bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in levels of apoptosis in the walls of different segments of great saphenous varicose veins
Authors: Yongbo Xu , Wei Han , Lei Wang , Jianhua Zhao , Tao Wang , Jinyuan Tang , Kun Li , Haibo Chu 
Published: September 2015

Objective Disordered programmed cell death may play a role in the development of superficial venous incompetence. We have determined the number of cells undergoing apoptosis and the alterations in the apoptotic level in the wall of different segments of the great saphenous varicose vein. Methods Twenty-one varicose great saphenous veins (VGSVs) (varicose group) and 12 normal great saphenous veins (GSVs) (control group) were collected, and the apoptosis level in the upper, middle, and lower segments were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies (anti-Bax and anti-Bcl-xl). Apoptosis was evaluated by the TUNEL assay and immunofluorescence staining. The morphology of apoptotic cells was observed with an electron microscope. Results Quantitative analysis showed that the apoptotic ratios in venous walls (intima and media) of the varicose group were significantly lower than the corresponding regions in the control group (all P < 0.05). A significantly higher apoptotic rates of the venous walls was observed in control group within the upper compared with the lower segment ( P < 0.05). Significantly higher positive proteins expression rates of Bcl-xl/Bax were also detected in the VGSVs compared with the GSVs within the three segments, respectively ( P < 0.01). Electron microscopic observations confirmed that endothelial and smooth muscle cells in varicose and normal vein walls exhibited apoptotic morphologic features, such as fuzzy mitochondrial cristae, medullary changes, and margination of the nuclear chromatin. Conclusion VGSV walls were found to have a significant decrease in apoptotic rate compared with that of GSVs. The rate of apoptosis in the intima and media within the upper segment was increased more than the middle and lower segments in the GSVs. Our findings confirm that programmed cell death is down-regulated in primary varicose veins.
Association of polymorphisms near the FOXC2 gene with the risk of varicose veins in ethnic Russians
Authors: Shadrina Alexandra S , Smetanina Mariya A , Sokolova Ekaterina A , Sevost’ianova Kseniya S , Shevela Andrey I , Demekhova Marina Y , Shonov Oleg A , Ilyukhin Evgenii A , Voronina Elena N , Zolotukhin Igor A , Kirienko Alexander I , Filipenko Maxim L 
Published: September 2015

Objective To investigate the association of polymorphisms located near the FOXC2 gene with the risk of varicose veins in ethnic Russians. Methods Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies were determined in the sample of 474 patients with primary varicose veins and in the control group of 478 individuals without a history of chronic venous disease. Results Polymorphisms rs7189489, rs4633732, and rs1035550 showed the association with the increased risk of varicose veins, but none of the observed associations remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Haplotype analysis revealed the association of haplotype rs7189489 C–rs4633732 T–rs34221221 C–rs1035550 C–rs34152738 T–rs12711457 G with the increased risk of varicose veins (OR = 2.67, P = 0.01). Conclusions Our results provide evidence that the studied polymorphisms do not play a major role in susceptibility to varicose veins development in the Russian population.
Diagnostic performance and radiation dose of lower extremity CT angiography using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch
Authors: Kim Jin Woo , Choo Ki Seok , Jeon Ung Bae , Kim Tae Un , Hwang Jae Yeon , Yeom Jeong A , Jeong Hee Seok , Choi Yoon Young , Nam Kyung Jin , Kim Chang Won , Jeong Dong Wook , Lim Soo Jin 
Published: September 2015

Background Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography is now used for the diagnosing patients with peripheral arterial disease. The dose of radiation is related to variable factors, such as tube current, tube voltage, and helical pitch. Purpose To assess the diagnostic performance and radiation dose of lower extremity CT angiography (CTA) using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Material and Methods Twenty-eight patients (mean, 64.1 years; range, 39–80 years) with CLI were enrolled in this retrospective study and underwent CTA using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch and subsequent intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which was used as a reference standard for assessing diagnostic performance. Results For arterial segments with significant disease (>50% stenosis), overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of lower extremity CTA were 94.8% (95% CI, 91.7–98.0%), 91.5% (95% CI, 87.7–95.2%), and 93.1% (95% CI, 90.6–95.6%), respectively, and its positive and negative predictive values were 91.0% (95% CI, 87.1–95.0%), and 95.1% (95% CI, 92.1–98.1%), respectively. Mean radiation dose delivered to lower extremities was 266.6 mGy.cm. Conclusion Lower extremity CTA using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch was found to have good diagnostic performance for the assessment of patients with CLI using an extremely low radiation dose.
Do interictal microembolic signals play a role in higher cortical dysfunction during migraine aura?
Authors: Petrusic I , Podgorac A , Zidverc-Trajkovic J , Radojicic A , Jovanovic Z , Sternic N 
Published: September 2015

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical impact of interictal microembolic signals (MES) in patients suffering from migraine with higher cortical dysfunction (HCD), such as language and memory impairment, during an aura. Patients and methods This study was carried out on 34 migraineurs with language and memory impairment during aura (HCD group), 31 migraineurs with only visual or visual and somatosensory symptoms during aura (Control group I), and 34 healthy controls (Control group II). We used a Doppler instrument to detect microemboli. Demographic data, disease features and the detection of MES between these groups, as well as the predictors of HCD during the aura, were analyzed. Results The duration of aura was longer and the frequency of aura was higher among patients with language and memory impairment during aura compared to Control group I. MES was detected in 29.4% patients from the HCD group, which was significantly higher compared to 3.2% in Control group I and 5.9% in Control group II. Regarding the absence or presence of MES, demographic and aura features were not different in the HCD subgroups. A longer duration of aura, the presence of somatosensory symptoms during the aura and the presence of interictal MES were independent predictors of HCD during the aura. Conclusion The present findings indicate that HCD and MES are related in patients with migraine with aura. Further research is needed to better understand the exact pathophysiological mechanism.
Arthroscopic Capsular Repair for Symptomatic Hip Instability After Previous Hip Arthroscopic Surgery
Authors: Wylie James D. , Beckmann James T. , Maak Travis G. , Aoki Stephen K. 
Published: September 2015

Background: Management of the hip capsule has been a topic of recent debate in hip arthroscopic surgery. Postoperative instability after hip arthroscopic surgery has been reported and can lead to poor outcomes. Purpose: To determine the outcome of patients diagnosed with symptomatic instability after hip arthroscopic surgery at a minimum of 12 months and 24 months after revision surgery for capsular repair. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: In a cohort of approximately 1100 patients who underwent hip arthroscopic surgery, 33 patients (33 hips) developed symptomatic instability requiring a revision surgery. Two patients suffered anterior dislocations following their initial surgery. Radiographs were reviewed to evaluate for acetabular dysplasia. Three patients were lost to follow-up and 10 patients were excluded as they were <1 year out from the revision surgery. A total of 20 patients (18 female, 2 male) completed a preoperative and postoperative modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Hip Outcome Score (HOS) at a minimum of 12 months. Eleven of these patients had a minimum follow-up of 24 months. All patients filled out a Likert scale of perceived improvement in physical ability at final follow-up. Results: The mean age of the patients was 29.7 years (range, 15.2-55.5 years). The mean lateral center-edge angle was 25°, and the mean acetabular index was 7° before revision. All patients underwent interportal capsulotomy during the index arthroscopic procedure. After their index arthroscopic procedures, patients had minimal improvement at a mean of 19.1 months postoperatively on the mHHS (from 57.1 to 57.6; P = .423), HOS-Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (from 62.7 to 66.4; P = .260), and HOS-Sports (from 42.0 to 39.1; P = .800). For the patients with a minimum 1-year follow-up after revision surgery (n = 20; mean follow-up, 21.3 months), the mean mHHS (from 57.6 preoperatively to 85.8 at final follow-up; P < .001), HOS-ADL (from 66.4 to 85.7; P < .001), and HOS-Sports (from 39.1 to 79.8; P < .001) all improved significantly. The results were similar when looking at only the patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up after revision surgery (n = 11; mean follow-up, 26.1 months); the mean mHHS (from 56.0 preoperatively to 91.5 at final follow-up; P = .001), HOS-ADL (from 68.3 to 89.9; P = .009), and HOS-Sports (from 35.7 to 87.9; P = .001) all improved significantly. When comparing patients with isolated capsular repair to those with additional procedures performed, there were no differences between the groups (all P > .05). At final follow-up, all but 1 patient had improved overall physical ability levels. Conclusion: Revision hip arthroscopic surgery for capsular repair in patients with symptomatic instability after hip arthroscopic surgery provides good functional outcomes at a minimum of 1 and 2 years postoperatively.
Correlates of HIV infection among street-based and venue-based sex workers in Vietnam
Authors: Le Thuy TC , Nguyen Quoc C , Tran Ha TT , Schwandt Michael , Lim Hyun J 
Published: September 2015

Summary Commercial sex work is one of the driving forces of the HIV epidemic across the world. In Vietnam, although female sex workers (FSWs) carry a disproportionate burden of HIV, little is known about the risk profile and associated factors for HIV infection among this population. There is a need for large-scale research to obtain reliable and representative estimates of the measures of association. This study involved secondary data analysis of the ‘HIV/STI Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance’ study in Vietnam in 2009–2010 to examine the correlates of HIV among FSWs. Data collected from 5298 FSWs, including 2530 street-based sex workers and 2768 venue-based sex workers from 10 provinces in Vietnam, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. HIV prevalence among the overall FSW population was 8.6% (n = 453). However, when stratified by FSW subpopulations, HIV prevalence was 10.6% (n = 267) for street-based sex workers and 6.7% (n = 186) for venue-based sex workers. Factors independently associated with HIV infection in the multivariate analysis, regardless of sex work types, were injecting drug use, high self-perceived HIV risk, and age ≥ 25 years. Additional factors independently associated with HIV risk within each FSW subpopulation included having ever been married among street-based sex workers and inconsistent condom use with clients and having sex partners who injected drugs among venue-based sex workers. Apart from strategies addressing modifiable risk behaviours among all FSWs, targeted strategies to address specific risk behaviours within each FSW subpopulation should be adopted.
Association of BAFF, APRIL serum levels, BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA expression on peripheral B-cell subsets with clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Salazar-Camarena D C , Ortiz-Lazareno P C , Cruz A , Oregon-Romero E , Machado-Contreras J R , Muñoz-Valle J F , Orozco-López M , Marín-Rosales M , Palafox-Sánchez C A 
Published: September 2015

Objective B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) signaling pathways regulate B-cell survival through interactions with their receptors BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA. We evaluated the association of these ligands/receptors on B-cell subsets according to clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods BAFF and APRIL serum concentrations were measured in 30 SLE patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA expression was analyzed on each B cell subset (CD19 + CD27-CD38–/ + naïve; CD19 + CD27 + CD38–/ + memory; CD19 + CD27-CD38 + + immature and CD19 + CD27 + CD38 + + plasma cells) by flow cytometry, and compared among patients with different clinical manifestations as well as healthy controls (HCs). Results Serum BAFF and APRIL levels were high in SLE patients and correlated with the Mex-SLEDAI disease activity index ( r = 0.584; p = 0.001 and r = 0.456; p = 0.011, respectively). The SLE patients showed an increased proportion of memory and plasma B cells ( p < 0.05). BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA expression in SLE patients was decreased in almost all B cell subsets compared to HCs ( p < 0.05). A lower BCMA expression was associated with severe disease activity, glomerulonephritis, serositis and hemolytic anemia ( p < 0.01). BCMA expression showed a negative correlation with Mex-SLEDAI score ( r = –0.494, p = 0.006). Conclusions Decreased BCMA expression on peripheral B cells according to severe disease activity suggests that BCMA plays an important regulating role in B-cell hyperactivity and immune tolerance homeostasis in SLE patients.
Moral sensitivity and moral distress in Iranian critical care nurses
Authors: Borhani Fariba , Abbaszadeh Abbas , Mohamadi Elham , Ghasemi Erfan , Hoseinabad-Farahani Mohammad Javad 
Published: September 2015

Background: Moral sensitivity is the foremost prerequisite to ethical performance; a review of literature shows that nurses are sometimes not sensitive enough for a variety of reasons. Moral distress is a frequent phenomenon in nursing, which may result in paradoxes in care, dealing with patients and rendering high-quality care. This may, in turn, hinder the meeting of care objectives, thus affecting social healthcare standards. Research objective: The present research was conducted to determine the relationship between moral sensitivity and moral distress of nurses in intensive care units. Research design: This study is a descriptive-correlation research. Lutzen’s moral sensitivity questionnaire and Corley Moral Distress Questionnaire were used to gather data. Participants and research context: A total of 153 qualified nurses working in the hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected for this study. Subjects were selected by census method. Ethical considerations: After explaining the objectives of the study, all the participants completed and signed the written consent form. To conduct the study, permission was obtained from the selected hospitals. Findings: Nurses’ average moral sensitivity grade was 68.6 ± 7.8, which shows a moderate level of moral sensitivity. On the other hand, nurses also experienced a moderate level of moral distress (44.8 ± 16.6). Moreover, there was no meaningful statistical relationship between moral sensitivity and moral distress (p = 0.26). Discussion: Although the nurses’ moral sensitivity and moral distress were expected to be high in the intensive care units, it was moderate. This finding is consistent with the results of some studies and contradicts with others. Conclusion: As moral sensitivity is a crucial factor in care, it is suggested that necessary training be provided to develop moral sensitivity in nurses in education and practical environments. Furthermore, removing factors that contribute to moral distress may help decrease it in nurses.
Understanding and safeguarding patient dignity in intensive care
Authors: Nyholm Linda , Koskinen Camilla A-L 
Published: September 2015

Background: Dignity has been highlighted in previous research as one of the most important ethical concerns in nursing care. According to Eriksson, dignified caring is related to treating the patient as a unique human being and respecting human value. Intensive care unit patients are vulnerable to threatened dignity, and maintaining dignity may be challenging as a consequence of critical illness. Objectives: The aim is to highlight how nurses in an intensive care setting understand patient dignity, what threatens patient dignity and how nurses can safeguard patient dignity. Research design and participants: Data materials were collected through a survey questionnaire which contained open questions about patient dignity, and the text was analysed using hermeneutic reading and text interpretation. Totally, 25 nurses employed in an intensive care unit in Finland participated in the study. Ethical considerations: The study follows the guidelines for good scientific practice by the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity and the ethical principles according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings: Findings revealed that nurses recognize the patients’ absolute dignity by regarding them as unique human beings. The nurses also recognize the importance of shared humanity in preserving patient dignity. Intensive care patients’ dignity is threatened by negative attitudes and when their integrity is not being protected. Dignity is also threatened when patients and nurses are not part of the patients’ care and patient care decisions, when patients receive care against their will and because of the acute nature of intensive care.
Impact of oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Lam Masha SH , Cheung Nathan 
Published: September 2015

Background Studies have identified non-adherence as one of the major contributing factors to treatment failure in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients receiving imatinib. Published literature has demonstrated a unique role of oncology pharmacists, as part of a multidisciplinary team, in contributing to overall positive outcomes for patients. Study objective To evaluate the impact of an oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy program on oral medication adherence in CML patients versus usual care. Methods Electronic refill history and medical records of patients diagnosed with CML treated with oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) managed by oncology pharmacists during a 6-year period, were retrospectively reviewed. Imatinib adherence rate, as the primary endpoint, was compared with the rate for those in the usual care group within the same organization. The secondary endpoints were descriptive to characterize pharmacist interventions for all TKIs. Results A total of 56 patients including 45 who were treated with imatinib, were evaluated. The group managed by oncology pharmacists resulted in a higher percentage of imatinib adherence rate compared to usual care (88.6% vs 65.8%, p = 0.0046). A total of 3432 pharmacist encounters were reviewed, and 567 interventions of six categories including side effect monitoring/management (n = 95; 16.8%); drug interaction detection (n = 109; 19.2%); TKI dose adjustment (n = 82; 14.5%); laboratory monitoring (n = 200; 35.3%); non-CML related drug choice (n = 74; 13.1%); and copay assistance (n = 7; 1.2%), were documented. This resulted in a mean of 10.1 interventions per patient. Conclusions Our oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy program significantly improved TKI adherence rates in CML patients. We attribute the success of our program to consistent follow-up by utilizing routine phone, and secure email follow-ups, that allowed our oncology pharmacists to build a close and trustworthy relationship with patients and families.
A Personal Computer Freeware as a Tool for Surgeons to Plan Liver Resections
Authors: Björnsson B. , Lundgren L. 
Published: September 2015

Background and Aims: The increase in liver surgery and the proportion of resections done on the margin to postoperative liver failure make preoperative calculations regarding liver volume important. Earlier studies have shown good correlation between calculations done with ImageJ and specimen weight as well as volume calculations done with more robust systems. The correlation to actual volumes of resected liver tissue has not been investigated, and this was the aim of this study. Material and Methods: A total of 30 patients undergoing well-defined liver resections were included in this study. Volumes calculated with ImageJ were compared to volume measurements done after the retrieval of resected liver tissue. Results and Conclusions: A strong correlation between calculated and measured liver volume was found with sample concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) = 0.9950. The knowledge on the nature of liver resections sets liver surgeons in a unique position to be able to accurately predict the volumes to be resected and, therefore, also the volume that will remain after surgery. This becomes increasingly important with the evolvement of methods to extend the boundaries of liver surgery. ImageJ is a reliable tool to preoperatively assess liver volume.
Possible ways to increase the efficiency of a low-pressure water vapour discharge as a light source
Authors: Artamonova E , Artamonova T , Beliaeva A , Khodorkovskii M , Melnikov A , Michael D , Mikhailov D , Pastor A , Murashov S , Rakcheeva L , Serdobintsev P , Timofeev N , Zissis G 
Published: September 2015

Methods to increase the efficiency of a rare gas–water vapour plasma as a light source are presented: (1) the addition of a second rare gas (2) the use of titanium dioxide to enhance the decomposition of water molecules into hydroxyl and hydrogen; (3) pulse discharge operation to improve the efficiency. Analysis shows that the first two methods can yield an increase in efficiency. Use of the catalyst produced a tangible impact on plasma properties and an increase in efficiency that was experimentally observed and agrees with theoretical estimates. In pulse discharge operation, negative ions that are probably created in the afterglow phase eliminate the desired effect. The data obtained using these three approaches, point towards possible directions for further investigation and predict the expected results in case of successful implementation.