bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is progressive early digit mobilization intervention beneficial for patients with external fixation of distal radius fracture? A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kuo Li-Chieh , Yang Tai-Hua , Hsu Ying-Ya , Wu Po-Ting , Lin Cheng-Li , Hsu Hsiu-Yun , Jou I-Ming 
Published: June 2013

Objective: To investigate whether progressive early digit mobilization resulted in better outcomes for hand stiffness and related functional results, as well as the effects on the bone healing process. Design: Prospective, pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: A university hospital in southern Taiwan. Participants: Twenty-two patients with distal radius fracture randomized into two groups: early digit mobilization or control. Interventions: The intervention group received 45 minutes per treatment session and three sessions per week until the external fixator was removed 6 weeks after fracture. The control group received usual home programmes. After removing fixators, both groups received regular rehabilitation programmes until 12 weeks after surgery. Main measures: Hand strength, dexterity and functional outcomes were obtained using a dynamometer, Purdue pegboard and self-report assessment, respectively, and X-rays of the distal radius were taken to reveal bone healing 1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. A motion tracking system measured various kinematic parameters. Results: The recovery rates between the groups showed statistically significant differences in both thumb workspace (81.55% vs. 69.54%, P = 0.04) and finger workspace (89.22% vs. 59.97%, P = 0.03) 12 weeks after injury. However, no statistical differences were found in finger dexterity, strength and self-reported outcomes. The radiographic assessment showed no significant differences between the groups for radial inclination, radial height and volar tilt throughout the examinations. Conclusions: The findings suggest that early rehabilitative intervention for digits is applicable for distal radius fracture treatment, and does not produce additional bone deformities.
Comparison of pharmacological and electrical cardioversion in permanent atrial fibrillation after prosthetic cardiac valve replacement: A prospective randomized trial
Authors: Chen Wen Sheng , Gao Bing Ren , Chen Wen Qin , Li Zhen Zhen , Xu Zhi Yi , Zhang Yan Hua , Yang Kun , Guan Xin Qiang 
Published: June 2013

Objective To compare the efficacy of electrical versus pharmacological cardioversion following prosthetic cardiac valve replacement in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Patients with permanent AF who had undergone prosthetic cardiac valve replacement, who had a cardiothoracic ratio ≤0.5 and a left atrial diameter ≤50 mm for ≥6 months after surgery were randomly divided to receive either electrical or pharmacological cardioversion. Patients in the electrical cardioversion group were given direct-current synchronized electrical defibrillation under general anaesthesia. Patients in the pharmacological cardioversion group were given oral combination therapy with amiodarone, captopril and simvastatin for 3 months. Results A total of 115 patients received either electrical cardioversion ( n = 59) or pharmacological cardioversion ( n = 56); reversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 98.3% and 26.8%, respectively. Recurrence rates were similar in the two groups (3.4% and 6.7% for electrical and pharmacological cardioversion, respectively). No deaths or severe complications were reported. Conclusion Electrical cardioversion has a favourable safety profile and appears to be a more effective method than pharmacological cardioversion for the treatment of permanent AF after cardiac valve replacement, once the heart has returned close to its normal size.
Art and Aesthetics: From Modern to Contemporary
Authors: Erjavec Aleš 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe author sketches the development of the relationship between art and aesthetics in the past four decades. He takes as his starting point the change that artists established in the sixties in relation to philosophical aesthetics. He argues that 1980 represented a historical threshold as concerns transformations both in art and its philosophy. He then discusses three theories of art and aesthetics— Nicolas Bourriaud’s “relational aesthetics” from the nineties, Jacques Rancière’s aesthetic project from the following decade, and the very recent “theory of contemporary art” developed by Terry Smith. In the author’s opinion, these three aesthetic or art theories not only disprove the pervasive opinion that contemporary aesthetics understood as philosophy of art is once more separated from contemporary art and the art world, but also manifest their factual import and impact in contemporary discussions on art.
Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Breast Milk Levels of IgA, TGF-β1, and TGF-β2
Authors: Nikniaz Leila , Ostadrahimi Alireza , Mahdavi Reza , Hejazi Mohammad amin , Hosseini Salekdeh Ghasem 
Published: June 2013

Background: Effects of probiotics on the immunological composition of breast milk have been investigated in a few previous studies. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the effects of synbiotic (probiotic plus prebiotic) supplementation on immunoglobulin A (IgA), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) levels of breast milk and on diarrhea incidence in infants. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, we recruited 80 lactating mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding their 3-month-old infants. We randomly divided the mothers into 2 groups to receive a daily synbiotic supplement (n = 40) or a placebo (n = 40) for 30 days. Demographic and clinical data (ie, health status) were obtained through an interview. The IgA levels of breast milk were detected by nephelometry, and the levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were measured using a commercial Platinum ELISA kit. Results: The breast milk IgA increased significantly from 0.41 ± 0.09 to 0.48 ± 0.15 g/L in the supplemented group ( P = .018), while in the placebo group, no significant changes were observed. Although the breast milk TGF-β1 levels did not change significantly, the TGF-β2 levels of breast milk increased significantly from 270 ± 37.8 to 382 ± 43.7 pg/mL in the supplemented group ( P = .043). Also, the incidence of diarrhea in infants decreased significantly in the supplemented group while no significant changes were observed in the placebo group after the experimental period. Conclusion: Synbiotic supplementation may have positive effects on the immune composition of breast milk and the reduction of diarrhea incidence in infants.
Low Hemoglobin Concentration Is Associated With Poor Outcome After Peripheral Arterial Surgery
Authors: Oshin O. A. , Torella F. 
Published: June 2013

Objective: To assess the influence of low hemoglobin (Hb) concentration on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and mortality in patients undergoing peripheral arterial surgery. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing peripheral arterial reconstructive surgery at a tertiary vascular center. Preoperative factors linked with the occurrence of MACE and death on univariate analysis ( P ≤ .1) were included in a multivariate model to confirm the independent association with the outcome variables. Results: A total of 360 consecutive patients (238 men) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 69 (10.7) years and Hb of 13.0 (2.12) g/dL treated under the care of a single specialist between January 2004 and December 2011 were included in the analysis. Of these, 193 (53.6%) were anemic. In all, 26 (7%) had a postoperative MACE and 18 (5%) died. On multivariate analysis, age > 80 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.2-7.5]; P = .025), renal impairment (OR = 3.2; 95% CI [.99-10.2]; P = .053), coronary disease (OR = 3.6; 95% CI [1.5-8.7]; P = .005), and low Hb (OR for each 1 g/dL drop below the mean = 1.4 [1.13-1.7]; P = .002) were independent risk factors for MACE. Unplanned surgery (OR = 4.5; 95% CI [1.2-16.9]; P = .025) and low Hb (OR for each 1 g/dL drop below the mean = 1.5; 95% CI [1.14-1.86]; P = .002) were independent risk factors for death. Conclusion: In peripheral arterial surgery, preoperative low Hb is associated with MACE and death. Further investigation is necessary to elucidate whether this relationship is causal. Meanwhile, consideration should be given to treating preoperative anemia as a significant risk factor for adverse outcome in this setting.
Caution regarding the choice of standard deviations to guide sample size calculations in clinical trials
Authors: Chen Henian , Zhang Nanhua , Lu Xiaosun , Chen Sophie 
Published: June 2013

Background The method used to determine choice of standard deviation (SD) is inadequately reported in clinical trials. Underestimations of the population SD may result in underpowered clinical trials. Purpose This study demonstrates how using the wrong method to determine population SD can lead to inaccurate sample sizes and underpowered studies, and offers recommendations to maximize the likelihood of achieving adequate statistical power. Methods We review the practice of reporting sample size and its effect on the power of trials published in major journals. Simulated clinical trials were used to compare the effects of different methods of determining SD on power and sample size calculations. Results Prior to 1996, sample size calculations were reported in just 1%–42% of clinical trials. This proportion increased from 38% to 54% after the initial Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) was published in 1996, and from 64% to 95% after the revised CONSORT was published in 2001. Nevertheless, underpowered clinical trials are still common. Our simulated data showed that all minimal and 25th-percentile SDs fell below 44 (the population SD), regardless of sample size (from 5 to 50). For sample sizes 5 and 50, the minimum sample SDs underestimated the population SD by 90.7% and 29.3%, respectively. If only one sample was available, there was less than 50% chance that the actual power equaled or exceeded the planned power of 80% for detecting a median effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.5) when using the sample SD to calculate the sample size. The proportions of studies with actual power of at least 80% were about 95%, 90%, 85%, and 80% when we used the larger SD, 80% upper confidence limit (UCL) of SD, 70% UCL of SD, and 60% UCL of SD to calculate the sample size, respectively. When more than one sample was available, the weighted average SD resulted in about 50% of trials being underpowered; the proportion of trials with power of 80% increased from 90% to 100% when the 75th percentile and the maximum SD from 10 samples were used. Greater sample size is needed to achieve a higher proportion of studies having actual power of 80%. Limitations This study only addressed sample size calculation for continuous outcome variables. Conclusions We recommend using the 60% UCL of SD, maximum SD, 80th-percentile SD, and 75th-percentile SD to calculate sample size when 1 or 2 samples, 3 samples, 4–5 samples, and more than 5 samples of data are available, respectively. Using the sample SD or average SD to calculate sample size should be avoided.
Infections in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Stucken Charlton , Garras David N. , Shaner Julie L. , Cohen Steven B. 
Published: June 2013

Context: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a safe, common, and effective method of restoring stability to the knee after injury, but evolving techniques of reconstruction carry inherent risk. Infection after ACL reconstruction, while rare, carries a high morbidity, potentially resulting in a poor clinical outcome. Evidence Acquisition: Data were obtained from previously published peer-reviewed literature through a search of the entire PubMed database (up to December 2012) as well as from textbook chapters. Results: Treatment with culture-specific antibiotics and debridement with graft retention is recommended as initial treatment, but with persistent infection, consideration should be given to graft removal. Graft type likely has no effect on infection rates. Conclusion: The early diagnosis of infection and appropriate treatment are necessary to avoid the complications of articular cartilage damage and arthrofibrosis.
Burden and Determinants of Severe Anemia among HIV-Infected Adults
Authors: Makubi Abel , Okuma James , Spiegelman Donna , Hawkins Claudia , Darling Anne Marie , Jackson Elizabeth , Mugusi Ferdinand , Chalamilla Guerino , Fawzi Wafaie 
Published: June 2013

Background and Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors for severe anemia, severe microcytic anemia, and severe normocytic anemia among HIV-infected individuals aged >15 years. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for anemia. Results: Data from 40 408 patients were analyzed, showing an overall prevalence of 22% for severe anemia. The risk of developing severe anemia increased by 49% among patients with a body mass index of <18.5 kg/m2, by approximately 2-fold among patients with the World Health Organization (WHO) stage III, and by 3-fold among patients with WHO stage IV illness. Severe normocytic anemia was uniquely increased among patients aged ≥50 years, among those with chronic diarrhea and Kaposi's sarcoma, and those taking cotrimoxazole. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of severe anemia among adults infected with HIV. Focused identification of anemia should be based on the hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume measurements.
Effects of Lifetime History of Use of Problematic Alcohol on HIV Medication Adherence
Authors: Sharma Aman , Sachdeva Ravinder Kaur , Kumar Mahendra , Nehra Ritu , Nakra Monika , Jones Deborah 
Published: June 2013

Background: The effects of previous alcohol abuse on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence have been less studied. Materials and Methodology: Participants were randomized to a 3-month group intervention or an individual-enhanced standard-of-care condition and assessed over 6 months. Individual assessment at baseline, 3, and 6 months was done; interviews included lifetime history of problematic alcohol use. Results: A total of 80 HIV-positive individuals on ART were recruited. In all, 35% of participants reported a history of problematic alcohol use, 37% had a detectable viral load, 55% were nonadherent, and 24% reporting skipping medication in the previous 3 months. There was no association between a history of problematic use and an adherence at any time point, that is, at baseline ( t = −.7, P = .47), midpoint ( t = −.39, P = .69), and 6-month follow-up ( t = −1.2, P = .23). Conclusion: Results suggest that a history of problematic alcohol use may not impact ART adherence.
On some recent views concerning the development of the Greek future system
Authors: Joseph Brian D. , Pappas Panayiotis A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractResearchers of the historical grammar of Modern Greek agree in general terms that the particle θά derives from an older construction which included the verb θέλω. In the past years, however, there has been some disagreement about the exact point of departure, and, consequently, the exact route (or routes) of the development of θά. In this article we present a straightforward account of θά, explicating several of the disputed aspects of its development, and comparing our account to other, recently published, views. In this way we try to set the record straight with respect to the history of this important element of the Greek verbal system.
The Silence of Hermippos: Greece in the Poetry of Cavafy
Authors: Clay Diskin 
Published: June 2013

Hellene: a. An ancient Greek, of genuine Grecian race.b. A subject of the modern kingdom of Greece or Hellas. OED.1. On 29 April 1933 Cavafy died in Alexandria, the city in which he was born. There is some reason for satisfaction in this. Visitors to his apartment on the second floor of 10 Rue Lepsius knew how self-contained Cavafy’s small and familiar world in Alexandria was. Rue Lepsius was home for the last twenty-six years of Cavafy’s life: ‘Below, the brothel caters for the flesh. And there is the church [St. Savvas’s] which forgives sin. And there is the hospital where we die.’ The first floor of 10 Rue Lepsius never catered to Cavafy’s flesh, but the church forgave his sins, and he died in the hospital. He could have died in an hospital in Athens where he had gone the year before for treatment of cancer of the throat. He stayed there for a time at the Hôtel Cosmopolite, and from Kifissiá he found the sight of Hymettos and the mountains to the north ‘boring’. He returned home to die, ‘an Alexandrian of the Alexandrians’, an epitaph he very nearly composed for himself.
C1galt1-deficient mice exhibit thrombocytopenia due to abnormal terminal differentiation of megakaryocytes
Authors: Kudo Takashi , Sato Takashi , Hagiwara Kozue , Kozuma Yukinori , Yamaguchi Takashi , Ikehara Yuzuru , Hamada Michito , Matsumoto Ken , Ema Masatsugu , Murata Soichiro , Ohkohchi Nobuhiro , Narimatsu Hisashi , Takahashi Satoru 
Published: June 2013

Key PointsMucin-type O-glycans are required for terminal differentiation of megakaryocytes and platelet production. The expression of GPIbα protein is strongly reduced in O-glycans–defective megakaryocytes and platelets.
Unraveling the complexity of tyrosine kinase inhibitor–resistant populations by ultra-deep sequencing of the BCR-ABL kinase domain
Authors: Soverini Simona , De Benedittis Caterina , Machova Polakova K. , Brouckova Adela , Horner David , Iacono Michele , Castagnetti Fausto , Gugliotta Gabriele , Palandri Francesca , Papayannidis Cristina , Iacobucci Ilaria , Venturi Claudia , Bochicchio Maria Teresa , Klamova Hana , Cattina Federica , Russo Domenico , Bresciani Paola , Binotto Gianni , Giannini Barbara , Kohlmann Alexander , Haferlach Torsten , Roller Andreas , Rosti Gianantonio , Cavo Michele , Baccarani Michele , Martinelli Giovanni 
Published: June 2013

Key Points
UDS demonstrated that BCR-ABL KD mutations detectable with conventional methods may just be the tip of the iceberg. The information provided by conventional Sanger sequencing may not always be sufficient to predict responsiveness to a given TKI.
Hepatitis E virus: an underestimated opportunistic pathogen in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Versluis Jurjen , Pas Suzan D. , Agteresch Hendrik J. , de Man Robert A. , Maaskant Jolanda , Schipper Marguerite E. I. , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Cornelissen Jan J. , van der Eijk Annemiek A. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is increasingly acknowledged as a cause of hepatitis in healthy individuals as well as immunocompromised patients. Little is known of HEV infection in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Therefore, we set out to study the incidence and sequelae of HEV as a cause of hepatitis in a recent cohort of 328 alloHSCT recipients. HEV RNA was tested in episodes of liver enzyme abnormalities. In addition, HEV RNA and HEV serology were assessed pre- and post-alloHSCT. We found 8 cases (2.4%) of HEV infection, of which 5 had developed chronic HEV infection. Seroprevalence pre-alloHSCT was 13%. Four patients died with HEV viremia, with signs of ongoing hepatitis, having a median time of infection of 4.1 months. The 4 surviving patients cleared HEV after a median period of 6.3 months. One patient was diagnosed with HEV reactivation after a preceding infection prior to alloHSCT. Although the incidence of developing acute HEV post-alloHSCT is relatively low, the probability of developing chronic hepatitis in severely immunocompromised patients is high. Therefore, alloHSCT recipients should be screened pretransplantation by HEV serology and RNA. Furthermore, a differential diagnosis including hepatitis E is mandatory in all alloHSCT patients with severe liver enzyme abnormalities.
Prednisone in COPD exacerbation requiring ventilatory support: an open-label randomised evaluation
Authors: Abroug Fekri , Ouanes-Besbes Lamia , Fkih-Hassen Mohamed , Ouanes Islem , Ayed Samia , Dachraoui Fahmi , Brochard Laurent , ElAtrous Souheil 
Published: June 2013

Recommendation of the use of systemic steroids in chronic obstructive disease (COPD) exacerbation rely on trials that excluded patients requiring ventilatory support.In an open-label, randomised evaluation of oral prednisone administration, 217 patients with acute COPD exacerbation requiring ventilatory support were randomised (with stratification on the type of ventilation) to usual care (n=106) or to receive a daily dose of prednisone (1 mg·kg−1) for up to 10 days (n=111).There was no difference regarding the primary end-point, intensive care unit mortality, which was 17 (15.3%) deathsversus15 (14%) deaths in the steroid-treated and control groups, respectively (relative risk 1.08, 95% CI 0.6–2.05). Analysis according to ventilation modalities showed similar mortality rates. Noninvasive ventilation failed in 15.7% and 12.7% (relative risk 1.25, 95% CI 0.56–2.8; p=0.59), respectively. Both study groups had similar median mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit length of stay, which were 6 (interquartile range 6–12) daysversus6 (3.8–12) days and 9 (6–14) daysversus8 (6–14) days, respectively. Hyperglycaemic episodes requiring initiation or alteration of current insulin doses occurred in 55 (49.5%) patientsversus35 (33%) patients in the prednisone and control groups, respectively (relative risk 1.5, 95% CI 1.08–2.08; p=0.015).Prednisone did not improve intensive care unit mortality or patient-centred outcomes in the selected subgroup of COPD patients with severe exacerbation but significantly increased the risk of hyperglycaemia.
PredictingMycobacterium tuberculosisin patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Cavallazzi Rodrigo , Wiemken Timothy , Christensen Diana , Peyrani Paula , Blasi Francesco , Levy Gur , Aliberti Stefano , Kelley Robert , Ramirez Julio ,   the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization (CAPO) Investigators
Published: June 2013

The 22 risk factors suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to predict patients at risk forMycobacterium tuberculosishave not been evaluated in hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We evaluated which of the CDC risk factors best predictM. tuberculosisin these patients. To our knowledge, this is the first time a score has been developed assessing these risk factors.This was a secondary analysis of 6976 patients hospitalised with CAP enrolled in the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization International Cohort Study. Using Poisson regression, we selected the subset of risk factors that best predicted the presence of CAP due toM. tuberculosis. This subset was compared to the CDC risk factors using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Five risk factors were found to best predict CAP due toM. tuberculosis: night sweats, haemoptysis, weight loss,M. tuberculosisexposure and upper lobe infiltrate. The area under the ROC curve for all CDC risk factors was 71% and 89% for the subset of five risk factors.The CDC-suggested risk factors are poor at predicting the presence ofM. tuberculosisin hospitalised patients with CAP. With a subset of five risk factors identified in this study, we developed a new score, which will improve our capacity to isolate patients at risk of CAP due toM. tuberculosisat the time of hospitalisation.