bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence that dry eye represents a chronic overlapping pain condition
Authors: Levitt Alexandra E , Galor Anat , Chowdhury Aneesa R , Felix Elizabeth R , Sarantopoulos Constantine D , Zhuang Gerald Y , Patin Dennis , Maixner William , Smith Shad B , Martin Eden R , Levitt Roy C
Published: August 2017

Recent data suggest that corneal somatosensory dysfunction may be the underlying cause of severe dry eye symptoms in the absence of ocular surface pathology seen in a subset of patients diagnosed with “dry eye syndrome.” This subset of patients tends to demonstrate a unique constellation of symptoms that are persistent, more severe, and generally respond poorly to current dry eye therapies targeting inadequate or dysfunctional tears. A growing body of literature suggests that symptoms in these patients may be better characterized as neuropathic ocular pain rather than dry eye. In these patients, dry eye symptoms are often associated with numerous comorbid pain conditions and evidence of central pain processing abnormalities, where eye pain is just one of multiple overlapping peripheral manifestations. In this review, we discuss the concept and potential mechanisms of chronic overlapping pain conditions as well as evidence for considering neuropathic ocular pain as one of these overlapping pain conditions.
Transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: Mediating role of affective commitment
Authors: Lee Ye Hoon , Woo Boyun , Kim Yukyoum
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between transformational leadership style, affective commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior in the athletic director–coach relationship. This study particularly focused on the mediating effect of affective commitment on the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior. Athletic head coaches in NCAA Division II programs ( N = 244) completed the questionnaires measuring perceptions of the transformational leadership style of their athletic directors, their affective commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior. The results revealed that perceived transformational leadership was positively associated with affective commitment, which, in turn, was positively associated with organizational citizenship behaviors. Further, the result of this study supported full mediation among the proposed variables in that affective commitment served as the underlying psychological mechanism in the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors. Implications for athletic departments in fostering head coaches’ affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior were discussed.
Memory, narrative, and rupture: The power of the past as a resource for political change
Authors: Verovšek Peter J
Published: August 2017

In politics, “soft” ideational factors are often dismissed in favor of “hard” quantifiable data. Since the “memory boom,” however, collective memory has become an important variable for explaining persistent grievances and cycles of hatred. Building on the work of Hannah Arendt and the first generation of the Frankfurt School, I seek to counterbalance the literature’s predominantly negative conception of memory by developing a constructive understanding of remembrance as a resource for rethinking politics in the aftermath of breaks in the narrative thread of historical time. My basic thesis is that historical ruptures shared by an entire generation can activate collective memory as a resource for reimagining political life. I show how Arendt and the critical theorists of the early Frankfurt School used the caesura of 1945 to rethink the meaning of the past and endorse new forms of political life in the aftermath of Europe’s age of total war.
Tonsillitis
Authors: Walijee Hussein , Patel Chirag , Brahmabhatt Pranter , Krishnan Madhankumar
Published: August 2017

Tonsillitis is a condition that is commonly encountered in primary care. On average 50 per 1000 patients consult their GP each year with a sore throat. Tonsillitis is a significant economic burden, with 35 000 000 days lost from work or school. Acute tonsillitis commonly affects children from the age of 4 years (highly prevalent between 4 and 8 years old) and young adults aged between 15 and 25 years old. With the emergence of multi-resistant pathogens, antimicrobial stewardship has become central to the strategies adopted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK.
Magnetic resonance imaging scans are not a reliable tool for predicting symptomatic acromioclavicular arthritis
Authors: Singh Bijayendra , Gulihar Abhinav , Bilagi Praveen , Goyal Arpit , Goyal Pallavi , Bawale Rajesh , Pillai Dilip
Published: August 2017

Background

We investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can accurately diagnose arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) because it has recently been suggested that bone marrow oedema on MRI scans is a predictive sign of symptomatic ACJ arthritis.

Methods

The MRI scans of 43 patients (50 shoulders) who underwent ACJ excision for clinically symptomatic ACJ arthritis were compared to a control group of 43 age- and sex-matched patients (48 shoulders) who underwent an MRI scan for investigation of shoulder pain but did not have clinical symptoms or signs of ACJ arthritis. The scans were evaluated by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist, who was blinded to the examination findings.

Results

Bone marrow oedema was present in only 15 (30%) shoulders in the ACJ excision group, although this was higher than the six shoulders in the asymptomatic group ( p = 0.03). Forty-one (82%) shoulders in the symptomatic group had grade III/IV ACJ arthritis compared to 31 (65%) in the asymptomatic group ( p = 0.05). However, 44 out of 48 (92%) shoulders in the asymptomatic group had signs of osteoarthritis on MRI scans.

Conclusions

In contrast to recent reports, the present study shows that MRI is not helpful in making the diagnosis of ACJ arthritis. A focused history and clinical examination should remain the mainstay for surgical decision making.

Level of evidence

Level 3
Effect of nanometer silicon dioxide on the frictional behavior of lubricating grease
Authors: He Qiang , Li Anling , Guo Yachen , Liu Songfeng , Kong L-H
Published: August 2017

Nanometer-silicon dioxide encapsulated in lithium grease is prepared, and the frictional behavior of the lithium grease and nanometer-silicon dioxide–contained lithium grease is compared with respect to the additive content, load, and frictional temperature in this article. The structure and morphology of nanometer-silicon dioxide is characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Friction and wear tests were conducted on a four-ball friction and wear tester. The morphology of worn steel surface is analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional surface profiler. Results show that the addition of nanometer-silicon dioxide in grease can markedly improve the friction-reducing performance and anti-wear ability of base grease. When the nanometer-silicon dioxide in grease is 0.3 wt%, the friction coefficient and wear scar diameter decrease by 26% and 7% compared with base grease, respectively. The nanometer-silicon dioxide (0.3 wt%)–contained grease exhibits the lowest average friction coefficient at the load of 342 N, which decreases by 39% as compared with that of base grease. The worn surface is quite smooth with few shallow furrows and the wear scar diameter decreases under the lubrication of the grease containing 0.3 wt% nanometer-silicon dioxide. Moreover, it was found that the nanometer-silicon dioxide have been incorporated into the surface protective and lubricious layer by energy dispersive spectrometer analysis.
Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis Using Locking Plates for AO 43–Type Fractures: Lessons Learnt From a Prospective Study
Authors: Shukla Rajeev , Jain Nikhil , Jain Ravi Kant , Patidar Shravan , Kiyawat Vivek
Published: August 2017

Introduction. Managing fractures of distal tibia is still a subject of debate for orthopaedic surgeons in terms of both, reduction and fixation. Subcutaneous location and soft tissue anatomy predisposes it to angular and rotational instability as well as other bony and soft tissue complexities. Minimally invasive plating offers many advantages over conventional open techniques. It causes minimal soft tissue dissection and surgical trauma to the bone. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis(MIPO) maintains biological configuration of distal tibia and fracture hematoma and also provides a construct, which is biomechanically more stable. Objectives. Evaluation of results of MIPO in management of distal tibia fractures considering radiological union, ankle function restoration, and complications. Materials and Methods. In our study, 25 closed distal one-third tibia fracture with/without articular extension were taken, fulfilling the inclusion criteria (AO classification: 10, 43A1; 3, 43A2; 2, 43B1; 4, 43B2; and 6, 43C1). MIPO with locking plates was the treatment undertaken. Patients were followed up for 18 months prospectively. Results. Average injury-hospital interval was 11.16 hours and average injury-operation interval was 2.44 days. All fractures showed radiological union at an average duration of 20.5 weeks (14-28 weeks). Olerud and Molander score was used for evaluation at 3, 6, and 18 months. One patient had union with valgus angulation >5° but there was no nonunion. There was 1 superficial postoperative wound infection. Conclusion. Our study shows that plating with MIPO is an effective treatment for closed distal one-third tibia fractures, considering union time and complications rate. Younger age promotes early union and functional recovery.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level II: Prospective
Comparison of fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: Two-year experience
Authors: Vollmer Brandi , Nair Kavita V , Sillau Stefan H , Corboy John , Vollmer Timothy , Alvarez Enrique
Published: August 2017

Background

Fingolimod (FTY) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) are multiple sclerosis (MS) oral therapies that became available in 2010 and 2013, respectively.

Objective

The objective of this article is to compare discontinuation rates, efficacy, and adverse events (AEs) of FTY and DMF over two years.

Methods

Patients prescribed FTY or DMF at the Rocky Mountain MS Center at University of Colorado prior to October 2013 were identified. Clinician-reported data were retrospectively collected. Primary outcome was discontinuation of drug by the end of year two. Reasons for discontinuation were evaluated.

Results

A total of 271 FTY and 342 DMF patients were evaluated. Patients had a mean age of 42.5 (FTY) and 45.8 (DMF) years and were predominantly female (72.0% FTY; 69.6% DMF) and white (86.3% FTY; 82.2% DMF). At ≤24 months, 93 (34.3%) and 161 (47.1%) discontinued FTY and DMF, respectively, with an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.70 (1.23–2.37, p = 0.002), or 1.69 (1.16–2.46, p = 0.006) for the doubly robust propensity score weighted estimator. Primary reason for discontinuation was AEs, which were less likely for FTY 46 (17.0%) compared to DMF 82 (24.0%) (OR 1.54, 1.03–2.31, p = 0.035). Discontinuation due to disease activity (FTY (10%) DMF (11.1%); OR 1.13, 0.67–1.90, p = 0.647) and breakthrough disease activity, regardless of discontinuation (FTY (34.7%) DMF (33.6%); OR 0.95, 0.68–1.34, p = 0.783), were similar.

Conclusions

The odds of discontinuation were less for FTY than DMF, and were driven by AEs for both drugs.
Expression of survivin in dysplasia and different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Deo Priya Nimish , Deshmukh Revati
Published: August 2017

Background:

Survivin is a protein that inhibits apoptosis and regulates cell division. Studies examining the expression of survivin in oral cancer are limited. Correlation between the expression of survivin in dysplasia and different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) could help us to assess its use as a biomarker.

Objectives:

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the expression of survivin in dysplasia and in different grades of OSCC keeping in mind that when comparison is made between these two groups, it may highlight the use of this biomarker.

Method:

Forty samples divided into four groups; 10 each of dysplasia, well-differentiated OSCC, moderately differentiated OSCC and poorly differentiated OSCC were selected for the study. Immunohistochemical staining for the expression of survivin protein was performed.

Results:

Survivin showed increased expression in OSCC as compared to dysplasia, although the result was not statistically significant. The distribution of survivin showed significant differences between dysplasia and moderately differentiated OSCC.

Conclusion:

A higher expression of survivin was seen in OSCC as compared to dysplasia, hence it could be used as a marker for proliferation and invasion, but the immunohistochemical expression of survivin overall shows variable expression. To correlate the expression of survivin with the grade of the tumour, a bigger sample size is desirable.
Impact of Early Work Experiences on Subsequent Paid Employment for Young Adults With Disabilities
Authors: Mamun Arif A. , Carter Erik W. , Fraker Thomas M. , Timmins Lori L.
Published: August 2017

To better understand how early work experience shapes subsequent employment outcomes for young people (ages 18 to 20) with disabilities, we analyzed longitudinal data from the Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) evaluation to test whether the employment experiences of 1,053 youth during the initial year after entry affected their employment during the third year after entry. To derive causal estimates, we used a dynamic-panel estimation model to account for time-invariant unobserved individual characteristics that may be correlated with youth’s self-selection into both early and later employment. We also controlled for other socioeconomic and health factors that may affect later employment. We found that early work experience increases the probability of being employed 2 years later by 17 percentage points. This estimate is an important advancement over the correlational approaches that characterize the current literature and provides stronger evidence that early work experience is a key determinant of subsequent labor market success.
Evidence of an Inherited Predisposition for Spinal Cord Tumors
Authors: Spiker William Ryan , Brodke Darrel S. , Goz Vadim , Lawrence Brandon , Teerlink Craig C. , Cannon-Albright Lisa A.
Published: August 2017

Study Design:

Retrospective study.

Objectives:

To determine familial clustering of primary spinal cord tumors using a statewide genealogy database.

Methods:

The Utah Population Database (UPDB) was queried using ICD-Oncology (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology) codes for primary spinal cord tumors. The hypothesis of disproportionate familial clustering was tested using the Genealogical Index of Familiality (GIF). The relative risks (RRs) in relatives were calculated using the ratio of observed spinal cord tumors to expected spinal cord tumors in relatives using estimated rates from the UPDB. The related clusters of spinal cord cancer cases with a significant excess number of spinal cord cancer cases descending from a common founder pair were identified using internal UPDB rates.

Results:

The analysis of the GIF for individual with tumors of the spinal cord showed excess close and distant relatedness (case GIF = 3.82; control mean GIF = 2.68; P = .068). Excess relatedness for spinal cord cancers was observed when only more distant relationships were considered ( P = .019). The RRs for spinal cord tumors were elevated in second- and third-degree relatives but this did not reach statistical significance (RR = 2.9, P = .15, and RR = 2.0, P = .14). Multiple extended pedigrees with a significant excess of spinal cord cancer cases among the descendants were identified.

Conclusions:

The excess relatedness of tumor cases over controls in distant relationships, the higher RRs to distant relatives, and the discovery of high-risk pedigrees all suggest a familial predisposition to the development of spinal cord tumors.
How East Germany Fabricated the Myth of HIV Being Man-Made
Authors: Jeppsson Anders
Published: August 2017

Despite the fact that the origin of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) being a contamination and a mutation originating from primates is well-documented alternative narratives are often being heard ofespecially in sub-Saharan Africa. One such narrative is about HIV being man-made in a military laboratory in the United States. In this article, it is shown how this narrative was fabricated by the intelligence services in East Germany (German Democratic Republic – GDR) as part of the ideological warfare during the Cold War. The purpose of this article is to put an end to a long-lasting conspiracy theory, which is still alive and may create diversion from serious research on the topic.
Race at the margins: A Critical Race Theory perspective on race equality in UK planning
Authors: Gale Richard , Thomas Huw
Published: August 2017

Despite evidence of the growing ethnic diversity of British cities and its impact on urban governance, the issue of racial equality in UK planning remains marginal, at best, to mainstream planning activity. This paper uses Critical Race Theory to consider the reasons why the ‘race’ and planning agenda continues to stall. Critical Race Theory, it is argued, offers a compelling account of why changes in practice over time have been patchy at best, and have sometimes gone into reverse.
The differential effect of various stakeholder groups in place marketing
Authors: Eshuis Jasper , Braun Erik , Klijn Erik Hans , Zenker Sebastian
Published: August 2017

This article analyses whether involving various stakeholder groups in place marketing has effects on the content of place brands, and on how place marketing influences other policy fields, i.e. spatial planning and tourism/leisure policies. The research applies structural equation modelling to nationwide surveys in the Netherlands and Germany among professionals in place marketing ( N = 444). The study shows that different stakeholder groups have a varied influence; involving residents and public managers increases the influence of place marketing on spatial planning policies, whereas involving businesses increases influence on tourism/leisure policies. Other studies have shown varying influence of stakeholder groups in cases, but not in quantitative studies. The research also addresses the mechanisms at play in Germany and the Netherlands, showing mainly commonalities.
Family Impact Analysis of Mid-day Meal (MDM) Scheme in India with Special Focus on Child Education and Nutrition
Authors: Samal Janmejaya , Dehury Ranjit Kumar
Published: August 2017

The school lunch programme in India was first implemented in 1925 by the Madras Municipal Corporation for disadvantaged children. At present, the school lunch programme in India is known as mid-day meal (MDM) scheme. It was started with an objective to enhance enrolment, retention and attendance rates, and simultaneously improve nutritional levels among children. MDM not only impacts the well-being of each child but also affects the overall prosperity of families. Hence, a family impact analysis of the MDM scheme of India would be instrumental in charting out the future directions of this programme. For this study, no primary research has been carried out, rather this paper is based on secondary literature pertaining to MDM with relation to child nutrition and education. The checklist developed by the Family Criteria (Ad Hoc) Task Force of the Consortium of Family Organizations (COFO) for assessing the intended and unintended impact of public policies, proposals and social programmes on families is used. This checklist, which was later revised by the Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars, outlines six principles to guide analyses of the family supportiveness of policies and programmes: (1) family support and responsibilities, (2) family membership and stability, (3) family involvement and interdependence, (4) family partnership and empowerment, (5) family diversity and (6) support of vulnerable families. There are a good number of intended consequences of MDM scheme which include enrolment, retention, attendance, eradication of school hunger, family stability, improvement of malnutrition, employment to women of disadvantaged communities, improvement of girl child education, etc. However, it also has some unintended consequences, including food contamination or food poisoning. Social discrimination can also be seen as an intended or unintended consequence of MDM.
Why Some Girls Drop Out of Secondary School Despite Conditional Cash Transfers: A Mixed Method Analysis
Authors: Rath Sambit , Wadhwa Soma
Published: August 2017

We use a mixed methods approach to explore why some girls drop out of secondary school despite conditional cash transfers (CCTs), using quantitative and qualitative data collected during the Odisha Girls Incentive Programme, a CCT pilot in India. We estimate a quantitative discrete choice model in the first phase to identify factors that separate dropouts from non-dropouts. In the qualitative phase, we control for those factors by careful choice of case studies and conduct a ceteris paribus analysis. After accounting for socio-economic differences, we find that the girls’ agency, albeit ‘thin’ as in Klocker (2007) , is crucial and may often prove to be the tipping point in enrolment decisions. This has policy implications vis-à-vis counselling strategies for dropout mitigation.
Anisotropic surface-wave characterization of granular media
Authors: Gofer Edan , Bachrach Ran , Marco Shmuel
Published: August 2017

In unconsolidated granular media, the state of stress has a major effect on the elastic properties and wave velocities. Effective media modeling of granular packs shows that a vertically oriented uniaxial state of stress induces vertical transverse isotropy (VTI), characterized by five independent elastic parameters. The Rayleigh wave velocity is sensitive to four of these five VTI parameters. We have developed an anisotropic Rayleigh wave inversion that solves for four of the five independent VTI elastic parameters using anisotropic Thomson-Haskell matrix equations that can be used to determine the degree of anisotropy and the state of stress in granular media. The proposed method incorporates an initial model search guided by rock-physics models and dispersion curve inversion that uses a gradient-based solver. We carried out the inversion on a synthetic example and a real data set in which we inverted for in situ elastic moduli of unconsolidated sands at very low effective stress. The synthetic data example results showed that we are able to correctly estimate the granular media’s effective elastic moduli. When the inversion was carried out with real data, the results indicate that the sand at very low effective stress is elastically anisotropic and that it is stiffer along the vertical axis than the horizontal axis. Furthermore, our results are in agreement with past studies related to granular media.
Financial Burden in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Nipp Ryan D. , Kirchhoff Anne C. , Fair Douglas , Rabin Julia , Hyland Kelly A. , Kuhlthau Karen , Perez Giselle K. , Robison Leslie L. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Nathan Paul C. , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Leisenring Wendy M. , Park Elyse R.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Survivors of childhood cancer may experience financial burden as a result of health care costs, particularly because these patients often require long-term medical care. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of financial burden and identify associations between a higher percentage of income spent on out-of-pocket medical costs (≥ 10% of annual income) and issues related to financial burden (jeopardizing care or changing lifestyle) among survivors of childhood cancer and a sibling comparison group.

Methods

Between May 2011 and April 2012, we surveyed an age-stratified, random sample of survivors of childhood cancer and a sibling comparison group who were enrolled in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Participants reported their household income, out-of-pocket medical costs, and issues related to financial burden (questions were adapted from national surveys on financial burden). Logistic regression identified associations between participant characteristics, a higher percentage of income spent on out-of-pocket medical costs, and financial burden, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Among 580 survivors of childhood cancer and 173 siblings, survivors of childhood cancer were more likely to have out-of-pocket medical costs ≥ 10% of annual income (10.0% v 2.9%; P < .001). Characteristics of the survivors of childhood cancer that were associated with a higher percentage of income spent on out-of-pocket costs included hospitalization in the past year (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.9) and household income < $50,000 (OR, 5.5; 95% CI, 2.4 to 12.8). Among survivors of childhood cancer, a higher percentage of income spent on out-of-pocket medical costs was significantly associated with problems paying medical bills (OR, 8.9; 95% CI, 4.4 to 18.0); deferring care for a medical problem (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.6 to 5.9); skipping a test, treatment, or follow-up (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.0); and thoughts of filing for bankruptcy (OR, 6.6; 95% CI, 3.0 to 14.3).

Conclusion

Survivors of childhood cancer are more likely to report spending a higher percentage of their income on out-of-pocket medical costs, which may influence their health-seeking behavior and potentially affect health outcomes. Our findings highlight the need to address financial burden in this population with long-term health care needs.
CONKO-005: Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Gemcitabine Plus Erlotinib Versus Gemcitabine Alone in Patients After R0 Resection of Pancreatic Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Phase III Trial
Authors: Sinn Marianne , Bahra Marcus , Liersch Torsten , Gellert Klaus , Messmann Helmut , Bechstein Wolf , Waldschmidt Dirk , Jacobasch Lutz , Wilhelm Martin , Rau Bettina M. , Grützmann Robert , Weinmann Arndt , Maschmeyer Georg , Pelzer Uwe , Stieler Jens M. , Striefler Jana K. , Ghadimi Michael , Bischoff Sven , Dörken Bernd , Oettle Helmut , Riess Hanno
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Gemcitabine is standard of care in the adjuvant treatment of resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine has shown efficacy in the treatment of advanced PDAC and was considered to improve survival in patients with primarily resectable PDAC after R0 resection.

Patients and Methods

In an open-label, multicenter trial, patients were randomly assigned to one of two study arms: gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 days 1, 8, 15, every 4 weeks plus erlotinib 100 mg once per day (GemErlo) or gemcitabine (Gem) alone for six cycles. The primary end point of the study was to improve disease-free survival (DFS) from 14 to 18 months by adding erlotinib to gemcitabine.

Results

In all, 436 patients were randomly assigned at 57 study centers between April 2008 and July 2013. A total of 361 instances (83%) of disease recurrence were observed after a median follow-up of 54 months. Median treatment duration was 22 weeks in both arms. There was no difference in median DFS (GemErlo 11.4 months; Gem 11.4 months) or median overall survival (GemErlo 24.5 months; Gem 26.5 months). There was a trend toward long-term survival in favor of GemErlo (estimated survival after 1, 2, and 5 years for GemErlo was 77%, 53%, and 25% v 79%, 54%, and 20% for Gem, respectively). The occurrence or the grade of rash was not associated with a better survival in the GemErlo arm.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, CONKO-005 is the first study to investigate the combination of chemotherapy and a targeted therapy in the adjuvant treatment of PDAC. GemErlo for 24 weeks did not improve DFS or overall survival over Gem.
Cabozantinib As Salvage Therapy for Patients With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor–Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Results of a Multicenter Phase II International Thyroid Oncology Group Trial
Authors: Cabanillas Maria E. , de Souza Jonas A. , Geyer Susan , Wirth Lori J. , Menefee Michael E. , Liu Stephen V. , Shah Komal , Wright John , Shah Manisha H.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Sorafenib and lenvatinib are oral multikinase inhibitors targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and approved for radioiodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). However, there are no approved second- or third-line therapies. MET is implicated in resistance to VEGFR inhibitors. Cabozantinib is an oral multikinase inhibitor targeting MET in addition to VEGFR and is approved for medullary thyroid cancer. In a phase I study of cabozantinib, five of eight patients with DTC previously treated with a VEGFR-targeted therapy had an objective response to cabozantinib.

Patients and Methods

Patients with RAI-refractory disease with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) measurable disease and evidence of progression on prior VEGFR-targeted therapy were enrolled in this single-arm phase II study. The cabozantinib starting dose was 60 mg/day orally but could be escalated to 80 mg if the patient did not experience a response. Patients underwent tumor assessment according to RECIST v1.1 every 8 weeks. In this study, if at least five of 25 response-evaluable patients had an objective response, cabozantinib would be considered a promising agent in this patient population.

Results

Twenty-five patients were enrolled. The median age was 64 years, and 64% of patients were men. Twenty-one patients had received only one prior VEGFR-targeted therapy (sorafenib, pazopanib, or cediranib), and four patients had received two such therapies. The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, and hypertension. One drug-related death was noted. Of the 25 patients, 10 (40%) had a partial response, 13 (52%) had stable disease, and two (8%) had nonevaluable disease. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 12.7 months and 34.7 months, respectively.

Conclusion

Cabozantinib demonstrated clinically significant, durable objective response activity in patients with RAI-refractory DTC who experienced disease progression while taking prior VEGFR-targeted therapy.
Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Cancer-Directed Surgery for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Nelson David B. , Rice David C. , Niu Jiangong , Atay Scott , Vaporciyan Ara A. , Antonoff Mara , Hofstetter Wayne L. , Walsh Garrett L. , Swisher Stephen G. , Roth Jack A. , Tsao Anne , Gomez Daniel , Giordano Sharon H. , Mehran Reza , Sepesi Boris
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Small observational studies have shown a survival advantage to undergoing cancer-directed surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM); however, it is unclear if these results are generalizable. Our purpose was to evaluate survival after treatment of MPM with cancer-directed surgery and to explore the effect surgery interaction with chemotherapy or radiation therapy on survival by using the National Cancer Database.

Patients and Methods

Patients with microscopically proven MPM were identified within the National Cancer Database (2004 to 2014). Propensity score matching was performed 1:2 and among this cohort, a Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify predictors of survival. Median survival was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Of 20,561 patients with MPM, 6,645 were identified in the matched cohort, among whom 2,166 underwent no therapy, 2,015 underwent chemotherapy alone, 850 underwent cancer-directed surgery alone, 988 underwent surgery with chemotherapy, and 274 underwent trimodality therapy. The remaining 352 patients underwent another combination of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Thirty-day and 90-day mortality rates were 6.3% and 15.5%. Cancer-directed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were independently associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.77, 0.74, and 0.88, respectively). Stratified analysis revealed that surgery-based multimodality therapy demonstrated an improved survival compared with surgery alone, with no significant difference between surgery-based multimodality therapies; however, the largest estimated effect was when cancer-directed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were combined (hazard ratio, 0.52). For patients with the epithelial subtype who underwent trimodality therapy, median survival was extended from 14.5 months to 23.4 months.

Conclusion

MPM is an aggressive and rapidly fatal disease. Surgery-based multimodality therapy was associated with improved survival and may offer therapeutic benefit among carefully selected patients.
A Patient (46XX) With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Wesselius Ruben , Schotman Mirjam , Schotman Martje , Pereira Alberto M
Published: August 2017

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) can affect sex characteristics. The most common cause of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency, and the cornerstone of treatment is glucocorticoid replacement in adrenocorticotropic hormone-suppressive dosages. A 64-year-old patient (46XX) with CAH resulting from 21-hydroxylase deficiency had been treated with dexamethasone and testosterone since diagnosis at age 12 and was phenotypically male. At age 62, he was diagnosed with prostate carcinoma. The patient received curative treatment with external beam radiotherapy. Genotypically female patients with CAH can develop prostate carcinoma when receiving long-term testosterone replacement therapy.
Case Report: Synchronous primary malignancy including the breast and endometrium
Authors: Banimostafavi Elham Sadat , Tayebi Sepideh , Tayebi Maryam
Published: August 2017

Breast and endometrial cancer are the most common types of female cancers, but the incidence of both of these malignancies in a single patient is a rare event. Multiple primary malignancy has been increasingly reported over the past decade, and double primary cancer is considered as the most common type.  In this study, we present a 53-year-old woman with synchronous primary malignancy of breast and endometrium. This patient had a history of breast and endometrial cancer in her family. Mammography and chest CT of the patient revealed a mass in the right breast and left supraclavicular region. However, the patient did not want to initiate treatment. Subsequently, the patient returned with a chief complaint of persistent abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abdominopelvic CT scan of the patient revealed a huge soft tissue mass in the pelvic cavity. She underwent hysterectomy, and pathology revealed endometrioid carcinoma, which had invaded the full thickness of uterine wall. Since this type of malignancy is rare and several risk factors are associated with it, it is worth being considered by clinicians when making decisions about screening or strategy for prevention.
Doctrine, lawmaking, judicial practice: issues of mutual influence.
Authors: Шуберт  , Shubert Tatyana
Published: August 2017

The book presents the author's concept of the systemic relationship of doctrine, lawmaking and judicial practice. Taking into account modern tendencies of constitutional development, the role and importance of the doctrine in lawmaking and law enforcement, judicial practice, actual problems of normative control, issues of implementation of judicial decisions are revealed.
The work is devoted to the issues of the correlation of doctrine and legislation; Role of judicial practice in law-making work; The use of the doctrine in the practice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation; Problems of legislative initiative of higher courts of the Russian Federation and implementation of court decisions in the legislation of the Russian Federation.
The study of the issues of using the doctrine in the drafting of bills allows us to see not only the content of legal norms, but also the dynamics of the development of social relations regulated by them. The doctrine describes legal phenomena, it is a kind of prediction of foresight of situations that can develop in the sphere of legal regulation. The Doctrine formulates and develops the principles of law, which are the basis for regulating social relations in cases of a gap in law, when it is impossible to apply the analogy of law. Legislators and law enforcers turn to legislative comments, where the doctrine fully meets legal gaps, develops law and formulates new legal provisions. In many respects the problems of legislation, the inefficiency of draft laws, leading to multiple amendments to laws; Unsystematic legislation; The numerous laws - are due in part to the insufficiency of the use of legal doctrine. The lack of a unified approach to the problems of improving the legal regulation, the overall concept and strategy for the development of legislation, a clear understanding of the stages and main directions of the state strategy for the development of legislation leads to a chaotic update of norms in various branches of legislation, uneven development of its individual institutions. Judicial norm-setting has a special impact on the legislator, since the forms of judicial rule-making in the form of precedent, judicial practice, legal positions of the highest judicial bodies are in effect a regulator of public relations, overcome legislative gaps. Analysis of the practice of the Constitutional Court shows that the failure to implement the decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation is caused by a number of reasons, including: lack of proper legislative base, weak activity of state structures in the process of execution of decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, legal nihilism, low level of legal culture, lack of financial resources from the state.
Market Entry by High Technology Startups: The Effect of Competition Level and Startup Innovativeness
Authors: Hashai Niron , Markovich Sarit
Published: August 2017

We study the level of market competition as a determinant for the propensity of cooperation between startups entering new markets and incumbents operating in these markets. We provide ample empirical evidence suggesting that startups and incumbents are more likely to cooperate in the commercialization of startups’ technological innovations in markets with either high or low competition levels than in markets with moderate competition levels. Importantly, we further show that startups’ innovativeness has a contingent effect—it encourages cooperation at low-to-moderate levels of competition, but encourages competition at moderate-to-high levels of competition.
Tree shape and form in ancient coppice woodlands
Authors: Maděra Petr , Slach Tomáš , Úradníček Luboš , Lacina Jan , Černušáková Linda , Friedl Michal , Řepka Radomír , Buček Antonín
Published: August 2017

Ancient coppice woodlands are coppice-originated forest stands with a long-term continual development, and with the preserved typical natural and historic elements of old sprout forests. Prominent natural elements in the ancient coppice woodlands are namely old coppice stools. There is, in scientific literature, lack of information about features of ancient coppice stools. Therefore, our contribution aims to describe shape and form of ancient coppice stools, including the most important microhabitat of coppice woodlands – dendrothelms. Based on field survey of 20 localities of important coppice woodlands we recorded 135 ancient coppice stools of 13 tree species and a total of 80 dendrothelms in 9 tree species. Basic features of ancient coppice stools and dendrothlems were measured and evaluated.
Determinanten der Erkennung und Bewertung von Objekttypen. Eine linguistisch-differenziell-psychologische Studie zum Genitiv
Authors: Wich-Reif Claudia , Leue Anja , Beauducel André
Published: August 2017

It is self-evident that language changes across time; how this process of language change takes place has been investigated for specific domains, such as the genitive case. Language change may induce a heterogeneity of verbal competences. However, in differential psychology theoretical models on verbal intelligence imply that verbal competence is a rather homogeneous. Accordingly, the question of homogeneity and heterogeneity of verbal competences is a rather open one. Therefore, this study investigates the competence of differentiating sentences with genitive verbs from other object types and of evaluating the familiarity with these object types. It was examined whether homogeneous or heterogeneous linguistic competences are relevant for the evaluation of the grammatical correctness of sentences. The methodological basis for the linguistic and differential psychological study was a questionnaire of 22 groups of sentences with verbs requiring the genitive as an object case and/or verbs requiring another object case. Participants (N = 177 students) were asked to evaluate the grammatical correctness of the sentences (correct vs. incorrect) and the familiarity of content of the sentences on a six point Likert scale. Based on a statistical method termed principal component analysis, the relevance of homogenous vs. heterogeneous linguistic competences was investigated. This analysis led to six principal components which can be differentiated with regard to their relevance for linguistic competences. In addition, it could be demonstrated that the mother tongue (German vs. non-German) and the course of study (German studies or Psychology) influenced the evaluation of correctness. The findings indicate that relations between specific linguistic competences and verbal intelligence should be analyzed with regard to language and socialization processes.
A Brief Review of Handgrip Strength and Sport Performance
Authors: Cronin John , Lawton Trent , Harris Nigel , Kilding Andrew , McMaster Daniel T.
Published: August 2017

Cronin, J, Lawton, T, Harris, N, Kilding, A, and McMaster, DT. A brief review of handgrip strength and sport performance.J Strength Cond Res31(11): 3187–3217, 2017—Tests of handgrip strength (HGS) and handgrip force (HGF) are commonly used across a number of sporting populations. Measures of HGS and HGF have also been used by practitioners and researchers to evaluate links with sports performance. This article first evaluates the validity and reliability of various handgrip dynamometers (HGD) and HGF sensors, providing recommendations for procedures to ensure that precise and reliable data are collected as part of an athlete's testing battery. Second, the differences in HGS between elite and subelite athletes and the relationships between HGS, HGF, and sports performance are discussed.
Technical and Tactical Aspects in Italian Youth Rugby Union in Relation to Different Academies, Regional Tournaments, and Outcomes
Authors: Ungureanu Alexandru N. , Condello Giancarlo , Pistore Simonluca , Conte Daniele , Lupo Corrado
Published: August 2017

Ungureanu, AN, Condello, G, Pistore, S, Conte, D, and Lupo, C. Technical and tactical aspects in Italian youth rugby union in relation to different academies, regional tournaments, and outcomes. J Strength Cond Res 33(6): 1557–1569, 2019—This study aimed to analyze the technical and tactical aspects of the Italian under-18 Academy Rugby Union in relation to different academies, regional tournaments, and game outcomes. A notational analysis (44 indicators) was performed on 16 games (2014–15 season) to evaluate strong differences (p ≤ 0.05; moderate-large effect sizes [ESs]) according to variables. Among academies, strong differences were showed for defensive breakdown, in which the defending support is much (range = 77–87%), equal (range = 11–32%), and less (range = 2–12%) numerous than the attacking support, total tackles (range = 64–122), and passes (range = 72–151), pass to possession ratio (range = 6–10), possession lost due to an error (range = 28–59%), and ball in play in own (range = 8–25%) and opponent (range = 7–31%) 22-m area indicators. For tournaments, effects emerged for offensive breakdown when the ball is used quickly using maximum 2 attacking supports (range = 20–30%) and is not used quickly (range = 28–41%), total penalty kicks (range = 11–16), and sequences period 0–10 (range = 26–35%) and 10–40 seconds (range = 47–55%). Conversely, winning and losing academies reported differences with small ESs. These results highlight that the technical and tactical aspects of the Italian under-18 Academy Rugby Union are quite homogeneous, suggesting that FIR coaching staffs are more oriented to players' skills than successful games. However, tactical and strength and conditioning coaches can benefit from the findings of this study, focusing training on cognitive, strength, and repeated sprint abilities with and without change of direction for improving the occurrence of “set pieces won/regained” and “ball in play in opponent 22 m area,” which appear as the key of the game in this rugby competition level.
Water Absorption in Cementitious Materials at Different Temperatures
Authors: Wei Jianqiang , Tao Bernard , Weiss W. Jason
Published: August 2017

This paper presents results from an experimental investigation that assessed water absorption in cementitious materials at different temperatures. This work aims to determine whether the absorption behavior may be explained by considering only temperature related variations in the fluid properties (surface tension, viscosity, and density). The calculated water absorption curves at 5°C and 40°C (based on adjusting the absorption that was measured at 23°C using the temperature dependent fluid properties) exhibit agreement with the experimental data for the secondary sorption. This indicates that the change of fluid properties as a function of temperature is the primary reason for the difference in behavior. As a result, it appears possible to predict the rate of secondary absorption of cementitious materials at various temperatures with a simple correction. The initial sorptivity also showed a temperature dependency; however, the dependency of the mortars with water-to-cement ratios of 0.30 and 0.50 was 50 % and 64 % greater than that obtained using only the temperature dependent fluid properties. This indicates that, in addition to variations in the properties of the fluid, the interaction between the fluid and cementitious materials may also have a temperature dependence that influences the initial sorptivity. The transition between initial and secondary sorption (i.e., nick point) occurs at an earlier time with increasing temperature due to the increased rate of fluid absorption.