bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban Use in Atrial Fibrillation Patients on Hemodialysis
Authors: Chan Kevin E. , Edelman Elazer R. , Wenger Julia B. , Thadhani Ravi I. , Maddux Franklin W. 
Published: January 2015

Background—
Dabigatran and rivaroxaban are new oral anticoagulants that are eliminated through the kidneys. Their use in dialysis patients is discouraged because these drugs can bioaccumulate to precipitate inadvertent bleeding. We wanted to determine whether prescription of dabigatran or rivaroxaban was occurring in the dialysis population and whether these practices were safe.

Methods and Results—

Prevalence plots were used to describe the point prevalence (monthly) of dabigatran and rivaroxaban use among 29 977 hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation. Poisson regression compared the rate of bleeding, stroke, and arterial embolism in patients who started dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or warfarin. The first record of dabigatran prescription among hemodialysis patients occurred 45 days after the drug became available in the United States. Since then, dabigatran and rivaroxaban use in the atrial fibrillation–end-stage renal disease population has steadily risen where 5.9% of anticoagulated dialysis patients are started on dabigatrian or rivaroxaban. In covariate adjusted Poisson regression, dabigatran (rate ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–1.81;
P
=0.0001) and rivaroxaban (rate ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.83;
P
=0.04) associated with a higher risk of hospitalization or death from bleeding when compared with warfarin. The risk of hemorrhagic death was even larger with dabigatran (rate ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–2.68;
P
=0.006) and rivaroxaban (rate ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.94–3.12;
P
=0.07) relative to warfarin. There were too few events in the study to detect meaningful differences in stroke and arterial embolism between the drug groups.

Conclusions—
More dialysis patients are being started on dabigatran and rivaroxaban, even when their use is contraindicated and there are no studies to support that the benefits outweigh the risks of these drugs in end-stage renal disease.
Weight Loss, Saline Loading, and the Natriuretic Peptide System
Authors: Arora Pankaj , Reingold Jason , Baggish Aaron , Guanaga Derek P. , Wu Connie , Ghorbani Anahita , Song Yanna , Chen‐Tournaux Annabel , Khan Abigail May , Tainsh Laurel T. , Buys Emmanuel S. , Williams Jonathan S. , Heublein Denise M. , Burnett John C. , Semigran Marc J. , Bloch Kenneth D. , Scherrer‐Crosbie Marielle , Newton‐Cheh Christopher , Kaplan Lee M. , Wang Thomas J. 
Published: January 2015

Background

In epidemiologic studies, obesity has been associated with reduced natriuretic peptide (
NP
) concentrations. Reduced
NP
production could impair the ability of obese individuals to respond to salt loads, increasing the risk of hypertension and other disorders. We hypothesized that weight loss enhances
NP
production before and after salt loading.

Methods and Results

We enrolled 15 obese individuals (mean
BMI
45±5.4 kg/m
2
) undergoing gastric bypass surgery. Before and 6 months after surgery, subjects were admitted to the clinical research center and administered a large‐volume intravenous saline challenge. Echocardiography and serial blood sampling were performed. From the pre‐operative visit to 6 months after surgery, subjects had a mean
BMI
decrease of 27%. At the 6‐month visit, N‐terminal pro‐atrial
NP
(Nt‐pro
ANP
) levels were 40% higher before, during, and after the saline infusion, compared with levels measured at the same time points during the pre‐operative visit (
P
<0.001). The rise in Nt‐pro‐
ANP
induced by the saline infusion (≈50%) was similar both before and after surgery (saline,
P
<0.001; interaction,
P
=0.2). Similar results were obtained for
BNP
and Nt‐pro
BNP
; resting concentrations increased by 50% and 31%, respectively, after gastric bypass surgery. The increase in
NP
concentrations after surgery was accompanied by significant decreases in mean arterial pressure (
P
=0.004) and heart rate (
P
<0.001), and an increase in mitral annular diastolic velocity (
P
=0.02).

Conclusion

In obese individuals, weight loss is associated with a substantial increase in the “setpoint” of circulating
NP
concentrations. Higher
NP
concentrations could contribute to an enhanced ability to handle salt loads after weight loss.
Fast Learning of Simple Perceptual Discriminations Reduces Brain Activation in Working Memory and in High-level Auditory Regions
Authors: Daikhin Luba , Ahissar Merav 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIntroducing simple stimulus regularities facilitates learning of both simple and complex tasks. This facilitation may reflect an implicit change in the strategies used to solve the task when successful predictions regarding incoming stimuli can be formed. We studied the modifications in brain activity associated with fast perceptual learning based on regularity detection. We administered a two-tone frequency discrimination task and measured brain activation (fMRI) under two conditions: with and without a repeated reference tone. Although participants could not explicitly tell the difference between these two conditions, the introduced regularity affected both performance and the pattern of brain activation. The “No-Reference” condition induced a larger activation in frontoparietal areas known to be part of the working memory network. However, only the condition with a reference showed fast learning, which was accompanied by a reduction of activity in two regions: the left intraparietal area, involved in stimulus retention, and the posterior superior-temporal area, involved in representing auditory regularities. We propose that this joint reduction reflects a reduction in the need for online storage of the compared tones. We further suggest that this change reflects an implicit strategic shift “backwards” from reliance mainly on working memory networks in the “No-Reference” condition to increased reliance on detected regularities stored in high-level auditory networks.
Effect on Laryngeal Adductor Function of Vincristine Block of Posterior Cricoarytenoid Muscle 3 to 5 Months After Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury
Authors: Paniello Randal C. , Park Andrea 
Published: January 2015

Objectives: It has been shown in a canine model that a single injection of vincristine into the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle at the time of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury effectively blocks its reinnervation and results in improved adductor strength. But clinically, such injuries are usually diagnosed weeks or months after onset. Vincristine injection does not affect a muscle that is already innervated; thus, there is a limited time frame following RLN injury during which a vincristine injection could effectively improve ultimate laryngeal adductor functional recovery. A series of delayed injections was performed in a canine model and results assessed. Study Design: Animal (canine) experiment. Methods: The RLN was transected and repaired, and vincristine (0.4 mg) was injected into the PCA muscle at the time of injury (n = 12) or 3, 4, and 5 months later (n = 8 each study group). Six months after RLN injury, laryngeal adductor function was measured. Results of vincristine injection without RLN injury (n = 6) and longer-term (12 months) follow-up for time zero injections (n = 4) are also reported. Results: The animals injected at time zero had better adductor function than non-injected controls, as reported previously, and this result was further increased at 12 months. The 3-month delay gave results similar to the time zero group. The 5-month delay group showed no vincristine benefit, and the 4-month delay group gave an intermediate result. Vincristine to the PCA had no effect on adductor function when the RLN was left intact. Plasma levels showed 19% of injected vincristine reached systemic circulation, which was cleared within 69 hours. Conclusions: Vincristine injection of the PCA muscle after RLN injury, which blocks this antagonist muscle from synkinetic reinnervation, leads to improved laryngeal adductor functional recovery. The window of opportunity to apply this treatment closes by 4 months after RLN injury in the canine model. Human RLN recovery follows a similar time course and can reasonably be expected to have a similar therapeutic window.
The reform of New Public Management and the creation of public values: compatible processes? An empirical analysis of public water utilities
Authors: Colon Marine , Guérin-Schneider Lætitia 
Published: January 2015

How compatible are the reform of New Public Management (NPM) reforms and the creation of public values in practice? This issue is addressed in the light of the reforms of two public water utilities. Building on Moore’s (1995) strategic triangle, we have analysed the process of value creation associated with measures inspired by NPM. These reforms were first intended to secure financial resources. Certain public values were subsequently created, either under the influence of a leader, or through formalized NPM management tools. Under certain conditions, the implementation of an NPM reform thus proves compatible with the introduction of processes that sustain public values. However, an undemocratic context necessarily limits these processes. Points for practitioners This article encourages public managers to think about the values they uphold when implementing a public policy and the terms and conditions of this implementation. The water sector in developing countries, reformed in line with the principles of NPM, offers two distinct illustrations. The cases of the NWSC in Uganda and of the PPWSA in Cambodia allow the question to be studied in contexts where the public service mission entails strong societal challenges that cannot be reduced to efficiency alone.
Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Isolated Patellar Cartilage Injury
Authors: Gracitelli Guilherme C. , Meric Gokhan , Pulido Pamela A. , Görtz Simon , De Young Allison J. , Bugbee William D. 
Published: January 2015

Background: The treatment of patellofemoral cartilage injuries can be challenging. Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation has been used as a treatment option for a range of cartilage disorders. Purpose: To evaluate functional outcomes and survivorship of the grafts among patients who underwent OCA for patellar cartilage injuries. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: An institutional review board–approved OCA database was used to identify 27 patients (28 knees) who underwent isolated OCA transplantation of the patella between 1983 and 2010. All patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up. The mean age of the patients was 33.7 years (range, 14-64 years); 54% were female. Twenty-six (92.9%) knees had previous surgery (mean, 3.2 procedures; range, 1-10 procedures). The mean allograft area was 10.1 cm2 (range, 4.0-18.0 cm2). Patients returned for clinical evaluation or were contacted via telephone for follow-up. The number and type of reoperations were assessed. Any reoperation resulting in removal of the allograft was considered a failure of the OCA transplantation. Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively using the modified Merle d’Aubigné-Postel (18-point) scale, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) pain, function, and total scores, and the Knee Society function (KS-F) score. Patient satisfaction was assessed at latest follow-up. Results: Seventeen of the 28 knees (60.7%) had further surgery after the OCA transplantation; 8 of the 28 knees (28.6%) were considered OCA failures (4 conversions to total knee arthroplasty, 2 conversions to patellofemoral knee arthroplasty, 1 revision OCA, 1 patellectomy). Patellar allografting survivorship was 78.1% at 5 and 10 years and 55.8% at 15 years. Among the 20 knees (71.4%) with grafts in situ, the mean follow-up duration was 9.7 years (range, 1.8-30.1 years). Pain and function improved from the preoperative visit to latest follow-up, and 89% of patients were extremely satisfied or satisfied with the results of the OCA transplantation. Conclusion: OCA transplantation was successful as a salvage treatment procedure for cartilage injuries of the patella.
Association Between Ball-Handling Versus Defending Actions and Acute Noncontact Lower Extremity Injuries in High School Basketball and Soccer
Authors: Monfort Scott M. , Comstock R. Dawn , Collins Christy L. , Onate James A. , Best Thomas M. , Chaudhari Ajit M.W. 
Published: January 2015

Background: High school–sponsored athletic programs currently provide more than 7.7 million students in the United States with health and societal benefits, but they also inherently increase the risk of students sustaining a sports injury. Understanding risk factors that predict injuries in sports is an essential first step to addressing the problem in this population. Purpose: To determine the role of offensive versus defensive actions in noncontact lower extremity injury rates in high school basketball and soccer in both boys’ and girls’ sports. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: Noncontact lower extremity injury data were collected from academic years 2005-2006 through 2011-2012 for boys’ and girls’ basketball and soccer through the surveillance tool High School RIO (reporting information online). The injuries in this subset of the database occurred over a total of 6.4 million athlete-exposures. Results: Significant differences in overall lower extremity injury rates were found when comparing ball-handling and defending actions in basketball (rate ratio [RR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.73; P = .009), but no appreciable difference was observed in soccer (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.70-1.12; P = .31). Female participants had higher injury rates than did males for both ball-handling and defending actions for both sports ( P < .05). Only girls’ soccer showed significant differences in the odds ratio (OR) of defending to ball-handling injury rates between competition and practice (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.01-3.48; P = .047). Conclusion: The injury rate differences observed in this study between offensive and defensive actions suggest that investigating potential differences between sport-specific tasks may provide a more complete understanding of injury mechanisms.
Loss of Body Fat and Associated Decrease in Leptin in Early Lactation Are Related to Shorter Duration of Postpartum Anovulation in Healthy US Women
Authors: Domer Mary Colleen , Beerman Kathy A. , Ahmadzadeh Amin , Dasgupta Nairanjana , Williams Janet E. , McGuire Mark A. , McGuire Michelle K. 
Published: January 2015

Background: The mechanisms regulating postpartum anovulation (PPA) are not well understood, although poor nutritional status and “intense” breastfeeding behaviors are associated with longer durations. Objectives: This study was designed primarily to investigate the hypothesis that higher body fat and leptin concentrations are related to shorter PPA in healthy, lactating US women. Nutrient intake, breastfeeding behaviors, prolactin, and insulin levels were also evaluated. Methods: Fasting serum was collected during the third trimester of pregnancy, at 2 and 4 weeks postpartum, and every 4 weeks until the occurrence of the first postpartum menses. Body composition and breastfeeding behaviors were assessed at the same times postpartum. Women (n = 13) were categorized based on initial percentage body fat and timing of first postpartum menses. Results: There were no consistent relationships between body composition, leptin, or breastfeeding behaviors and duration of PPA. However, there was an interaction ( P = .005) between ovulation group and time on adiposity; earlier ovulating women had less percentage body fat in early lactation than did later ovulating women. There was also an interaction ( P = .1) between ovulation group and time postpartum on leptin, such that leptin concentrations tended to be greater in later than earlier ovulating groups beginning at 12 weeks postpartum. Conclusion: In summary, although baseline percentage body fat and leptin were not related to duration of PPA, fertility returned earlier in women who lost greater percentage body fat during the early postpartum period.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is not a risk factor for poor outcomes after total hip and total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Shah U H , Mandl L A , Mertelsmann-Voss C , Lee Y Y , Alexiades M M , Figgie M P , Goodman S M 
Published: January 2015

Objectives Historically, arthroplasty in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has been less successful than for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). It is not known if SLE remains an independent risk factor for poor arthroplasty outcomes or if other factors, such as avascular necrosis (AVN), continue to play a role. Methods A case-control study using data from a single-institution arthroplasty registry compared SLE total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with OA controls matched by age, gender and presence of AVN. Baseline, two-year administrative and self-report data, and diagnosis leading to arthroplasty were evaluated. Results A total of 54 primary SLE THA and 45 primary SLE TKA were identified from May 2007 through June 2011. AVN was present in 32% of SLE THA and no TKA. SLE THA had worse preoperative WOMAC pain (42.5 vs. 52.7; p = 0.01) and function (38.8 vs. 48.0; p = 0.05) compared with OA. However, at two years there was no difference in WOMAC pain (91.1 vs. 92.1; p = 0.77) or WOMAC function (86.4 vs. 90.8; p = 0.28). SLE TKA were similar to OA in both preoperative pain (42.6 vs. 48.4; p = 0.14) and function (42.1 vs. 46.8; p = 0.30) and two-year pain (85.7 vs. 88.6; p = 0.50) and function (83.7 vs. 85.1; p = 0.23). Compared to OA, SLE THA and TKA patients had more renal failure (14% vs. 1%; p = 0.007) and hypertension (52% vs. 29%; p = 0.009). In a multivariate linear regression, SLE was not predictive of either poor pain or poor function. Conclusions While SLE patients have more comorbidities than OA, and SLE THA have worse preoperative pain and function compared with OA controls, SLE was not an independent risk factor for poor short-term pain or function after either hip or knee arthroplasty.
Featured Article: Dexamethasone and rosiglitazone are sufficient and necessary for producing functional adipocytes from mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Contador David , Ezquer Fernando , Espinosa Maximiliano , Arango-Rodriguez Martha , Puebla Carlos , Sobrevia Luis , Conget Paulette 
Published: January 2015

The final product of adipogenesis is a functional adipocyte. This mature cell acquires the necessary machinery for lipid metabolism, loses its proliferation potential, increases its insulin sensitivity, and secretes adipokines. Multipotent mesechymal stromal cells have been recognized as a source of adipocytes both in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro adipogenic differentiation of human MSC (hMSC) has been induced up to now by using a complex stimulus which includes dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, indomethacin, and insulin (a classical cocktail) and evaluated according to morphological changes. The present work was aimed at demonstrating that the simultaneous activation of dexamethasone’s canonical signaling pathways, through the glucocorticoid receptor and CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins ( C/EBPs) and rosiglitazone through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ( PPAR-gamma) is sufficient yet necessary for inducing hMSC adipogenic differentiation. It was also ascertained that hMSC exposed just to dexamethasone and rosiglitazone (D&R) differentiated into cells which accumulated neutral lipid droplets, expressed C/EBP-alpha, PPAR-gamma, aP2, lipoprotein lipase, acyl-CoA synthetase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, adiponectin, and leptin genes but did not proliferate. Glucose uptake was dose dependent on insulin stimulus and high levels of adipokines were secreted (i.e. displaying not only the morphology but also expressing mature adipocytes’ specific genes and functional characteristics). This work has demonstrated that (i) the activating C/EBPs and PPAR-gamma signaling pathways were sufficient to induce adipogenic differentiation from hMSC, (ii) D&R producing functional adipocytes from hMSC, (iii) D&R induce adipogenic differentiation from mammalian MSC (including those which are refractory to classical adipogenic differentiation stimuli). D&R would thus seem to be a useful tool for MSC characterization, studying adipogenesis pathways and producing functional adipocytes.
Symptom severity, social supports, coping styles, and quality of life among individuals’ diagnosed with Ménierè’s disease
Authors: Porter Megan , Boothroyd Roger A 
Published: January 2015

Objectives To (1) examine the quality of life of individuals with Ménierè’s disease in relation to symptom severity, social supports, and coping styles and (2) develop a prediction model to identify factors most strongly associated with quality of life. Methods Data were collected using a web-based survey that included previously developed and validated measures (i.e. SF-12, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly Screening Version, Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, Brief COPES, Lehman’s Quality of Life). Ninety-five individuals with Ménierè’s disease who were members of one of five online Ménierè’s disease support groups responded to the survey. Results The findings indicated that symptom severity was negatively associated with patients’ quality of life, social supports were positively associated with quality of life, and the use of negative coping styles (e.g. substance use, blaming) was negatively associated with quality of life. Four predictors (i.e. SF-12 mental health, dizziness severity, self-esteem support, and negative coping styles) accounted for 62% of the variance in quality of life. Discussion The findings suggest that the factors associated with the quality of life of patients with Ménierè’s disease are similar to those reported in the literature among patients with other chronic illnesses. The results also suggested that emphasis on psychosocial factors may be an important aspect of a comprehensive treatment intervention for individuals with Ménierè’s disease.
Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection for distal biceps tendinopathy
Authors: Barker Scott L , Bell Simon N , Connell David , Coghlan Jennifer A 
Published: January 2015

Background Distal biceps tendinopathy is an uncommon cause of elbow pain. The optimum treatment for cases refractory to conservative treatment is unclear. Platelet-rich plasma has been used successfully for other tendinopathies around the elbow. Methods Six patients with clinical and radiological evidence of distal biceps tendinopathy underwent ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. Clinical examination findings, visual analogue score (VAS) for pain and Mayo Elbow Performance scores were recorded. Results The Mayo Elbow Performance Score improved from 68.3 (range 65 to 85) (fair function) to 95 (range 85 to 100) (excellent function). The VAS at rest improved from a mean of 2.25 (range 2 to 5) pre-injection to 0. The VAS with movement improved from a mean of 7.25 (range 5 to 8) pre-injection to 1.3 (range 0 to 2). No complications were noted. Discussion Ultrasound-guided PRP injection appears to be a safe and effective treatment for recalcitrant cases of distal biceps tendinopathy. Further investigation with a randomized controlled trial is needed to fully assess its efficacy.