bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Continuous Solution to the Norming Problem
Authors: Lenhard Alexandra , Lenhard Wolfgang , Suggate Sebastian , Segerer Robin
Published: July 2016

Conventional methods for producing test norms are often plagued with “jumps” or “gaps” (i.e., discontinuities) in norm tables and low confidence for assessing extreme scores. We propose a new approach for producing continuous test norms to address these problems that also has the added advantage of not requiring assumptions about the distribution of the raw data: Norm values are established from raw data by modeling the latter ones as a function of both percentile scores and an explanatory variable (e.g., age). The proposed method appears to minimize bias arising from sampling and measurement error, while handling marked deviations from normality—such as are commonplace in clinical samples. In addition to step-by-step instructions in how to apply this method, we demonstrate its advantages over conventional discrete norming procedures using norming data from two different psychometric tests, employing either age norms ( N = 3,555) or grade norms ( N = 1,400).
Role of Simulation in Perioperative Echocardiography Training
Authors: Nazarnia Soheyla , Subramaniam Kathirvel
Published: July 2016

Echocardiography plays a major role in the diagnosis and management of hemodynamic compromise during the perioperative period. Both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography have been shown to improve outcomes after cardiac and noncardiac surgery. Teaching basic echocardiographic skills to perioperative physicians remains a challenging task. Thus far, simulation-based medical education has been proven useful in teaching specific procedural skills and management of infrequent catastrophic events. Simulation-based echocardiography education has the potential to facilitate clinical training in echocardiography. Several small studies have shown the benefits of echocardiographic simulation on developing psychomotor and cognitive echocardiography skills. Future research should focus on the impact of simulation on actual clinical echocardiographic performance in the operating room and ultimately, patient outcomes.
Safety Assessment of Nitrocellulose and Collodion as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Fiume Monice M. , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: July 2016

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (the Panel) assessed the safety of nitrocellulose and collodion as used in cosmetics, concluding that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetic formulations. Both ingredients are used almost exclusively in nail product formulations. The maximum concentration of use of nitrocellulose in nail polish and enamels is 22%; for collodion, the maximum reported concentration of use in nail polish and enamel is 14%. The Panel reviewed available animal and clinical data in making its determination of safety.
Competing voices: Participants managing constraints from the textbook in a foreign language class
Authors: Moutinho Ricardo
Published: July 2016

This article discusses how participants in a foreign language class negotiate instances of power and manage the constraints embedded in the discourse of a textbook. The aim is to analyse the manner in which teacher and students collaboratively set up a participation locus that is less dependent on institutional and social norms. Because the interactive space of the classroom is an environment in which power relationships become explicit, I am especially concerned with how the students (who are all Chinese beginner-level learners of Portuguese) deal with the limitations imposed by their textbook discourse and negotiate with their teacher new ways of participation that enable them to have a more decisive voice in the class. I take a microanalytical perspective to analyse the actions that participants (teacher and students) perform to contest for power and create a flexible order of local rank that contrasts with the more stable notion of institutional rank imposed by school norms. The results show that active participation by students, with the collaboration of their teacher, challenges the conventional image of passiveness that is often attributed to Chinese learners.
Patterns of party change in Central and Eastern Europe, 1990–2015
Authors: Ibenskas Raimondas , Sikk Allan
Published: July 2016

While parties in many new democracies frequently split, merge, change labels, and make and break electoral alliances, comparative systematic research on how these changes are related to each other is limited. This study addresses this gap by conceptualizing change as a result of intra-party conflicts, conflicts in or consolidation of existing electoral alliances, and the formation of new alliances and mergers. We develop measures for each type of change using an original dataset that covers almost 800 party-electoral term dyads in 11 countries in Central and Eastern Europe in the period between 1990 and 2015. Our findings contradict the idea of party change as a uni-dimensional phenomenon. Instead we find that exits from existing electoral alliances, their consolidation through mergers, and the formation of new alliances and mergers are moderately related to each other, but not with intra-party splits. Our findings suggest that parties and their alliances structure political competition in Central and Eastern Europe relatively well. Moreover, negative consequences of party change on representation and accountability are limited, as under the relative absence of multiple and nearly simultaneous changes in party identity the electorate should be able to follow party evolution.
An Internet-based health gateway device for interactive communication and automatic data uploading: Clinical efficacy for type 2 diabetes in a multi-centre trial
Authors: Cho Jae Hyoung , Kim Hun-Sung , Yoo Seung Hyun , Jung Chang Hee , Lee Woo Je , Park Cheol Young , Yang Hae Kyung , Park Joong Yeol , Park Sung Woo , Yoon Kun Ho
Published: July 2016

Introduction

The aim of this study was to improve the quality of diabetes control and evaluate the efficacy of an Internet-based integrated healthcare system for diabetes management and safety.

Methods

We conducted a large-scale, multi-centre, randomized clinical trial involving 484 patients. Patients in the intervention group ( n = 244) were treated with the Internet-based system for six months, while the control group ( n = 240) received the usual outpatient management over the same period. HbA1c, blood chemistries, anthropometric parameters, and adverse events were assessed at the beginning of the study, after three months, and the end of the study.

Results

There were no initial significant differences between the groups with respect to demographics and clinical parameters. Upon six-month follow-up, HbA1c levels were significantly decreased from 7.86 ± 0.69% to 7.55 ± 0.86% within the intervention group ( p < 0.001) compared to 7.81 ± 0.66% to 7.70 ± 0.88% within the control group. Postprandial glucose reduction was predominant. A subgroup with baseline HbA1c higher than 8% and good compliance achieved a reduction of HbA1c by 0.8 ± 1.05%. Glucose control and waist circumference reduction were more effective in females and subjects older than 40 years of age. There were no adverse events associated with the intervention.

Discussion

This e-healthcare system was effective for glucose control and body composition improvement without associated adverse events in a multi-centre trial. This system may be effective in improving diabetes control in the general population.
Review of the current practices in blast-resistant analysis and design of concrete structures
Authors: Hao Hong , Hao Yifei , Li Jun , Chen Wensu
Published: July 2016

In contemporary society, industrialization and rising of terrorism threats highlight the necessity and importance of structural protection against accidental and intentionally malicious blast loads. Consequences of these extreme loading events are known to be catastrophic, involving personnel injuries and fatalities, economic loss and immeasurable social disruption. These impacts are generated not only from direct explosion effects, that is, blast overpressure and primary or secondary fragments, but also from the indirect effects such as structural collapse. The latter one is known to be more critical leading to massive losses. It is therefore imperative to enlighten our structural engineers and policy regulators when designing modern structures. Towards a better protection of concrete structures, efforts have been devoted to understanding properties of construction materials and responses of structures subjected to blast loads. Reliable blast resistance design requires a comprehensive knowledge of blast loading characteristics, dynamic material properties and dynamic response predictions of structures. This article presents a state-of-the-art review of the current blast-resistant design and analysis of concrete structures subjected to blast loads. The blast load estimation, design considerations and approaches, dynamic material properties at high strain rate, testing methods and numerical simulation tools and methods are considered and reviewed. Discussions on the accuracies and advantages of these current approaches and suggestions on possible improvements are also made.
Does a case-based online group project increase students’ satisfaction with interaction in online courses?
Authors: Lee Sang Joon , Ngampornchai Anchalee , Trail-Constant Trudian , Abril Andres , Srinivasan Sandhya
Published: July 2016

Due to the realistic, complex natures of authentic cases involved in case-based learning, the use of group work has been encouraged and expected to enhance the quality of interaction among participants and to improve students’ learning experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the case-based online group work increased students’ satisfaction with interaction among students in an online course. Findings of this study revealed that the group assignment did not have an effect on students’ satisfaction with online interactions. Instead, students’ perceptions of the importance of group work were associated with their satisfaction with interaction in the online course.
What enables ethically conducted clinical research in hospitals? Views of the administrative staff
Authors: Nurmi Sanna-Maria , Kangasniemi Mari , Halkoaho Arja , Pietilä Anna-Maija
Published: July 2016

Background

Administrative staff, including principal investigators, administrative managers, and elected officials, have a crucial role in ensuring the ethical conduct of the clinical research that occurs in their organisations. However, only few studies have focused on their perspectives.

Aim

This study describes the ethical aspects of clinical research from the perspectives of the administrative staff at university hospitals in Finland.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected with semi-structured face-to-face interviews ( n = 31), and subjected to content analysis.

Results

Four core perspectives emerged: human subject autonomy and its acknowledgement in clinical practice, increased tension between the regulations and practice of clinical research, concerns about a changing research environment, and factors that promote ethical research conduct in hospitals.

Conclusion

Ethics always extends beyond the law. Therefore it is important to strengthen researchers’ ethical sensitivity through education. Furthermore, we should reinforce elements such as organisational culture, cooperation, and a workable research infrastructure that support good research ethics in hospitals.
Sustainability of Community-Based Youth Smoking Cessation Programs
Authors: Curry Susan J. , Mermelstein Robin J. , Sporer Amy K.
Published: July 2016

A national survey of 591 community-based youth smoking cessation programs provided an opportunity to assess the sustainability of health promotion programming over a 3-year period. Initial survey questions were mapped to five sustainability domains (local ownership, organizational alignment, resources, demand, and standard operating procedures) and examined to identify correlates of sustained operation. Follow-up surveys were completed with 305 programs. Assuming loss to follow-up indicated failure to sustain, the overall rate of program continuation was 32%. Baseline correlates of sustaining operation included the following: serving more youth, training staff in smoking cessation, longer time in operation at the initial survey, and receiving state funding as a sole source of support. Primary reasons for discontinuation related to lack of funding, insufficient enrollment, change of focus from tobacco cessation, and scheduling difficulty. Replication of studies like this survey of youth smoking cessation programs with other types of health promotion and public health programming can further test sustainability frameworks, provide validated measures, and ultimately inform a robust and replicable array of lasting, effective, evidence-based public health programs.
Midterm Outcomes of the Nellix Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing System
Authors: Silingardi Roberto , Coppi Giovanni , Ferrero Emanuele , Lauricella Antonio , Psacharopulo Daniele , Saitta Giuseppe , Viazzo Andrea , Ferri Michelangelo
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To report midterm outcomes of the Nellix Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing (EVAS) System in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: Between September 2013 and July 2014, 64 AAA patients (mean age 76.6±6.8 years; 61 men) were treated with the EVAS system at 2 centers (only procedures performed at least 12 months prior to the analysis were included). Most patients were treated for a stable AAA, while 1 patient was treated for a ruptured aneurysm. Mean aneurysm diameter was 57.3±9.3 mm. The proximal neck measured a mean 21.5±3.3 mm in diameter and 27.0±12.1 mm long; the neck angle was 16.9°±19.3°. Eleven (17.2%) patients were treated outside the instructions for use (IFU). Results: Technical success was achieved in 63 (98.4%) of 64 patients; 1 type Ia endoleak was treated intraoperatively. One (1.6%) aneurysm-related death occurred at 4 months due to a secondary aortoenteric fistula. Overall, endoleaks occurred in 3 (4.7%) patients (2 type Ia, 1 type II). The estimated rates for 18-month overall survival, freedom from aneurysm-related death, and freedom from secondary interventions were 92.7%, 98.4%, and 95.0%, respectively. Patients treated outside the IFU had a significantly higher incidence of device-related complications (p=0.03). Conclusion: The use of the Nellix device in everyday clinical practice is safe and offers promising midterm results. The risk of secondary aortoenteric fistula requires further analysis. Longer follow-up is needed to assess the actual efficacy of the device, although the risk of migration with late endoleak seems low.
Complete Ipsilateral Femoral Approach Using an Iliac Branch Device to Preserve a Sole Internal Iliac Artery After Aortic Stent-Graft Placement
Authors: Rieß Henrik Christian , Kölbel Tilo , Diener Holger , Heidemann Franziska , Debus E. Sebastian , Rohlffs Fiona , Tsilimparis Nikolaos
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To report implantation of an iliac branch device (IBD) for preserving antegrade blood flow to a sole internal iliac artery (IIA) via an ipsilateral approach during endovascular repair to reline an aortobi-iliac allograft. Technique: The technique is described in a 55-year-old man with an enteric fistula involving an aortobi-iliac Y-prosthesis. After complete excision, the prosthesis was replaced by an allograft. Due to rebleeding and resuturing of the graft, total stent-graft relining of the allograft was planned with preservation of the sole left IIA using an iliac side branch (ZBIS). During introduction of a 12-F sheath over the allograft’s neobifurcation to establish a femorofemoral through-and-through approach, the allograft ruptured. A compliant balloon was inflated to control the hemorrhage. The IBD was first fully deployed, followed by stent-graft relining. Consequently, stent-graft implantation in the left IIA using a crossover maneuver was no longer feasible, so a 0.035-inch super stiff wire was introduced through the IBD’s 20-F sheath. A 12-mm semi-compliant balloon was inflated in the common iliac artery above the iliac branch to act as an abutment for a 7-F sheath to run over the stiff wire into the IIA for delivery/deployment of a stent-graft. Conclusion: It is feasible to use a complete ipsilateral femoral approach for IBD implantation after aortic stent-graft placement.
Multilayer Flow Modulator Treatment of Abdominal and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms With Side Branch Coverage
Authors: Benjelloun Amira , Henry Michel , Taberkant Mustapha , Berrado Abdelaziz , Houati Rachid El , Semlali Abdelkader
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To evaluate endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) using the Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM) in high-surgical-risk patients with at least one covered branch vessel. Methods: In this prospective single-center nonrandomized trial, 18 patients (mean age 61.1 years; 16 men) with TAAA (n=10, mean diameter 74.4 mm) and AAA (n=8, mean diameter 67.8 mm) were treated with the MFM between June 2009 and September 2012. The primary safety endpoints were all-cause mortality at 30 days and 12 months and neurological complications. The primary efficacy endpoint was overall procedure success, defined as patency of covered branch vessels, reductions in aneurysm diameter, and sac thrombus formation. Results: The technical success rate was 100% (53 study devices implanted, mean stented length 273 mm). Through mean follow-up of 13.4 months, all 61 covered branch vessels remained patent; there were no neurologic complications, ruptures, or instances of device migration, kinking, or fracture. Three patients died, 2 of unrelated causes and one of an undetermined cause. Only one reintervention with an additional MFM implanted at 5 years was required for a type I endoleak in a young patient with natural growth. Carefully planned and executed diameter and volume measurements demonstrated aneurysm shrinkage and progressive sac thrombus formation for both patient groups. Conclusion: Through midterm follow-up, treatment of high-surgical-risk TAAA and AAA patients with the MFM appears to be safe and effective, maintaining branch vessel patency and reducing rupture risk through reduction of aneurysm diameter and modulation of flow dynamics. Longer term follow-up is needed.
Sentiment Bias in National Basketball Association Betting
Authors: Feddersen Arne , Humphreys Brad R. , Soebbing Brian P.
Published: July 2016

We develop evidence of bettors with sentiment bias in the betting market on National Basketball Association (NBA) games. We use measures of team popularity (arena capacity utilization and team all-star votes received) as proxies for the presence of biased bettors. Analysis of point spreads and bet outcomes for more than 32,000 NBA games played in 1981-2012 shows that bookmakers increase prices on games involving popular home teams, an outcome consistent with sentiment bias. These changes in prices do not translate into higher returns for bettors, suggesting that bookmakers shade point spreads to increase profits.
Who Sits in Australia’s Grandstands?
Authors: Wilson John K. , Siegfried John J.
Published: July 2016

Numerous sports stadiums in Australia have been renovated or built from scratch in the past two decades, funded in whole or part by public subsidies. This note focuses on one particular group that benefits from subsidies—those spectators who attend live sporting events. A portion of the benefits from subsidies provided by government are captured as increased consumer surplus by sporting fans. Thus, the income and wealth position of these fans are of interest to those deciding whether to subsidize a facility. On the other side of the equation, the taxes which fund sporting facilities are to a large degree state and local levies, which are mostly regressive, taking a larger portion of the income of lower and middle income than of higher income taxpayers because savings are usually exempt from the relevant taxes. Using data from the Household Expenditure Survey (1988-1989, 2009-2010), we analyze various financial status characteristics of those who pay to attend sporting events in Australia. We find that those who buy tickets to sporting events have higher annual incomes and greater wealth than Australians who do not purchase tickets to sporting events. Hence, while media and policy makers may view such funding as subsidizing “working man’s recreation,” our results suggest that funding of sporting arenas should be assessed through the lens of correcting market failures rather than equity considerations.
Label-Free Raman Imaging to Monitor Breast Tumor Signatures
Authors: Manciu Felicia S. , Ciubuc John D. , Parra Karla , Manciu Marian , Bennet Kevin E. , Valenzuela Paloma , Sundin Emma M. , Durrer William G. , Reza Luis , Francia Giulio
Published: July 2016

Although not yet ready for clinical application, methods based on Raman spectroscopy have shown significant potential in identifying, characterizing, and discriminating between noncancerous and cancerous specimens. Real-time and accurate medical diagnosis achievable through this vibrational optical method largely benefits from improvements in current technological and software capabilities. Not only is the acquisition of spectral information now possible in milliseconds and analysis of hundreds of thousands of data points achieved in minutes, but Raman spectroscopy also allows simultaneous detection and monitoring of several biological components. Besides demonstrating a significant Raman signature distinction between nontumorigenic (MCF-10A) and tumorigenic (MCF-7) breast epithelial cells, our study demonstrates that Raman can be used as a label-free method to evaluate epidermal growth factor activity in tumor cells. Comparative Raman profiles and images of specimens in the presence or absence of epidermal growth factor show important differences in regions attributed to lipid, protein, and nucleic acid vibrations. The occurrence, which is dependent on the presence of epidermal growth factor, of new Raman features associated with the appearance of phosphothreonine and phosphoserine residues reflects a signal transduction from the membrane to the nucleus, with concomitant modification of DNA/RNA structural characteristics. Parallel Western blotting analysis reveals an epidermal growth factor induction of phosphorylated Akt protein, corroborating the Raman results. The analysis presented in this work is an important step toward Raman-based evaluation of biological activity of epidermal growth factor receptors on the surfaces of breast cancer cells. With the ultimate future goal of clinically implementing Raman-guided techniques for the diagnosis of breast tumors (e.g., with regard to specific receptor activity), the current results just lay the foundation for further label-free optical tools to diagnose the disease.
Overexpression of Inhibitor of Growth 4 Enhances Radiosensitivity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line SPC-A1
Authors: Pan Xuan , Wang Rui , Bian Haibo , De Wei , Zhang Ping , Wei Chenchen , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: July 2016

Inhibitor of growth 4 is a member of the inhibitor of growth family proteins, which is involved in cell apoptosis, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progress. In this study, we investigated the inhibitor of growth 4 level in non-small cell lung cancer tissues and explored the antitumor activity of inhibitor of growth 4 in vitro and in vivo using non-small cell lung cancer cell line SPC-A1 and its underlying molecular mechanisms. We also explored its role on the radiosensitivity in SPC-A1 cells. The level of inhibitor of growth 4 protein was significantly decreased in 28 cases of non-small cell lung cancer tissues in comparison with corresponding noncancerous lung epithelial tissues. Upregulation of inhibitor of growth 4 by plasmid pcDNA3.1-ING4 delivery could suppress proliferation and increase apoptosis of SPC-A1 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we found that overexpression of inhibitor of growth 4 in SPC-A1 cell line could lead to a higher Bcl-2/Bax ratio, which might be an important factor in the apoptosis regulation. Furthermore, overexpression of inhibitor of growth 4 enhanced the radiosensitivity of SPC-A1 cells to irradiation. Inhibitor of growth 4 upregulation plus radiotherapy induced synergistic tumor suppression in SPC-A1 xenografts implanted in athymic nude mice. Thus, the restoration of inhibitor of growth 4 function might provide a potential strategy for non-small cell lung cancer radiosensitization.
Political Skill, Behavioral Integrity, and Work Outcomes
Authors: Frieder Rachel E. , Basik Kevin J.
Published: July 2016

This research examines the relationship of leader political skill to subordinate effectiveness through subordinates’ perceptions of leaders’ behavioral integrity, trust in leader, and subsequent work effort. Results among a sample of enlisted military cadets provided support for the majority of study hypotheses. Specifically, subordinates’ perceptions of behavioral integrity mediated the relationship between leader political skill and trust; moreover, while subordinates’ trust in their leader was not significantly related to their work effort, work effort was significantly related to objective performance. Our contributions to the political skill and behavioral integrity literatures are discussed in light of this study’s noteworthy strengths and limitations.
Students to Surgeons
Authors: Grover Karan , Agarwal Prateek , Agarwal Nitin , Tabakin Marcia D. , Swan Kenneth G.
Published: July 2016

Introduction. Our nation suffers from a shortage in surgeons. This deficiency must be addressed at the medical student level. Increasing faculty and resident interaction with junior students augments surgical interest. Our surgical interest group has recently redefined its role to address these concerns. Methods. A multifocal approach has been implemented to increase interest in the surgical specialties. Each academic year, senior students recruit first and second year students to our group to establish early exposure. Members receive didactic presentations from surgical faculty, addressing various topics, on a biweekly basis. In addition, scrubbing, knot-tying, and suturing workshops address technical skills throughout the semester. Membership and match data were collated and analyzed. Results. Over the past 5 years, the enrollment in the student interest group increased significantly from 112 to 150. Accordingly, we have observed a parallel increase in the number of students who have successfully matched into surgical residencies. A record number of students (37) from the class of 2013 matched into surgical specialties, representing an 85% increase over the last decade. After creating bylaws and electing societal officers, the group has been recognized by the school’s Student Council and given financial support. At present, the group is fiscally solvent with support from the institution, surgery department, and faculty. Conclusion. As the demand for surgeons increases so too does the need to increase student interest in surgery. Our school has been successful because of our surgical interest group, and we encourage other schools to adopt a similar approach.
Geometric design using undercutting and pointing conditions for a curve-face gear
Authors: Cai Zhiqin , Lin Chao
Published: July 2016

Curve-face gear drive is a new type of variable transmission ratio gear pair between the intersecting axes based on the face gear pair. And tooth width is one of the main geometrical factors of curve-face gear which affects the intensity of tooth root. This article uses the method of boundary function and geometric approximate evaluation to investigate the undercutting and pointing conditions of curve-face gear considering the tooth profile difference. The equations of tooth profile distribution angle and engagement angle are derived using the coordinate transformation theory. On this basis, the equations of the theoretic undercutting and pointing conditions are deduced, and the undercutting inner diameter and pointing outer diameter of the tooth profile are simulated using mathematical software. Then, the corresponding phenomenon of undercutting and pointing of curve-face gear are analyzed. In the end, the feasibility of the theoretical calculation is received by the experiment of curve-face gear.
The value of sharing genomic findings with research ethics committees
Authors: Kerasidou Angeliki
Published: July 2016

The role of ethics committees is to protect and safeguard the rights and welfare of participants, and promote good research by providing ethical guidance to researchers. In order for ethics committees to fulfil their role and obligations, they need to have adequate understanding of the science and scientific methods used in research. Genomics is a novel and rapidly evolving research field, and identifying the ethical issues raised by it is not straightforward. Limited understanding of, and expertise in, reviewing genomic research may lead ethics committees to either hamper novel research, or overlook important ethical problems. Researchers are in the best position to assist ethics committees in their efforts to remain informed about scientific advancements.
An observational study of extending FOLFOX chemotherapy, lengthening the interval between radiotherapy and surgery, and enhancing pathological complete response rates in rectal cancer patients following preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Huang Chun-Ming , Huang Ming-Yii , Tsai Hsiang-Lin , Huang Ching-Wen , Ma Cheng-Jen , Yeh Yung-Sung , Juo Suh-Hang , Huang Chih-Jen , Wang Jaw-Yuan
Published: July 2016

Introduction:

Patients with rectal cancer who exhibit a pathologic complete response to preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy have excellent oncologic outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the potential advantages of adding oxaliplatin to preoperative fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiotherapy administered in rectal cancer patients.

Methods:

A total of 78 patients with rectal cancer were enrolled. Patients were administered chemoradiotherapy, which comprised radiotherapy and chemotherapy involving a 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin regimen every 2 weeks. Surgery was performed 10–12 weeks after radiotherapy completion. Tumor regression, adverse events, surgical complications, and short-term clinical outcomes were recorded.

Results:

Two patients were excluded because of incomplete radiotherapy treatment or refusal of surgery. Eventually, 76 patients underwent total mesorectal excision and no perioperative mortality was observed. Of these, 20 patients (25.6%) developed grade 3 or 4 toxicity during concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Among the 76 patients who underwent surgery, 24 (31.6%) patients achieved a pathologic complete response. The sphincter preservation rate was 96.1% (73/76) in all patients and 92.2% (39/42) in patients with tumors located less than 5 cm from the anal verge. The 2-year overall and disease-free survivals were 94% and 87.4%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The intensified multimodality therapy was well tolerated in our cohort and resulted in a considerably high pathologic complete response rate. Regardless of favorable short-term clinical outcomes, long-term oncologic outcomes will be closely monitored among the patients with a pathologic complete response.
Emergency therapy for liver metastases from advanced VIPoma: surgery or transarterial chemoembolization?
Authors: Dréanic Johann , Lepère Céline , El Hajjam Mostafa , Gouya Hervé , Rougier Philippe , Coriat Romain
Published: July 2016

VIPoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor (NET) with a high potential to develop hepatic metastases and poor prognosis. The primitive tumor is nonsymptomatic and usually localized within the pancreas. Liver metastasis drives the prognosis and induces profuse watery diarrhea or renal failure. We herein present severe renal failure or diarrhea in two patients hospitalized in intensive care justifying emergency treatment of liver metastasis. The two patients experienced severe diarrhea due to a hypersecretion of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) from liver metastasis released into the blood circulation. Therapeutic management was discussed and liver transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed with chemotherapy-loaded embospheres, which cause necrosis of tumor lesions. TACE controlled the hormonal syndrome and made patients eligible for curative surgery. Tumor necrosis occurred and VIP levels collapsed. Surgery was performed in one of the two cases after TACE and the patient was considered in remission. Both patients were still alive after 3 years of follow up. Thus, TACE is feasible and appears to be an effective emergency treatment in patients with a VIP-hormonal syndrome due to liver metastases. Despite the biological disorder due to the hormonal secretion, an aggressive approach is warranted in VIP liver metastasis.
Overcoming Barriers to Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care Services
Authors: Grazier Kyle L. , Smiley Mary L. , Bondalapati Kirsten S.
Published: July 2016

Objective: Despite barriers, organizations with varying characteristics have achieved full integration of primary care services with providers and services that identify, treat, and manage those with mental health and substance use disorders. What are the key factors and common themes in stories of this success? Methods: A systematic literature review and snowball sampling technique was used to identify organizations. Site visits and key informant interviews were conducted with 6 organizations that had over time integrated behavioral health and primary care services. Case studies of each organization were independently coded to identify traits common to multiple organizations. Results: Common characteristics include prioritized vulnerable populations, extensive community collaboration, team approaches that included the patient and family, diversified funding streams, and data-driven approaches and practices. Conclusions: While significant barriers to integrating behavioral health and primary care services exist, case studies of organizations that have successfully overcome these barriers share certain common factors.
Development, Validation, and Verification of a Self-Assessment Tool to Estimate Agnibala (Digestive Strength)
Authors: Singh Aparna , Singh Girish , Patwardhan Kishor , Gehlot Sangeeta
Published: July 2016

According to Ayurveda, the traditional system of healthcare of Indian origin, Agni is the factor responsible for digestion and metabolism. Four functional states ( Agnibala) of Agni have been recognized: regular, irregular, intense, and weak. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a self-assessment tool to estimate Agnibala. The developed tool was evaluated for its reliability and validity by administering it to 300 healthy volunteers of either gender belonging to 18 to 40-year age group. Besides confirming the statistical validity and reliability, the practical utility of the newly developed tool was also evaluated by recording serum lipid parameters of all the volunteers. The results show that the lipid parameters vary significantly according to the status of Agni. The tool, therefore, may be used to screen normal population to look for possible susceptibility to certain health conditions.
A Study to Determine if Addition of Palatal Petechiae to Centor Criteria Adds More Significance to Clinical Diagnosis of Acute Strep Pharyngitis in Children
Authors: Nibhanipudi Kumara V.
Published: July 2016

Objective. A study to determine if addition of palatal petechiae to Centor criteria adds more value for clinical diagnosis of acute strep pharyngitis in children. Hypothesis. In children, Centor Criteria does not cover all the symptoms and signs of acute strep pharyngitis. We hypothesize that addition of palatal petechiae to Centor Criteria will increase the possibility of clinical diagnosis of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Methods. One hundred patients with a complaint of sore throat were enrolled in the study. All the patients were examined clinically using the Centor Criteria. They were also examined for other signs and symptoms like petechial lesions over the palate, abdominal pain, and skin rash. All the patients were given rapid strep tests, and throat cultures were sent. No antibiotics were given until culture results were obtained. Results. The sample size was 100 patients. All 100 had fever, sore throat, and erythema of tonsils. Twenty of the 100 patients had tonsillar exudates, 85/100 had tender anterior cervical lymph nodes, and 86/100 had no cough. In total, 9 out of the 100 patients had positive throat cultures. We observed that petechiae over the palate, a very significant sign, is not included in the Centor Criteria. Palatal petechiae were present in 8 out of the 100 patients. Six out of these 8 with palatal petechiae had positive throat culture for strep (75%). Only 7 out of 20 with exudates had positive strep culture. Sixteen out of the 100 patients had rapid strep test positive. Those 84/100 who had negative rapid strep also had negative throat culture. Statistics. We used Fisher’s exact test, comparing throat culture positive and negative versus presence of exudates and palatal hemorrhages with positive and negative throat cultures and the resultant P value <.0001. Conclusion. Our study concludes that addition of petechiae over the palate to Centor Criteria will increase the possibility of diagnosing acute group A streptococcal pharyngitis in children.
Advances in the understanding of trauma-induced coagulopathy
Authors: Chang Ronald , Cardenas Jessica C. , Wade Charles E. , Holcomb John B.
Published: July 2016

Ten percent of deaths worldwide are due to trauma, and it is the third most common cause of death in the United States. Despite a profound upregulation in procoagulant mechanisms, one-quarter of trauma patients present with laboratory-based evidence of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC), which is associated with poorer outcomes including increased mortality. The most common causes of death after trauma are hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The management of TIC has significant implications in both because many hemorrhagic deaths could be preventable, and TIC is associated with progression of intracranial injury after TBI. This review covers the most recent evidence and advances in our understanding of TIC, including the role of platelet dysfunction, endothelial activation, and fibrinolysis. Trauma induces a plethora of biochemical and physiologic changes, and despite numerous studies reporting differences in coagulation parameters between trauma patients and uninjured controls, it is unclear whether some of these differences may be “normal” after trauma. Comparisons between trauma patients with differing outcomes and use of animal studies have shed some light on this issue, but much of the data continue to be correlative with causative links lacking. In particular, there are little data linking the laboratory-based abnormalities with true clinically evident coagulopathic bleeding. For these reasons, TIC continues to be a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
Therapeutic regulatory T-cell adoptive transfer ameliorates established murine chronic GVHD in a CXCR5-dependent manner
Authors: McDonald-Hyman Cameron , Flynn Ryan , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Peterson Nicholas , MacDonald Kelli P. A. , Hill Geoffrey R. , Luznik Leo , Serody Jonathan S. , Murphy William J. , Maillard Ivan , Munn David H. , Turka Laurence A. , Koreth John , Cutler Corey S. , Soiffer Robert J. , Antin Joseph H. , Ritz Jerome , Blazar Bruce R.
Published: July 2016

Key Points

IL-2/mAb complexes expand Tregs and treat established murine cGVHD, but concurrent T-effector cell expansion can reduce their therapeutic index. Prophylactic Treg infusions can prevent cGVHD, whereas therapeutic efficacy requires homing to and inhibition of the GC reaction.
Spillover from past recycling to green apparel shopping behavior: the role of environmental concern and anticipated guilt
Authors: Ha Sejin , Kwon SoYeon
Published: July 2016

This study explores catalytic behavior in the context of pro-environmental behaviors by examining the occurrence of spillover that performing recycling behavior promotes the likelihood to engage in green apparel purchases. Additionally, this study incorporates a potential mediator and a moderator, environmental concern and anticipated guilt, respectively, in order to explain the nature of the spillover process. The results of online survey data confirm the development of spillover in consumer behavior that past recycling behavior does spill over into green apparel/fashion product purchase behaviors through one’s motivational belief toward the environment, environmental concern. However, anticipated guilt, a motivation factor, does not moderate spillover among pro-environmental behaviors, at least between past recycling behavior and green apparel shopping behaviors. Theoretically, this study contributes to and extends the literature on spillover in pro-environmental behaviors by testing spillover across distinctive pro-environmental behaviors. This study also provides lessons for fashion retail marketers and government agencies in learning the importance of the social and ethical aspects of consumers’ green practices, beyond price/quality-based choices. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Altitude matters: differences in cardiovascular and respiratory responses to hypoxia in bar-headed geese reared at high and low altitudes
Authors: Lague Sabine L. , Chua Beverly , Farrell Anthony P. , Wang Yuxiang , Milsom William K.
Published: July 2016

Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) fly at high altitudes during their migration across the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau. However, we know relatively little about whether rearing at high altitude (i.e. phenotypic plasticity) facilitates this impressive feat because most of what is known about their physiology comes from studies performed at sea level. To provide this information, a comprehensive analysis of metabolic, cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to progressive decreases in the equivalent fractional composition of inspired oxygen (FiO2: 0.21, 0.12, 0.09, 0.07 and 0.05) was made on bar-headed geese reared at either high altitude (3200 m) or low altitude (0 m) and on barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis), a low-altitude migrating species, reared at low altitude (0 m). Bar-headed geese reared at high altitude exhibited lower metabolic rates and a modestly increased hypoxic ventilatory response compared with low-altitude-reared bar-headed geese. Although the in vivo oxygen equilibrium curves and blood-oxygen carrying capacity did not differ between the two bar-headed goose study groups, the blood-oxygen carrying capacity was higher than that of barnacle geese. Resting cardiac output also did not differ between groups and increased at least twofold during progressive hypoxia, initially as a result of increases in stroke volume. However, cardiac output increased at a higher FiO2 threshold in bar-headed geese raised at high altitude. Thus, bar-headed geese reared at high altitude exhibited a reduced oxygen demand at rest and a modest but significant increase in oxygen uptake and delivery during progressive hypoxia compared with bar-headed geese reared at low altitude.
The significance of respiration timing in the energetics estimates of free-ranging killer whales (Orcinus orca)
Authors: Roos Marjoleine M. H. , Wu Gi-Mick , Miller Patrick J. O.
Published: July 2016

Respiration rate has been used as an indicator of metabolic rate and associated cost of transport (COT) of free-ranging cetaceans, discounting potential respiration-by-respiration variation in O2 uptake. To investigate the influence of respiration timing on O2 uptake, we developed a dynamic model of O2 exchange and storage. Individual respiration events were revealed from kinematic data from 10 adult Norwegian herring-feeding killer whales (Orcinus orca) recorded with high-resolution tags (DTAGs). We compared fixed O2 uptake per respiration models with O2 uptake per respiration estimated through a simple ‘broken-stick’ O2-uptake function, in which O2 uptake was assumed to be the maximum possible O2 uptake when stores are depleted or maximum total body O2 store minus existing O2 store when stores are close to saturated. In contrast to findings assuming fixed O2 uptake per respiration, uptake from the broken-stick model yielded a high correlation (r2>0.9) between O2 uptake and activity level. Moreover, we found that respiration intervals increased and became less variable at higher swimming speeds, possibly to increase O2 uptake efficiency per respiration. As found in previous studies, COT decreased monotonically versus speed using the fixed O2 uptake per respiration models. However, the broken-stick uptake model yielded a curvilinear COT curve with a clear minimum at typical swimming speeds of 1.7–2.4 m s−1. Our results showed that respiration-by-respiration variation in O2 uptake is expected to be significant. And though O2 consumption measurements of COT for free-ranging cetaceans remain impractical, accounting for the influence of respiration timing on O2 uptake will lead to more consistent predictions of field metabolic rates than using respiration rate alone.
Use of Mesoporous Silica Modified with Titanium Oxide as a Template for Preparation of Mesoporous Carbon Incorporating TiO2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Kitahara Masaki , Suzuki Kohei , Kubara Saori , Shimasaki Yuta , Shimojima Atsushi , Wada Hiroaki , Kuroda Kazuyuki
Published: July 2016

Mesoporous silica modified with titanium oxide is shown to be useful as a template for the preparation of mesoporous carbon incorporating TiO2 nanocrystals. The nanocomposite was prepared by deposition of carbon within the mesoporous silica template modified with titanium oxide, and subsequent template removal with NaOH (aq). The high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) image of the prepared nanocomposite clearly showed that small TiO2 nanocrystals embedded on mesoporous carbon were formed. The Si–O–Ti bonds between mesoporous silica and titanium oxide layers are effective to suppress the migration of the Ti species, resulting in the formation of the TiO2 nanocrystals.
Providing Disciplines of Mathematical Cycle for Economics and Management with a Foreign Language Support
Authors: ��������  , Dubinina Galina
Published: July 2016

The article presents arguments in favour of an interdisciplinary approach to training at a non-linguistic university, namely, the importance of English

language support for teaching mathematical disciplines. The authors consider the interaction between �Foreign languages� and �Mathematics� departments

in case analysis and preparing students for Case-Championships. The authors describe techniques of implementing a foreign language professionalization

through quasi-professional activity.