bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Co-prevalence of carotid stenosis and coronary artery disease in Chinese patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Gu Yuanyuan , Feng Laihui , Xu Yu , Zhao Yonghui 
Published: September 2014

Objectives To investigate the co-prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid stenosis and to determine predictors related to CAD in Chinese patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), presenting without previously diagnosed or excluded CAD. Methods Consecutive patients with PAF were recruited. CAD was evaluated using multislice computed tomography. Intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery was evaluated via ultrasonography. Results A total of 62/192 (32.3%) patients had CAD. Carotid stenosis was observed in 26/192 (13.5%) patients. The co-prevalence of carotid stenosis and CAD was 7.8% (15/192). The prevalence of carotid stenosis was 8.5%, 16.7%, 25.0%, and 41.7% in patients with zero-, one-, two-, and three-vessel CAD, respectively. Diabetes mellitus, maximal IMT and hyperhomocysteinaemia were independently related to the presence of CAD. Conclusions The prevalence of CAD was 32.3% in Chinese patients with PAF. Carotid stenosis and CAD co-occurred in 7.8% of patients, and the prevalence of carotid stenosis correlated with the severity of CAD. Screening of carotid stenosis is recommended, especially in patients with PAF and multivessel CAD.
Preoperative Serum Bilirubin and Lactate Levels Predict Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality in Liver Surgery: A Single-Center Evaluation
Authors: Riediger C. , Mueller M. W. , Hapfelmeier A. , Bachmann J. , Friess H. , Kleeff J. 
Published: September 2014

Background and Aims: In spite of huge developments in liver surgery during the last decades, morbidity and mortality continue to pose problems in this field. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative predictors for postoperative mortality and morbidity in liver surgery. Material and Methods: In a single-center study, an extensive analysis of a prospective database, including clinical criteria and laboratory tests of patients undergoing liver surgery between July 2007 and July 2012 was performed. Cutoff values of selected laboratory tests were calculated. Results: In all, 337 patients were included in the study. Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant association of preoperative bilirubin, lactate, hemoglobin levels, platelet count, and prothrombin time with postoperative morbidity and mortality. Multivariate analysis revealed preoperatively elevated serum bilirubin and lactate levels as independent predictors for increased postoperative morbidity and mortality after liver surgery. Conclusions: The identified laboratory values showed a statistically significant association with postoperative morbidity and mortality in liver surgery and might be helpful in preoperative patient selection.
Assessment of Diabetic Neuropathy Using a Point-of-Care Nerve Conduction Device Shows Significant Associations With the LDIFLARE Method and Clinical Neuropathy Scoring
Authors: Sharma Sanjeev , Vas Prashanth RJ , Rayman Gerry 
Published: September 2014

Background: Accurate assessment of diabetes polyneuropathy (DPN) is important in the prevention of foot ulcerations and amputations. Simple screening methods including the 10 g monofilament and the 128-Hz tuning fork are not sensitive enough nor intended for detection of early neuropathy, while more confirmatory tests such as nerve conduction studies are not universally available. We evaluated a rapid, low-cost, point-of-care nerve conduction device (POCD; NC-stat®|DPNCheck™) for the assessment of DPN and compared it with the LDIFLARE technique—an established method for early detection of small fibre dysfunction. Methods: A total of 162 patients with diabetes (DM) and 80 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Based on the 10-point Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS), DPN was categorized into none (<2), mild (3-5) moderate (6-7), and severe (8-10). The LDIFLARE was performed in all patients according to previously described methodology. The associations between POCD outcomes and the LDIFLARE within the NDS categories were evaluated using regression analysis. Results: In HC and DM, SNCV measured with the POCD correlated significantly with the LDIFLARE technique ( r < 0.90 and r = 0.78, respectively) as did SNAP ( r = 0.88 and r = 0.73, respectively); in addition, significance was found in all categories of DPN ( r = 0.64 to 0.84; p= ≤ 0.03). ROC curves within each category of DPN showed that the POCD was sensitive in the assessment of DPN. Conclusion: We report highly significant linear relationships between the POCD with both comparators—the LDIFLARE technique and clinical neuropathy scores. Thus, the NC-stat|DPNCheck™ system appears to be an excellent adjunctive diagnostic tool for diagnosing DPN in the clinical setting.
Bioequivalence of two formulations of montelukast sodium 4 mg oral granules in healthy adults
Authors: Fey Constanze , Thyroff‐Friesinger Ursula , Jones Spencer 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMontelukast is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma, acute prevention of exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction and symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis. The aim of the study was to compare bioavailability, and characterise the pharmacokinetic profile and safety of Sandoz generic montelukast 4 mg oral granules relative to Singulair® mini (Merck, Sharp & Dohme). An open‐label, randomised, single‐dose, two‐treatment, two‐period, two‐sequence, two‐way crossover bioequivalence study was conducted in healthy male volunteers aged 18–55 years, under fasting conditions. The duration of the clinical part of the trial was ≈ 11 days. Montelukast levels in plasma were quantified using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method, and pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the drug concentration–time profile using a non‐compartmental model. A total of 40 subjects completed both study periods. The ratio test/reference of geometric least squares means was calculated for both formulations of montelukast for the In‐transformed pharmacokinetic parameters; the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were within the pre‐defined limits of 80.00–125.00%: 92.2% (90% CI: 87.42–97.30%) for Cmax, 98.1% (90% CI: 94.49–101.81%) for AUC0–t and 97.6% (90% CI: 94.14–101.27%) for AUC0–∞. Two study subjects each reported one mild adverse event: dyspepsia (possibly related to study medication) and throat pain (not considered related to study medication). Sandoz montelukast 4 mg oral granules are bioequivalent to Singulair® 4 mg mini oral granules, with a similar safety profile. This suggests that these two preparations can be considered interchangeable in clinical practice.
Cloning, phylogeny, and expression analysis of the Broad-Complex gene in the longicorn beetle Psacothea hilaris
Authors: Nagamine Keisuke , Kayukawa Takumi , Hoshizaki Sugihiko , Matsuo Takashi , Shinoda Tetsuro , Ishikawa Yukio 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Seven isoforms of Broad-Complex (PhBR-C), in which the sequence of the zinc finger domain differed (referred to as Z1, Z2, Z3, Z2/Z3, Z4, Z5/Z6, and Z6, respectively), were cloned from the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle Psacothea hilaris. The Z1–Z4 sequences were highly conserved among insect species. The Z5/Z6 isoform was aberrant in that it contained a premature stop codon. Z6 had previously only been detected in a hemimetabola, the German cockroach Blattella germanica. The presence of Z6 in P. hilaris, and not in other holometabolous model insects such as Drosophila melanogaster or Tribolium castaneum, suggests that Z6 was lost multiple times in holometabolous insects during the course of evolution. PhBR-C expression levels in the brain, salivary gland, and epidermis of larvae grown under different feeding regimens were subsequently investigated. PhBR-C expression levels increased in every tissue examined after the gut purge, and high expression levels were observed in prepupae. A low level of PhBR-C expression was continuously observed in the brain. An increase was noted in PhBR-C expression levels in the epidermis when 4th instar larvae were starved after 4 days of feeding, which induced precocious pupation. No significant changes were observed in expression levels in any tissues of larvae starved immediately after ecdysis into 4th instar, which did not grow and eventually died.
Chemoselective and Kilogram-Scale Synthesis of Acetanilide β3-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist
Authors: Kawazoe Souichirou , Suzuki Takayuki , Nakamura Hirofumi , Sugimori Toshiyuki , Onda Kenichi , Maruyama Tatsuya , Okada Minoru 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
We describe an alternative route for the synthesis of β3-adrenergic receptor agonist (S)-2-(2-phenylamino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-4′-{2-[(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)amino]ethyl}acetanilide (1). The key intermediate (S)-1-{[2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl]amino}-3-phenoxypropan-2-ol monohydrochloride (2) was condensed with 2-(2-phenylamino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetic acid (3) using 1-ethyl-3-(3′-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDCI·HCl) to give 1 as a product of chemoselective amide formation on the aromatic amine moiety. This synthetic route was successfully applied to kilogram-scale preparation without purification via chromatography.
Formation of Isomerized E,Z-Configured 1,3-Dienes in Construction of Macrocyclic Trienes by Diene-Ene RCM
Authors: Takagi Ryukichi , Tanaka Kenji , Yamamoto Koumei , Hiraga Yoshikazu , Kojima Satoshi , Abe Manabu 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Construction of macrocyclic trienes by diene-ene RCM of tetraenes was examined. In the reactions, macrocyclic trienes were obtained as a mixture of two isomers with E,Z-configured 1,3-diene moiety. The formation of two isomers can be understandable by the E–Z isomerization of the initially generated ruthenium–alkenyl carbene intermediate.
Profile of acid-base disturbances in an intensive care unit of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
Authors: Rodrigues Renan Barbosa , Farias de Araújo Maria Cristina , Nascimento Payron Augusto , Rodrigues Patricia Barbosa , Soares Pereira Ricardo Victor , Patrocinio Manoel Claudio Azevedo 
Published: September 2014

Introduction: Acid – base disturbances are entities caused by the deregulation of the concentration of bicarbonate ions, the concentration of hydrogen ions and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. These disturbances modify most cell fuctions when present, jeopardizing the proper functioning of organs.Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study based upon data collected from medical files of patients in ICU as seen from August 1 to December 31, 2013 at the Dr. José Frota Institute in Fortaleza, Ceará. The variables studied were: age, sex, cause of ICU admission, pH, HCO3-, pO2, pCO2 , glomerular filtration rate ( GFR ), serum potassium concentrarion, serum magnesium concentration, serum creatinine and hemoglobin levels.Results: The most frequent disorders were primary respiratory alkalosis with 33 ( 38,4 % ) cases, 30 ( 34,9 % ) of metabolic alkalosis, 13 ( 15.1% ) of metabolic acidosis, 7 ( 8,2% ) did not present acid-base disorders and respiratory acidosis 3 ( 3,5%). Patients admitted with TBI had respiratory alkalosis as the most common primary disorder, followed by metabolic alkalosis, 16 ( 47,0 % ) and 13 ( 38,2 % ), respectively. The main disturbances were mixed respiratory alkalosis with metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis with metabolic alkalosis found in 15.12% of patients in each of these combinations. Conclusion:The importance of a detailed evaluation of acid-base disturbances is necessary since these disorders lead to higher mortality rates, so it is necessary to establish the main types of disorders that are associated with a particular cause of hospitalization .
Influenza em crianças: o que há de novo?
Authors: Bricks Lucia Ferro , Domingues Carla Magda Allan Santos , Carvalhanas Tema Regina Marques Pinto , Pereira Sirlene , De Moraes Jose Cassio 
Published: September 2014

ResumoA influenza afeta pessoas de todas as idades, causando substancial impacto em saúde pública. No Brasil, em 2014, a vacinação de crianças foi ampliada, abrangendo todas as crianças de 6 a 60 meses de idade. O objetivo desta revisão é analisar as informações da literatura que justificam a ampliação da vacinação na faixa etária pediátrica.Métodos: Foram identificados e analisados os artigos publicados no PUBMED e SCIELO, assim como as informações disponíveis nos sites oficiais da OMS, OPAS, CDC, ECDC e do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, utilizando as palavras-chave influenza, vacinas, crianças, no período de 01/01/2003 a 30/04/2014 e consultadas fontes relevantes mencionadas nos artigos.Resultados: Crianças menores de cinco anos apresentam as mais elevadas taxas de infecção por influenza e são as principais transmissoras do vírus para seus contatos na família e na escola. Nessa faixa etária, são comuns as complicações da influenza, como otite média aguda, crises de broncoespasmo e pneumonia. O número de consultas ambulatoriais e em serviços de emergência, assim como as hospitalizações são substanciais, assim como o absenteísmo dos pais ao trabalho para cuidar de crianças doentes, acarretando enormes perdas econômicas. Existem evidências de que a vacinação além de proteger as crianças vacinadas (proteção direta), reduz a carga da doença entre seus contatos (proteção indireta).Conclusões: A ampliação da vacinação de crianças pode reduzir substancialmente a morbidade e mortalidade em toda a população e gerar economia para a família e a sociedade.
Facilitação Neuromuscular Proprioceptiva e o Alongamento Muscular como Modalidades Terapêuticas na Disfunção Temporomandibular
Authors: Melo Luana Torres Monteiro , Moreira Glaucus Moura , Vasconcelos Renata Santos , Gomes Regina Coeli Vieira , Abdon Ana Paula Vasconcellos 
Published: September 2014

Introdução: O fisioterapeuta, integrante da equipe multidisciplinar, utiliza ampla variedade de aparelhos e recursos manuais no tratamento da disfunção temporomandibular (DTM), buscando recuperar a função do sistema estomatognático. A facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva (FNP) promove o movimento funcional por meio da facilitação, inibição e relaxamento da musculatura. O alongamento muscular reduz as tensões musculares e libera os movimentos bloqueados. Objetivo: Comparar os benefícios das duas técnicas na melhoria funcional de pacientes portadores de DTM. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo intervencionista, comparativo e cego, com 12 pacientes atendidas no Núcleo de Atenção Médica Integrada (NAMI), Fortaleza-Ceará, do sexo feminino, adultas e com diagnóstico de DTM, divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos. O grupo A foi tratado com FNP (técnica de manter-relaxar e estabilização rítmica) e o grupo B com alongamento muscular passivo. O tratamento foi realizado 2 vezes na semana, durante 5 semanas, totalizando 10 atendimentos com duração de 45 minutos. Resultados: Foi verificado que as pacientes de ambos os grupos tiveram melhora do quadro clínico, com redução significativa da dor em ambos os grupos (p < 0,05) e diminuição da dor à palpação muscular no grupo B (p < 0,05). Ao final do tratamento, não houve diferença na sintomatologia, amplitude de movimento e dor à palpação muscular entre os grupos. Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram que tanto a FNP como o alongamento muscular promoveram melhora do quadro álgico das pacientes, concluindo-se que ambas as técnicas podem ser acrescentadas aos tratamentos existentes para essa disfunção.
Sustaining the Effective Use of Health Care Data: A Message from the
Editors
Authors: Wilcox Adam , Holve Erin 
Published: September 2014

Introduction: Over the past decade, several initiatives have funded large projects
to develop clinical research data infrastructures totaling several hundred million
dollars. While most of this funding has ended or is expected to end soon, the projects
themselves must struggle to continue operations beyond the initial funding. Examples of
sustained research-data infrastructures are lacking, and recommended approaches to
improve sustainability of developing infrastructures are even rarer. Early on, the
Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum—and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ) as its sponsor—recognized the need to study strategies for sustainability.Themes:
Three prominent themes relating to sustainability arise among the articles in this
special issue: the importance of project maturity, commercialization activities, and
stakeholder support. Maturity was relevant to all the papers since a project’s maturity
directly influences the opportunities that are available, while commercialization and
stakeholder support emerged from comparisons among subsets of articles.Next Steps: The
papers in this issue create a useful initial set of case studies to help in
understanding sustainability issues for data infrastructures needed for research and QI.
Each paper includes important lessons learned from the authors’ experience with the
different projects that should resonate with the broader fields of clinical research and
clinical research informatics. There is an ongoing need for greater understanding of
sustainability beyond what this issue provides. As more case studies of sustainability
are accumulated, it is expected even more important themes will emerge from qualitative
reviews that can eventually be demonstrated quantitatively.
Appropriate Enoxaparin Dose for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Patients with Extreme Obesity
Authors: Shelkrot Max , Miraka Jonida , Perez Mirza E. 
Published: September 2014

Objective To evaluate the appropriate dose of enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients with extreme obesity. Methods A literature search was performed using MEDLINE (1950-April 2013) to analyze all English-language articles that evaluated incidence of VTE and/or anti-Xa levels with enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in patients with extreme obesity. Results Eight studies were included in the analysis. Six of the studies were done in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Mean body mass index ranged from 44.9 to 63.4 kg/m2 within studies. Studies done with bariatric surgery patients utilized doses of enoxaparin that ranged from the standard dose of 30 mg subcutaneous (SQ) every 12 hours to 60 mg SQ every 12 hours. Other studies evaluated doses ranging from 40 mg SQ every 24 hours to 0.5 mg/kg/day. Only 3 studies evaluated the incidence of VTE as the primary endpoint; the other studies evaluated anti-Xa levels. The studies showed that appropriate anti-Xa levels were achieved more often with higher than standard doses of enoxaparin. One study showed that enoxaparin 40 mg SQ every 12 hours decreased the incidence of VTE in patients undergoing bariatric surgery compared to standard doses. Overall risk of bleeding was similar between study groups. Conclusions Higher than standard doses of enoxaparin may be needed for patients with extreme obesity. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery may benefit from enoxaparin 40 mg SQ every 12 hours. Additional large randomized, controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of higher than standard doses of enoxaparin for VTE prophylaxis in patients with extreme obesity.
Inter-Communicative Decentralized Multi-Scale Control (ICD-MSC) Scheme: A New Approach to Overcome MIMO Process Interactions
Authors: Nandong Jobrun , Zang Zhuquan 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Decentralized PID control has been extensively used in process industry due to its functional simplicity. But designing an effective decentralized PID control system is very challenging because of process interactions and dead times, which often impose limitations on control performance. In practice, to alleviate the detrimental effect of process interactions on control performance, decoupling controllers are often incorporated into a decentralized control scheme. In many cases, these conventional decoupling controllers are not physically realizable or too complex for practical implementation. In this paper, we propose an alternative scheme to overcome the performance limitation imposed by process interactions. This new control scheme is extended from the SISO multi-scale control scheme previously developed for nonminimum-phase processes. The salient feature of the new control scheme lies in its communicative structure enabling collaborative communication among all the sub-controllers in the system. This communicative structure serves the purpose of reducing the detrimental effect of process interactions leading to improved control performance and performance robustness. Extensive numerical study shows that the new control scheme is able to outperform some existing decentralized control schemes augmented with traditional decoupling controllers.
Organic materials in black liquors of soda-AQ pulping of hot-water-extracted birch (Betula pendula) sawdust
Authors: Lehto Joni , Alén Raimo 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
The chemical composition of black liquors obtained from the soda-AQ pulping of birch (Betula pendula) sawdust was studied as a function of cooking time, effective alkali content, and hot-water pretreatment of the sawdust prior to delignification. Special attention was paid on the formation of lignin-derived materials and low-molecular-mass carbohydrate-derived degradation products containing aliphatic carboxylic acids. In the case of the hot-water-pretreated feedstock, less acetic acid and formic acid and more nonvolatile hydroxy acids (especially monocarboxylic acids) were obtained. The observations can be interpreted as a result of the extensive removal of hemicelluloses during the hot-water pretreatment.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti(C,N)-based Functional Gradient Cermets Nitriding by Microwave Heating
Authors: Tang Siwen , Liu Deshun , Li Pengnan , Chen Yuqiang , Xiao Xiong 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe interaction between nitrogen and titanium carbonitride (Ti(C,N))-based cermets by microwave heating was applied to develop functional gradient cermets. Ti(C,N)-based cermets was densification and nitrided simultaneously above the eutectic temperature, which greatly shortens the sintering time. Experimental results show that a face centered cubic (fcc) rich surface layer was formed at the surface of the cermets. Meanwhile, a new three layers core/rim structure was found in the cermets and its formation mechanism was proposed in this study. The functional gradient material exhibits excellent comprehensive properties.
An Investigation of Energy Consumption, Solar Fraction and Hybrid Photovoltaic–Thermal Solar Dryer Parameters in Drying of Chamomile Flower
Authors: Minaei Saeid , Motevali Ali , Ghobadian Barat , Banakar Ahmad , Samadi Seyed Hashem 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
In this research, drying of a medicinal plant (chamomile) in a hybrid photovoltaic–thermal solar dryer with and without heat pump was investigated. The experiments were performed at three air speeds (0.5, 1, and 1.5 m/s), three levels of air temperature (40, 50, and 60°C), with and without using a heat pump. Results of analysis indicated that adding a heat pump to the photovoltaic solar dryer decreases drying time, energy consumption, and required specific energy. Solar energy fraction increased with decreasing air temperature and velocity. Analysis of the dryer-related parameters showed that the maximum and minimum thermal efficiencies were 33.8 and 16.4%, respectively, both in the no-heat-pump mode while with the heat pump, its maximum and minimum values were 38.4 and 19.7%, respectively. Moreover, the highest and lowest electrical efficiencies for the no-heat-pump mode were 13.4 and 9.1%, respectively; while using the heat pump, its maximum and minimum values were 14.1 and 10.4%, respectively. Results of analyzing the dryer’s coefficient of performance for drying chamomile showed that the highest and lowest coefficients of performance were 3.41 and 1.82, respectively. Eleven mathematical models were tested, and Page’s model was selected as the best for describing the drying behavior of chamomile flower.