bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychological distress, iron deficiency, active disease and female gender are independent risk factors for fatigue in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Jonefjäll Börje , Simrén Magnus , Lasson Anders , Öhman Lena , Strid Hans 
Published: April 2017

Background Patients with ulcerative colitis often report fatigue. Objectives To investigate prevalence of and risk factors for fatigue in patients with ulcerative colitis with active disease and during deep remission. Methods In this cross-sectional study, disease activity was evaluated with endoscopy and calprotectin, and patients were classified as having active disease ( n = 133) or being in deep remission ( n = 155). Blood samples were analysed to assess anaemia, iron deficiency and systemic immune activity. Patients completed questionnaires to assess fatigue, psychological distress, gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life. Results The prevalence of high fatigue (general fatigue ≥ 13, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) was 40% in the full study population. Among patients with high fatigue, female gender and iron deficiency were more prevalent, and these patients had more severe disease activity and reported higher levels of anxiety, depression and decreased quality of life compared with patients with no/mild fatigue. A logistic regression analysis identified probable psychiatric disorder (odds ratio (OR) (confidence interval) 6.1 (3.1–12.2)), iron deficiency (OR 2.5 (1.2–5.1)), active disease (OR 2.2 (1.2–3.9)) and female gender (OR 2.1 (1.1–3.7)) as independent risk factors for high fatigue. Similar results were found concerning psychological distress, gender and quality of life, but immune markers did not differ in patients in deep remission with high vs. no/mild fatigue. Conclusions Probable psychiatric disorder, iron deficiency, active disease and female gender are independent risk factors for high fatigue in patients with ulcerative colitis. Low-grade immune activity does not seem to be the cause of fatigue among patients in deep remission.
Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Triggers, Causes, and Outcome (SECRETO): Rationale and design
Authors: Putaala Jukka , Martinez-Majander Nicolas , Saeed Sahrai , Yesilot Nilufer , Jäkälä Pekka , Nerg Ossi , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Numminen Heikki , Gordin Daniel , von Sarnowski Bettina , Waje-Andreassen Ulrike , Ylikotila Pauli , Roine Risto O , Zedde Marialuisa , Huhtakangas Juha , Fonseca Catarina , Redfors Petra , de Leeuw Frank-Erik , Pezzini Alessandro , Kõrv Janika , Schneider Siim , Tanislav Christian , Enzinger Christian , Jatuzis Dalius , Siegerink Bob , Martínez-Sánchez Patricia , Grau Armin J , Palm Frederick , Groop Per-Henrik , Lanthier Sylvain , Ten Cate Hugo , Pussinen Pirkko , Paju Susanna , Sinisalo Juha , Lehto Mika , Lindgren Arne , Ferro José , Kittner Steven , Fazekas Franz , Gerdts Eva , Tatlisumak Turgut 
Published: April 2017

Background Worldwide, about 1.3 million annual ischaemic strokes (IS) occur in adults aged <50 years. Of these early-onset strokes, up to 50% can be regarded as cryptogenic or associated with conditions with poorly documented causality like patent foramen ovale and coagulopathies. Key hypotheses/aims (1) Investigate transient triggers and clinical/sub-clinical chronic risk factors associated with cryptogenic IS in the young; (2) use cardiac imaging methods exceeding state-of-the-art to reveal novel sources for embolism; (3) search for covert thrombosis and haemostasis abnormalities; (4) discover new disease pathways using next-generation sequencing and RNA gene expression studies; (5) determine patient prognosis by use of phenotypic and genetic data; and (6) adapt systems medicine approach to investigate complex risk-factor interactions. Design Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO; NCT01934725) is a prospective multi-centre case–control study enrolling patients aged 18–49 years hospitalised due to first-ever imaging-proven IS of undetermined etiology. Patients are examined according to a standardised protocol and followed up for 10 years. Patients are 1:1 age- and sex-matched to stroke-free controls. Key study elements include centralised reading of echocardiography, electrocardiography, and neurovascular imaging, as well as blood samples for genetic, gene-expression, thrombosis and haemostasis and biomarker analysis. We aim to have 600 patient–control pairs enrolled by the end of 2018. Summary SECRETO is aiming to establish novel mechanisms and prognosis of cryptogenic IS in the young and will provide new directions for therapy development for these patients. First results are anticipated in 2019.
Effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on HDL cholesterol, particle size, and cholesterol efflux capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Fadini Gian Paolo , Bonora Benedetta Maria , Zatti Giancarlo , Vitturi Nicola , Iori Elisabetta , Marescotti Maria Cristina , Albiero Mattia , Avogaro Angelo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundSodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce glucose levels, body weight, and blood pressure, possibly resulting in cardiovascular protection. In phase III trials, SGLT2i were shown to increase HDL cholesterol. We aimed to evaluate whether the SGLT2i dapagliflozin affects HDL function in a randomized placebo-controlled trial.MethodsThirty-three type 2 diabetic patients were randomized to receive dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo for 12 weeks on top of their glucose lowering medications. The primary end-point was the change in cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) from macrophages at study end versus baseline. Secondary endpoints were changes in: distribution of HDL subfractions, lipid profile, activity of enzymes that mediate HDL antioxidant properties (PON1 and ARE) and cholesterol metabolism (CETP), HbA1c, body weight and composition.ResultsThirty-one patients completed the study, n = 16 in the placebo group and n = 15 in the dapagliflozin group. Patients randomized to dapagliflozin were older and had lower adiposity indexes, although these differences disappeared after correction for multiple testing. Therapy with dapagliflozin reduced HbA1c by 0.9% and body weight by 3.1 kg, mainly attributable to reduction of body water and lean mass. As compared to placebo, dapagliflozin reduced CEC (−6.7 ± 2.4 versus 0.3 ± 1.8%; p = 0.043), but this effect was no longer significant after adjusting for age and BMI. No change was detected in HDL cholesterol, HDL subfractions, activity of PON1, ARE, and CETP.ConclusionsDespite improvements in glucose control and reduction in body weight, therapy with dapagliflozin exerted no significant effect on HDL cholesterol levels and HDL functionality.Trial registrationEudraCT 2014-004270-42; NCT02327039
A large giant cell tumor of the larynx: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Arndt Andrew , LeBlanc Rachelle , Spafford Peter 
Published: April 2017

Background Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are typically found in the metaphyseal-epiphyseal area of long bones but can also occur in the head and neck region. GCT of the larynx is a rare entity with only 42 reported cases in the international literature. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge this is the largest laryngeal GCT reported in the literature to date. GCT of the larynx can present with dysphonia, dyspnea, and/or dysphagia and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a neck mass. Case presentation This case report describes a giant cell tumor of the left thyroid cartilage in a 30-year-old man who initially presented with dysphonia and dysphagia. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 5 × 5.7 cm mass centered on the left thyroid cartilage, which was further diagnosed by histopathology as giant cell tumour by open biopsy. The patient was counselled on treatment options and it was decided to proceed with a surgical approach. The patient consented to and successfully underwent a total laryngectomy (TL). Currently the patient has no evidence of disease at 13 months follow-up, has an optimal prosthetic voice, and is able to tolerate all textures of foods. Conclusion GCTs of the larynx have a good prognosis and can be treated successfully through complete resection of the tumor, negating the need for adjunctive therapy such as radiation, chemo or denosumab therapy.
Predictors of hearing recovery in patients with severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Weiss Daniel , Böcker Armin Julius , Koopmann Mario , Savvas Eleftherios , Borowski Matthias , Rudack Claudia 
Published: April 2017

Background Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a disease, which severely affects the patient's social and relational life. The underlying pathomechanisms have not been finally clarified yet and outcome is not predictable. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in order to identify parameters that influence hearing recovery. The data base contains results of basic otoneurological tests and clinical parameters of 198 patients with idiopathic SSHL of at least 60 dB in at least four frequencies, diagnosed and treated at the University Hospital of Münster, Germany, between 1999 and 2015. Hearing recovery was measured by pure tone audiometry. Results Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses indicate that the chance as well as the magnitude of hearing recovery is higher for patients with normal caloric testing than for patients with pathological caloric testing. However, for the subgroup of patients who attained a hearing recovery, the caloric testing result was not found to influence the magnitude. Instead, the magnitude was noticeably lower for patients within this subgroup who had a previous hearing loss. Furthermore, we found indications that the magnitude is higher for men than for women and that receiving a high-dose steroid therapy is associated with a higher chance and magnitude of a hearing recovery. Conclusions We conclude that SSHL associated with disorders of the vestibular system or previous hearing loss represent special sub-entities of SSHL that may be caused by unique pathophysiological mechanisms and are associated with worse outcome. Furthermore, our data support the importance of elevated dosage of steroids in SSHL therapy.
The T4/T3 quotient as a risk factor for differentiated thyroid cancer: A case control study
Authors: Sasson Mark , Kay-Rivest Emily , Shoukrun Rami , Florea Anca , Hier Michael , Forest Veronique-Isabelle , Tamilia Michael , Payne Richard J. 
Published: April 2017

Background The incidence of thyroid nodules is increasing among patients in North America. Few of these nodules harbour malignancy, thus further research is required to identify predictive markers of malignant thyroid disease. This study set out to understand the relationship between the levels of fT4 and fT3 and differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods A case-control study was conducted with 142 cases and 86 controls from the McGill University Teaching Hospitals. All patients underwent thyroid surgery. Cases were defined as patients with malignant nodules confirmed on final pathology and controls were defined as patients with benign nodules. The serological levels of TSH, fT4 and fT3 were measured preoperatively. Odds ratios were determined for each parameter and logistic regressions were calculated between markers and probability of malignancy. Additionally, fT4 values were divided by fT3 values (fT4/fT3 quotient) for each patient and an odds ratio was calculated. Results Amongst cases, the mean TSH was 2.25 ± 0.360U/mL, fT4 was 14.8 ± 0.689pmol/L, and fT3 was 4.65 ± 0.463pmol/L. Amongst controls, the mean TSH was 2.36 ± 1.68U/mL, fT4 was 14.3 ± 1.71pmol/L, and fT3 was 5.27 ± 0.957pmol/L. Patients in the control group were more likely to have low TSH, while patients in the case group would have high fT4 and patients in the control group were more likely to have a low fT4. The OR for patients with TSH >4.4U/mL was 2.13 (0.97, 4.65), and for patients with TSH <0.4U/mL was 0.46 (0.22, 0.95). The OR for patients with fT4 > 16pmol/L was 2.10 (1.09, 4.06), and for patients with fT4 < 10pmol/L was 0.45 (0.20, 0.98). The OR for patients with fT3 > 5.5pmol/L was 0.39 (0.14, 1.28). The OR for patients with fT3 < 3pmol/L was 1.83 (0.25, 13.69). The average fT4/fT3 was 3.39 ± 0.206 for cases and 2.93 ± 0.467 for controls. The fT4/fT3 quotient was considered high if it was >3.3 (OR =6.00 (2.94, 12.25)). Conclusion In this study, a direct relationship between high levels of fT4 and malignancy was uncovered. Furthermore, low levels of TSH and fT4 increased the likelihood that a nodule was benign. In this study a fT4/fT3 ratio >3.3 increased the risk of malignancy by 3.6 times ( p-value =0.0013).
Investor–Stock Decoupling in Mutual Funds
Authors: Ferreira Miguel A. , Massa Massimo , Matos Pedro 
Published: April 2017

We investigate whether mutual funds whose investors and stocks are decoupled (i.e., investor location does not coincide with that of the stock holdings) benefit from a natural hedge as they have fewer outflows during market downturns and fewer inflows during upturns. Using a sample of equity mutual funds from 26 countries, we find that funds with higher investor–stock decoupling exhibit higher performance, and this is more pronounced during the 2007–2008 financial crisis. We also find that decoupling allows fund managers to take less risk, be more active, and tilt their portfolios toward smaller and less liquid stocks. The Internet appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2681 . This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
Millennial-Style Learning: Search Intensity, Decision Making, and Information Sharing
Authors: Carlin Bruce I. , Jiang Li , Spiller Stephen A. 
Published: April 2017

The growing use of online educational content and related video services has changed the way people access education, share knowledge, and possibly make life decisions. In this paper, we characterize how video content affects individual decision making and willingness to share in the context of a personal financial decision. We find that distracting advertising curtails the time people invest in searching for the best alternative and causes worse decisions. Content geared toward giving better instructions helps to overcome this effect. Such actionable content improves both search quality and financial decisions. However, including such content may decrease sharing unless it is perceived to be sufficiently useful. As such, there is a potential risk to adding actionable content to videos. Our work has important implications for policies guiding financial literacy training, and it also has broader impact for education in the information age. Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2689 . This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance.
Crowdsourcing Exploration
Authors: Papanastasiou Yiangos , Bimpikis Kostas , Savva Nicos 
Published: April 2017

Motivated by the proliferation of online platforms that collect and disseminate consumers’ experiences with alternative substitutable products/services, we investigate the problem of optimal information provision when the goal is to maximize aggregate consumer surplus. We develop a decentralized multiarmed bandit framework where a forward-looking principal (the platform designer) commits up front to a policy that dynamically discloses information regarding the history of outcomes to a series of short-lived rational agents (the consumers). We demonstrate that consumer surplus is nonmonotone in the accuracy of the designer’s information-provision policy. Because consumers are constantly in “exploitation” mode, policies that disclose accurate information on past outcomes suffer from inadequate “exploration.” We illustrate how the designer can (partially) alleviate this inefficiency by employing a policy that strategically obfuscates the information in the platform’s possession; interestingly, such a policy is beneficial despite the fact that consumers are aware of both the designer’s objective and the precise way by which information is being disclosed to them. More generally, we show that the optimal information-provision policy can be obtained as the solution of a large-scale linear program. Noting that such a solution is typically intractable, we use our structural findings to design an intuitive heuristic that underscores the value of information obfuscation in decentralized learning. We further highlight that obfuscation remains beneficial even if the designer can directly incentivize consumers to explore through monetary payments. This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Evidence and Evidence-Based Practices: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Schalock Robert L. , Gomez Laura E. , Verdugo Miguel A. , Claes Claudia 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The purpose of this article is to move the field of intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities (IDD) towards a better understanding of evidence and evidence-based practices. To that end, we discuss (a) different perspectives on and levels of evidence, (b) commonly used evidence-gathering strategies, (c) standards to evaluate evidence, (d) the distinction between internal and external validity, and (e) guidelines for establishing evidence-based practices. We also describe how the conceptualization and use of evidence and evidence-based practices are changing to accommodate recent trends in the field.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Family Quality of Life Scale for Taiwanese Families of Children With Intellectual Disability/Developmental Delay
Authors: Chiu Chun-Yu , Seo Hyojeong , Turnbull Ann P. , Summers Jean Ann 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale is an internationally validated instrument for measuring family outcomes. To revise the scale for better alignment with the Family Quality of Life theory, the authors excluded non-outcome items in this revision. In this study, we examined reliability and validity of the revised scale (i.e., the FQoL Scale-21) and its scores for Taiwanese families of children and youth with intellectual disability and developmental delay (age 0–18). Results from 400 Taiwanese respondents suggested that the FQoL Scale-21 has the potential to be used as an indicator of positive outcomes in intervention evaluation, policy making, and service delivery.
POTENSI KATALIS PADAT ASAM GAMMA ALUMINA TERSULFATASI PADA REAKSI ESTERIFIKASI MINYAK BIJI KARET
Authors: Ulfah Maria , Subagjo S 
Published: April 2017

POTENTIAL OF SULFATET ALUMINA-HETEROGENEOUS ACID CATALYST IN ESTERIFICATION RUBBER SEED OIL. Two tipe of catalysts have been synthesed and evaluated ( free fatty acid conversion) in esterification of rubber seed oil. The first and the second catalyst have content SO3 8,821 % and 40,715 %, respectly. The optimum condition of reaction studied : volume ratio methanol/oil 0,9-1,8 v/v; catalyst concentration 1,67-10 % wt/v; time of reaction 1-7 hours and temperature of reaction 50-70 oC. This study showed, the second catalyst more active than the first catalyst. Maximum conversion from esterification reaction of rubber seed oil of the first and the second catalyst are 75 % and 97 %, respectly. The optimum condition of reaction achieved at volume ratio methanol/oil 1,8 v/v; catalyst concentration 1,67 % wt/v; time of reaction 7 hours and temperature of reaction 70 oC. Keywords: sulfated alumina, free fatty acid, eterification, rubber seed oil.AbstrakDua tipe katalis alumina tersulfatasi telah disintesis dan dievaluasi kinerjanya (berupa konversi Asam Lemak Bebas, ALB) pada reaksi esterifikasi asam lemak bebas minyak biji karet. Katalis tipe 1 dan tipe 2 berturut-turut memiliki kandungan SO3 8,821 % dan 40,715 %. Kondisi optimasi reaksi yang dipelajari: rasio volume metanol/minyak 0,9-1,8 v/v; konsentrasi katalis 1,67-10 % b/v; waktu reaksi 1-7 jam dan temperatur reaksi 50-70 oC. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan katalis tipe 2 lebih aktif dari tipe 1. Konversi ALB maksimum dari reaksi esterifikasi minyak biji karet dengan katalis tipe 1 dan tipe 2 berturut-turut 75 % dan 97 %. Kondisi optimum reaksi tersebut dicapai pada rasio volume metanol/minyak 1,8; konsentrasi katalis/minyak 1,67 % b/v; lama reaksi 7 jam dan temperatur reaksi 70 oC. Kata kunci: alumina tersulfatasi, asam lemak bebas, esterifikasi, minyak biji karet
Peningkatan Produksi Gula Pereduksi dari Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit dengan Praperlakuan Asam Organik pada Reaktor Bertekanan
Authors: Sari Fahriya Puspita , Solihat Nissa Nurfajrin , Anita Sita Heris , Fitria Fitria , Hermiati Euis 
Published: April 2017

ENHANCEMENT OF REDUCING SUGAR PRODUCTION FROM OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH BY PRETREATMENT USING ORGANIC ACID IN PRESSURIZED REACTOR. Organic acids are potential to create more environmentally friendly process in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of organic acid pretreatment in reducing sugar production in a pressurized reactor with various resident times and temperatures on enzymatic hydrolysis of OPEFB. Two different organic acids (maleic acid and oxalic acid) were used in the pretreatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) using a pressurized reactor. Factorial design using three different temperatures (170, 180, and 190°C) and four resident times (15, 30, 45, and 60 min) were employed, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. Each condition conducted two repetitions. Analysis was conducted on the reducing sugar that was produced after saccharification by means of the severity factor of each pretreatment condition. Maleic acid showed higher reducing sugar yield with lower severity factor than oxalic acid with the same operating conditions. The highest yield of reducing sugars (80.84%) was obtained using maleic acid at 170 for 60 minutes with severity factor of 1.836. Keywords: bioethanol; organic acid pretreatment; pressurized reactor; severity factor; oil palm empty fruit bunches; Abstrak Asam organik berpotensi dalam membantu proses praperlakuan dari biomassa lignoselulosa untuk memproduksi bioetanol yang ramah lingkungan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh asam organik, suhu dan waktu operasi terhadap produksi gula pereduksi dengan reaktor bertekanan pada tandan kosong kelapa sawit. Dua asam organik yang berbeda yaitu asam oksalat dan asam maleat digunakan untuk proses praperlakuan tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS) dengan bantuan reaktor bertekanan. Dalam proses praperlakuan digunakan tiga suhu yang berbeda yaitu suhu 170, 180, dan 190°C dan empat waktu operasi 15, 30, 45, dan 60 min yang dilanjutkan dengan proses hidrolisis enzimatis. Setiap kondisi dilakukan dua kali pengulangan. Analisa yang digunakan adalah analisa uji gula pereduksi dan severity factor pada kondisi tiap praperlakuan. Asam maleat menunjukkan hasil yang lebih baik dengan severity factor yang lebih rendah dibandingkan menggunakan asam oksalat dengan kondisi operasi yang sama. Hasil yang didapatkan menunjukkan bahwa praperlakuan tandan kosong kelapa sawit dengan bantuan reaktor bertekanan memiliki rendemen gula pereduksi optimum sebesar 80,84% dengan menggunakan asam maleat pada suhu 170°C selama 60 menit dengan severity factor sebesar 1,836. Kata kunci: bioetanol; praperlakuan asam organik; reaktor bertekanan; severity factor; tandan kosong kelapa sawit.