bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safe Limits of Contrast Vary With Hydration Volume for Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Coronary Angiography Among Patients With a Relatively Low Risk of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy
Authors: Liu Yong , Chen Ji-Yan , Tan Ning , Zhou Ying-Ling , Yu Dan-Qing , Chen Zhu-Jun , He Yi-Ting , Liu Yuan-Hui , Luo Jian-Fang , Huang Wen-Hui , Li Guang , He Peng-Cheng , Yang Jun-Qing , Xie Nian-Jin , Liu Xiao-Qi , Yang Da-Hao , Huang Shui-Jin , Ye Piao- , Li Hua-Long , Ran Peng , Duan Chong-Yang , Chen Ping-Yan 
Published: June 2015

Background—
Few studies have investigated the safe limits of contrast to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) based on hydration data. We aimed to investigate the relative safe maximum contrast volume adjusted for hydration volume in a population with a relatively low risk of CIN.

Methods and Results—

The ratios of contrast volume-to-creatinine clearance (V/CrCl) and hydration volume to body weight (HV/W) were determined in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Receiver–operator characteristic curve analysis based on the maximum Youden index was used to identify the optimal cutoff for V/CrCl in all patients and in HV/W subgroups. Eighty-six of 3273 (2.6%) patients with mean CrCl 71.89±27.02 mL/min developed CIN. Receiver–operator characteristic curve analysis indicated that a V/CrCl ratio of 2.44 was a fair discriminator for CIN in all patients (sensitivity, 73.3%; specificity, 70.4%). After adjustment for other confounders, V/CrCl >2.44 continued to be significantly associated with CIN (adjusted odds ratio, 4.12;
P
<0.001) and the risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.62;
P
<0.001). The mean HV/W was 12.18±7.40. We divided the patients into 2 groups (HV/W ≤12 and >12 mL/kg). The best cutoff value for V/CrCl was 1.87 (sensitivity, 67.9%; specificity, 64.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.24;
P
=0.011) in the insufficient hydration subgroup (HV/W, ≤12 mL/kg; CIN, 1.32%) and 2.93 (sensitivity, 69.0%; specificity, 65.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.04;
P
=0.004) in the sufficient hydration subgroup (HV/W, >12 mL/kg; CIN, 5.00%).

Conclusions—
The V/CrCl ratio adjusted for HV/W may be a more reliable predictor of CIN and even long-term outcomes after cardiac catheterization. We also found a higher best cutoff value for V/CrCl to predict CIN in patients with a relatively sufficient hydration status, which may be beneficial during decision-making about contrast dose limits in relatively low-risk patients with different hydration statuses.
Early and Late Electrophysiological Effects of Distractor Frequency in Picture Naming: Reconciling Input and Output Accounts
Authors: Riès Stephanie K. , Fraser Douglas , McMahon Katie L. , de Zubicaray Greig I. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The “distractor-frequency effect” refers to the finding that high-frequency (HF) distractor words slow picture naming less than low-frequency distractors in the picture–word interference paradigm. Rival input and output accounts of this effect have been proposed. The former attributes the effect to attentional selection mechanisms operating during distractor recognition, whereas the latter attributes it to monitoring/decision mechanisms operating on distractor and target responses in an articulatory buffer. Using high-density (128-channel) EEG, we tested hypotheses from these rival accounts. In addition to conducting stimulus- and response-locked whole-brain corrected analyses, we investigated the correct-related negativity, an ERP observed on correct trials at fronto-central electrodes proposed to reflect the involvement of domain general monitoring. The whole-brain ERP analysis revealed a significant effect of distractor frequency at inferior right frontal and temporal sites between 100 and 300-msec post-stimulus onset, during which lexical access is thought to occur. Response-locked, region of interest (ROI) analyses of fronto-central electrodes revealed a correct-related negativity starting 121 msec before and peaking 125 msec after vocal onset on the grand averages. Slope analysis of this component revealed a significant difference between HF and low-frequency distractor words, with the former associated with a steeper slope on the time window spanning from 100 msec before to 100 msec after vocal onset. The finding of ERP effects in time windows and components corresponding to both lexical processing and monitoring suggests the distractor frequency effect is most likely associated with more than one physiological mechanism.
How Does the un Security Council Control States or Organizations Authorized to Use Force?
Authors: de Guttry Andrea 
Published: June 2015

Various circumstances have brought about an increase in authorizations by the un Security Council of different types of military operations to be carried out by external actors, on the basis of a prior request by the State hosting the activities, or against that State. This practice raises several problematic issues which are connected with the need to find a proper balance between the interests of the Council and those of the implementing actors, who always act on a voluntary basis. This contribution aims to investigate how the Security Council has organized the sensitive task of monitoring the behaviour of the authorized or delegated institution in order to guarantee consistency between the activities performed and the mandate given. The manner in which the monitoring mechanism is organized is of pivotal importance to prevent abuses and to make the whole exercise more credible and capable of preventing additional disputes, as the recent case of Libya demonstrates. The author reaches the conclusion, on the basis of the practice of the Security Council and of member States, that the need to guarantee a more efficient and sophisticated un mechanism of control has not yet been met, and that there is still much to be done in the interest of transparency and increased overall credibility of un-mandated operations.
The impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on prescribing for mental health
Authors: Beaglehole Ben , Bell Caroline , Frampton Christopher , Hamilton Greg , McKean Andrew 
Published: June 2015

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on the mental health of the local population by examining prescribing patterns of psychotropic medication. Method: Dispensing data from community pharmacies for antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and sedatives/hypnotics are routinely recorded in a national database. The close relationship between prescribing and dispensing provides the opportunity to assess prescribing trends for Canterbury compared to national data and therefore examines the longitudinal impact of the earthquakes on prescribing patterns. Results: Short-term increases in the use of anxiolytics and sedatives/hypnotics were observed after the most devastating February 2011 earthquake, but this effect was not sustained. There were no observable effects of the earthquakes on antidepressant or antipsychotic dispensing. Conclusion: Short-term increases in dispensing were only observed for the classes of anxiolytics and sedatives/hypnotics. No sustained changes in dispensing occurred. These findings suggest that long-term detrimental effects on the mental health of the Canterbury population were either not present or have not resulted in increased prescribing of psychotropic medication.
Lifestyle and mental health correlates of psychological distress in college students
Authors: Knowlden Adam P , Hackman Christine L , Sharma Manoj 
Published: June 2015

Objective: College students are at an increased risk of mental distress. The purpose of this study was to determine whether mental and lifestyle factors differed according to self-reported levels of psychological distress. Design and setting: A self-report questionnaire comprising the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale, Revised Life Orientation Test, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and 24-hour recall of lifestyle behaviours was administered to 195 undergraduate college students at a Midwestern US university. Methods: Respondents were grouped into categories of low, moderate and severe mental distress using established cut-points for the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale. Between-group differences were assessed to determine whether the mental and lifestyle variables under investigation differed according to magnitude of mental distress. Results: Significant differences were found between the three categories of mental distress and amounts of optimism, self-esteem and social support. Analysis of the lifestyle variables suggested groups were different for behaviours pertaining to computer screen time, fruit consumption and sugar-sweetened beverage intake when categorised into the three-tier groupings. No significant differences were found for the remaining lifestyle variables or for body mass index. Regression analysis found low levels of optimism, self-esteem and social support significantly predicted mental distress. Conclusion: Results of this study suggested higher amounts of optimism, self-esteem and social support were associated with decreased levels of mental distress in a sample of college students. Additional research is required to determine the role of lifestyle variables in mental distress.
Where Broken Windows Should Be Fixed
Authors: Steenbeek Wouter , Kreis Christian 
Published: June 2015

Objectives: Introduce a systematic method to identify areas with similar levels of disorder (from serene, to “tipping,” to crime-ridden) which is crucial for a valid empirical test of Broken Windows Theory (BWT). Methods: Systematic social observation data are used of almost 2,000 locations in the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Spatially constrained hierarchical agglomerative clustering is used to aggregate individual observation locations to form homogeneous areas. Davies–Bouldin index and intraclass correlation coefficient are used to objectively identify the optimum number of clusters. Results: The newly identified areas differ from administrative neighborhoods as well as hot spots of disorder. The regionalization method provides a tentative solution to both the “zonation” and “aggregation” problems of the modifiable areal unit problem liable to affect empirical studies of BWT. Conclusions: Hot spot analysis fails to identify areas with moderate levels of disorder, which impedes testing the basic precept of BWT. Our results may partly explain why the evidence on the effectiveness of order maintenance policing remains inconclusive. We suggest that randomized controlled trials of order maintenance policing should be performed on these new areas rather than in hot spots of disorder.
Palliative care costs in Canada: A descriptive comparison of studies of urban and rural patients near end of life
Authors: Dumont Serge , Jacobs Philip , Turcotte Véronique , Turcotte Stéphane , Johnston Grace 
Published: June 2015

Background: Significant gaps in the evidence base on costs in rural communities in Canada and elsewhere are reported in the literature, particularly regarding costs to families. However, it remains unclear whether the costs related to all resources used by palliative care patients in rural areas differ to those resources used in urban areas. Aim: The study aimed to compare both the costs that occurred over 6 months of participation in a palliative care program and the sharing of these costs in rural areas compared with those in urban areas. Design: Data were drawn from two prior studies performed in Canada, employing a longitudinal, prospective design with repeated measures. Setting/participants: The urban sample consisted of 125 patients and 127 informal caregivers. The rural sample consisted of 80 patients and 84 informal caregivers. Most patients in both samples had advanced cancer. Results: The mean total cost per patient was CAD26,652 in urban areas, while it was CAD31,018 in rural areas. The family assumed 20.8% and 21.9% of costs in the rural and urban areas, respectively. The rural families faced more costs related to prescription medication, out-of-pocket costs, and transportation while the urban families faced more costs related to formal home care. Conclusion: Despite the fact that rural and urban families assumed a similar portion of costs, the distribution of these costs was somewhat different. Future studies would be needed to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of costs incurred by families taking care of a loved one at the end of life and the determinants of these costs in urban versus rural areas.
Prevalence of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging-identified pelvic organ prolapse in pre- and postmenopausal women without clinically evident pelvic organ descent
Authors: Cimsit Canan , Yoldemir Tevfik , Akpinar Ihsan Nuri 
Published: June 2015

Background Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is an imaging tool that can be used to evaluate and stage pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Greater understanding of the incidental detection of POP in asymptomatic patients is needed. Purpose To evaluate the prevalence of dMRI-detected POP in pre-and postmenopausal women who were imaged for reasons unrelated to pelvic floor dysfunction. Material and Methods A total of 227 women who had diagnoses that did not include POP underwent abdominal/pelvic dMRI. Patients with a positive gynecological examination for or a clinical history of POP ( n = 11), hysterectomy ( n = 4), or gynecologic-oncology surgery ( n = 2) were excluded, as well as patients who were unable to strain during MRI ( n = 11). A total of 199 patients without visible prolapse were enrolled in the study. An H-line, M-line, pubococcygeal line (PCL), and mid-pubic line (MPL) were used to detect and grade prolapse. Results The prevalence of dMRI-identified POP was higher in postmenopausal subjects. The PCL led to a greater frequency of prolapse detection than the MPL. The frequency of middle compartment descent was similar regardless of whether the PCL or MPL was used as a reference line. There was a higher incidence of prolapse in the posterior compartment. Using an H-line and PCL as references, the anterior and posterior compartments were found to significantly differ between pre- and postmenopausal subjects. The MRI parameters that were used to define POP were not correlated with parity, vaginal birth, BMI, or fetal birth weight. With respect to the MPL, age was correlated with both the presence of an elongated H-line and with descent. Conclusion Dynamic MRI identified incidental pelvic organ prolapse in asymptomatic patients. The prevalence of dMRI-detected POP was higher in postmenopausal women without visible prolapse. These findings suggest the need for further studies to identify how to modify the currently used dMRI thresholds for postmenopausal women.
Latest guidelines for the management of the anxiety disorders – a report from The International Anxiety Disorders Society Conference, Melbourne 2014
Authors: Hood Sean D 
Published: June 2015

Objective: The International Anxiety Disorders Society Conference, held in Melbourne in November 2014, enabled key researchers from Australia and internationally to interact with mental health practitioners with an interest in clinical anxiety disorders. The proceedings of previous conferences in 2006 and 2011 formed the basis of two well-received textbooks on anxiety disorders; this time we have taken up the invitation to publish the proceedings as articles in this issue of Australasian Psychiatry. At the end of the first day of the conference a lecture and linked international expert panel explored the topic of guidelines for the management of the anxiety disorders in conjunction with an engaged audience for 90 minutes – key elements of this discussion are presented here. Conclusions: Guidelines for anxiety disorder management should be applied with caution in clinical practice settings.
Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing Nail Surgery and Skin Punch Biopsy
Authors: Göktay Fatih , Altan Zeynep Müzeyyen , Talas Anıl , Akpınar Esma , Özdemir Ekin Özge , Aytekin Sema 
Published: June 2015

Background: Patient anxiety about nail surgery relates mainly to pain associated with needle puncture, anesthetic flow during the procedure, and postoperative care, as well as possible past traumatic experience. Objective: The aims of this study were to compare anxiety levels among patients undergoing nail surgery and skin punch biopsy and to assess the effects of demographic characteristics on anxiety. Methods: Forty-eight consecutive patients who were referred to a dermatological surgery unit for nail surgery intervention (group 1) and 50 age- and sex-matched patients referred to the same unit for skin punch biopsy (group 2) were enrolled in the study. Patients’ anxiety levels were measured using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: There was no significant difference in median anxiety level between group 1 (42.00; interquartile range, 6.50) and group 2 (41.00; interquartile range, 8.25) ( P = .517). The demographic factors of patient sex, educational status, and prior surgery showed no significant effects on anxiety levels. Conclusion: Nail surgery does not seem to cause significantly greater anxiety than skin punch biopsy.
Fingolimod effects on left ventricular function in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Racca Vittorio , Di Rienzo Marco , Cavarretta Rosella , Toccafondi Anastasia , Vaini Emanuele , Ferratini Maurizio , Rovaris Marco 
Published: June 2015

Background: Cardiovascular side effects such as bradycardia and atrioventricular block were observed during the early clinical trials of fingolimod in multiple sclerosis, and one cardiovascular- linked death has been reported in the post-marketing period. Objective: To investigate the medium-term effects of fingolimod on heart function in order to obtain further insights into its cardiac safety profile. Methods: The study involved 53 patients starting treatment with fingolimod 0.5 mg daily and 25 patients treated with natalizumab 300 mg monthly. Cardiac function was assessed by means of echocardiography at baseline (T0), and after one (T1), six (T6), and (in the case of the fingolimod group) 12 months (T12). Results: Mean left ventricular ejection fraction significantly decreased and end-systolic volume increased from T0 to T1 ( p=0.005) and T6 ( p=0.0001) in the fingolimod but not the natalizumab group, although a slight increase was observed at T12. A similar decrease in ejection fraction was also observed after six months in nine patients switched from natalizumab to fingolimod. Conclusion: Fingolimod significantly reduces left ventricular systolic function in MS patients. This effect has no clinical consequences in subjects without previous cardiac disorders, but suggests that more caution is required in patients with current or previous heart failure.
Intrathecal CD8 T-cells of multiple sclerosis patients recognize lytic Epstein-Barr virus proteins
Authors: van Nierop Gijsbert P , Mautner Josef , Mitterreiter Johanna G , Hintzen Rogier Q , Verjans Georges MGM 
Published: June 2015

Background: The association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS) may involve intrathecal EBV-specific T-cell responses targeting the virus or indirectly, autoantigens. Objective: Compare the prevalence and fine-specificity of EBV-specific T-cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS ( n = 12), clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS) ( n = 17) and other neurological diseases (OND) ( n = 13). Methods: Intrathecal EBV-specific T-cell reactivity was assayed using CSF-derived T-cell lines (CSF-TCL) and autologous EBV-transformed B-cells (autoBLCL) as antigen-presenting cells (APC). EBV proteins recognized by autoBLCL-specific CD8 T-cells were identified using human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I)-negative monkey cells as artificial APC, co-transfected with 59 different EBV genes and the corresponding patient’s HLA-I alleles that were involved in autoBLCL T-cell reactivity. Reactivity towards the MS-associated autoantigen αB-crystallin (CRYAB) was determined analogously. Results: CSF-TCL from CIS and MS patients had significantly higher frequencies of autoBLCL-reactive CD4 T-cells, compared to the OND patients. CIS patients also had significantly higher autoBLCL-reactive CD8 T cells, which correlated with reactive CD4 T-cell frequencies. AutoBLCL-specific CD8 T-cell responses of four CSF-TCL analyzed in detail were oligoclonal and directed to lytic EBV proteins, but not CRYAB endogenously expressed by autoBLCL. Conclusions: Enhanced intrathecal autoBLCL-specific T-cell reactivity, selectively directed towards lytic EBV proteins in two CSF-TCL, suggested a localized T-cell response to EBV in patients with MS. Our data warrant further characterization of the magnitude and breadth of intrathecal EBV-specific T-cell responses in larger patient cohorts.
Psychiatric co-morbidity in multiple sclerosis: The risk of depression and anxiety before and after MS diagnosis
Authors: Hoang Huong , Laursen Bjarne , Stenager Elsebeth N. , Stenager Egon 
Published: June 2015

Background: Studies of depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have reported higher rates in MS patients than the general population. Objective: To estimate the risk of depression and anxiety and the use of tricyclic antidepressant and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) prescriptions, in the pre-diagnostic and the post-diagnostic period of MS compared to the background population. Methods: A cohort of 5084 MS patients was included and matched with a control population of 24,771 persons linked to nationwide registers. Logistic regression analyses were performed estimating odds ratios (OR). Results: In the pre-diagnostic period, the OR for having a diagnosis of depression and anxiety is 1.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) =1.05–1.88), and the OR of redemption prescriptions of TCAs is 1.90 (CI=1.54–2.34) and OR is 1.34 (CI= 1.20–1.51) for SSRI. In the post-diagnostic period the OR is 1.23 (CI= 0.92–1.64) for depression and anxiety diagnosis. The OR is 6.70 (CI=5.81–7.72) for TCA and OR is 2.46 (CI= 2.25–2.69) for SSRI. Conclusion: During both the pre- diagnostic and post-diagnostic period, MS patient have increased risk of depression and anxiety diagnoses and redemption of antidepressant and anxiolytic prescriptions, compared to the background population.