bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 Production and Eosinophil Infiltration in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Authors: Perić Aleksandar , Baletić Nenad , Sotirović Jelena , Špadijer-Mirković Cveta 
Published: October 2014

Objective: Eosinophil recruitment to the nasal mucosa involves a number of chemokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate nasal secretion levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α) and MIP-1β and to correlate these levels with clinical characteristics and degree of eosinophilia in nonallergic and allergic patients with nasal polyposis (NP). Methods: Fourteen nonatopic and 14 atopic patients with NP were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Fourteen healthy subjects were included as controls. The concentrations of MIP-1α and MIP-1β in nasal secretions were measured by flow cytometry. Eosinophil counts were performed by cytological examination of the scraped nasal mucosa. We scored each of the 28 patients according to the nasal symptom score, endoscopic score, and computed tomography (CT) score. Results: We found significantly higher concentrations of MIP-1α in nasal fluid of nonallergic and allergic NP patients compared to control subjects. In nonallergic patients, we found positive correlations between MIP-1α levels and endoscopic score, CT score, and the percentage of eosinophils. Conclusion: MIP-1α may play a role in eosinophil recruitment in NP. Our results suggest that the measurement of MIP-1α in nasal secretions could be useful in evaluating the degree of eosinophil inflammation and severity of disease in nonallergic patients.
Complications of ERCP for choledocholithiasis in a sickle cell cohort
Authors: Cawich Shamir O , Arthurs Milton , Murphy Trevor , Bonadie Kimon O , Roberts Hugh A , Naraynsingh Vijay 
Published: October 2014

Background Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) demand special attention during clinical interventions because they are predisposed to acute chest syndrome (ACS), vaso-occlusive crises, intra-vascular haemolysis and immune paresis. Although SCD is endemic in the Caribbean, there has been no report on endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) outcomes in these patients from this region. Study The records of patients with SCD who underwent ERCP between 1 January 2005 and 1 June 2010 were analysed retrospectively. Parameters assessed included patient demographics, procedural details, ERCP-related and SCD-related morbidity. Data were analysed using SPSS version 12.0. Results Fifty-four patients with SCD were subjected to ERCP during the study period. There were 37 women and 17 men at a mean age of 28 years (SD +/−12.05). There was 29% (16) overall morbidity, with 10 (18.5%) SCD-related complications and six (11.1%) ERCP-specific complications. More common complications were: pancreatitis (9.3%); cholangitis (1.9%); ACS (9.3%); pneumonia (3.7%); and painful crises (5.6%). There was one death (1.9%) due to multiple organ failure secondary to severe pancreatitis. Conclusions This study suggests that the SCD cohort requires special perioperative attention to minimise the inordinately high morbidity, many of which are SCD-related. We propose a perioperative management protocol that may minimise morbidity in these patients.
Effects of Knee Flexion Angle and Loading Conditions on the End-to-End Distance of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Wang Joon Ho , Kato Yuki , Ingham Sheila J.M. , Maeyama Akira , Linde-Rosen Monica , Smolinski Patrick , Fu Freddie H. , Harner Christopher 
Published: October 2014

Background: It is commonly accepted that the anterolateral (AL) bundle of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is tight in flexion and that the posteromedial (PM) bundle is tight in extension. However, a recent in vivo study showed that both bundles were tight in extension. Purpose: To investigate the effects of knee flexion angle, rotational torque, and anterior/posterior translational force on the end-to-end distance between the femoral and tibial insertion sites of each bundle of the PCL. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Cadaveric knees (10 specimens) were mounted on a robotic system, and the relative positional data between the femur and tibia were acquired during passive flexion/extension, with an applied 5-N·m rotational torque and an applied 89-N translational force. The bony surface and PCL insertion data were acquired with a 3-dimensional scanner after gross dissection and were superimposed onto the positional data. The end-to-end distance between the 2 PCL insertion sites of the femur and tibia was measured. Results: The end-to-end distance increased from full extension to 90° for both the AL (9.2 ± 1.8 mm; from 30.0 to 39.2 mm) and PM bundles (5.8 ± 2.2 mm; from 32.0 to 37.7 mm). With an internal rotational torque, the end-to-end distance of the PM bundle increased significantly ( P < .05) at 0°, 30°, and 60° of knee flexion. Under a posterior translational force at 90° of knee flexion, the length of both bundles increased to their longest measurements (AM bundle: 40.6 ± 4.2 mm; PM bundle: 38.4 ± 3.8 mm). Conclusion: The end-to-end distance of the AL and PM bundles of the PCL increased in flexion, and this pattern was maintained during tests with posterior translational force. The PM bundle was more affected by the rotational torque than was the AL bundle. Clinical Relevance: Both bundles of the PCL may serve a greater functional role in flexion than in extension. The PM bundle might be more important for the control of rotation than the AL bundle. Posterior translation at 90° of knee flexion could be the most stressful condition for both bundles of the PCL, which may have implications for an injury mechanism.
Information-sharing ethical dilemmas and decision-making for public health nurses in Japan
Authors: Suzuki Chisato , Ota Katsumasa , Matsuda Masami 
Published: October 2014

Background: Information sharing is one of the most important means of public health nurses collaborating with other healthcare professionals and community members. There are complicated ethical issues in the process. Research objectives: To describe the ethical dilemmas associated with client information sharing that Japanese public health nurses experience in daily practice and to clarify their decision-making process to resolve these dilemmas. Research design: Data were collected using a three-phase consensus method consisting of semi-structured interviews, self-administered questionnaires and a group interview. Participants and research context: We surveyed administrative public health nurses in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The semi-structured interviews were carried out with 12 administrative public health nurses, and the self-administered questionnaires were sent to all 899 administrative public health nurses. The group interview was carried out with eight administrative public health nurses. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was granted by the ethics committee of the School of Health Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan (8-158, 9-130). Findings: Information-sharing ethical dilemmas occurred most often when clients’ decisions did not coincide with the nurses’ own professional assessments, particularly when they faced clinical issues that were inherently ambiguous. In their decision-making processes, nurses prioritised ‘protection of health and life’. Discussion: These findings suggest that, above all, they sought to address urgent risks to clients’ lives while upholding the principle of client autonomy as much as possible. In such cases, the nurses made decisions regarding whether to share information about the client depending on the individual situation. Conclusion: Public health nurses should protect the client’s health while taking into consideration their relationship with the client.
Abraxane® versus Taxol® for patients with advanced breast cancer: A prospective time and motion analysis from a Chinese health care perspective
Authors: Dranitsaris George , Yu Bo , Wang Leiping , Sun Weili , Zhou Yan , King Jennifer , Kaura Satyin , Zhang Adams , Yuan Peng 
Published: October 2014

Background Abraxane® and Taxol® are both effective drugs for the treatment of advanced stage breast cancer. However, each agent possesses unique drug delivery characteristics with the former not requiring premedication and having a considerably shorter recommended infusion time (i.e. 30 min vs. 2–4 h). To measure the overall efficiency and cost-saving potential associated with Abraxane® relative to Taxol®, a time and motion study was undertaken in breast cancer patients treated in China. Methods Baseline patient data collection included age, disease stage, number and sites of metastatic disease, and performance status. Time and resource use data were then collected from breast patients being treated with Abraxane® ( n = 12) or Taxol® ( n = 15) in one of three cancer clinics located in Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Beijing. Resource use and time impact on clinical staff were quantified using unit cost estimates. This included costs for drug preparation, administration, materials and supplies, premedication, patient chair time, labor costs, and all acute adverse drug reactions. Outcomes were presented as a mean total time and cost for delivering a dose of Abraxane® or Taxol® and were compared using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests where appropriate. All costs were reported in US dollars (US$1 = 6.1 RMB, as of January 2014). Results Patients were comparable with respect to mean age, number of metastatic sites, and performance status. Approximately 9 of 12 (75%) patients received Abraxane® as on a weekly schedule (vs. every 3 weeks) compared to 6 of 15 (40%) with Taxol®. There were 5 (33.3%) acute adverse drug reactions with Taxol®, 3 of which required a physician visit and the initiation of supportive interventions. In contrast, there was only one minor event with Abraxane® (8.3%), which was easily managed with a temporary stoppage of the infusion. From the time and motion study, the mean total time for Abraxane® and Taxol® delivery (preparation, administration, premedication, total chair time, and adverse effects management) was 84 and 282 min respectively ( p < 0.001), with the associated costs being US$59 and US$254 respectively per dose ( p < 0.001). Conclusion To our knowledge, this is first such study in breast cancer patients to be undertaken in China. Abraxane® was associated with fewer acute adverse drug reactions and significant reductions in health care resources, physician/nurse time and overall drug delivery costs compared to Taxol®.
The impact of preoperative statin therapy on open and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair outcomes
Authors: Galiñanes Edgar Luis , Reynolds Shaun , Dombrovskiy Viktor Y , Vogel Todd R 
Published: October 2014

Objectives This study evaluated the utilization of preoperative statins and their impact on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing open or endovascular aortic repair. Methods Patients ≥50 years of age with non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were identified in MedPAR files 2007–2008 utilizing ICD-9-CM codes. Preoperative statins use was identified using National Drug Codes in Part D. Chi-square test, multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression modeling were performed. Results In all, 19,323 patients were identified undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (14,602 endovascular aortic repair and 4721 open aortic repair); 9913 (50.3%) used statins before surgery. Bivariate analysis demonstrated lower rates of hospital, 30-, 90-day and 1-year mortality in patients with statins compared to those without statins after endovascular aortic repair (1.0% vs. 1.45%, p = 0.01; 1.51% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.0004; 3.05% vs. 4.66%, p < 0.0001; 7.91% vs. 11.56%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, gender, race, comorbidities and procedure demonstrated preoperative statins use was associated with a mortality reduction at 90-days postoperatively (odds ratio = 0.80; 95% CI 0.70–0.91, p = 0.0014) and 1-year postoperatively (odds ratio = 0.76; 95% CI 0.69–0.84, p = 0.0001). Conclusions Only half of the patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were prescribed preoperative statins. After adjustment, statins were significantly associated with improved survival during 1 year after surgery and a decreased incidence of lower extremity embolic complications after endovascular aortic repair. These data support a beneficial role of statin use prior to surgery for patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Further prospective studies are needed to assess the benefit of statins in the perioperative period after 365 days.
Buerger’s disease in the northeast of Iran: Epidemiology and clinical features
Authors: Modaghegh Mohammad-Hadi Saeed , Kazemzadeh Gholam Hosein , Ravari Hassan , Johari Hamed Ghoddusi , Barzanuni Amir 
Published: October 2014

Background The aim of this study is to present our long-term clinical experience in describing a clinical picture of Buerger's disease in our region. Materials and methods In a retrospective study, files of 225 patients who were admitted to the hospital with diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans in a 10 year period from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed. All data including demographic, signs and symptoms, history of previous illness, history of smoking, medications, laboratory tests, angiography, and details of surgical operation were obtained. Results A total of 222 (98.7%) and 3 (1.3%) of patients were male and female, respectively. Average age of hospitalized patients was 40.7 ± 8.5 (20–62) years. A total of 200 patients (88.9%) were active cigarette smokers while 168 (74.7%) of them were opium addicts. The most prevalent symptoms were chronic ulcers (80%) and claudication (63.6%). Minor and major amputation was required in 113 (50.2%) and 41 (18.4%) patients, respectively. Amputation was carried out on the lower limb (80%), upper limb (4.1%), or on both (15.1%). Also, four patients underwent revascularization through surgical bypass procedures. Conclusions The diagnosis and treatment of Buerger’s Disease is still a challenge in those communities where the disease is endemic. Therefore, identifying the natural course of the disease can play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.
Intravenous iloprost for treatment of critical limb ischemia in patients unsuitable for revascularization
Authors: Çevirme Deniz , Aksoy Eray , Gül Yaşar Gökhan , Erdem Hasan , Adademir Taylan , Köksal Cengiz , Bozkurt Kürşat 
Published: October 2014

Introduction Whether medical therapy alone may reduce the amputation rates in patients with chronic limb ischemia and who are unsuitable for revascularization is a controversial topic. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of 1 week infusion of iloprost in the treatment of patients with chronic limb ischemia. Materials and methods Twenty-seven consecutive patients were included in the study. There were 23 men (85.2%) and 4 women (14.8%) with a mean age of 68.93 ± 14.84 years. Patients were considered eligible if they were unsuitable for surgical and endovascular revascularization. Follow-up was made on 10th day and 6th month and included ankle brachial index and clinical assessment. Results Minor side effects occurred in four patients (16.0%), but the treatment was continued. In-hospital mortality occurred in one patient (4.0%). Another two patients died and four patients received amputation until follow-up (overall mortality 11.1%). There was significant increase in mean ankle-brachial index values between 1st day and 10th day ( p < 0.001), between 1st day and 6th month ( p < 0.001), and between 10th day and 6th month ( p < 0.001). Conclusion One-week treatment with iloprost may provide both long lasting symptomatic benefit and may improve hemodynamic parameters, which were shown to predict future amputation.
Evaluating Quality of Glycemic Control
Authors: Rodbard David 
Published: October 2014

Background: There is need for readily understandable graphical displays of glucose data to facilitate interpretation by clinicians and researchers. Methods: (1) Display of the percentage of glucose values above a specified threshold for hyperglycemia (%High) versus percentage of glucose values below a specified threshold for hypoglycemia (%Low). If all glucose values fell within the target range, then all data points would fall at the origin. (2) After an intervention, one can plot the change in percentage of glucose values above a specified threshold for hyperglycemia versus the change in percentage of glucose values below a specified threshold defining hypoglycemia: The quadrants of this graph correspond to (a) increased risk of both hyper- and hypoglycemia, (b) decreased hyperglycemia but increased risk of hypoglycemia, (c) decreases in both hypo- and hyperglycemia, and (d) decreased hypoglycemia but increased hyperglycemia. (3) A 2-dimensional triangular graph can be used for simultaneous display of %High, %Low, and percentage in target range. (4) Display of risk of hyper- versus risk of hypoglycemia based on both frequency and severity of departures from the target range can be used. (5) Graphs (1) and (4) can also be presented using percentile scores relative to a reference population. (6) It is also useful to analyze %Hypoglycemia or risk of hypoglycemia versus mean glucose. Results: These methods are illustrated with examples from representative cases and shown to be feasible, practical, and informative. Conclusions: These new types of graphical displays can facilitate rapid analysis of risks of hypo- and hypoglycemia simultaneously and responses to therapeutic interventions for individuals or in clinical trials.
A Novel Method to Detect Pressure-Induced Sensor Attenuations (PISA) in an Artificial Pancreas
Authors: Baysal Nihat , Cameron Fraser , Buckingham Bruce A. , Wilson Darrell M. , Chase H. Peter , Maahs David M. , Bequette B. Wayne ,   for the In Home Closed-Loop Study Group (IHCL), Buckingham Bruce A. , Wilson Darrell M. , Aye Tandy , Clinton Paula , Harris Breanne P. , Chase H. Peter , Maahs David M. , Slover Robert , Wadwa Paul , Realsen Jaime , Messer Laurel , Hramiak Irene , Paul Terri , Tereschyn Sue , Driscoll Marsha , Bequette B. Wayne , Cameron Fraser , Baysal Nihat , Beck Roy W. , Lum John , Kollman Craig , Calhoun Peter , Sibayan Judy , Njeru Nelly M. , Sauer Werner , Lott Jennifer , Pickup John C. , Hirsch Irl , Wolpert Howard 
Published: October 2014

Background: Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) provide real-time interstitial glucose concentrations that are essential for automated treatment of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Miscalibration, noise spikes, dropouts, or pressure applied to the site (e.g., lying on the site while sleeping) can cause inaccurate glucose signals, which could lead to inappropriate insulin dosing decisions. These studies focus on the problem of pressure-induced sensor attenuations (PISAs) that occur overnight and can cause undesirable pump shut-offs in a predictive low glucose suspend system. Methods: The algorithm presented here uses real-time CGM readings without knowledge of meals, insulin doses, activity, sensor recalibrations, or fingerstick measurements. The real-time PISA detection technique was tested on outpatient “in-home” data from a predictive low-glucose suspend trial with over 1125 nights of data. A total of 178 sets were created by using different parameters for the PISA detection algorithm to illustrate its range of available performance. Results: The tracings were reviewed via a web-based analysis tool by an engineer with an extensive expertise on analyzing clinical datasets and ~3% of the CGM readings were marked as PISA events which were used as the gold standard. It is shown that 88.34% of the PISAs were successfully detected by the algorithm, and the percentage of false detections could be reduced to 1.70% by altering the algorithm parameters. Conclusions: Use of the proposed PISA detection method can result in a significant decrease in undesirable pump suspensions overnight, and may lead to lower overnight mean glucose levels while still achieving a low risk of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia Prediction Using Machine Learning Models for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sudharsan Bharath , Peeples Malinda , Shomali Mansur 
Published: October 2014

Background: Minimizing the occurrence of hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes is a challenging task since these patients typically check only 1 to 2 self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) readings per day. Method: We trained a probabilistic model using machine learning algorithms and SMBG values from real patients. Hypoglycemia was defined as a SMBG value < 70 mg/dL. We validated our model using multiple data sets. In addition, we trained a second model, which used patient SMBG values and information about patient medication administration. Results: The optimal number of SMBG values needed by the model was approximately 10 per week. The sensitivity of the model for predicting a hypoglycemia event in the next 24 hours was 92% and the specificity was 70%. In the model that incorporated medication information, the prediction window was for the hour of hypoglycemia, and the specificity improved to 90%. Conclusions: Our machine learning models can predict hypoglycemia events with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. These models—which have been validated retrospectively and if implemented in real time—could be useful tools for reducing hypoglycemia in vulnerable patients.