bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of prediabetes, defined by fasting glucose, HbA1c only, or combined criteria, with the risk of cardiovascular disease in Koreans
Authors: Kim Hong‐Kyu , Lee Jung Bok , Kim Seon Ha , Jo Min‐Woo , Kim Eun Hee , Hwang Jenie Yoonoo , Bae Sung Jin , Jung Chang Hee , Lee Woo Je , Park Joong‐Yeol , Park Gyung‐Min , Kim Young‐Hak , Choe Jaewon 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to compare the association between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and prediabetes defined by either fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, or their combination in a Korean population.MethodsIn all, 76 434 South Koreans who voluntarily underwent a general health examination in the Health Screening & Promotion Center (Asan Medical Center) were analyzed after excluding patients with a previous history of CVD. Cardiovascular events and death due to CVD during a median follow‐up period of 3.1 years (interquartile range 1.9–4.3 years) were identified from the Nationwide Health Insurance Claims Database and death certificates using ICD‐10 codes.ResultsAge‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for overall CVD events were significantly greater for subjects with prediabetes defined by FPG only (HR 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.31), HbA1c only (HR 1.28; 95% CI 1.16–1.42), and combined criteria (HR 1.20; 95% CI 1.09–1.32) compared with the normoglycemic group. After adjusting for multiple conventional risk factors (e.g. hypertension, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking status, family history of CVD, and BMI), the HRs for overall CVD were significantly increased only for participants with prediabetes defined by HbA1c. Age‐ and sex‐adjusted HRs for major ischemic heart disease events were significantly increased for subjects with prediabetes defined either by HbA1c or combined criteria. Similarly, age‐ and sex‐adjusted HRs for percutaneous coronary intervention were significantly higher for subjects with prediabetes defined by HbA1c only. For diabetes, the multivariate‐adjusted HRs for all outcomes were significantly increased by all three criteria.ConclusionsAdding an HbA1c criterion when defining prediabetes in Koreans can help identify individuals with an increased risk of CVD.
Singapore Chapter of Rheumatologists consensus statement on the eligibility for government subsidy of biologic disease modifying anti‐rheumatic agents for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Lahiri Manjari , Teng Gim‐Gee , Cheung Peter P. , Suresh Ernest , Chia Faith L. , Lui Nai‐Lee , Koh Dow‐Rhoon , Koh Wei‐Howe , Leong Khai‐Pang , Lim Anita Y. N. , Ng Swee‐Cheng , Thumboo Julian , Lau Tang‐Ching , Leong Keng‐Hong 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimIn Singapore, patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) constitute a significant disease burden. There is good evidence for the efficacy of anti‐tumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) in PsA; however cost remains a limiting factor. Non‐biologic disease modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (nbDMARDs) hence remain the first‐line treatment option in PsA in spite of limited evidence. The Singapore Chapter of Rheumatologists aims to develop national guidelines for clinical eligibility for government‐assisted funding of biologic disease modifying anti‐ rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) for PsA patients in Singapore.MethodsEvidence synthesis was performed by reviewing seven published guidelines on use of biologics for PsA. Using the modified Research and Development/University of California at Los Angeles Appropriateness Method (RAM), rheumatologists rated indications for therapies for different clinical scenarios. Points reflecting the output from the formal group consensus were used to formulate the practice recommendations.ResultsTen recommendations were formulated relating to initiation, continuation and options of bDMARD therapy. The panellists agreed that a bDMARD is indicated if a patient has active PsA with at least five swollen and tender joints, digits or entheses and has failed two nbDMARD strategies at optimal doses for at least 3 months each. Any anti‐TNF may be used and therapy may be continued if an adequate PsARC response is achieved by 3 months after commencement.ConclusionThe recommendations developed by a formal group consensus method may be useful for clinical practice and guiding funding decisions by relevant authorities in making bDMARD usage accessible and equitable to eligible patients in Singapore.
Survey on management strategies of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia: a Saudi Society for Rheumatology Initiative
Authors: Omair Mohammed A. , Omair Maha A. , Halabi Hussein 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimCurrently there are no national recommendation guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Saudi Arabia, which has led to a lack of standard of care. The aim of this study is to explore RA management strategies in practicing rheumatologists in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA 38 questions survey was designed using an electronic website. The survey was distributed through the official email of the Saudi Society for Rheumatology. Rheumatologists with at least 1 year of experience were included. Descriptive analysis was used to report demographics and participants' answers. Chi‐square and Fischer's exact test were used to evaluate the relation between the characteristics of participants and their answers.ResultsOut of 120 registered practicing adult rheumatologists, 54 (45%) completed the survey. The majority were male 31 (57.4%) and Saudis 36 (66.7%). Forty‐two participants (77.8%) use clinical outcome measures in daily clinical practice to guide treatment decisions with the majority using the Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (61.1%). Quality of life measures were used by 22 (40.7%) participants with statistically significant male predominance (P = 0.043). Time consumption was the most important cause for not using any outcome measures. Thirteen (24.1%) and 17 (31.5%) participants do not use parenteral methotrexate and leflunomide, respectively, because of unavailability in the hospital formulary. Nine (16.7%) and 38 (70.37%) participants do not see a role for tofacitinib and biosimilars, respectively, in the management of RA.ConclusionThis survey has highlighted many areas of improvement in the practice of rheumatologists in Saudi Arabia and should be the focus of future educational activities.
Hand Hygiene Compliance in an Emergency Department: The Effect of Crowding
Authors: Muller Matthew P. , Carter Eileen , Siddiqui Naureen , Larson Elaine 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectivesEmergency department (ED) crowding results from the need to see high volumes of patients of variable acuity within a limited physical space. ED crowding has been associated with poor patient outcomes and increased mortality. The authors evaluated whether ED crowding is also associated with reduced hand hygiene compliance among health care workers.MethodsA trained observer measured hand hygiene compliance using standardized definitions for 22 months in the 40‐bed ED of a 475‐bed academic hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ED crowding measures, including mean daily patient volumes, time to initial physician assessment, and daily nursing hours, were obtained from hospital administrative and human resource databases. Known predictors of hand hygiene compliance, including the indication for hand hygiene and the health care workers' professions, were also measured. Hand hygiene data, measured during 20‐minute observation sessions, were linked to aggregate daily results for each crowding metric. Crowding metrics and known predictors of hand hygiene compliance were then included in a multivariate model if associated with hand hygiene compliance at a p‐value of <0.20.ResultsHand hygiene compliance was 29% (325 of 1,116 opportunities). Alcohol‐based hand rinse was used 66% of the time. Nurses accounted for 68% of hand hygiene opportunities and physicians for 18%, with the remaining 14% attributed to nonphysician, nonnurse health care workers. The most common indications for hand hygiene were hand hygiene prior to (35%) and hand hygiene following (52%) contact with the patient or his or her environment. In multivariate analysis, time to physician assessment > 1.5 hours was associated with lower compliance (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.51 to 0.89). Additionally, compliance was lower for nonnurse, nonphysician health care workers (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.79) and higher for hand hygiene performed after contact with the patients or his/her environment, compared to hand hygiene performed before contact with the patient or his/her environment (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.5 to 2.7). Daily patient volumes and nursing hours were not associated with hand hygiene compliance.ConclusionsED hand hygiene compliance was low. Increased time to physician assessment was associated with reduced compliance, suggesting an association between crowding and compliance. Strategies that minimize ED crowding may improve ED hand hygiene compliance.
Large audit firm premium and audit specialisation in the public sector
Authors: Bradbury Michael E. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe outsourcing of public‐sector audits to the private sector is an important issue. This study examines the fee premium in the public sector by comparing audit fees between the government auditor and the Big5. The study (i) statistically adjusts for self‐selection bias, (ii) allows the slope coefficients in the audit fee model to vary between the Big5 and the government audit and (iii) estimates the counterfactual audit fee premium. The Big5 premium is around 23 percent. However, the variation in premium depends on whether the Big5 auditor is an industry or city specialist.
Reducing spruce beetle Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) emergence for hibernation in central British Columbia by felling infested trees
Authors: Hodgkinson Robert S. , Stock Arthur J. , Lindgren B. Staffan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSanitation harvesting for the removal, processing and killing of spruce beetle in infested trees the year after attack is often only partially effective because a significant percentage of beetles emerge from standing trees in the autumn and drop down to the root collar to hibernate under the bark below the duff line. When trees are harvested, these beetles are left behind in stump root collars. We hypothesized that falling of spruce beetle‐infested standing trees, in the second summer (before pre‐hibernation emergence of beetles), can increase the window of opportunity for sanitation harvesting and extract more beetles from the forest.
Thirty Engelmann spruce that had been successfully infested by spruce beetle on a 2‐year life cycle in 1995 were selected at each of two locations in the central interior of British Columbia in 1996. At each site, 10 replicates of three treatments were randomly applied. Ten spruce were felled from 29 May to 10 June (early treatment), 10 were felled on 8 August (late treatment) and the remaining 10 were left standing. In mid‐August, a pair of nylon screening emergence traps were attached to all trees to capture any immature adults emerging for hibernation.
Emergence traps and underlying phloem were collected in late September to early October and revealed that 48–62% of immature adults emerged for hibernation from standing trees, whereas significantly fewer (7–17%) emerged from felled trees.
We conclude that, if sanitation harvesting of 2‐year cycle spruce beetle‐infested spruce cannot occur until the second winter, pre‐harvest felling of these trees in the second year can reduce emergence for hibernation by 69–88% and allow the extraction of more beetles over a longer period.
Sward characteristics, nutritive value and choice by cattle of conterminous monocultures of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)
Authors: Hirata Masahiko , Okuma Toshiro , Tanaka Yuichiro , Tobisa Manabu 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn south‐western Japan, centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides; CG) offers a novel option for a warm‐season perennial for grazing use in areas where bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum; BG) can be grown. However, the potential of CG as a forage has not been fully explored because of the short history as a forage crop. We conducted four experiments to evaluate CG (cv. TifBlair) in comparison with BG (cv. Pensacola) in terms of sward characteristics, nutritive value and choice by animals. In each experiment, four Japanese Black cows (Bos taurus) were individually allowed to graze conterminous monocultures of CG and BG (5 × 10 m each) for 30 min. Irrespective of regrowth durations and fertilizer rates, CG was consistently shorter, leafier and denser, contained lower acid detergent fiber and cellulose, and was preferred or equally selected by cows, as compared with BG. Furthermore, CG maintained sufficient levels of crude protein (80–89 g/kg DM) to ensure voluntary intake of ruminant animals under extended regrowth‡ and without fertilizer, whereas BG failed to do so (65 g/kg DM). CG provided higher digestible dry matter than BG when crude protein concentration exceeded 86 g/kg DM. The results indicate advantages of CG as a forage.
Disproportionate effect on child admissions of the change in Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency guidance for management of paracetamol poisoning: an analysis of hospital admissions for paracetamol overdose in England and Scotland
Authors: Narayan Hafid , Thomas Simon HL. , Eddleston Michael , Dear James W. , Sandilands Euan , Nicholas Bateman D. 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the changes in the management of paracetamol overdose recommended by the UK Commission for Human Medicines on rates of hospital admission.MethodsAn interrupted time series analysis was carried out on data for hospital admissions for paracetamol poisoning for England between January 2010 and June 2014, and for Scotland between January 2010 and Sept. 2014. The main outcome measure was admissions to hospital with paracetamol poisoning (T39.1), as defined by first position coding in children and adults.ResultsThe time series analysis (Jan 2010 to June 2014) showed that admission rates for paracetamol poisoning were steady from 2010 to the date of change (September 2012), with an estimated 269 [95% confidence interval (CI) 252.5, 285.5] child (0–14 years) and 3541 (95% CI 3454, 3628) adult admissions per month. In September 2013, 12 months after the change, there were an estimated additional 116 [37.3% (95% CI 17.2–67.4)] child and 426 [12.5 % (95% CI 4.5–19.6)] adult admissions. Thus, in the year before the change (September 2011 to August 2012) there were 45,181 (3500 child and 41,681 adult) admissions, and in the year after (September 2012 to August 2013) there were 50,198 (4779 child and 45,419 adult) admissions. The overall proportion of child admissions was significantly greater after the change (Chi‐square 32.486, P < 0.001), emphasizing the disproportionate effect in children.ConclusionsChanges to the management guidelines for paracetamol poisoning in September 2012 were rapidly implemented but have particularly increased paediatric hospital admissions for paracetamol poisoning. This impact in children, who are at low risk of mortality from paracetamol toxicity, appears excessive.
Riboflavin and ultraviolet A as adjuvant treatment against Acanthamoeba cysts
Authors: Lamy Ricardo , Chan Elliot , Good Samuel D , Cevallos Vicky , Porco Travis C , Stewart Jay M 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundExperimental studies have shown that the standard dose of riboflavin (R) or R + ultraviolet‐A (UVA) as solo treatment are not able to exterminate Acanthamoeba cysts or even trophozoites. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the application of R + UVA can enhance the cysticidal effects of cationic antiseptic agents in vitro.MethodsThe log of either polyhexamethylene biguanide or chlorhexidine minimal cysticidal concentration in solutions containing riboflavin (concentrations 0.1, 0.05 and 0.025%) plus either Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts or Acanthamoeba polyphaga cysts was determined and compared in groups treated with UVA 30 mW/cm2 for 30 min and in control groups (with no exposure to UVA). A permutation test was used to determine the P value associated with treatment.ResultsRegardless of the riboflavin concentration and UVA treatment condition, no trophozoites were seen in plates where the cysts were previously exposed to cationic antiseptic agent concentrations ≥200 µg/mL for Acanthamoeba castellanii samples and ≥100 µg/mL for A. polyphaga samples. There was no statistical evidence that R + UVA treatment was associated with minimal cysticidal concentration (P = 0.82).ConclusionR + UVA in doses up to 10 times higher than recommended for corneal crosslinking does not enhance the cysticidal effect of either polyhexamethylene biguanide or chlorhexidine in vitro.
Influence of different lubricants on the retentive force of LOCATOR® attachments – an in vitro pilot study
Authors: Srinivasan Murali , Schimmel Martin , Kobayashi Mariko , Badoud Isabelle , Ammann Patrick , Herrmann François R. , Müller Frauke 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this in vitro pilot study was to evaluate the influence of an artificial saliva (AS) lubricant on the retentive force of a stud‐type attachment (LOCATOR®) for implant overdentures (IODs).MethodsTwenty custom‐made models simulating a two‐IOD with parallel implant situation were fabricated using LOCATOR® attachments. The in vitro testing was carried out with an Instron® universal testing machine for a total of 10,000 insertion–removal cycles, for each model, in two different aqueous test mediums (Group 1: 0.9% sodium chloride solution (NaCl), n = 10; Group 2: AS, n = 10). Changes in the mean retentive force (F) were plotted against the cycle numbers #10, #100, #1000, #5000, and #10,000. Mixed regression models were applied for statistical analyses.ResultsA mixed regression (not considering interactions) predicted, compared to cycle #10, higher retentive forces at cycles #100 (P < 0.0001), #1000 (P = 0.017), similar forces at #5000 (P = 0.277), and lower forces at #10,000 (P = 0.012); there was no overall effect of the medium (P = 0.159). A second statistical model, employing the interaction term “cycle##medium”, confirmed similarly the effect. Although the interaction term was significant at cycle #100 (p = 0.045), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.140).ConclusionIn this in vitro pilot experiment, there was no difference in mean retentive forces of the LOCATOR® attachments when tested with either 0.9% NaCl or a Glandosane®‐like artificial saliva lubricant. A larger scale study may still confirm the superiority of either lubricant for quasiclinical bench experiments.
Surface roughness of dental implants and treatment time using six different implantoplasty procedures
Authors: Ramel Christian F. , Lüssi Anja , Özcan Mutlu , Jung Ronald E. , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Thoma Daniel S. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo test whether or not one of six implantoplasty procedures is superior to the others rendering a minimal final implant surface roughness and a short treatment time.Material and methodsForty‐two one‐piece implants were embedded in epoxy resin blocks with 6‐mm rough implant surface exposed. The following implantoplasty polishing sequences were applied: Brownie®, Greenie® sequence (BG) (diamond rotary instruments 106‐, 40‐, 15‐μm grit, Brownie®, Greenie® silicone polishers); Arkansas stone sequence (AS) (diamond 106‐, 40‐, 15‐μm grit, Arkansas stone torpedo‐shaped bur); Short diamond sequence (SD) (diamond 106‐, 40‐, 4‐μm grit); Short diamond sequence with Greenie® (SDG) (diamond 106‐, 40‐, 4‐μm grit, Greenie®); Complete diamond sequence (CD) (diamond 106‐, 40‐, 15‐, 8‐, 4‐μm grit); Complete diamond sequence with Greenie® (CDG) (106‐, 40‐, 15‐, 8‐, 4‐μm grit, Greenie®). The polished neck portion served as a positive control, the untreated sandblasted and acid‐etched surface as negative control. Each implant was scanned with a contact profilometer rendering Ra values and Rz values as a measure of surface roughness. The time needed to polish the implant surface for each group was recorded. Simultaneous comparisons between more than two groups were done performing Kruskal–Wallis tests. Comparisons between two groups were analysed using Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests.ResultsMean Ra values amounted to 0.32 ± 0.14 μm (BG), 0.39 ± 0.13 μm (AS), 0.59 ± 0.19 μm (SDG), 0.71 ± 0.22 μm (SD), 0.75 ± 0.26 μm (CDG), 0.98 ± 0.30 μm (CD), 0.10 ± 0.01 μm (PC) and 1.94 ± 0.47 μm (NC). Pairwise one‐sided comparisons between the test group revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The shortest treatment time was recorded for group AS (13 ± 2 min) and the longest for CDG (21 ± 2 min) and BG (21 ± 4 min).ConclusionsConsidering final surface roughness and treatment duration, the use of rotary diamond burs in decreasing roughness, followed by an arkansas stone (group AS), appears to be an optimal treatment option.
Bilateral compared with unilateral sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: results of a randomized, single‐blinded crossover study
Authors: Duelund‐Jakobsen J. , Buntzen S. , Lundby L. , Sørensen M. , Laurberg S. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimThis randomized single‐blinded crossover study aimed to investigate whether bilateral sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is more efficient than unilateral stimulation for faecal incontinence (FI).MethodPatients with FI who responded during a unilateral test stimulation, with a minimum improvement of 50% were eligible. Twenty‐seven patients who were accepted to enter the trial were bilaterally implanted with two permanent leads and pacemakers. Patients were randomized into three periods of 4 weeks’ stimulation including unilateral right, unilateral left and bilateral stimulation. Symptoms scores and bowel habit diaries were collected at baseline and in each study period. A 1‐week washout was introduced between each study period.ResultsTwenty‐seven (25 female) patients with a median age of 63 (36–84) years were bilaterally implanted from May 2009 to June 2012. The median number of episodes of FI per 3 weeks significantly decreased from 17 (3–54) at baseline to 2 (0–20) during stimulation on the right side, 2 (0–42) during stimulation on the left side and 1 (0–25) during bilateral stimulation. The Wexner incontinence score improved significantly from a median of 16 (10–20) at baseline to 9 (0–14) with right‐side stimulation, 10 (0–15) with left‐side stimulation and 9 (0–14) with bilateral stimulation. The differences between unilateral right or unilateral left and bilateral stimulation were non‐significant, for FI episodes (P = 0.3) or for Wexner incontinence score (P = 0.9).ConclusionBilateral SNS therapy for FI is not superior to standard unilateral stimulation in the short term. Equal functional results can be obtained regardless of the side of implantation.