bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk of Intracranial Hemorrhage From Statin Use in Asians
Authors: Chang Chia-Hsuin , Lin Chin-Hsien , Caffrey James L. , Lee Yen-Chieh , Liu Ying-Chun , Lin Jou-Wei , Lai Mei-Shu 
Published: April 2015

Background—
Reports of statin usage and increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) have been inconsistent. This study examined potential associations between statin usage and the risk of ICH in subjects without a previous history of stroke.

Methods and Results—

Patients initiating statin therapy between 2005 and 2009 without a previous history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were identified from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance database. Participants were stratified by advanced age (≥70 years), sex, and diagnosed hypertension. The outcome of interest was hospital admission for ICH (
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
codes 430, 431, 432). Cox regression models were applied to estimate the hazard ratio of ICH. The cumulative statin dosage stratified by quartile and adjusted for baseline disease risk score served as the primary variable using the lowest quartile of cumulative dosage as a reference. There were 1 096 547 statin initiators with an average follow-up of 3.3 years. The adjusted hazard ratio for ICH between the highest and the lowest quartile was nonsignificant at 1.06 with a 95% confidence interval spanning 1.00 (0.94–1.19). Similar nonsignificant results were found in sensitivity analyses using different outcome definitions or model adjustments, reinforcing the robustness of the study findings. Subgroup analysis identified an excess of ICH frequency in patients without diagnosed hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio 1.36 [1.11–1.67]).

Conclusions—
In general, no association was observed between cumulative statin use and the risk of ICH among subjects without a previous history of stroke. An increased risk was identified among the nonhypertensive cohort, but this finding should be interpreted with caution.
Gender Differences in the Trajectory of Recovery in Health Status Among Young Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Dreyer Rachel P. , Wang Yongfei , Strait Kelly M. , Lorenze Nancy P. , D’Onofrio Gail , Bueno Héctor , Lichtman Judith H. , Spertus John A. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: April 2015

Background—
Despite the excess risk of mortality in young women (≤55 years of age) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), little is known about young women’s health status (symptoms, functioning, quality of life) during the first year of recovery after an AMI. We examined gender differences in health status over time from baseline to 12 months after AMI.

Methods and Results—

A total of 3501 AMI patients (67% women) 18 to 55 years of age were enrolled from 103 US and 24 Spanish hospitals. Data were obtained by medical record abstraction and patient interviews at baseline hospitalization and 1 and 12 months after AMI. Health status was measured by generic (Short Form-12) and disease-specific (Seattle Angina Questionnaire) measures. We compared health status scores at all 3 time points and used longitudinal linear mixed-effects analyses to examine the independent effect of gender, adjusting for time and selected covariates. Women had significantly lower health status scores than men at each assessment (all
P
values <0.0001). After adjustment for time and all covariates, women had Short Form-12 physical/mental summary scores that were −0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], −1.59 to −0.32) and −2.36 points (95% CI, −2.99 to −1.73) lower than those of men, as well as worse Seattle Angina Questionnaire physical limitations (−2.44 points lower; 95% CI, −3.53 to −1.34), more angina (−1.03 points lower; 95% CI, −1.98 to −0.07), and poorer quality of life (−3.51 points lower; 95% CI, −4.80 to −2.22).

Conclusion—
Although both genders recover similarly after AMI, women have poorer scores than men on all health status measures, a difference that persisted throughout the entire year after discharge.
Climatology, Variability, and Trends in the U.S. Vapor Pressure Deficit, an Important Fire-Related Meteorological Quantity
Authors: Seager Richard , Hooks Allison , Williams A. Park , Cook Benjamin , Nakamura Jennifer , Henderson Naomi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractUnlike the commonly used relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is an absolute measure of the difference between the water vapor content of the air and its saturation value and an accurate metric of the ability of the atmosphere to extract moisture from the land surface. VPD has been shown to be closely related to variability in burned forest areas in the western United States. Here, the climatology, variability, and trends in VPD across the United States are presented. VPD reaches its climatological maximum in summer in the interior southwest United States because of both high temperatures and low vapor pressure under the influence of the northerly, subsiding eastern flank of the Pacific subtropical anticyclone. Maxima of variance of VPD are identified in the Southwest and southern plains in spring and summer and are to a large extent driven by temperature variance, but vapor pressure variance is also important in the Southwest. La Niña–induced circulation anomalies cause subsiding, northerly flow that drives down actual vapor pressure and increases saturation vapor pressure from fall through spring. High spring and summer VPDs can also be caused by reduced precipitation in preceding months, as measured by Bowen ratio anomalies. Case studies of 2002 (the Rodeo–Chediski and Hayman fires, which occurred in Arizona and Colorado, respectively) and 2007 (the Murphy Complex fire, which occurred in Idaho and Nevada) show very high VPDs caused by antecedent surface drying and subsidence warming and drying of the atmosphere. VPD has increased in the southwest United States since 1961, driven by warming and a drop in actual vapor pressure, but has decreased in the northern plains and Midwest, driven by an increase in actual vapor pressure.
The development of an analytical method for constructing noise contours
Authors: Lu Shih-Yi , Lin Kuei-Yi 
Published: April 2015

Noise is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems. Noise contours provide useful information by clearly identifying areas where noise hazards exist. This study finds an efficient algorithm for computing sound level in industrial buildings that accounts for reverberation effects. This study proposes an analytical image method to calculate workplace noise distribution by using machinery noise labeling. Contours are then obtained by joining locations with equal noise levels using commercially available software. To demonstrate the application of the proposed method, a manufacturing plant building is considered. The computation algorithm accounts for distance and sound reflection to construct noise contours. The proposed approach could be used in industry for noise management when designing new plant buildings and installing machines. Practical applications: Machine noise emission information will be widely used in practice to evaluate the potential and performance of noise levels in industrial buildings. Plant buildings should be designed to prevent or minimize any risks to health or safety resulting from the emission of noise. The construction of noise contours will have direct implications for the hearing conservation program.
Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in female stroke patients: a randomized, controlled and blinded trial
Authors: Shin Doo Chul , Shin Seung Ho , Lee Myung Mo , Lee Kyoung Jin , Song Chang Ho 
Published: April 2015

Objective: To examine the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the contractility of pelvic floor muscle and lower urinary tract symptoms in female stroke patients. Design: Randomized, single-blind controlled study. Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation hospital. Subjects: Thirty one female patients who were more than three months post-stroke and stress urinary incontinence. Interventions: The subjects were randomized to either a PFMT group ( n = 16), or a control group ( n = 15). Both groups received general rehabilitation exercise for 6 weeks, but the PFMT group additionally received PFMT for 6 weeks. Main measures: Vaginal function test using a perineometer (maximal vaginal squeeze pressure) and intra-vaginal electromyography (activity of pelvic floor muscle), and urinary symptoms and quality of life using a Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptom questionnaire. Results: After intervention, the maximal vaginal squeeze pressures for the PFMT and control groups were 18.35 (5.24) and 8.46 (3.50) mmHg, respectively. And the activities of pelvic floor muscle of the PFMT and control groups was 12.09 (2.24) ㎶ and 9.33 (3.40) ㎶, respectively. After intervention, the changes of scores for inconvenience in the activity of daily living of the PFMT and control groups were −15.00 (6.25) and −0.17 (1.59), respectively. In addition, the changes of score for lower urinary tract symptom was improved more in the PFMT group (-4.17 (4.00)) than in the control group (-0.25 (1.29)) ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that PFMT is beneficial for the management of urinary incontinence in female stroke patients.
RETRACTED: Dynamic analysis of viral load, T-lymphocyte subset count, γ-gt and lactate of pre-therapy and post-treatment AIDS patients
Authors: Su Guosheng , Li Shan , Qin Xue , Luo Xiaolu , Huang Wanhong , Wei Shanqiu , Su Hanzhen , Luo Shunda , Liu Zeduan 
Published: April 2015

Dynamic analysis of viral load, T-lymphocyte subset count, γ-gt and lactate of pre-therapy and post-treatment AIDS patients Guosheng Su, Shan Li, Xue Qin, Xiaolu Luo, Wanhong Huang, Shanqiu Wei, Hanzhen Su, Shunda Luo, and Zeduan Liu The International Journal of STD & AIDS first published the above article on April 9, 2015 as doi:10.1177/0956462415576424 The above article has now been withdrawn from publication
Male Parenting Attitudes and Batterer Intervention
Authors: Burnette Catherine E. , Ferreira Regardt J. , Buttell Fred 
Published: April 2015

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between parenting attitudes and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and identify factors associated with program completion for a 26-week batterer intervention program (BIP). Method: The study employed a nonequivalent, control-group design (comparing program completers to dropouts) in a secondary analysis of 111 men court ordered to the BIP. Results: Correlational and logistic regression analysis indicated (1) a modest relationship between the parenting attitudes and the IPV perpetration, (2) a significant model for predicting parenting attitudes scores using number of children and racial group, and (3) BIP treatment completion could be successfully predicted by education. Conclusion: These findings reveal characteristics of male batterers, as they relate to parenting attitudes and provide preliminary evidence suggesting that men in treatment for IPV offenses endorse a host of negative parenting attitudes. Implications of these findings were explored and discussed.
Support Systems for Treatment Integrity
Authors: Goense Pauline Brigitta , Boendermaker Leonieke , van Yperen Tom 
Published: April 2015

Objective: This systematic review evaluates the content of effective support provided to practitioners of evidence-based interventions in order to establish and maintain treatment integrity. Method: Four articles covering six outcome studies are included in this review, these studies (1) adequately operationalized treatment integrity procedures and (2) showed sufficient effects of the support on levels of treatment integrity. Results: The results show that an effective support system consists of a minimum combination of training and ongoing support (supervision, consultation, and coaching), preferably extended with booster sessions. Conclusions: The review provides specific information on effective content of this support which practitioners and intervention developers can use in order to establish and maintain treatment integrity of their planned interventions.
Dynamic Sustainability
Authors: Stergiopoulos Vicky , Zerger Suzanne , Jeyaratnam Jeyagobi , Connelly Jolynn , Kruk Katherine , O’Campo Patricia , Hwang Stephen 
Published: April 2015

Objectives: Although Housing First (HF) is a popular evidence-based intervention for persons experiencing homelessness and mental illness, research exploring its sustainability over time is scant. This mixed methods study captures practitioners' perspectives on key shifts in implementation of Housing First in a large urban center, and factors affecting fidelity to the model over time. Methods: This study uses fidelity assessments, at baseline and 18-months later, completed as part of the largest field trial of Housing First to date, and qualitative data from 28 front-line service providers and their managers. Results: Our findings reveal how the shifting landscape of implementation morphed some early troublespots into persistent challenges and exposed key factors facilitating fidelity to the model in a dynamic context. Conclusions: This study supports the importance of gathering provider perspectives over time to optimize the fit between the model and its changing local contexts and ensure maximal benefit of the intervention.
Interventions to Improve Responses of Helping Professionals to Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Choi Y. Joon , An Soonok 
Published: April 2015

Objective: The purpose of the study is to systematically review the available evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve the response of various helping professionals who come into contact with female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: Several databases were searched, and N = 38 studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Results: The quick scoping review identified 5 types of intervention behavioral outcomes: (1) IPV screening and assessment, (2) IPV identification, (3) referral, (4) other behavioral outcomes, and (5) multiple behavioral outcomes. Eighty percent of the reviewed studies were conducted in health care settings, with only eight studies in non–health care settings. Ninety percent of the studies reported positive effects on at least one outcome measure, however, only 10 studies were rated as good quality. Conclusions: This review pinpoints the pressing need for more rigorous studies using randomized controlled design, especially in non–health care settings in IPV.
Survival Analysis of the Single- and Double-Coated STAR Ankle up to 20 Years
Authors: Henricson Anders , Carlsson Åke 
Published: April 2015

Background: The Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) has been used widely in Europe and more recently in the United States. We studied the results of the single-coated and the double-coated STAR with long-term follow-up. Methods: All STARs (n = 324) used in Sweden (first implanted in 1993) were included. Prosthetic survival was estimated according to Kaplan-Meier. Results: The 14-year survival of the single-coated STAR was 0.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.66), and the 12-year survival of the double-coated STAR was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.57-0.71). Women younger than 60 years with osteoarthritis had a statistically significantly higher risk of revision than men and than patients with other diagnoses. Conclusion: The long-term results of the STAR prosthesis are not encouraging. The results seem to deteriorate by time. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Toenail Onychomycosis—A Canadian Approach With a New Transungual Treatment
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Sibbald R. Gary , Andriessen Anneke , Belley Richard , Boroditsky Alan , Botros Mariam , Chelin Robert , Gulliver Wayne , Keast David , Raman Mani 
Published: April 2015

Background: Onychomycosis is a difficult-to-treat infection whose current treatment paradigm relies primarily on oral antifungals. The emergence of new topical drugs broadens the therapeutic options and prompts a re-evaluation of the current Canadian treatment strategy. Objective: To define a patient-centred Canadian treatment strategy for onychomycosis. Methods: An expert panel of doctors who treat onychomycosis was convened. A systematic review of the literature on treatments for onychomycosis was conducted. Based on the results, a survey was designed to determine a consensus treatment system. Results: First-line therapy should be selected based on nail plate involvement, with terbinafine for severe onychomycosis (>60% involvement), terbinafine or efinaconazole for moderate onychomycosis (20%-60% involvement), and efinaconazole for mild onychomycosis (<20% involvement). Comorbidities, patient preference and adherence, or nail thickness may result in the use of alternative oral or topical antifungals. Conclusion: These guidelines allow healthcare providers and patients to make informed choices about preventing and treating onychomycosis.
A common genetic variant of fucosyltransferase 2 correlates with serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels and affects cancer screening in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Wannhoff Andreas , Folseraas Trine , Brune Maik , Rupp Christian , Friedrich Kilian , Knierim Johannes , Weiss Karl Heinz , Sauer Peter , Flechtenmacher Christa , Schirmacher Peter , Stremmel Wolfgang , Hov Johannes R , Gotthardt Daniel N 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients are at increased risk of biliary tract cancer, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) serum levels might be used for screening.ObjectiveTo examine cancer screening with CEA in PSC patients and analyse how serum CEA levels are affected by genetic variants of fucosyltransferase (FUT ) 2 and 3.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort analysis we evaluated CEA levels in 226 PSC patients, including 19 with biliary malignancy, and investigated how FUT2 and FUT3 SNPs affected CEA levels. Receiver‐operating‐characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed and cut‐off values were determined based on Youden’s index. A control cohort contained 240 patients, including 28 with biliary malignancy.ResultsMedian CEA concentration was lower in cancer‐free patients (1.4 ng/mL) than in cancer patients (2.0 ng/mL, P  = 0.014). ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.671, the optimal cut‐off was 3.2 ng/mL. The FUT2 variant rs601338 (G428A) correlated with CEA levels, and the effect was most prominent in a subgroup of patients genetically incapable of expressing CA19‐9. The AUC improved if ROC analysis was performed separately for wild‐type (AUC: 0.731) and homozygous mutant (AUC: 0.816) G428A. The influence of FUT2 on CEA was confirmed in the control cohort.ConclusionsCEA is interesting for biliary‐malignancy screening in PSC patients, especially in patients who do not express CA19‐9. This is the first study to show that the combined use of CEA measurement and FUT genotyping is clinically beneficial and that it might enhance the early detection of biliary malignancy in clinical practice. This approach could also be effective when screening for other common gastrointestinal malignancies.
Vertical distribution and analysis of micro-, macroelements and heavy metals in the system soil-grapevine-wine in vineyard from North-West Romania
Authors: Bora Florin-Dumitru , Bunea Claudiu-Ioan , Rusu Teodor , Pop Nastasia 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Background
The determination of micro-, macroelements and heavy metals in the soil-grapevine-wine system is extremely important for the wine industry, the grape and wine quality, and also for consumer health. The quantitative analysis of 10 elements: Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co were made in soil at different depths and also in grapevines (leaves and canes). For grape juice and wine there were analyzed the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cd on three cultivars Fetească albă, Fetească regală and Riesling italian, located in Turulung vineyard, NW Romania. All the elements were detected using flame atomic absorbtion spectrometry (FAAS).

Results
Only the Cu concentration

$$ \left(\overline{x}=479.64\kern0.5em \mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{kg}\right) $$

x
¯

=
479.64

mg
/
kg

has higher values than the maximum limit admitted (20 mg/kg). The concentrations of micro-, macroelements and heavy metals in aerial parts of grapevine cultivars occur in the following order: Ca > Na > Mg > Fe > Cu > Zn > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd in canes and leaves. Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentration levels decreased in wine compared to grape must, possibly forming insoluble components that can be removed through sedimentation together with yeasts and lees during fermentation. Cd was under the limit of detection. Heavy metals detected in Romanian wines were below the recommended health limits of the International organization of wine and vine (O.I.V.).

Conclusions
In soil, all the elements studied were under the maximum limit admitted, except, elevated concentrations of Cu. These high values obtained could be an effect of different Cu treatments in vineyards. In canes and leaves, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni had higher concentration levels than in grape juice (must) and wine. Conversely, the metal acumulation of wines obtained by micro-vinification process (in the laboratory) are lower than in must.
Subclinical atherosclerosis and impaired bone health in patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome: prevalence, clinical and laboratory associations
Authors: Gravani Fotini , Papadaki Ioanna , Antypa Eleni , Nezos Andrianos , Masselou Kyriaki , Ioakeimidis Dimitrios , Koutsilieris Michael , Moutsopoulos Haralampos M , Mavragani Clio P 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Introduction
To determine the prevalence and clinical/laboratory associations of subclinical atherosclerosis and impaired bone health in primary Sjogren’s syndrome (SS).

Methods
64 consecutive patients with primary SS, 77 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 60 healthy controls (HC) οf similar age and sex distribution were enrolled. Demographics, clinical/laboratory features, classical risk factors for atherosclerosis and osteoporosis (OP) were recorded. Intima-medial thickness scores (IMT) and carotid/femoral (C/F) plaque formation, as well as bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures were evaluated. Determinants of IMT/BMD levels and the presence of plaque were assessed by univariate and multivariate models. Serum levels of the Wnt signaling mediators Dickkopf-related protein 1(DKK1) and sclerostin were determined in primary SS patients and HC.

Results
Increased arterial wall thickening (IMT > 0.90 mm) and impaired bone health (defined as OP or osteopenia), were detected in approximately two-thirds of primary SS and RA patients, with a mean IMT value being significantly increased compared to HC. The presence of primary SS emerged as an independent risk factor for arterial wall thickening when traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) including age, sex, hypertension, smoking (pack/years), LDL and HDL levels were taken into account in a multivariate model [adjusted OR 95% (CI): 2.8 (1.04-7.54)]. In primary SS, age was revealed as independent predictor of increased IMT scores; age and lymphopenia as well as increased urine pH as independent determinants of C/F plaque formation and OP/osteopenia, respectively. An independent association of OP/osteopenia with plaque formation was observed when independent predictors for both variables were considered, with low DKK1 levels being associated with both plaque formation and lower BMD levels.

Conclusions
Comorbidities such as subclinical atherosclerosis and impaired bone health occur frequently in primary SS, in association with disease related features and traditional risk factors. Wnt signaling mediators are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of both entities.