition, we measured platelet function assay‐100 and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 at admission and 24 hours later. Based on an intention‐to‐treat analysis, major cardiovascular events at 1 year was 12.8% in the GIKI
2
group, 15.5% in the GIK group, and 20.5% in the placebo group; the difference was significant between the GIK
2
and control groups (
P
=0.01). Platelet function assay‐100 at 24 hours decreased significantly from baseline in the control group but not in the GIKI
2
group. Plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 decreased significantly in the GIKI
2
group but significantly increased in the control group. Minor hypoglycemic events were more frequent in the GIKI
2
group compared with other groups.

Conclusions

GIKI
2
led to improvement of 1‐year outcome rates in patients with non–ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. This beneficial effect was associated with a decrease in platelet reactivity and an increase on fibrinolysis tests.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00965406.
Disparities in the Quality of Cardiovascular Care Between HIV‐Infected Versus HIV‐Uninfected Adults in the United States: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Ladapo Joseph A. , Richards Adam K. , DeWitt Cassandra M. , Harawa Nina T. , Shoptaw Steven , Cunningham William E. , Mafi John N. 
Published: November 2017

Background

Cardiovascular disease is emerging as a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with
HIV
. We compared use of national guideline‐recommended cardiovascular care during office visits among
HIV
‐infected versus
HIV
‐uninfected adults.

Methods and Results

We analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of
HIV
‐infected and
HIV
‐uninfected patients aged 40 to 79 years in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey/National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2006 to 2013. The outcome was provision of guideline‐recommended cardiovascular care. Logistic regressions with propensity score weighting adjusted for clinical and demographic factors. We identified 1631 visits by
HIV
‐infected patients and 226 862 visits by
HIV
‐uninfected patients with cardiovascular risk factors, representing ≈2.2 million and 602 million visits per year in the United States, respectively. The proportion of visits by
HIV
‐infected versus
HIV
‐uninfected adults with aspirin/antiplatelet therapy when patients met guideline‐recommended criteria for primary prevention or had cardiovascular disease was 5.1% versus 13.8% (
P
=0.03); the proportion of visits with statin therapy when patients had diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, or dyslipidemia was 23.6% versus 35.8% (
P
<0.01). There were no differences in antihypertensive medication therapy (53.4% versus 58.6%), diet/exercise counseling (14.9% versus 16.9%), or smoking cessation advice/pharmacotherapy (18.8% versus 22.4%) between
HIV
‐infected versus
HIV
‐uninfected patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Physicians generally underused guideline‐recommended cardiovascular care and were less likely to prescribe aspirin and statins to
HIV
‐infected patients at increased risk—findings that may partially explain higher rates of adverse cardiovascular events among patients with
HIV
. US policymakers and professional societies should focus on improving the quality of cardiovascular care that
HIV
‐infected patients receive.
Progressively Tougher Sanctioning and Recidivism
Authors: Mears Daniel P. , Cochran Joshua C. 
Published: November 2017

Objectives: The study tests two related hypotheses about recidivist sentencing premiums and the progressive sanctioning logic on which they rest: (1) among first-time felons, punitive sanctions will more effectively reduce recidivism than will less severe sanctions and (2) among second-time felons, progressively tougher sanctions will more effectively reduce recidivism than will progressions to comparable or less severe sanctions. Method: We use data on first-time and second-time felons and propensity score matching analyses to test these two hypotheses. Results: Although tougher punishment, and increasingly tougher punishment among second-time offenders, may sometimes reduce recidivism, less severe punishment appears on average to be more effective. Conclusions: The results raise questions about the effects of both tougher, and progressively tougher, types of sanctions in efforts to reduce recidivism.
The views of adults with Huntington’s disease on assisted dying: A qualitative exploration
Authors: Regan Laurence , Preston Nancy J , Eccles Fiona J R , Simpson Jane 
Published: November 2017

Background: Assisted dying is frequently debated publicly and research often includes the views of health professionals on this issue. However, the views of people with life-limiting conditions, for whom this issue is likely to have a different resonance, are less well represented. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore the views of people who live with the inevitability of developing Huntington’s disease, a genetically transmitted disease which significantly limits life, on assisted dying. Design: Using thematic analysis methodology, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Setting/participants: Seven participants (five women and two men) who were gene positive for Huntington’s disease took part in the study. Results: Four themes were extracted: (1) autonomy and kindness in assisted dying: the importance of moral principles; (2) Huntington’s disease threatens life and emphasises issues relating to death; (3) dilemmas in decision-making on assisted dying: “There are no winners” and (4) the absence of explicit discussion on dying and Huntington’s disease: “Elephants in the room”. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that talking to patients about assisted death may not cause harm and may even be invited by many patients with Huntington’s disease. The perspectives of those who live with Huntington’s disease, especially given its extended effects within families, add significant clinical and theoretical insights.
The use of evidence-based guidance to enable reliable and accurate measurements of the home environment
Authors: Spiliotopoulou Georgia , Atwal Anita , McIntyre Anne 
Published: November 2017

Introduction High quality guidance in home strategies is needed to enable older people to measure their home environment and become involved in the provision of assistive devices and to promote consistency among professionals. This study aims to investigate the reliability of such guidance and its ability to promote accuracy of results when measurements are taken by both older people and professionals. Method Twenty-five health professionals and 26 older people participated in a within-group design to test the accuracy of measurements taken (that is, person’s popliteal height, baths, toilets, beds, stairs and chairs). Data were analysed with descriptive analysis and the Wilcoxon test. The intra-rater reliability was assessed by correlating measurements taken at two different times with guidance use. Results The intra-rater reliability analysis revealed statistical significance ( P < 0.05) for all measurements except for the bath internal width. The guidance enabled participants to take 90% of measurements that they were not able to complete otherwise, 80.55% of which lay within the acceptable suggested margin of variation. Accuracy was supported by the significant reduction in the standard deviation of the actual measurements and accuracy scores. Conclusion This evidence-based guidance can be used in its current format by older people and professionals to facilitate appropriate measurements. Yet, some users might need help from carers or specialists depending on their impairments.
Strategies for Preventing Cognitive Decline in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Dumas Julie A. 
Published: November 2017

Objective: Many advances have been made in the understanding of age-related changes in cognition. As research details the cognitive and neurobiological changes that occur in aging, there is increased interest in developing and understanding methods to prevent, slow, or reverse the cognitive decline that may occur in normal healthy older adults. The Institute of Medicine has recently recognized cognitive aging as having important financial and public health implications for society with the increasing older adult population worldwide. Cognitive aging is not dementia and does not result in the loss of neurons but rather changes in neurotransmission that affect brain functioning. The fact that neurons are structurally intact but may be functionally affected by increased age implies that there is potential for remediation. Method and Results: This review article presents recent work using medication-based strategies for slowing cognitive changes in aging. The primary method presented is a hormonal approach for affecting cognition in older women. In addition, a summary of the work examining modifiable lifestyle factors that have shown promise in benefiting cognition in both older men and women is described. Conclusions: Much work remains to be done so that evidence-based recommendations can be made for slowing cognitive decline in healthy older adults. The success of some of these methods thus far indicates that the brains of healthy older adults are plastic enough to be able to respond to these cognitive decline prevention strategies, and further work is needed to define the most beneficial methods.
Repetitive prefix in Agul: Morphological copy from a closely related language
Authors: Maisak Timur 
Published: November 2017

Aims and Research Questions: This paper describes the repetitive prefix in Agul (Lezgic, East Caucasian), focusing on the grammaticalization path of this morpheme. The main question to be addressed is the hypothesis that the prefix has been copied from the closely related Lezgian language. Approach, Data and Analysis: Firstly, I provide a detailed description of the morphology and semantics of the repetitive prefix (‘again’, ‘back’) in comparison to the system of locative prefixes in Agul, showing that despite the formal similarity with the ‘post’-localization prefix (meaning ‘behind’), the repetitive prefix is distinct both functionally and paradigmatically. I then compare the repetitive and ‘post’-prefix in Agul with their counterparts in Lezgian and other Lezgic languages. Findings/Conclusions: While the relation of the meaning ‘behind’ to ‘again’ is cross-linguistically common, the development of a special repetitive prefix in Agul is only attested in the two southern dialects, whose speakers have been in long-term contact with Lezgian – a language that possesses a productive repetitive prefix/infix. It is thus natural to assume that the Agul prefix has a contact-induced origin. I also show that this is not the only grammatical phenomenon of southern Agul that has been influenced by Lezgian. Originality and Significance: The morphological properties and functions of the repetitive prefix in Agul have not been described in detail before. The conclusion that this prefix is a morphological copy is remarkable, because Lezgian is one of the two languages most closely genetically related to Agul, and also because the borrowing of the prefix has led to the emergence of affixal ‘etymological doublets’ in Agul. Limitations: It remains to be investigated to what extent ‘post’-prefixes in other Lezgic languages show signs of grammaticalization towards repetitive prefixes, and also whether the two markers can become paradigmatically distinct, as with Agul.
Ethical issues faced by Muslim patients: An empirical study of Muslim and non-Muslim students’ perceptions
Authors: Gjukaj Driton , Drewniak Daniel , Biller-Andorno Nikola 
Published: November 2017

Background Patients who follow a specific religion may experience specific moral conflicts when interacting with the health care system. Health care providers’ awareness of and sensitivity to such issues can be beneficial to patients and increase the quality of care they receive. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) which potential ethical issues were considered to be relevant to Muslim patients and (2) to examine if these assessments varied between Muslim non-medical, Muslim medical, and non-Muslim medical students. Methods An online questionnaire with n = 205 students from different universities in Zurich, Switzerland was conducted. The questionnaire contained a list of ethical issues of presumed relevance to Muslim patients, which had been compiled based on a literature search and an expert consultation. Results Muslim non-medical students considered 33% of the ethical issues as morally problematic to Muslim patients. In contrast, Muslim medical students regarded 19%, and non-Muslim medical students 14%, of the issues as morally problematic. All three groups identified female circumcision and abortion as problematic for Muslim patients. Muslim non-medical students additionally highlighted access to a prayer room and to a professional Muslim chaplain as important to them. Conclusions There are different ideas about which issues are of moral relevance to Muslim patients. Further studies investigating Muslim patients’ views and the extent to which these views matched with health care providers’ assessments of ethical issues relevant to their Muslim patients, are needed to provide a robust empirical basis for culturally sensitive, patient-oriented clinical care.
Thrombolysis: Improving door-to-needle times for ischemic stroke treatment – A narrative review
Authors: Kamal Noreen , Smith Eric E , Jeerakathil Thomas , Hill Michael D 
Published: November 2017

Background The effectiveness of thrombolysis is highly time dependent. For this reason, short target times have been set to reduce time to treatment from hospital arrival, which is called door-to-needle time. Summary of review There has been considerable work done at single centers and across multiple hospitals to improve door-to-needle time. There have been reductions of 8 to 47 min when applying one or more improvement strategies at single centers, and there have been many multi-hospital initiatives. The delays to treatment have been attributed to both patient and hospital factors, and strategies to address these delays have been proven to reduce door-to-needle time. The most effective strategies include pre-notification of arrival by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), single-call activation of stroke team, rapid registration process, moving the patient to computed tomography on EMS stretcher, and administration of alteplase in the scanner. There are many exciting areas of future direction including reduction of door-to-needle time in developing countries, improving pre-hospital response times, and improving the efficiency of endovascular treatment. Conclusions There is now a broad understanding of the causes of delays to fast treatment and the strategies that can be employed to improve door-to-needle time such that most centers could achieve median door-to-needle time of 30 min.
Exploring the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir: an international cross-sectional mixed-methods study
Authors: Moss Hilary , Lynch Julie , O’Donoghue Jessica 
Published: November 2017

Aim: This mixed-methods exploratory study investigates the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir from an international sample of choristers. Method: An online questionnaire including demographic information, 28 quantitative statements and two qualitative questions relating to the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir was distributed via email and social media over a period of 4 months to a sample of 1,779 choristers. Basic descriptives and comparisons between subgroups of the sample are presented along with thematic analysis of qualitative comments. Results: Basic descriptives suggest an overwhelmingly positive response. Females scored significantly higher than males on physical benefits, social benefits and emotional benefits. Professional singers reported significantly more physical, social and spiritual benefits than amateur singers. Bias may be present in these findings as the results were entirely self-reported by people who already sing in choirs. Qualitative thematic analysis identified six key themes which may counter this bias by providing deeper understanding of the perceived benefits for choir singers. These include social connection, physical and physiological benefits (specifically respiratory health), cognitive stimulation, mental health, enjoyment and transcendence. Conclusion: Choral singing elicits a positive response in the chorister across a plethora of domains. This research confirms previous findings on the health benefits of singing but offers evidence from the largest sample of singers to date. However, results are based on self-perceptions of choristers, and findings are, therefore, limited. Results may be used as a base on which to develop further research in this area. It also provides confirmatory evidence to support choral singing as a means of improving wellbeing in many populations, including but not limited to workplaces, schools, nursing homes, communities and churches.
A novel exercise device for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis improves venous flow in bed versus ankle movement exercises in healthy volunteers
Authors: Shimizu Yukiyo , Kamada Hiroshi , Sakane Masataka , Aikawa Shizu , Mutsuzaki Hirotaka , Tanaka Kenta , Mishima Hajime , Kanamori Akihiro , Nishino Tomofumi , Ochiai Naoyuki , Yamazaki Masashi 
Published: November 2017

Purpose: Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is crucial. To facilitate active ankle movement in postoperative and bedridden patients, we developed a novel leg exercise apparatus (LEX). We investigated the effect of the LEX by comparing increases in lower extremity venous flow during different modes of exercise using the LEX. Methods: In eight healthy participants, we measured venous flow volume and velocity in the femoral vein using duplex ultrasonography at 1, 10, 20, and 30 min after completing three modes of 1-min LEX exercises. The exercises involved (1) rapid single motion (ankle dorsi–plantar flexion; 60 cycles/min); (2) slow single motion (30 cycles/min); and (3) slow combined leg motion. Results: Flow volumes after modes 1, 2, and 3 were 1.63-, 1.39-, and 1.53-fold above baseline at 30 min, respectively. Short periods of rapid single motion, with the LEX, improved postexercise lower extremity venous flow volumes at 30 min and mean venous flow velocity at 20 min, compared to slow single motion exercise. Even at slow speeds, combined-motion improved flow volume compared to single motion. Conclusion: Short periods of rapid single motion exercise, with the LEX, improved postexercise venous flow volumes in the lower extremities at 30 min and mean venous flow velocity at 20 min. These effects were greater than those produced by slow single motion exercises. However, even at slow speeds, combined-motion exercises improved flow volume compared to single motion. Therefore, LEX may prove effective at preventing thromboembolism in postoperative and bedridden patients.
First dorsal metatarsal artery perforator flap to cover great toe defect
Authors: Limthongthang Roongsak , Eamsobhana Perajit 
Published: November 2017

Background: There were very few options available for distal foot and toe defects that required a vascularized flap for coverage. As such, the use of a free flap was often justified in this region of the foot. The use of perforator flaps has created a new subset of local tissue transfer alternatives that increases the potential that the difficulties associated with microvascular tissue transfers could be avoided. The first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) perforator flap was one variant of this new type of tissue transfer. The aim of this report was to describe our experience using FDMA perforator flap to cover great toe defect. Methods: A standard FDMA flap from the dorsum of the foot was raised in reversed fashion based on the distal communicating branch or “perforator” from plantar foot circulation in two patients with great toe defect. Results: Salvage of the great toe was achieved in both patients. FDMA perforator flap achieved both reconstructive goals, and the donor site closure can be successfully performed without tension. Donor site healing was achieved in both patients with no associated complications by the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: FDMA flap can be successfully used as a local flap to cover distal foot and toe wounds. However, direct donor site closure can be problematic and may need skin graft.
The role of targeted therapy in the management of patients with AML
Authors: Perl Alexander E. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDrug therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is finally undergoing major changes in 2017. This is due to the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval of several new, targeted agents (midostaurin, enasidenib, and gemtuzumab ozogamicin). Paired with the recent approval of a novel liposomal formulation of daunorubicin/cytarabine (CPX-351/Vyxeos), the standard of care is changing rapidly in AML for subgroups. This review will focus on currently approved agents and promising novel agents in development and will highlight controversial areas in targeted treatment.
Metagenomic analysis of intertidal hypersaline microbial mats from Elkhorn Slough, California, grown with and without molybdate
Authors: D’haeseleer Patrik , Lee Jackson Z. , Prufert-Bebout Leslie , Burow Luke C. , Detweiler Angela M. , Weber Peter K. , Karaoz Ulas , Brodie Eoin L. , Glavina del Rio Tijana , Tringe Susannah G. , Bebout Brad M. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCyanobacterial mats are laminated microbial ecosystems which occur in highly diverse environments and which may provide a possible model for early life on Earth. Their ability to produce hydrogen also makes them of interest from a biotechnological and bioenergy perspective. Samples of an intertidal microbial mat from the Elkhorn Slough estuary in Monterey Bay, California, were transplanted to a greenhouse at NASA Ames Research Center to study a 24-h diel cycle, in the presence or absence of molybdate (which inhibits biohydrogen consumption by sulfate reducers). Here, we present metagenomic analyses of four samples that will be used as references for future metatranscriptomic analyses of this diel time series.