Initial data analysis for longitudinal studies to build a solid foundation for reproducible analysis.

Initial data analysis (IDA) is the part of the data pipeline that takes place between the end of data retrieval and the beginning of data analysis that addresses the research question. Systematic IDA and clear reporting of the IDA findings is an important step towards reproducible research. A general framework of IDA for observational studies includes data cleaning, data screening, and possible updates of pre-planned statistical analyses.

Insertion of fluorine into a LiFePO electrode material by gas-solid fluorination.

In this study, the insertion of fluorine into LiFePO was carried out under molecular fluorine F at different temperatures. The reactivity strongly depends on the applied fluorination temperature, leading to very different products: core delithiation of the material is observed at low temperatures with the formation of a LiF shell around particles, while the material decomposes to gradually form a mixture of α-FeF and α-LiFeF iron fluorides at higher temperatures. A second thermal treatment under N leads to the formation of LiFePOF in a new way that has not been reported before.

Validation of the eyeTelemed IOPvet indentation tonometer for use in dogs.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of canine intraocular pressure (IOP) estimates from the eyeTelemed IOPvet indentation tonometer.

Animals Studied: Part 1 included 54 eyes from 28 Beagle dogs-23 ADAMTS10-mutants with open-angle glaucoma and 5 normals. Part 2 involved five normal canine ex vivo globes.

Free and open-source software for object detection, size, and colour determination for use in plant phenotyping.

Background: Object detection, size determination, and colour detection of images are tools commonly used in plant science. Key examples of this include identification of ripening stages of fruit such as tomatoes and the determination of chlorophyll content as an indicator of plant health. While methods exist for determining these important phenotypes, they often require proprietary software or require coding knowledge to adapt existing code.

Safety and efficacy of tamoxifen in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (TAMDMD): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Drug repurposing could provide novel treatment options for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Because tamoxifen-an oestrogen receptor regulator-reduced signs of muscular pathology in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of tamoxifen in humans as an adjunct to corticosteroid therapy over a period of 48 weeks.

Methods: We did a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial at 12 study centres in seven European countries.

Increased Risk of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Study.

Background and objective The global health burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) stems from its increasing incidence over the years. Comprehensive studies on the topic hypothesize that IBD plays a more dominant in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In light of this, we conducted this study with the aim of assessing the prevalence and risk factors of developing NASH in patients who have had a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients Using Proton-Pump Inhibitors: A Population-Based Study.

Background and aim Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is a heavily prescribed medication in the United States that is used to treat several gastrointestinal disorders. Although it has been considered to be safe compared to other medications, multiple gastrointestinal side effects have been reported. These effects of PPIs might stem from the progressive alteration of the intestinal microbiome.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Novel U500 Insulin Aspart Formulation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study in People With Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of a novel U500 insulin aspart formulation (AT278 U500) compared with insulin aspart (IAsp U100).

Research Design And Methods: This single-center, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in 38 men with type 1 diabetes (body weight ≤100 kg and total insulin dose <1.2 units/kg/day).

Resolving Dimensionality in a Child Assessment Tool: An Application of the Multilevel Bifactor Model.

Multidimensionality and hierarchical data structure are common in assessment data. These design features, if not accounted for, can threaten the validity of the results and inferences generated from factor analysis, a method frequently employed to assess test dimensionality. In this article, we describe and demonstrate the application of the multilevel bifactor model to address these features in examining test dimensionality.

Evaluation of Active Warming and Surgical Draping for Perioperative Thermal Support in Laboratory Mice.

Surgical procedures are commonly performed using mice but can have major effects on their core body temperature, including development of hypothermia. In this study, we evaluated active perioperative warming with and without surgical draping with adherent plastic wrap to refine practices, improve animal welfare, and optimize research experiments. Mice were randomized into treatment groups ( = 6; 8 CD1 mice per group).

Enhanced study of facial soft tissues using a novel large scale histology technique.

The safety and effectiveness of facial cosmetic surgery procedures are dependent on detailed 3D understanding of the complex surgical anatomy of the face. Traditional, small sample size anatomical dissection studies have limitations in providing definitive clarification of the fascial layers of the face, and especially in their relationship with the facial nerve, and their reaction to surgical manipulation. The objective study of large tissue areas is required to effectively demonstrate the broader architecture.

Negative Pressure Neurogenesis: A Novel Approach to Accelerate Nerve Regeneration after Complete Peripheral Nerve Transection.

Unlabelled: Various modalities to facilitate nerve regeneration have been described in the literature with limited success. We hypothesized that negative pressure applied to a sectioned peripheral nerve would enhance nerve regeneration by promoting angiogenesis and axonal lengthening.

Methods: Wistar rats' sciatic nerves were cut (creating ~7 mm nerve gap) and placed into a silicone T-tube, to which negative pressure was applied.

Novel resin tissue array system reduces sample preparation time, labour and reagent costs in bone tissue histology.

Resin histology plays an essential role in the analysis of hard tissues, such as bone and teeth, as well as in the context of metallic implant analysis. However, the techniques of resin embedding, followed by ground sectioning, are very costly due to significantly increased reagent cost and labour time when compared to the conventional paraffin histology approach. In the present study, a novel resin array system was developed to increase the affordability of a project analysing rat femur tissues containing metallic or polymeric implants.

Using Waterless Alcohol-based Antiseptic for Skin Preparation and Active Thermal Support in Laboratory Rats.

Rodents are frequently used for models that require surgical procedures. At our institution, laboratory rats are increasingly preferred for investigations of neurologic disorders, cardiovascular interventions, and assessment and treatment of addictive and depressive behaviors. For these types of studies, surgical preparations of the head and neck areas are necessary for catheterization and instrumentation.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Three Different Formulations of Insulin Aspart: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study in Men With Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and safety of a novel formulation of insulin aspart (AT247) versus two currently marketed insulin aspart formulations (NovoRapid [IAsp] and Fiasp [faster IAsp]).

Research Design And Methods: This single-center, randomized, double-blind, three-period, crossover study was conducted in 19 men with type 1 diabetes, receiving single dosing of trial products (0.3 units/kg) in a random order on three visits.

Histomorphometric Evaluation of Critical-Sized Bone Defects Using Osteomeasure and Aperio Image Analysis Systems.

Most histological evaluations of critical-sized bone defects are limited to the analysis of a few regions of interest at a time. Manual and semiautomated histomorphometric approaches often have intra- and interobserver subjectivity, as well as variability in image analysis methods. Moreover, the production of large image data sets makes histological assessment and histomorphometric analysis labor intensive and time consuming.

Inferior Vena Cava Filters in Patients with Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: There are sparse data to support the recommendation for inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in patients with recurrent pulmonary embolism while on anticoagulant therapy.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of administrative data from the Premier Healthcare Database, 2009-2014. All-cause mortality according to the use of IVC filters was evaluated in patients who suffered a recurrent pulmonary embolism within 3 months of an index pulmonary embolism.

Comparison of Aqueous and Alcohol-based Agents for Presurgical Skin Preparation Methods in Mice.

Preparing the skin of rodents for surgery often involves multiple applications of antiseptic agents. However, fewer applications may achieve the same antiseptic outcome. We evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy and effects on intraoperative body temperature of various surgical scrub agents, including novel waterless alcohol-based (WAB) options.

Importance of Early Insertion of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in Unstable Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Immortal time bias is a possible confounding factor in cohort studies. In this investigation, we assessed mortality with inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in unstable patients with pulmonary embolism using a design to control for immortal time bias.

Methods: Data were from the Premier Healthcare Database, 2010-2014.

Usefulness of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in Unstable Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Patients Who Underwent Pulmonary Embolectomy.

Administrative data were analyzed from the Premier Healthcare Database, 2010 to 2014, to assess whether inferior vena cava (IVC) filters reduce mortality in unstable patients (in shock or on ventilator support) with acute pulmonary embolism and in stable patients who undergo surgical pulmonary embolectomy. Mortality was assumed to be due to pulmonary embolism in patients who had none of the co-morbid conditions listed in the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Data were determined on the basis of International Classification of Disease-9th Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes.

Inferior Vena Cava Filters in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Cancer.

Background: Administrative data have shown a lower mortality in hospitalized patients with pulmonary embolism and cancer who receive a vena cava filter. In the absence of a randomized controlled trial of vena cava filters in such patients, further investigation is necessary. Therefore, we performed this investigation using administrative data from a different database than used previously, and we investigate patients hospitalized in more recent years.

Quantification of Induced Hypothermia from Aseptic Scrub Applications during Rodent Surgery Preparation.

Laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are prone to develop hypothermia during anesthesia for surgery, thus potentially impeding anesthetic recovery, wound healing, and future health. The core body temperatures of isoflurane-anesthetized mice are influenced by the choice of supplemental heat sources; however, the contribution of various surgical scrubs on the body temperatures of mice under gas anesthesia has not been assessed. We sought to quantify the effect of using alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol [IPA]) compared with saline to rinse away surgical scrub on the progression of hypothermia in anesthetized mice (n = 47).