bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nasendoscopy: An Analysis of Measurement Uncertainties
Authors: Gilleard Onur , Sommerlad Brian , Sell Debbie , Ghanem Ali , Birch Malcolm 
Published: February 2012

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the optical characteristics of two different nasendoscopes used to assess velopharyngeal insufficiency and to quantify the measurement uncertainties that will occur in a typical set of clinical data. Design The magnification and barrel distortion associated with nasendoscopy was estimated by using computer software to analyze the apparent dimensions of a spatially calibrated test object at varying object-lens distances. In addition, a method of semiquantitative analysis of velopharyngeal closure using nasendoscopy and computer software is described. To calculate the reliability of this method, 10 nasendoscopy examinations were analyzed two times by three separate operators. The measure of intraoperator and interoperator agreement was evaluated using Pearson's r correlation coefficient. Results Over an object lens distance of 9 mm, magnification caused the visualized dimensions of the test object to increase by 80%. In addition, dimensions of objects visualized in the far-peripheral field of the nasendoscopic examinations appeared approximately 40% smaller than those visualized in the central field. Using computer software to analyze velopharyngeal closure, the mean correlation coefficient for intrarater reliability was .94 and for interrater reliability was .90. Conclusion Using a custom-designed apparatus, the effect object-lens distance has on the magnification of nasendoscopic images has been quantified. Barrel distortion has also been quantified and was found to be independent of object-lens distance. Using computer software to analyze clinical images, the intraoperator and interoperator correlation appears to show that ratio-metric measurements are reliable.
Operator Organization for Managing and Integrating New Projects within an Existing Organization
Authors: Durand de Bousingen Jean A. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Total Oil Marine, in its role of operator for developments in the North Sea, has handled so far what is described as "Initial Projects", which means large projects where none of the installations existed before and where everything had to be organized and built from scratch.
A typical example is the Frigg transportation system, consisting of a shore terminal, two 32″ pipelines, a manifold compression platform and all the connections with the field production installations. The historical sequence of operations was design, procurement, construction, commissioning and start-up followed by permanent production operations.
In this case, the entire organization required to deal with the problems was built around and with the project. Specific teams were set up, in a sequential mode, to follow the operations pattern until the end when construction teams were completely disbanded to be replaced by production teams.
From then on, the operator organizes himself for permanent production problems, which become the key factor to select people and define the lines of authority.
But new problems arise when additional installations have to be added to the existing ones, whilst production must continue without interruption. Design and construction teams begin to interfere with permanent operations people and have clearly different ideas about their respective roles. Experience indicates that the initial pattern of project organization can no longer be applied without running into a permanent conflict situation.
Total Oil Marine has recognised this difficulty and has tried to introduce within its new projects organization a specific co-ordination and conflict solving role. The aim is to enforce compatibility between design, construction and production operations when they co-exist together with tight schedules. This paper describes how it is being achieved.
It is divided into three parts:-
The specific type of organization that did apply to initial projects. The short-comings of this type of organization and the new roles which are introduced. A New Projects typical organization set up to accommodate simultaneous design, construction and production operations under the operator's control.
The East Midlands Additional Oil Project
Authors: Gair David John , Grist Dennis M. , Mitchell Robert W. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The UK East Midlands oil reservoirs are thin estuarine sands of lov; porosity and permeability (1-3 mD) which are normally pressured and produced by pumping. Faulting and the presence of impermeable areas and sand discontinuity has reduced the water-flood recovery efficiency and limits the scope for enhanced recovery although a considerable quantity of oil remains in place.
The paper describes the approach taken to identify potential areas for additional oil recovery and describes tracing work initiated to prove continuity and examine channelling. A critical examination of enhanced recovery techniques in terms of East Midlands conditions is presented and schemes for pilot operations based on viable techniques are presented. These schemes include both multiwell pilots and single well operations.
A Controlled Study of Depression among Attendees of an Oncology Clinic in West Africa
Authors: Olagunju Andrew T. , Aina Olatunji F. 
Published: February 2012

Objective: Depression is commonly encountered among cancer patients and has been linked with grave consequences if not promptly treated. This study was set to determine the prevalence of depression in cancer patients. Method: The samples were recruited using systematic random sampling and made up of 200 cancer patients and 200 age and sex matched controls that consented and met the inclusion criteria. The instruments used included: Socio-demographic and clinical profile questionnaire, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised (CES-DR), and the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). The instruments were administered by the researchers on the subjects and controls, and data obtained were analyzed using SPSS-15. Results: A larger proportion of cancer patients compared to controls had depressive symptomatology (CES-DR score of 16 and above) made up of 98 (49.0%) cancer patients compared to 40 (20.0%) controls, and the difference was statistically significant, p = < 0.001. Seventy-four (18.5%) subjects from the two groups had depressive disorder using SCAN. The prevalence of depression in cancer subjects was 27.5% with 9.5% in controls and the difference was statistically significant with p = < 0.001. A substantial proportion of cancer patients with depression, 36 (65.5%, n = 55), had moderate depression, 15 (27.3%, n = 55) were mildly depressed, and 7.2% ( n = 55) had severe depression. Conclusion: A significant proportion of cancer patients had depression compared with the controls with acute medical conditions. Prompt identification and treatment of cancer, mental disorders like depression should be integrated into cancer care in this part of the world.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder following Myocardial Infarction: Personality, Coping, and Trauma Exposure Characteristics
Authors: Chung Man Cheung , Dennis Ian , Berger Zoë , Jones Rupert , Rudd Hannah 
Published: February 2012

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the interrelationship between trauma exposure characteristics of myocardial infarction (MI), MI patients' personality traits, coping strategies, post-MI PTSD, and general psychological distress. Method: One hundred and twenty MI patients were recruited from two general practices. The MI patients were interviewed using a MI experience questionnaire and completed the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS), the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the COPE Scale. Results: Neuroticism was directly associated with post-MI PTSD and general psychological distress, while agreeableness did not link to the outcomes directly. Neuroticism influenced MI exposure characteristics which in turn influenced PTSD. Agreeableness affected PTSD and general psychological distress through MI exposure characteristics. Neuroticism influenced problem-focused coping which in turn affected general psychological distress. Agreeableness influenced problem-focused coping which in turn affected PTSD and general psychological distress. Conclusions: Patients developed PTSD and general psychological distress following MI. Neurotic and antagonistic personality traits combined with patients' subjective experiences of MI and usage of problem-focused coping influenced the severity of outcomes.
Does Having a Chronic Physical Condition Affect the Likelihood of Treatment Seeking for a Mental Health Problem and Does This Vary by Ethnicity?
Authors: Scott K. M. , Kokaua J. , Baxter J. 
Published: February 2012

Objective: The comorbidity of mental disorders with chronic physical conditions is known to have important clinical consequences, but it is not known whether mental-physical comorbidity influences mental health treatment seeking. This study investigates whether the presence of a chronic physical condition influences the likelihood of seeking treatment for a mental health problem, and whether that varies among ethnic subgroups in New Zealand. Methods: Analyses were based on a subsample ( n = 7,435) of The New Zealand Mental Health Survey, a nationally representative household survey of adults (response rate 73.3%). Ethnic subgroups (Maori and Pacific peoples) were oversampled. DSM-IV mental disorders were measured face-to-face with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). Ascertainment of chronic physical conditions was via self-report. Results: In the general population, having a chronic medical condition increased the likelihood of seeking mental health treatment from a general practitioner (OR: 1.58), as did having a chronic pain condition (OR: 2.03). Comorbid chronic medical conditions increased the likelihood of seeking mental health treatment most strongly among Pacific peoples (ORs: 2.86–4.23), despite their being less likely (relative to other ethnic groups) to seek mental health treatment in the absence of physical condition comorbidity. Conclusion: In this first investigation of this topic, this study finds that chronic physical condition comorbidity increases the likelihood of seeking treatment for mental health problems. This provides reassurance to clinicians and health service planners that the difficult clinical problem of mental-physical comorbidity is not further compounded by the comorbidity itself constituting a barrier to mental health treatment seeking.
Kidney Volume and Functional Outcomes in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chapman Arlene B. , Bost James E. , Torres Vicente E. , Guay-Woodford Lisa , Bae Kyongtae Ty , Landsittel Douglas , Li Jie , King Bernard F. , Martin Diego , Wetzel Louis H. , Lockhart Mark E. , Harris Peter C. , Moxey-Mims Marva , Flessner Mike , Bennett William M. , Grantham Jared J. 
Published: February 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by increased total kidney volume (TKV) and renal failure. This study aimed to determine if height-adjusted TKV (htTKV) predicts the onset of renal insufficiency.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
This prospective, observational, longitudinal, multicenter study included 241 adults with ADPKD and preserved renal function. Magnetic resonance imaging and iothalamate clearance were used to measure htTKV and GFR, respectively. The association between baseline htTKV and the attainment of stage 3 CKD (GFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) during follow-up was determined.

Results
After a mean follow-up of 7.9 years, stage 3 CKD was attained in 30.7% of the enrollees. Using baseline htTKV, negative correlations with GFR increased from −0.22 at baseline to −0.65 at year 8. In multivariable analysis, a baseline htTKV increase of 100 cc/m significantly predicted the development of CKD within 8 years with an odds ratio of 1.48 (95% confidence interval: 1.29, 1.70). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, baseline htTKV of 600 cc/m most accurately defined the risk of developing stage 3 CKD within 8 years with an area under the curve of 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.79, 0.90). htTKV was a better predictor than baseline age, serum creatinine, BUN, urinary albumin, or monocyte chemotactic protein-1 excretion (P<0.05).

Conclusions
Baseline htTKV ≥600 cc/m predicted the risk of developing renal insufficiency in ADPKD patients at high risk for renal disease progression within 8 years of follow-up, qualifying htTKV as a prognostic biomarker in ADPKD.
MicroRNAs in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis (MINOS Study)
Authors: Emilian Cristina , Goretti Emeline , Prospert Fernand , Pouthier Dominique , Duhoux Pierre , Gilson Georges , Devaux Yvan , Wagner Daniel R. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackground and objectivesDiagnosis of acute myocardial injury with biomarkers is difficult in patients with advanced renal failure. Circulating microRNAs are promising new biomarkers of myocardial injury. It is unknown whether levels of microRNAs are affected in patients undergoing hemodialysis.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsHigh-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) and cardiac-enriched miR-499 were measured in 41 patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis and 41 controls.ResultsLevels of hsTnT and miR-499 were highly elevated in patients with ESRD compared with controls (>80-fold increase;P<0.001). Among patients with ESRD, 98% had positive hsTnT levels and 46% had positive miR-499 levels. Levels of troponins were not affected by hemodialysis. However, miR-499 levels were decreased after hemodialysis (6.5-fold decrease;P=0.002).ConclusionsBoth miR-499 and troponins are elevated in patients with advanced renal failure. However, whereas levels of troponins are unaffected by hemodialysis, this is not the case for miR-499. Therefore, these observations mitigate the potential of miR-499 as a marker of myocardial injury in patients with ESRD.
Use of Secondary Prevention Medications among Adults with Reduced Kidney Function
Authors: Chang Tara I. , Gao Liyan , Brown Todd M. , Safford Monika M. , Judd Suzanne E. , McClellan William M. , Limdi Nita A. , Muntner Paul , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. 
Published: February 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
Persons with kidney disease often have cardiovascular disease, but they are less likely to use recommended medications for secondary prevention. The hypothesis was that participants with reduced estimated GFR have lower use of medications recommended for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events (antiplatelet agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, β-blockers, and statins) and lower medication adherence than participants with preserved estimated GFR.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
In this cross-sectional analysis, we analyzed data from 6913 participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study with a history of cardiovascular disease. Medication use was ascertained by an in-home pill bottle review. Medication adherence was assessed using a validated four-item scale.

Results
Among participants with a history of cardiovascular disease, 59.8% used antiplatelet agents, 49.9% used angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, 41.6% used β-blockers, and 53.0% used statins. Compared with the referent group (estimated GFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2), participants with estimated GFR <45 ml/min per 1.73 m2 were more likely to use angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.14, 95% confidence interval=1.06–1.23), β-blockers (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.20, 95% confidence interval=1.09–1.32), and statins (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.10, 95% confidence interval=1.01–1.19). Antiplatelet agent use did not differ by estimated GFR category; 30% of participants reported medication nonadherence across all categories of estimated GFR.

Conclusions
Among participants with a history of cardiovascular disease, mild to moderate reductions in estimated GFR were associated with similar and even more frequent use of medications for secondary prevention compared with participants with preserved estimated GFR. Overall medication use and adherence were suboptimal.
Use of an Automated Decision Support Tool Optimizes Clinicians’ Ability to Interpret and Appropriately Respond to Structured Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Data
Authors: Rodbard Helena W. , Schnell Oliver , Unger Jeffrey , Rees Christen , Amstutz Linda , Parkin Christopher G. , Jelsovsky Zhihong , Wegmann Nathan , Axel-Schweitzer Matthias , Wagner Robin S. 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the impact of an automated decision support tool (DST) on clinicians’ ability to identify glycemic abnormalities in structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) data and then make appropriate therapeutic changes based on the glycemic patterns observed.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In this prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study, 288 clinicians (39.6% family practice physicians, 37.9% general internal medicine physicians, and 22.6% nurse practitioners) were randomized to structured SMBG alone (STG; n = 72); structured SMBG with DST (DST; n = 72); structured SMBG with an educational DVD (DVD; n = 72); and structured SMBG with DST and the educational DVD (DST+DVD; n = 72). Clinicians analyzed 30 patient cases (type 2 diabetes), identified the primary abnormality, and selected the most appropriate therapy.

RESULTS
A total of 222 clinicians completed all 30 patient cases with no major protocol deviations. Significantly more DST, DVD, and DST+DVD clinicians correctly identified the glycemic abnormality and selected the most appropriate therapeutic option compared with STG clinicians: 49, 51, and 55%, respectively, vs. 33% (all P &lt; 0.0001) with no significant differences among DST, DVD, and DST+DVD clinicians.

CONCLUSIONS
Use of structured SMBG, combined with the DST, the educational DVD, or both, enhances clinicians’ ability to correctly identify significant glycemic patterns and make appropriate therapeutic decisions to address those patterns. Structured testing interventions using either the educational DVD or the DST are equally effective in improving data interpretation and utilization. The DST provides a viable alternative when comprehensive education is not feasible, and it may be integrated into medical practices with minimal training.
Use of an Automated Bolus Calculator in MDI-Treated Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Schmidt Signe , Meldgaard Merete , Serifovski Nermin , Storm Camilla , Christensen Tomas Møller , Gade-Rasmussen Birthe , Nørgaard Kirsten 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of flexible intensive insulin therapy (FIIT) and an automated bolus calculator (ABC) in a Danish type 1 diabetes population treated with multiple daily injections. Furthermore, to test the feasibility of teaching FIIT in a 3-h structured course.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The BolusCal Study was a 16-week randomized, controlled, open-label, three-arm parallel, clinical study of 51 adults with type 1 diabetes. Patients aged 18–65 years in poor metabolic control (HbA1c 8.0–10.5%) were randomized to the Control (n = 8), CarbCount (n = 21), or CarbCountABC (n = 22) arm. During a 3-h group teaching, the Control arm received FIIT education excluding carbohydrate counting. CarbCount patients were taught FIIT and how to count carbohydrates. CarbCountABC group teaching included FIIT and carbohydrate counting and patients were provided with an ABC.

RESULTS
At 16 weeks, the within-group change in HbA1c was −0.1% (95% CI −1.0 to 0.7%; P = 0.730) in the Control arm, −0.8% (−1.3 to −0.3%; P = 0.002) in the CarbCount arm, and −0.7% (−1.0 to −0.4%; P &lt; 0.0001) in the CarbCountABC arm. The difference in change in HbA1c between CarbCount and CarbCountABC was insignificant. Adjusting for baseline HbA1c in a regression model, the relative change in HbA1c was −0.6% (−1.2 to 0.1%; P = 0.082) in CarbCount and −0.8% (−1.4 to −0.1%; P = 0.017) in CarbCountABC. Treatment satisfaction measured by the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (status version) improved in all study arms, but the improvement was significantly greater in CarbCountABC.

CONCLUSIONS
FIIT and carbohydrate counting were successfully taught in 3 h and improved metabolic control and treatment satisfaction. Concurrent use of an ABC improved treatment satisfaction further.
Protective effect of placenta extracts against nitrite-induced oxidative stress in human erythrocytes
Authors: Rozanova Svitlana , Cherkashina Yana , Repina Svitlana , Rozanova Katherina , Nardid Oleg 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAqueous-saline human placenta extract (HPE) is known to possess antioxidant activity due to the high concentration of bioactive substances. This fact allows its application in clinical practice in order to treat oxidation-induced diseases. Extract antioxidant activity is mainly conditioned by proteins. Freezing of extracts has been shown to lead to their antioxidant activity increasing due to protein conformation changes.Different biological models are widely used in order to evaluate efficacy of novel antioxidants and mechanisms of their action. One such model appears to be erythrocytes under nitrite-induced oxidative stress. Nitrite is known to be able to penetrate erythrocyte membrane and to oxidize hemoglobin. In order to investigate whether HPE is able to decrease nitrite-induced oxidative injuries and to evaluate the protein contribution to this process, spectrophotometric and electron spin resonance (ESR) assays were used.Experimental data have revealed that antioxidant activity of extracts and of some of their fractions correlates with methemoglobin concentration lowering. Preliminary erythrocyte incubation with an extract fraction of 12 kDa allows preservation of the structural-dynamic cytosol state the closest to the control.