bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in Patterns of Care for Breast Cancer in Italy (1979-1987)
Authors: Grilli Roberto , Alexanian Alexan A. , Apolone Giovanni , Confalonieri Carlo , Fossati Roldano , Liati Paola , Liberati Maria Cristina , Marsoni Silvia , Mosconi Paola , Monferroni Nicoletta , Nicolucci Antonio , Taiana Anna , Torri Valter , Zola Paolo , Liberati Alessandro
Published: April 2018

We reviewed care delivered to about 2,500 breast cancer patients in general hospitals over the period 1979-1987 using data from three surveys. The most important and consistent failure was in diagnostic timeliness: about one out of four patients was diagnosed six or more months after the first symptom leading to an almost doubled probability of being diagnosed with more advanced disease. Acceptance of treatment recommendations seemed less satisfactory for surgery than for adjuvant treatments. Conservative surgery still appeared to have limited acceptance for patients with small primary tumor (21 and 23% in 1983 and 1987, respectively) although, starting 1983, there was a shift from the Halsted to the Patey type of radical mastectomy. Follow-up was routine in most node-negative patients and adjuvant chemotherapy was already well established treatment for most pre-menopausal node-positive women (64, 79 and 76% in 1979, 1983 and 1987, respectively). Some form of adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal node-positive women was already present In 1983 but became more widespread in 1987 (82%): this being mostly accounted for by the increase in the use of tamoxifen (delivered alone or in combination with chemotherapy to 53% of women). Overall, our results suggest that areas of care more dependent on organization or doctors’ and patients’ education (i.e. diagnostic timeliness and accessibility) are those where deficiencies seen to be least amenable to change in the absence of concerted intervention. Among more narrowly defined clinical issues, there appeared to be some dissonance between the rapid acceptance of adjuvant treatments and the still slow pace of acceptance of less aggressive procedures by surgeons.
Incident Lung Cancer Survival. Long-Term Follow-Up of a Population-Based Study in Italy
Authors: Pastorino Ugo , Benino Franco , Valente Maurizio , Gervasio Antonio , Sant Milena , Gatta Gemma , Crosignani Paolo , Ravasi Gianni
Published: April 2018

The long-term survival of an incident lung cancer population was evaluated in relation to clinical stage, treatment modalities and other prognostic factors. The survey was carried out among the residents in the Local Sanitary Unit of Saronno, a highly industrialized area of northern Italy, where all the lung cancer cases diagnosed during the years 1976-79 had been identified and clinically studied. The overall survival of the 222 cases included in the analysis was 32% at 1 year, 10% at 3 years and 5% at 5 years; median survival was 7 months. A significantly better prognosis was associated with surgical resection (32% at 5 years; median, 42 mo), clinical stage I (16% at 5 years; median, 15 mo), and squamous cell carcinoma (13% at 5 years; median, 11 mo). Other factors such as age, sex, social class or cancer symptoms did not affect survival when treatment was taken into account. Our data show that surgical resection is the major determinant of survival, and suggest that suboptimal access to curative treatment, particularly in patients aged 60 to 75 with limited disease, might have compromised the overall survival.
Evaluating Radiation in Combination with Hyperthermia Trials: The Importance of Clinical and Technical Parameters
Authors: Valdagni Riccardo , Liu Fei Fei
Published: April 2018

A proper evaluation of hyperthermia and irradiation trials Is necessary to correctly interpret clinical results and to define limitations and properties of this new therapeutic approach. A better understanding of the « weight » of different technologic and clinical parameters that influence clinical response is thus clearly needed, particularly if future advances in hyperthermia technology and clinical results are to be expected. Patient variables, tumor variables, and treatment characteristics have been analyzed, and the difficulties of properly evaluating the « weight » of single parameters have been stressed. At the current state of knowledge, the Karnofsky index, site of disease (for regional heating), tumor status (recurrent versus metastatic disease) and XRT dose per fraction (for melanomas) seem to correlate with response. Tumor dimension, XRT total dose and thermal parameters reflecting the lowest tumor temperatures appear to statistically influence complete response rates of heated and irradiated tumors. In addition, a critical method of presenting results should be followed to enable comparison of data from different trials.
Pancreatic Cystadenocarcinoma and Pregnancy: A Case Report
Authors: Baiocchi Claudia , Landonio Giuseppe , Majno Margherita , Minola Ernesto , Scanzi Francesco , Ghislandi Enrico
Published: April 2018

We report a case of cystadenocarcinoma occurring in a pregnant woman. After child birth, a subtotal pancreatectomy was performed, without rupture of the cyst. The patient is asymptomatic, 24 months after sugery. The presentation of cystadenocarcinoma in pregnancy has been reported in another single case. The possibility of hormonal dependence is discussed.
Diagnosis of Malignant Change in Duodenal Villous Adenoma
Authors: Stella Marco , Zerbi Alessandro , Braga Marco , Faravelli Agostino , Di Carlo Valerio
Published: April 2018

Villous adenomas of the duodenum are rare, and malignancy is discovered in about 30% of the lesions. The authors describe two cases of villous adenoma of the second portion of the duodenum (13 and 8 cm in diameter). The diagnosis was obtained through endoscopy, which did not demonstrate any malignant change. In both patients, malignant change was shown by intraoperative frozen sections, and a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Review of the literature and the authors' experience indicate endoscopic biopsies do not rule out the presence of malignancy in adenomatous pathology of the duodenum. Therefore, laparotomy should be performed whenever endoscopic excision of the neoplasm is not feasible. The authors emphasize the importance of an intraoperative diagnosis based on accurate frozen sections and propose a correct procedure to obtain the best results.
Evaluation of In-Vitro Effects of Recombinant Human α2 Interferon on Bilharzial Urinary Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Khaled Hussein M. , Attia Mohammed M. , Nabawi Abdel-Rahman
Published: April 2018

Using two different agar based double-layer culture assays, 16 bilharzial urinary bladder carcinoma samples were evaluated for the in-vitro effects of 1 hour's exposure to α2 interferon at 3-log concentrations. Ten of these tumor samples were evaluable for drug sensitivity testing. In the liquid top layer dye exclusion assay, 40%, 60%, and 60% of the 10 tested tumor samples were sensitive to α2 interferon 100, 1,000, and 10,000 units/ml respectively, and 25%, 25%, and 63% of 8 tumor cell suspensions were sensitive to the above drug concentrations when the human tumor colony forming assay was performed. Comparing both assays in 24 different drug measurements, there was a 71% concordance rate. All of the 7 discordant measurements were sensitive in the dye exclusion and resistant in the clonogenic assays. Thus, bilharzial bladder cancer cells are relatively sensitive to the in-vitro effect of α2 interferon, especially ot higher concentrations, and a phase II clinical trial deserves consideration.
Adenomyoepithelioma of the Breast. A Case Report
Authors: Accurso Antonello , Donofrio Vittoria , Insabato Luigi , Mosella Guido
Published: April 2018

Adenomyoepithelioma is a proliferative disorder of both epithelial and myoepithelial cells. This lesion may be found in salivary glands, skin appendages and, very rarely, in the mammary gland. Adenomyoepithelioma was first described in 1970 and very few cases have so far been reviewed in the literature. This paper reports the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of an adenomyoepithelioma in a 24 year old woman; to our knowledge this is the first published case in such a young patient. The clinical feature suggested a fibroadenoma. A more complete study of the excised tumor tissue by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis proved that the correct diagnosis was adenomyoepithelioma. Whether adenomyoepithelioma is a benign or a low-grade malignant lesion is still controversial and, therefore, the therapeutic approach is not well defined.
Addison's Disease Secondary to Prostatic Carcinoma. A Case Report
Authors: Navarro Matilde , Felip Enriqueta , Garcia Luis , Bellmunt Joaquin , Jolis Laura , Morales Serafín , Rubio Diego
Published: April 2018

Adrenal cortical insufficiency secondary to destruction of the cortex by a metastatic tumor is a rare condition. Addison's disease is usually caused by an autoimmune process or by a tuberculous infection. We report a case of adrenal Insufficiency as the first clinical manifestation of a metastatic prostate carcinoma that occurred simultaneously with an active pulmonary infection by M. tuberculosis.
« Cyto-Assisted », Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Focal Disease of the Abdomen
Authors: Caldironi Maria Wanda , Boccato Paolo , Maifredini Chiara Stella , Blandamura Stella , di Summa Angelo , Costantin Giovanna , Rebuffi Anna Grazia , Zotti Gian Carlo
Published: April 2018

From May 1988 to June 1990, 260 patients with abdominal focal disease underwent ultrasonically guided percutaneous fine needle biopsy. The technique of so-called « FNAB-CYT » is described. The procedure entailed very few complications: the mortality rate was 0% and the morbidity rate was 1.5%. The specificity of the technique was 100%, and sensitivity was 93.43%. False-negative diagnoses were made in 8 cases, and in 5 patients the cytologic diagnoses were uncertain. There were no false-positives. The possibility of an immediate control of the collected material by the pathologist avoids the risk of inadequate samples and reduces the number of biopsies for the patient. Comparison among diagnoses on rapid and definitive preparations and histologic ones was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the cytologic procedure. In our experience, a rapid staining of the smears allowed a correct cytologic diagnosis in 87.7% of the cases within approximately 5 min of the biopsy. On the basis of our experience, the authors recommend FNAB-CYT as a routine first-level (less invasive) procedure for diagnosis of abdominal focal disease.
Prognostic Value of Autoantibodies against Erythrocytes and Platelets in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Authors: De Rossi Giulio , Granati Lucia , Girelli Gabriella , Gandolo Giuseppe , Perrone Paola , Martelli Maurizio , Conti Laura , Marini Rosalba , Pastorelli Donatella , Coluzzi Serelina , Niscola Pasquale , Pizzo Francesco , Mandelli Franco
Published: April 2018

Antiglobulin test (AT) and Dixon tests were performed in 100 patients with CLL. Thirty-five of them had Rai stages 0 or 1, 19 stage 2, 13 stage 3, and 33 stage 4. Twelve patients showed red blood cells autoantibodies (RBCAb) positivity; positivity at Dixon test (direct, indirect, or both) was observed in 74 %. The presence of autoantibodies against erythrocytes and platelets did not influence survival curves, but anemia and thrombocytopenia are considered risk factors, independently of the presence of an autoimmune disorder. Nine RBCAb positive patients with positive Dixon test had the worst survival curves, 5 of these were anemic and 1 thrombocytopenic and anemic.
Measurement of the Ovarian Cancer-Associated Antigen CA 125 in Monitoring Tumor Burden and Response to Chemotherapy
Authors: Quaranta Michele , Coviello Maria , Donadeo Anna , Rella Carmela , Lorusso Vito , Micelli Giuseppina , Lucarelli Claudio
Published: April 2018

CA 125 serum levels were measured in 74 patients with ovarian carcinoma. Among 31 patients undergoing a second look laparotomy (SL) after chemotherapy pathologic complete response (PCR) was observed in 14 patients, residual disease (RD) < 2 cm in 7 patients and RD >2 cm in 10 patients. The disease status was compared to the CA 125 serum levels measured just before SL. Thirteen of the 14 patients with PCR had serum CA 125 values < 35 U/ml (specificity: 93 %). On the other hand, only 10 of the 17 patients with RD showed serum levels > 35 U/ml (sensitivity: 59 %). Moreover, in the 43 patients receiving chemotherapy, CA 125 levels correlated with the course of the disease in 36 (84 %). With regard to early detection of recurrence, in 9/14 patients with PCR, whose CA 125 levels were monitored monthly, by 1 to 7 months an increase of the tumor marker preceded clinical evidence of relapse in 9/9 relapses (100%). In conclusion, CA 125 assay can be helpful in the management of ovarian cancer patients, in monitoring the response to chemotherapy, in the early detection of tumor recurrence, and in predicting the SL findings, although the low sensitivity could be a major drawback in patients with RD before SL.
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Maxillary Sinus. A Case Report
Authors: Palma Di Silvana , Guzzo Marco , Cantù Giulio
Published: April 2018

We report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the left maxillary sinus in a 30 year-old man. The major problem encountered was the histological diagnosis of the first biopsy, which showed a non specific fasciculated, myxoid, alveolar pattern suggestive of a mesenchymal malignancy, thus preventing the correct diagnosis that became possible only when the surgical specimen was available.
Preoperative Hyperthermia Combined with Chemotherapy and Irradiation for the Treatment of Patients with Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Kuwano Hiroyuki , Sumiyoshi Kohei , Watanabe Masayuki , Sadanaga Noriaki , Nozoe Tadahiro , Yasuda Mitsuhiro , Sugimachi Keizo
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effects of hyperthermia, chemotherapy and irradiation on esophageal cancer.

Methods and material

Since 1978, we have clinically applied hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy and irradiation (HCR therapy), to patients with carcinoma of the esophagus. The clinical results of 136 patients receiving preoperative HCR therapy were then compared with those of 107 cases undergoing preoperative chemo-radiotherapy (CR).

Results

A histological examination of the resected esophagus after preoperative treatment revealed that 65.4% and 50.5% of the patients responded markedly (no viable cancer cells) and moderately (more than two thirds of all cancer cells destroyed) to HCR and CR therapies, respectively (p <0.05). The five-year survival rates were 22.3% and 13.7% in the HCR and CR groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p <0.01). In particular, for the patients classified as TNM Stages III and IV, a significantly longer survival period was obtained with HCR therapy (p <0.05). In addition, no severe side effects were encountered in the patients given just hyperthermia.

Conclusion

Our clinical results suggest that preoperative hyperthermo-chemo-radiotherapy shows great promise for treatment of patients with advanced carcinoma of the esophagus.
Clinical Determinants of Long-Term Survival in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Pollak Lea , Gur Ruth , Walach Natalio , Reif Renata , Tamir Levia , Schiffer Juana
Published: April 2018

Repeated reports of more than ten years postoperative survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GM) have appeared in the literature over the last decades. Authors have tried to identify the clinical, therapeutic and histological features determining long-term survival. We present two patients in whom, after radical removal of the tumor followed by conventional radiation, there has been no recurrence for at least ten years. The young age of the patients and the radical surgical approach were in accordance with previous reports of long-term survival. Nevertheless, one tumor originated from the thalamus, a location considered to be of unfavorable prognosis. We therefore further discuss the value of clinical signs as determinants in the prognosis of GM.
Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Inoperable Advanced Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Donato Vittorio , Zurlo Alfredo , Bonfili Pierluigi , Petrongari Mariagrazia , Santarelli Mario , Costa Antonio , Enrici Riccardo Maurizi
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background

Inoperable advanced stage lung cancer is usually treated by radiation therapy. Although a minority of patients may achieve prolonged survival with aggressive therapeutic approaches, most patients present with adverse prognostic factors that do not allow curative treatment. For these cases palliation of symptoms becomes the main treatment purpose, and short treatment schedules are commonly employed.

Methods

Fifty-two inoperable patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with a hypofractionated schedule of radiotherapy. Initially all patients received 20 Gy in five fractions, and approximately one month after irradiation completion patients underwent clinical and radiological evaluation. Those that achieved a >50% reduction in tumor load and respiratory symptoms were submitted to a second similar short course of radiotherapy.

Results

Thirty-three (63%) patients received only one course of radiotherapy. After the first evaluation, 19 patients (37%), all stage IIIB, fulfilled the criteria to receive a total dose of 40 Gy. Survival rates at one and two years were 33% and 0%, respectively, in the group of patients that received 20 Gy, and 52% and 21% respectively, in the group treated with 40 Gy. Two-year survival rates were 10% for stage IIIB and 0% for stage IV patients. Among the patients that were irradiated with a dose of 20 Gy, a subjective reduction of dyspnea and cough and remission of hemoptysis were observed in 97%, 82% and 80% cases, respectively. Complete remission of dyspnea and coughing was observed in 17 (89%) and 14 (74%) patients treated with two irradiation courses. Only mild toxicity was recorded.

Conclusions

Our treatment schedule achieved symptom control in the majority of patients. Early evaluation after 20 Gy allowed selection of responsive patients that could benefit from more prolonged treatment.
Basaloid Carcinoma of the Lung with Bronchiolo-alveolar Cell Differentiation. A Case Report
Authors: Mai Kien T. , Perkins D. Garth , Veinot John P. , Shamji Farid M.
Published: April 2018

Aims

We report a case of pulmonary basaloid carcinoma with bronchiolo-alveolar cell differentiation.

Patients and Results

A 75 year-old presented with a tumor measured 2.0 cm and was located in the periphery of the left upper lobe. Histologically, the lesion consisted of nests of basaloid cells, and lumina and clefts lined by tumor cells with features of mucous cells or type II pneumocytes or with mixed features.

Conclusions

Previously reported basaloid carcinomas of the upper aero-digestive tract and lung have been purported to have an aggressive behavior. The tumor in the present study had features of a histopathological low grade tumor including a low mitotic rate, no tumor necrosis and a growth pattern at the periphery similar to that of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma.
Choroidal Metastasis from Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx: A Case Report
Authors: Mussari Salvatore , Amichetti Maurizio , Bolner Andrea , Sala Sabino Walter Della , Tornio Luigi
Published: April 2018

Choroidal metastasis from primaries other than breast or lung cancer is a rare event. There is no documented case in the literature of choroidal metastases in patients with hypopharynx carcinoma. Early treatment with radiation therapy provides effective palliation by preserving visual function and preventing the need for enucleation. Chemotherapy alone does not seem to be as effective as radiation therapy for patients with choroidal metastases. In this paper a case of choroidal metastasis arising from a primary hypopharynx carcinoma is presented.
Mortality of Parents of Children with Cancer: A Population-based Study in Turin, Italy
Authors: Mosso Maria Luisa , Magnani Corrado , Pastore Guido , Terracini Benedetto
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background

A cohort study was conducted in order to measure cause-specific mortality among parents of children recorded in the Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont. It is the first study carried out on the subject in southern Europe.

Methods and Study Design

The study comprised the 740 children resident in Turin and in whom a cancer had been diagnosed in the period 1967-1991. Nominal data were obtained for 723 fathers and 733 mothers. At the end of the follow-up in 1995, 645 fathers were alive, 68 dead and 10 untraceable. Corresponding figures for mothers were 700, 28 and 5. Cause of death was known for 91 of 96 parents.

Results

The period of observation of parents started on the birth of the index child, however mortality analyses were restricted to the period after 1965 because of limited availability of local reference rates. Total mortality was lower than expected among fathers (66 observed deaths vs 88.2 expected, P <0.05) and mothers (28 vs 31.4). Fathers showed deficits (not statistically significant) of lung neoplasms (4 vs 9.9), cardiovascular diseases (18 vs 27.1) and hepatic cirrhosis (2 vs 6.6). No statistically significant variations in mortality were observed with time from diagnosis or according to life status of the children. No cancer deaths occurred among the mothers of sarcoma cases whereas 1.9 were expected.

Conclusions

The data do not indicate any increase in mortality from cancer or other causes and, on the contrary, show a reduction in mortality which was more evident for the causes related to life style.
On ‘Asian’ Distinctiveness and Race as a Variable: The Case of Ophthalmic Epidemiology in Singapore
Authors: Coopmans Catelijne , Hua Margaret Tan Ai
Published: April 2018

The notion that Singapore’s multi-ethnic population provides a unique and quintessentially ‘Asian’ asset for its biomedical sciences initiative has been part of the discourse in local and international media coverage of that sector. It has also been highlighted by scholars as a feature of Singapore’s political economy. This article discusses how ‘racial/ethnic difference’ was initially central but then became peripheral to one high-profile research programme: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Disease (SEED) Study Programme. The case study is offered as an example of the flexible deployment and situational enactment of racial/ethnic difference in biomedical science, by demonstrating how it gets entangled with and disentangled from the creation of scientific capital and legitimacy, as well as complicates the notion of ‘Asian’ science.
Modular Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for a Young Adult With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Comorbid Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Ordaz D. Luis , Lewin Adam B. , Storch Eric A.
Published: April 2018

This case report outlines the use of a modular cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in an 18-year-old female, “Jaina,” with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Jaina completed 16 weekly CBT sessions that lasted approximately 60 min each. On completing the program, Jaina’s symptom severity for treatment targets of OCD and SAD had reduced based on the Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM- 5; ADIS-5). In addition, overall anxiety symptom severity reduction was evident at posttreatment based on the Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S). This case report supports the use of a modular CBT program (developed for late adolescents and young adults with ASD and comorbid anxiety/OCD) for OCD and SAD.
Dynamic equation and response of turbine runner blade under flow excitation
Authors: Li Zhaojun , Heng Xing , Li Tinghao , Wang Yujiang , Wang Hongyu
Published: April 2018

Considering the complex vibration phenomenon of turbine runner blades under the flow excitation, the nonlinear coupling dynamic equation, which contains hydraulic parameters and blade structure parameters, is established by the finite element method, based on geometrical nonlinearity and fluid–structure interaction of runner blades. According to the dynamic equation, the dynamic response of turbine runner blades under the flow excitation is simulated and analyzed through an example and is compared with the experimental results. The research shows that the proposed equation can well reflect the relation between the dynamic performance of turbine runner blades and its hydraulic parameters, structural parameters, and material parameters. Therefore, the equation provides a necessary theoretical basis for further study on deep-seated problems such as the dynamic characteristics of runner blade and the mechanism of vibration fatigue of runner blade.
Trends in the Body Mass Index of Pediatric and Adult Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Burns Ethan A. , Collins Alexander D. , Jack Robert A. , McCulloch Patrick C. , Lintner David M. , Harris Joshua D.
Published: April 2018

Background:

The body mass index (BMI) in the United States (US) is rising and may be contributing to increased anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) rates. It is currently unknown whether the BMI is increasing in patients who undergo ACLR.

Purpose:

To determine whether (1) the BMI changed in pediatric and adult patients who previously underwent ACLR or revision ACLR over a 10-year eligibility period, (2) the BMI changed at a greater rate in pediatric or adult patients, and (3) the percentage of overweight and obese patients in the ACLR population was different than that of the general overweight population.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective investigation of patients who underwent ACLR by 6 surgeons from June 3, 2005, to June 3, 2015, was conducted. Patients were divided into pediatric (<18 years) and adult (≥18 years) categories. BMI at the time of surgery was defined as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). Patients with an indeterminate BMI were excluded. Comparisons of overweight and obese patients were made with general population trends determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a single US state. Pearson ( R) and Spearman ( Rs) correlations were used to determine correlations, Student t tests were used for 2-variable comparisons, analyses of variance were used for multivariable comparisons, and analyses of covariance were used for comparing linear relationships.

Results:

There were 1305 patients (733 male, 572 female; 409 pediatric, 896 adult) included. Adults requiring surgical revision demonstrated a strong positive correlation with respect to BMI over time ( Rs = 0.906, P < .01). No other statistically significant trends in the BMI over time were found. The proportion of overweight pediatric patients undergoing ACLR was significantly greater than that of the general overweight pediatric population ( P < .05), and the proportion of obese pediatric and adult patients in the general population was greater than that of the obese patients in the study cohort ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Between 2005 and 2015, the BMI for pediatric and adult patients who underwent ACLR did not demonstrate a significant change over time. However, there was a statistically significant strong positive correlation for increasing BMI in adult patients requiring revision, although the mean BMI in patients who underwent revision was less than that of the general population. In addition, the percentage of overweight pediatric patients undergoing ACLR was significantly greater than that of the general population of overweight patients in a single US state reported by the CDC.
Cardiovascular disease risk factor responses to a type 2 diabetes care model including nutritional ketosis induced by sustained carbohydrate restriction at 1 year: an open label, non-randomized, controlled study
Authors: Bhanpuri Nasir H. , Hallberg Sarah J. , Williams Paul T. , McKenzie Amy L. , Ballard Kevin D. , Campbell Wayne W. , McCarter James P. , Phinney Stephen D. , Volek Jeff S.
Published: April 2018

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We recently reported that glycemic control in patients with T2D can be significantly improved through a continuous care intervention (CCI) including nutritional ketosis. The purpose of this study was to examine CVD risk factors in this cohort.

Methods

We investigated CVD risk factors in patients with T2D who participated in a 1 year open label, non-randomized, controlled study. The CCI group (n = 262) received treatment from a health coach and medical provider. A usual care (UC) group (n = 87) was independently recruited to track customary T2D progression. Circulating biomarkers of cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, blood pressure (BP), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), multi-factorial risk scores and medication use were examined. A significance level of P < 0.0019 ensured two-tailed significance at the 5% level when Bonferroni adjusted for multiple comparisons.

Results

The CCI group consisted of 262 participants (baseline mean (SD): age 54 (8) year, BMI 40.4 (8.8) kg m−2). Intention-to-treat analysis (% change) revealed the following at 1-year: total LDL-particles (LDL-P) (− 4.9%, P = 0.02), small LDL-P (− 20.8%, P = 1.2 × 10−12), LDL-P size (+ 1.1%, P = 6.0 × 10−10), ApoB (− 1.6%, P = 0.37), ApoA1 (+ 9.8%, P < 10−16), ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (− 9.5%, P = 1.9 × 10−7), triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (− 29.1%, P < 10−16), large VLDL-P (− 38.9%, P = 4.2 × 10−15), and LDL-C (+ 9.9%, P = 4.9 × 10−5). Additional effects were reductions in blood pressure, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and white blood cell count (all P < 1 × 10−7) while cIMT was unchanged. The 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score decreased − 11.9% (P = 4.9 × 10−5). Antihypertensive medication use was discontinued in 11.4% of CCI participants (P = 5.3 × 10−5). The UC group of 87 participants [baseline mean (SD): age 52 (10) year, BMI 36.7 (7.2) kg m−2] showed no significant changes. After adjusting for baseline differences when comparing CCI and UC groups, significant improvements for the CCI group included small LDL-P, ApoA1, triglyceride/HDL-C ratio, HDL-C, hsCRP, and LP-IR score in addition to other biomarkers that were previously reported. The CCI group showed a greater rise in LDL-C.

Conclusions

A continuous care treatment including nutritional ketosis in patients with T2D improved most biomarkers of CVD risk after 1 year. The increase in LDL-cholesterol appeared limited to the large LDL subfraction. LDL particle size increased, total LDL-P and ApoB were unchanged, and inflammation and blood pressure decreased.

Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov: NCT02519309. Registered 10 August 2015
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Notes on the result of solutions of the equilibrium equations
Authors: He Gaiping , Wang Lihong , Rodrigo Ben
Published: April 2018

In this short note, we correct some expressions obtained by Wang et al. (Bound. Value Probl. 2015:230, 2015). The corrected expressions will be useful for evaluating the boundary behaviors of solutions of modified equilibrium equations with finite mass subject. Moreover, the correction of Theorem 2.1 is also given.
Long‐term outcome of a moderately hypofractionated, intensity‐modulated radiotherapy approach using an endorectal balloon for patients with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Teh Bin S. , Lewis Gary D. , Mai Weiyuan , Pino Ramiro , Ishiyama Hiromichi , Butler Edward Brian
Published: April 2018

Background

Technical advances in radiotherapy delivery have simultaneously enabled dose escalation and enhanced bladder and rectal sparing. However, the optimal radiation fractionation regimen for localized prostate cancer is unclear. Laboratory and clinical evidence suggest that hypofractionation may improve the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy. We report our institutional outcomes using moderately hypofractionated, intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and an endorectal balloon, with emphasis on long‐term biochemical control and treatment‐related adverse events in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Methods

Between January 1997 and April 2004, 596 patients with cT1–T3 prostate cancer underwent IMRT using a moderate hypofractionation regimen (76.70 Gy at 2.19 Gy/fraction) with an endorectal balloon. Using D'Amico classification, 226 (37.9%), 264 (44.3%), and 106 (17.8%) patients had low‐, intermediate‐, or high‐risk disease, respectively. The majority of intermediate‐ and high‐risk patients received androgen deprivation therapy. Biochemical relapse‐free survival (bRFS) was evaluated using 2005 Phoenix criteria and estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

The median follow‐up was 62 months. Overall 5‐ and 10‐year bRFS rates were 92.7% and 87.7%. For low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk patients, the 5‐year bRFS rates were 96.9%, 93.3%, and 82.0%, respectively; the 10‐year bRFS rates were 91.4%, 89.3%, and 76.2%, respectively. Prostate‐specific antigen, Gleason score, and T stage were significant predictors of bRFS (all P < 0.01). The 5‐year rates of severe (≥ Grade 3) adverse events were very low: 1.2% for gastrointestinal events and 1.1% for genitourinary events.

Conclusions

Long‐term outcomes after moderately hypofractionated IMRT are encouraging. Moderate hypofractionation represents a safe, efficacious, alternative regimen in the treatment of localized prostate cancer.
Non-financial incentives and professional health workers’ intentions to stay in public district hospitals in Rwanda: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ndikumana Celestin , Kwonyike Joshua , Tubey Ruth
Published: April 2018

Background: Evidence shows that human resources represent a pillar that supports the healthcare system. As a result, retaining the health workforce has been considered to be a way of significantly improving of the quality of healthcare services. However, the challenge of retaining the health workforce has been an issue of concern in Rwanda. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of availability and provision of non-financial incentives, and their association with professional health workers’ intentions to stay in public district hospitals.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design with a quantitative approach was used.  With a population of 469 health workers from four district hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda, the study used a sample of 252 individuals. The study measured the perceived levels of variability and provision of working conditions, training and development, career development opportunities, and intentions to stay. Logistic regression was used to show associations between predictors and the outcome variable with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: The findings of the study show significant associations between predictors and the outcome variable. In fact, average and high perceptions on working conditions are associated with professional health workers’ likelihood of staying in the hospital (OR: 9.70, P<0.001 and OR: 5.77, P=0.001, respectively). Similarly, an average and high level of perception on the availability of career development opportunities is a predictor of intention to stay (OR: 13.98, P<0.001 and OR: 12.26, P=0.038, respectively). In the same view point, there is a likelihood that health workers who perceive high level of training will stay (OR 1.025; P=0.014).

Conclusion: There is evidence of significant associations between predictors and the outcome variable. However, the current status of non-financial incentives may adversely affect health workers’ intentions to stay.
Digital economy: e-business and e-Commerce Management
Authors: Лапидус Лариса , Lapidus Larisa
Published: April 2018

The monograph "Digital Economy:
E-Business and E-Commerce Management" is the result of many years of scientific work of Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University Lapidus. This is the first complete and comprehensive study devoted to one of the most pressing issues of our time – Digital Economy.
Themonographrevealstheessenceofthedigitaleconomy, substantiatesthechangestakingplaceinthemodelsofproduction, distribution, exchange and consumption. The objective reasons for digitalization of economy have been analyzed. The reasons of transition to the new model of joint consumption of Sharing Economy are grounded. The processes of reducing the life cycle of innovations, increasing competition for the Internet audience and a record growth of companies' capitalization are explained. The influence of the digital economy on various spheres of business is shown.
Theoretical propositions and practical recommendations for managing e-business and e-commerce are presented in terms of the transformation of business models under the influence of the evolution of digital technologies.
The branch peculiarities of e-business and e-commerce development in transport, on-line travel, in catering and in the market of on-line food delivery, in the digital content market in the segment of computer games, in the segment of music services (streaming services) and etc.are studied.
The principles of business modeling, the features of building business models for different market segments (B2B, B2C, C2C, etc.), success factors and risks of electronic commerce are disclosed.
Particular attention is paid to the world practice of successfully building effective business models of e-business and e-commerce from the birth of a business idea to market launch, embedding e-business tools in the development strategy of traditional companies. The business models Free-to-Play, Freemium-model, Print-on-Demand, Sharing Economy, Full-Crowdsourcing, Donation, etc., the basics of monetizing network communities, the structure of Facebook income, WhatsApp, LINE, success factors and risks of electronic business, features of building an electronic marketing system, managing advertising and business promotion in a digital economy are revealed.
Particular attention is paid to innovative e-commerce technologies and their impact on consumer behavior, the formation of new markets and changing the nature of companies that conduct business on the Internet, taking into account the world trends and features of conducting electronic business in Russia. The possibilities of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding, Internet of things (IoT), BIG DATA, artificial intelligence based on Machine Learning technologies, virtual and augmented reality, robotization, 3D printers are considered. Features of management of an infrastructure of electronic business and electronic commerce are revealed.
Draws People. Display of hierarchical and inversive relations in graphic arts
Authors: Севостьянов Дмитрий , Sevost'yanov Dmitriy
Published: April 2018

The monograph presents a modern approach to drawing. It is one of the highest forms of human activity. Here was applied structural analysis of the pattern. The study of the structure of the figure is based on the theory of movement`s levels of prominent Russian physiologist and biomechanical N. Bernstein. In particular, it is shown that some of directions in the visual arts is built on the principle of movement inversion. Under movement inversion refers to a hierarchy of fine act, when the higher nervous structures (responsible for the transfer of conscious information) are in an inferior position relative to the lower structures, which commonly perform only technical, unconscious work.
For inversive and hierarchical relations in a hierarchical system is given a special chapter, In order for the reader to get an idea about the system mechanism inversions, manifested in human activity.
The work is based on an interdisciplinary approach; it uses both philosophical and art history, and psychological and psychophysiological data. During the creation of this monograph was also used the principles of General systems theory.
The monograph is recommended for students and teachers of high schools of artistic profile, psychologists, students of psychology, as well as all persons interested in the theory and practice of visual art, psychology of art and psychology to fine art.
Unified State Exam for 100 points. Real and interesting.
Authors: Еремин Владислав , Eremin Vladislav
Published: April 2018

You have chosen to take social studies USE, but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps, you are afraid that you are not familiar enough with the exact requirements of your exam? Anyway, this book is certainly for you. Just two years ago the author was in your place. Not only was he able to successfully pass exam, but also managed to achieve the maximum score. When he came up with the concept of this book, the main idea was to share own experience and knowledge required for the successful passing of the exam.
This book is primarily for students taking social studies USE and their teachers, but also for anyone interested. The book contains all necessary theoretical material required on the exam. Furthermore, it also contains the practical advice on how better to complete particular tasks.
Arrian's Preface to the Anabasis Alexandrou and Plutarch's Prologue to the Life of Alexander
Authors: Burliga Bogdan
Published: April 2018

Arrian's Preface to the Anabasis Alexandrou and Plutarch's Prologue to the Life of Alexander

It is usually maintained that the main object of Arrian’s criticism in his Anabasis are the historians of Alexander the Great. In the following I would like to argue that one of the writers Arrian criticized was also Plutarch of Chaeronea who wrote an influential biography of the Macedonian king. Although Arrian never referred directly to Plutarch’s Life of Alexander, he read not only many historical works on the king but used and criticized other accounts, called by him ta legomena (‘tales’). To this latter group Plutarch’s vita Alexandri should be included as well.
Rhetoric, Wit and Humour in Catullus 44
Authors: Klęczar Aleksandra
Published: April 2018

Rhetoric, Wit and Humour in Catullus 44

The paper analyses Catullus’s c. 44, a witty and ironic poem on the frigidity of the rhetorical style of a certain Sestius’. The aim of the analysis is to point at the relationship between c. 44 and other Catullan poems concerning the themes of friendship/companionship and literature. Comic elements, especially in the presentation of Catullus’ parasitus-like behaviour, will also be taken into account.
Phonological patterns in the speech of English-Polish bilingual children in Australia
Authors: Dębski Robert
Published: April 2018

Phonological patterns in the speech of English-Polish bilingual children in Australia. Initial Findings

There is lack of agreement among world researchers in regards to the extent of differences between the phonological development of monolingual and bilingual children. While some research provides evidence for the lack of significant differences, other studies indicate that bilingual children make phonological errors which might be considered atypical of their monolingual counterparts. If indeed bilingual children follow a unique path in their phonological development, it is important to investigate this path in order to facilitate accurate phonological diagnosis of bilingual children by speech pathologists. The present research, conducted with a group of ten pre-school and early schoolage English-Polish bilingual children in Australia, describes and compares the phonological patterns present in the speech of typically-developing children, when they speak English and Polish. Popular tests used by speech pathologists have demonstrated that the children have two separate but mutually dependent phonological systems, which are different from the systems of their monolingual peers. The research has noted a number of cross-linguistic errors, especially from English, that is the dominant language for the participants. Some of the phonological patterns identified in the study, although atypical of monolingual children, could be typical of English-Polish bilinguals. Knowledge about such patterns may facilitate accurate diagnosis of English-Polish bilingual children in Australia or in Poland if their parents decide to re-emigrate.
Staropołabskie teonimy *Svętovitъ, *Jarovitъ, *Rujevitъ, *Borovitъ: deadiectiva czy composita?
Authors: Łuczyński Michał
Published: April 2018

Old Polabian theonyms *Svętovitъ, *Jarovitъ, *Rujevitъ, *Borovitъ: deadjectival nouns or compounds?

The article reinterpretes the morphological structure of a series of Old Polabian theonyms: *Svętovitъ, *Jarovitъ, *Rujevitъ, *Borovitъ. In the literature, they are quite unanimously considered to be nominal compounds with the element *vitъ ‘dominus, potens’ but this author shows, based on a distribution analysis of the formant *-(o/e)vitъ in the Slavonic languages, that they should be viewed as suffixal derivatives in *-ov-itъ (in the attributive-possessive function), and from the formal point of view, as nouns coined from adjectival bases. The paper concludes with the supposition that theonyms created using this formula were a dialectal innovation and were most likely limited to Old Polabian mythological nomenclature. Probably, they were substitute names and, being appellative epithets, they only became independent in the function of theonyms.
Inżynieria lingwistyczna a obecna sytuacja językoznawstwa polskiego
Authors: Przepiórkowski Adam
Published: April 2018

Linguistic engineering and the current situation of Polish linguistics

The thesis of this reply to Piotr Żmigrodzki’s pessimistic diagnosis (published in the previous issue of „LingVaria”) of Polish linguistics from the perspective of modern lexicography is that the diagnosis from the perspective of linguistic engineering must be equally pessimistic – in fact, even more so. We argue that syntax and – to some extent – semantics are developed in Poland in isolation from developments outside Poland and the resulting analyses too often do not meet the usual criteria of preciseness and formal rigour. We end with an optimistic note showing that fruitful cooperation between computational and theoretical linguists is possible – even if rare – in Poland.
Ciągłość i zmienność jako problem badań diachronicznych
Authors: Siuciak Mirosława
Published: April 2018

Continuity and variability as a problem in diachronic research

The paper concerns two interlocking phenomena of linguistic history – the stability of elements of language, which ensures a long-term communicative continuity, and the variability of the system and of the vocabulary, which is an inherent quality of every natural language. It has always been the variability that was seen as the primary indicator of a diachronic outlook on language, and the main research problem has been to describe and to date linguistic changes and their mutual relation in the historical linguistic process. It seems to be an interesting research task to invert the perspective and to concentrate on what is stable in the language and its usage, i.e. on the level of the grammatical system, vocabulary, and communication habits. It ought to be recognized that it is not just variability, but also the constant struggle of these two opposing tendencies, that causes language to be viewed as a dynamical system.
O ostrożniejszym aniżeli dotychmiast poezji średniowiecznej czytaniu
Authors: Rojszczak-Robińska Dorota
Published: April 2018

On a more cautious than previously reading of mediaeval poetry

Studies of Polish literature of the Middle Ages often judge and evaluate the preserved literary works. This paper uses the example of the extant copies of the song Jezus Chrystus, Bog Człowiek (‘Jesus Christ, God Human’) to show the impropriety of this procedure. In the case of Polish mediaeval texts, it is never known whether the preserved version is the original one, or the result of decisions made by the copyists. Texts deserve a fair description, not a judgement.