bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Six Erythropoietin Kits
Authors: Marsden J T , Sherwood R A , Peters T J 
Published: February 2014

Six erythropoietin (EPO) measurement kits from different manufacturers were evaluated for ease of use and performance. Reference values were compared from patient samples with normal and abnormal circulating serum EPO. The kits evaluated were EPO- Trac RIA, EPORIA, DSL RIA, EPO EIA, IBL ELISA and Medac ELISA (see below for manufacturers' details). The radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods were simple to perform with little preliminary preparation of reagents but the non-isotopic methods were of varying degrees of complexity. Imprecision data showed that performance of the RIA methods was acceptable across the range 40–150 mU/mL [within-assay coefficient of variation (CV) = 2–5%, between-assay CV = 3–7%] but poor (CV > 10%) at the lower end of the range (10–15 mU/mL). The IBL enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit showed good precision across the range 10–54 mU/mL (within-assay CV = 5–7%, between-assay CV = 8–12%). The performance of the EPO enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and Medac ELISA were acceptable although precision was poor at the lower end of the range (< 10 mU/mL; within-assay CV 10% and 17% and between-assay CV 13% and 18%, respectively). The ELISA and EIA methods had lower limits of detection (0·4–0·8 mU/mL) than the RIA methods (2·3–3·6 mU/mL). Analysis of serum EPO measurement variation between methods showed evidence of significant negative bias with DSL RIA and Medac ELISA when compared with EPO- Trac RIA. Conversely, EPORIA showed significant positive bias and the two remaining methods, EPO EIA and IBL ELISA, showed no evidence of systematic bias when compared with EPO- Trac RIA. Patients with normal circulating concentration of serum EPO gave values that were within the reference range of the kits.
Clinical Usefulness of Biochemical Resorption Markers in Osteoporosis
Authors: Kyd P A , De Vooght K , Kerkhoff F , Thomas E , Fairney A 
Published: February 2014

We have evaluated three commercial assays for collagen cross-links, two urine assays and a recently developed serum assay, as markers of bone turnover in 30 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis during their first year of treatment with the anti-resorptive drug alendronate. Before treatment, urine free deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (Dpd), urine N-telopeptide crosslinks (NTx) and serum C-telopeptide (CTx) values were within postmenopausal reference ranges. After 3 months' treatment the decrease in NTx and CTx was greater than that of Dpd (−50%, P < 0·0001 and −48%, P < 0·0001, compared with −11%, NS), as it was after 6 months (−51%, P < 0·0001, and −57%, P < 0·0001, compared with −19%, P < 0·01). The decrease in resorption markers after 6 months was significant in 23% (Dpd), 66% (NTx) and 66% (CTx) of individuals. Neither baseline resorption marker values nor the per cent change after 6 months' therapy correlated with bone mineral density change (BMD) at either lumbar spine or femoral neck after one year's therapy, except baseline Dpd and lumbar spine BMD ( P < 0·01). We conclude that NTx and serum CTx were more sensitive markers of bone turnover suppression by alendronate, but only baseline Dpd was useful in the prediction of individual bone density response after one year.
No Relationship between Serum Lipoprotein(A) and Albumin Concentrations in Patients with Acute Phase Response
Authors: Min Won-Ki , Chun Sail , Hwang Sang-Hyun , Park Hyosoon 
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and albumin concentrations in the serum of patients with acute phase response (APR). We have compared the Lp(a) concentrations and apolipoprotein [apo(a)] phenotypes of 40 controls with those of 40 APR patients with normoalbuminaemia and 40 APR patients with hypoalbuminaemia. We have also compared concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp) and α1-antitrypsin (AAT) containing a high sialic acid content, similar to Lp(a). The mean serum Lp(a) concentration (SD) of the 40 controls was 0·190 (0·142) g/L. The mean serum Lp(a) concentration was 0·358 (0·257) g/L ( P < 0·001) in 80 APR patients. However, there was no difference in serum Lp(a) concentrations between the APR patients with hypoalbuminaemia [0·353 (0·268) g/L] and the APR patients with normoalbuminaemia [0·362 (0·249) g/L]. No significant difference was found in the distributions of apo(a) phenotypes between the controls, the APR patients with hypoalbuminaemia, and the APR patients with normoalbuminaemia ( P = 0·183). In the APR patients, the serum concentrations of AAT and Hp were respectively 2·709 (0·822) g/L and 2·631 (1·340) g/L, whereas those of normal controls were respectively 1·422 (0·219) g/L ( P < 0·001) and 0·956 (0·442) g/L ( P < 0·001). In conclusion, the Lp(a) is one of the acute phase reactants whose synthesis concurrently increases with other APRs, especially those with a high sialic acid content. The increase of the serum Lp(a) concentrations in the APR patients is not related to serum albumin concentration.
Regional brain volumes in body dysmorphic disorder compared to controls
Authors: Buchanan Ben , Rossell Susan , Maller Jerome J , Toh Wei Lin , Brennan Sarah , Castle David 
Published: February 2014

Objectives: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by a preoccupation with a misperceived flaw in appearance, causing significant distress and disability. Neuropsychological research has revealed deficits in executive function and inhibitory control of emotional responses. The few previous structural neuroimaging studies have had inconclusive findings and we aimed to take this field of research forward by contributing high quality structural data. Methods: To investigate regional brain volumes we compared 20 BDD participants and 20 matched controls using high-resolution structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI data was subjected to cortical reconstruction and volumetric segmentation using Freesurfer software. Results: Results showed the right orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral thalamus, left anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and amygdala were significantly smaller in the BDD sample compared to controls. The most pronounced differences were in the right orbitofrontal cortex and left anterior cingulate cortex, as these areas were smaller in BDD participants independent of reduced global brain volumes. Duration of illness significantly negatively correlated with right orbitofrontal cortex volumes. Conclusions: This is the largest volumetric neuroimaging study in BDD to date and provides important data on volumetric differences that implicate fronto-limbic circuits.
The use of leverage in community mental health: Ethical guidance for practitioners
Authors: Dunn Michael , Sinclair Julia MA , Canvin Krysia J , Rugkåsa Jorun , Burns Tom 
Published: February 2014

Background: Leverage is a particular type of treatment pressure that is used within community mental health services to increase patients’ adherence to treatment. Because leverage involves practitioners making proposals that attempt to influence patients’ behaviours and choices, the use of leverage raises ethical issues. Aim: To provide guidance that can assist practitioners in making judgements about whether it is ethically acceptable to use leverage in a particular clinical context. Method: Methods of ethical analysis. Results: Four ethical duties relevant to making such judgements are outlined. These four duties are (1) benefitting the individual patient, (2) benefitting other individuals, (3) treating patients fairly and (4) respecting patients’ autonomy. The practical requirements that follow from each of these duties are considered in detail. It is argued that practitioners should determine whether the use of leverage will mean that care is provided in ways that are consistent with the requirements of these four duties, regardless of whether the patient accepts or rejects the terms of the proposal made. Conclusion: Particular attention must be paid to determine how the requirements of the four duties should be applied in each specific treatment scenario, and in making careful judgements when these duties pull in opposing directions.
Preoperative Factors Affecting Footprint Coverage in Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Koh Kyoung Hwan , Lim Tae Kang , Park Young Eun , Lee Seung Won , Park Won Hah , Yoo Jae Chul 
Published: February 2014

Background: One of the goals of rotator cuff repair is to restore the torn tendon to its original insertion anatomically. However, it is sometimes difficult to restore the entire footprint. Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the variables affecting this repair coverage and to discern the differences in retear rate and clinical results between complete and incomplete footprint coverage in rotator cuff surgery. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: From 2007 to 2009, a total of 85 consecutive repairs for medium-to-large rotator cuff tears were identified as having complete or incomplete coverage of their original footprints. We defined the complete footprint coverage (CC) group as patients who had >50% of their footprint covered during repair and the incomplete (IC) group as <50% of their footprint. Factors affecting the amount of footprint coverage were evaluated, and multivariable analysis was conducted to identify independent factors. To assess the final outcome according to the amount of footprint coverage, retear and clinical outcomes were compared between the CC and IC groups. Results: Fifty-seven repairs were defined in the CC group and 28 repairs in the IC group. Preoperatively, age, tear size in coronal oblique and sagittal oblique planes, Goutallier fatty infiltration, and atrophy of the supraspinatus affected the amount of footprint coverage in univariate analysis. In multivariable analysis, however, tear size in the coronal plane was the only independent factor affecting footprint coverage in rotator cuff repair. On postoperative MRI, 45.6% of the CC group had an intact tendon, 45.6% had a delaminated partial retear, and 8.8% had a full-thickness retear; in the IC group, 17.9% had an intact tendon, 60.7% had a delaminated partial retear, and 21.4% had a full-thickness retear. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of tendon integrity between groups ( P = .028). Clinical scores and range of motion at final follow-up showed no difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Tear size in the coronal plane was the only independent factor affecting the amount of footprint coverage. Repair quality based on retear classification was different between the 2 groups. However, both complete and incomplete footprint coverage in rotator cuff repair showed no differences in clinical scores and range of motion at short-term follow-up.
The Role of Immunologic Response in Fresh Osteochondral Allografting of the Knee
Authors: Hunt Harold E. , Sadr Kamran , DeYoung Allison J. , Gortz Simon , Bugbee William D. 
Published: February 2014

Background: Osteochondral allografting, a restorative treatment option for articular cartilage lesions in the knee, involves transplantation of fresh osteochondral tissue with no tissue matching. Although retrieval studies have not consistently shown evidence of immunologic response, development of anti–human leukocyte antigen class I cytotoxic antibodies has been observed in allograft recipients. Hypothesis: Postallograft antibody formation is related to graft size and may affect clinical outcome. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study retrospectively compared 42 antibody-positive postallograft patients with 42 antibody-negative patients. Groups were matched for age, sex, and body mass index but not intra-articular disease severity. Seventeen patients (20%) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 67 patients (33 antibody-positive and 34 antibody-negative), average follow-up time was 50.3 months (range, 24-165 months). Mean age was 38.1 years (range, 15-68 years) with 58% being male. Graft area was categorized as small (<5 cm2), medium (5-10 cm2), or large (>10 cm2). Graft survival and Knee Society function scores were used to measure clinical outcome. Results: Of the 84 patients, 80 had graft area data. Of 27 patients with large graft area, 19 (70%) had positive postoperative antibody screens, compared with 1 of 16 (6%) with small graft area ( P < .001). Graft survival rates in the antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups were 64% and 79%, respectively ( P = .152). Mean postoperative Knee Society function scores in surviving antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups were 88.3 and 84.6 points, respectively ( P = .482). Conclusion: Antibody development after fresh, non-tissue-matched osteochondral allograft transplants in the knee appears related to graft size. No difference was observed in clinical outcome between groups. Graft survival is multifactorial, and the effect that the immunologic response has on clinical outcome merits further investigation.
Smells like teen spirit: Channelling subcultural traditions in contemporary Dr Martens branding
Authors: Davies Cath 
Published: February 2014

In 2012, the Dr Martens footwear company announced profits of £22 million with a 230% rise in sales from 2011–2012. In the light of this achievement, this paper will investigate the ideologies behind recent marketing campaigns – ‘First and Forever’ (A/W 2011 and S/S 2012) and ‘Individual Style. United Spirit’ (A/W2012) – and will consider the specific branding strategies that have encouraged such consumer attention during this period. A textual analytical approach to promotional materials, including website resources and product catalogue, will specifically identify the role that the brand’s heritage plays within the contemporary campaign. This paper will argue that youth subcultural appropriations of the brand during the 20th century are specifically channelled in the 21st century and provide an essential framework that positions the current identity of the brand in relation to its historical antecedents. It is argued that the Dr Martens’ company consciously promotes the ‘cultural biography’ of its product and subsequently utilises subcultural tropes to attract the contemporary consumer.
Comparable mid-term survival in patients undergoing elective fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair and endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Nessvi Sofia , Gottsäter Anders , Acosta Stefan 
Published: February 2014

Objective: To evaluate mid-term survival in patients undergoing elective fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair and standard endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods: Consecutive patients treated from 2007 to 2011 with elective fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (n = 81) and endovascular aneurysm repair (n = 201) were evaluated concerning age, cardiovascular medication, comorbidities, and mid-term mortality. Results: Patients in the elective fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair group were younger than the endovascular aneurysm repair group (p = 0.006). In comparison with the endovascular aneurysm repair group, a lower proportion of patients in the elective fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair group had diabetes (p = 0.013) and anemia (p = 0.003), and a higher proportion had arterial hypertension (p = 0.009). When entering age, endovascular aneurysm repair or fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair operation, diabetes, anemia, and hypertension in a Cox regression model, only age (hazard ratio: 1.07; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.11; p < 0.001) was a risk factor for mid-term mortality. Conclusion: Careful patient selection and medical optimization resulted in comparable mid-term survival in patients undergoing elective fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair and endovascular aneurysm repair.
Medical errors in hospitalized pediatric trauma patients with chronic health conditions
Authors: Liu Xiaotong , Yin Han , Shi Junxin , Wheeler Krista Kurz , Groner Jonathan I , Xiang Huiyun 
Published: February 2014

Objective: This study compares medical errors in pediatric trauma patients with and without chronic conditions. Methods: The 2009 Kids’ Inpatient Database, which included 123,303 trauma discharges, was analyzed. Medical errors were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. The medical error rates per 100 discharges and per 1000 hospital days were calculated and compared between inpatients with and without chronic conditions. Results: Pediatric trauma patients with chronic conditions experienced a higher medical error rate compared with patients without chronic conditions: 4.04 (95% confidence interval: 3.75–4.33) versus 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 0.98–1.16) per 100 discharges. The rate of medical error differed by type of chronic condition. After controlling for confounding factors, the presence of a chronic condition increased the adjusted odds ratio of medical error by 37% if one chronic condition existed (adjusted odds ratio: 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–1.5), and 69% if more than one chronic condition existed (adjusted odds ratio: 1.69, 95% confidence interval: 1.48–1.53). In the adjusted model, length of stay had the strongest association with medical error, but the adjusted odds ratio for chronic conditions and medical error remained significantly elevated even when accounting for the length of stay, suggesting that medical complexity has a role in medical error. Higher adjusted odds ratios were seen in other subgroups. Conclusion: Chronic conditions are associated with significantly higher rate of medical errors in pediatric trauma patients. Future research should evaluate interventions or guidelines for reducing the risk of medical errors in pediatric trauma patients with chronic conditions.
A randomised controlled feasibility study investigating the use of eccentric and concentric strengthening exercises in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy
Authors: Bateman Marcus , Adams Nicola 
Published: February 2014

Objectives: To conduct a feasibility study to compare concentric and eccentric rotator cuff strengthening exercises for rotator cuff tendinopathy. Methods: A total of 11 patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy who were on the waiting list for arthroscopic subacromial decompression surgery were randomised to perform eccentric rotator cuff strengthening exercises, concentric strengthening exercises or no exercises. Patients were evaluated in terms of levels of pain and function using the Oxford Shoulder Score and a Visual Analogue Scale initially, at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks. Results: The study design was found to be acceptable to patients and achieved a high level of 86% compliance. The drop-out rate was 0%. Two patients performing eccentric strengthening exercises improved sufficiently to cancel their planned surgery. Conclusion: Further research in this area is recommended. The study design was feasible and power calculations have been conducted to aid future research planning.
Jumping translocations of 1q12 in multiple myeloma: a novel mechanism for deletion of 17p in cytogenetically defined high-risk disease
Authors: Sawyer Jeffrey R. , Tian Erming , Heuck Christoph J. , Epstein Joshua , Johann Donald J. , Swanson Charles M. , Lukacs Janet L. , Johnson Marian , Binz Regina , Boast Angela , Sammartino Gael , Usmani Saad , Zangari Maurizio , Waheed Sarah , van Rhee Frits , Barlogie Bart 
Published: February 2014

Key Points
Jumping translocations of 1q12 (JT1q12) provide a mechanism for the deletion of 17p in cytogenetically defined high-risk myeloma. Sequential JT1q12s introduce unexpected copy number gains and losses in receptor chromosomes during subclonal evolution.
Stable time patterns of railway suicides in Germany: comparative analysis of 7,187 cases across two observation periods (1995–1998; 2005–2008)
Authors: Lukaschek Karoline , Baumert Jens , Erazo Natalia , Ladwig Karl-Heinz 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe majority of fatalities on the European Union (EU) railways are suicides, representing about 60% of all railway fatalities. The aim of this study was to compare time patterns of suicidal behaviour on railway tracks in Germany between two observation periods (1995–1998 and 2005–2008) in order to investigate their stability and value in railway suicide prevention.MethodsCases were derived from the National Central Registry of person accidents on the German railway network (STABAG). The association of daytime, weekday and month with the mean number of suicides was analysed applying linear regression. Potential differences by observation period were assessed by adding observation period and the respective interaction terms into the linear regression. A 95% confidence interval for the mean number of suicides was computed using the t distribution.ResultsA total of 7,187 railway suicides were recorded within both periods: 4,102 (57%) in the first period (1995–1998) and 3,085 (43%) in the second (2005–2008). The number of railway suicides was highest on Mondays and Tuesdays in the first period with an average of 3.2 and 3.5 events and of 2.6 events on both days in the second period. In both periods, railway suicides were more common between 6:00 am and noon, and between 6:00 pm and midnight. Seasonality was only prominent in the period 1995–1998.ConclusionsOver the course of two observation periods, the weekday and circadian patterns of railway suicides remained stable. Therefore, these patterns should be an integral part of railway suicide preventive measures, e.g. gatekeeper training courses.
Meniscus body position and its change over four years in asymptomatic adults: a cohort study using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI)
Authors: Bruns Katharina , Svensson Fredrik , Turkiewicz Aleksandra , Wirth Wolfgang , Guermazi Ali , Eckstein Felix , Englund Martin 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundA high degree of meniscal body extrusion on knee magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to be strongly associated with development of knee osteoarthritis. However, very little is known about meniscal position in the asymptomatic knee and its natural history. Hence our objective was to study meniscal body position and its change over 4 years in asymptomatic adults.MethodsCohort study using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) involving four clinical sites in the United States (Baltimore, Maryland, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). We studied both knees from 118 subjects (mean age 55 years, 61% women, mean body mass index 24.4) from the OAI “non-exposed” reference cohort free of knee pain, radiographic knee osteoarthritis and risk factors for knee osteoarthritis at baseline. We assessed mid-coronal intermediate-weighted 3-Tesla magnetic resonance images from baseline and the 2- and 4-year follow-up visit. One observer measured tibia plateau, meniscal body width and meniscal body extrusion in both compartments. We calculated meniscal overlap distance on the tibial plateau, % coverage, and extrusion index compared to tibia width. Potential trends in position over the 4-year period were evaluated using a linear mixed-effects regression model.ResultsThe mean (SD) values at baseline for medial meniscal body extrusion and overlap distance were 1.64 mm (0.92) and 10.1 mm (3.5), and coverage was 34.4% (11.9). The corresponding values for the lateral compartment were 0.63 mm (0.73), 9.8 mm (2.4), and 31.0% (7.7). Medial meniscus body extrusion index was greater in female knees (p = 0.03). There was slight increase in medial meniscal body extrusion over 4 years (0.040 mm/year [95% CI: 0.019-0.062]). The other variables were relatively stable.ConclusionsIn asymptomatic adults, the relative degree of meniscus body extrusion is more pronounced in female knees. Although a slight increase in extrusion over time was noted for the medial body, positions were relatively stable within subjects over time.