bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A qualitative exploration of proxy decision makers’ expectations of prescribed medications for people with advanced dementia
Authors: McCloskey Bridgeen , Hughes Carmel , Parsons Carole 
Published: February 2018

Background: Proxy decision makers often have to make decisions for people with advanced dementia. Their expectations regarding prescribed medications have the potential to influence prescription or withdrawal of medications. However, few studies to date have explored this. Aim: To explore proxy decision makers’ expectations of prescribed medications for people with advanced dementia and to consider how these change with changing goals of care and dementia progression. Design: This is a qualitative semi-structured interview study. Setting/participants: In total, 15 proxy decision makers of people with advanced dementia were recruited via general practitioners ( n = 9), Join Dementia Research ( n = 3) and the Alzheimer’s Society Northern Ireland ( n = 3). Results: Five key themes emerged: the role as advocate, attitudes to medicines and medicine taking, uncertainty over the benefit of anti-dementia medications, stopping medications, and communication and decision-making. Proxy decision makers desired more information about prescribed medicines, particularly the indications, benefits and risks of treatment. Despite uncertainty about the benefits of anti-dementia medications, proxy decision makers were reluctant for these medications to be withdrawn. Reluctance to stop other prescribed medicines was also expressed but reduced with changing goals of care and dementia progression. Although some proxy decision makers expected to be involved in medication-related decisions, the majority preferred to delegate these decisions to healthcare professionals. However, they expected to be informed of any medication-related decisions made. Conclusion: Proxy decision makers vary in terms of their desire for active involvement in the medication decision-making process. Healthcare professionals should facilitate proxy decision maker involvement if desired. Further research is required to consider the impact of proxy decision maker involvement in decision-making.
Using the ‘Social Marketing Mix Framework’ to explore recruitment barriers and facilitators in palliative care randomised controlled trials? A narrative synthesis review
Authors: Dunleavy Lesley , Walshe Catherine , Oriani Anna , Preston Nancy 
Published: February 2018

Background: Effective recruitment to randomised controlled trials is critically important for a robust, trustworthy evidence base in palliative care. Many trials fail to achieve recruitment targets, but the reasons for this are poorly understood. Understanding barriers and facilitators is a critical step in designing optimal recruitment strategies. Aim: To identify, explore and synthesise knowledge about recruitment barriers and facilitators in palliative care trials using the ‘6 Ps’ of the ‘Social Marketing Mix Framework’. Design: A systematic review with narrative synthesis. Data sources: Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Embase databases (from January 1990 to early October 2016) were searched. Papers included the following: interventional and qualitative studies addressing recruitment, palliative care randomised controlled trial papers or reports containing narrative observations about the barriers, facilitators or strategies to increase recruitment. Results: A total of 48 papers met the inclusion criteria. Uninterested participants (Product), burden of illness (Price) and ‘identifying eligible participants’ were barriers. Careful messaging and the use of scripts/role play (Promotion) were recommended. The need for intensive resources and gatekeeping by professionals were barriers while having research staff on-site and lead clinician support (Working with Partners) was advocated. Most evidence is based on researchers’ own reports of experiences of recruiting to trials rather than independent evaluation. Conclusion: The ‘Social Marketing Mix Framework’ can help guide researchers when planning and implementing their recruitment strategy but suggested strategies need to be tested within embedded clinical trials. The findings of this review are applicable to all palliative care research and not just randomised controlled trials.
Propranolol for treating emotional, behavioural, autonomic dysregulation in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Sagar-Ouriaghli Ilyas , Lievesley Kate , Santosh Paramala J 
Published: February 2018

Objectives: To date, there is no single medication prescribed to alleviate all the core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, 2016). Both serotonin reuptake inhibitors and drugs for psychosis possess therapeutic drawbacks when managing anxiety and aggression in ASD. This review sought to appraise the use of propranolol as a pharmacological alternative when managing emotional, behavioural and autonomic dysregulation (EBAD) and other symptoms. Materials and methods: Sixteen reports examined the administration of propranolol in the context of ASD. Results: Sixteen reports broadly covered cognitive domains, neural correlates, and behavioural domains. From the eight single-dose clinical trials, propranolol led to significant improvements in cognitive performance – verbal problem solving, social skills, mouth fixation, and conversation reciprocity; and changes in neural correlates – improvement in semantic networks and functional connectivity. The remaining eight case series and single case reports showed improvements in EBAD, anxiety, aggressive, self-injurious and hypersexual behaviours. Additionally, propranolol significantly improved similar behavioural domains (aggression and self-injury) for those with acquired brain injury. Conclusion: This review indicates that propranolol holds promise for EBAD and cognitive performance in ASD. Given the lack of good quality clinical trials, randomised controlled trials are warranted to explore the efficacy of propranolol in managing EBAD in ASD.
Results of a Pilot Trial of Immunotherapy with Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Autologous Tumor Lysates in Patients with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Mayordomo Jose Ignacio , Andres Raquel , Isla Maria Dolores , Murillo Laura , Cajal Rosana , Yubero Alfonso , Blasco Carmen , Lasierra Pilar , Palomera Luis , Fuertes Miguel Angel , Güemes Antonio , Sousa Ramon , Garcia-Prats Maria Dolores , Escudero Pilar , Saenz Alberto , Godino Javier , Marco Ivan , Saez Berta , Visus Carmen , Asin Laura , Valdivia Gabriel , Larrad Luis , Tres Alejandro 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The purpose of the study was to test the immunological and clinical effects of infusions of dendritic cells pulsed with autologous tumor lysate in patients with advanced cancer. Patients and methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 15 patients with metastatic cancer (melanoma in 10, lung cancer in 2, renal cell carcinoma in 1, sarcoma in 1, breast cancer in 1) were harvested by leukapheresis after mobilization with GM-CSF (5 μg/kg/day s.c. for 4 days). Mononuclear cells were separated and cultured in GM-CSF (1000 U/ml) and interleukin-4 (1000 U/ml) for 7 days. Phenotype was assessed by 2-color flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. On day 6, dendritic cells were pulsed with 1 g of fresh autologous tumor lysate for 24 h and infused intravenously. Interleukin-2 (6 million IU), interferon a (4 million IU) and GM-CSF (400 μg) were injected s.c. daily for 10 days beginning on the day of dendritic cell infusion. Treatment was repeated every 21 days for 3 courses. Results The morphology, immunocytochemistry and phenotype of cultured cells was consistent with dendritic cells: intense positivity for HLA-DR and CD86, with negativity for markers of other lineages, including CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD14. More than 5 × 107 dendritic cells were injected in all patients. Nine patients developed >5 mm delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to tumor lysate ± GM-CSF after the first immunization (larger than GM-CSF in all cases). Median delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity to lysate + GM-CSF was 3 cm after the third immunization. One melanoma patient with skin, liver, lung and bone metastases had a partial response lasting 8 months (followed by progression in the brain). Seven patients had stable disease for >3 months, and 7 had progression. Conclusions Infusion of tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells induces a strong cell-mediated antitumor immune reaction in patients with advanced cancer and has some clinical activity.
Effect of Symptom-To-Treatment Interval on Prognosis in Lung Cancer
Authors: Annakkaya Ali Nihat , Arbak Peri , Balbay Oner , Bilgin Cahit , Erbas Mete , Bulut Ismet 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background To evaluate the relationship between delayed diagnosis and the degree of invasion and survival in lung cancer. Methods One hundred and three patients (96 men) with lung cancer were included. Stages in the diagnosis of lung cancer were classified as follows: symptom-to-doctor interval, i.e., the interval from the first symptoms related to the presence of lung cancer to the first consultation with a medical professional; doctor-to-diagnosis interval, i.e., the interval between the first medical visit and confirmation of the diagnosis; and diagnosis-to-treatment interval, i.e., the interval between diagnosis and complete TNM staging and treatment. The symptom-to-treatment interval (STI) was the sum of the 3 intervals. The degree of invasion was determined by the TNM classification. Results The patients were followed up for a mean period (± SD) of 7.4 ± 8.7 months. Seventy-six (74%) patients were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 27 patients (26%) with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The mean length of STI was 120 ± 101 days (median, 90). The mean length of the symptom-to-doctor interval was 63 ± 62 days (median, 45), while the doctor-to-diagnosis and diagnosis-to-treatment intervals were 41 ± 82 days (median, 10) and 16 ± 12 days (median, 12), respectively. When the STIs of the patients were correlated with tumor stage, tumor invasion, lymph node involvement and metastasis, no significant differences were found. Patients with an STI longer than 60 days had a significantly longer survival. Regarding the type of lung cancer and STI, the median survival was shorter in patients with an STI of less than 60 days both in NSCLC and SCLC, although this was not statistically significant in SCLC. Conclusions The shorter the diagnostic interval, the shorter was the median survival in our study. The reason for the apparent discrepancy between poor prognosis of lung cancer patients in spite of early diagnosis might be much faster progression of the disease itself.
Brain Metastases from Endometrial Carcinoma: Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Orrù Silvia , Lay Giancarlo , Dessì Marina , Murtas Rita , Deidda Maria Assunta , Amichetti Maurizio 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Endometrial carcinoma is a rare cause of brain metastases, accounting for less than 1% of all metastatic lesions to the brain. This report aims to review our experience in the treatment of patients with brain metastases from endometrial carcinoma in order to establish the characteristics of these patients and evaluate the results and efficacy of whole-brain radiation therapy as a palliative measure. Methods Three cases of brain metastases from endometrial carcinoma treated with radiotherapy were identified in the files of the Division of Radiotherapy at the A. Businco Regional Oncological Hospital of Cagliari between 1999 and 2005. Results All patients had brain metastases as the only sign of systemic disease (a single lesion in 2 patients and 2 lesions in 1 patient). Two patients were classified as RTOG RPA class I and 1 patient as class III. Radiotherapy to the brain was delivered after surgical resection in the first 2 patients and as the only method of palliation in the third patient. The delivered radiation dose was 3000 cGy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks in the postoperative setting and 2000 cGy in 5 fractions over 1 week to the patient treated with irradiation alone. The 2 surgically treated patients are alive and well after 16 and 64 months, respectively. The patient treated with palliative intent died 2 months after irradiation. Conclusions The combination of surgery and postoperative whole-brain irradiation in selected patients with solitary brain metastases from endometrial carcinoma is an effective method of palliation.
The Expression of Metallothioneins on Imprint Smears of Prostate Carcinoma: Correlation with Clinicopathologic Parameters and Tumor Proliferative Capacity
Authors: Athanassiadou Paulina , Bantis Athanasios , Gonidi Maria , Athanassiades Peter , Agelonidou Eleni , Grapsa Dimitra , Nikolopoulou Polyxeni , Patsouris Efstratios 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Metallothioneins are a family of metal- binding cysteine-rich proteins that play an important role in cellular processes such as proliferation and apoptosis, protection against oxidative stress and metal ion homeostasis and detoxification. Recent findings suggest that metallothioneins might play a significant role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. It has been also demonstrated that Ki-67 expression may have prognostic value for disease-free survival in cases of prostate carcinoma. Study Design Imprint smears samples obtained from 70 patients immediately after radical prostatectomy for prostatic carcinoma were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies against metallothioneins and Ki-67. Metallothionein expression was correlated with Ki-67 immunostaining, Gleason score, stage, preoperative prostate-specific antigen levels and biochemical recurrence. Results Metallothionein expression was shown to correlate strongly with Gleason score (P <0.001) and significantly with pathological staging and Ki-67 immunostaining (P <0.001, P <0.05, respectively). In contrast, no significant association between metallothioneins and preoperative PSA was demonstrated. Both of the studied markers (metallothioneins and Ki-67) correlated with recurrence (P = 0.009, P = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions The present findings support the independent predictive value of metallothioneins and Ki-67 in prostate cancer. However, additional data are needed in order to reveal the factors that influence the expression of metallothioneins in epithelial neoplastic cells and clarify their mechanism of action.
High Risk of Malignancy in Patients with Incidentally Discovered Adrenal Masses: Accuracy of Adrenal Imaging and Image-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology
Authors: Lumachi Franco , Borsato Simonetta , Tregnaghi Alberto , Marino Filippo , Fassina Ambrogio , Zucchetta Pietro , Marzola Maria Cristina , Cecchin Diego , Bui Franco , Iacobone Maurizio , Favia Gennaro 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The incidental finding of nonfunctioning adrenal masses (incidentalomas) is common, but no reliable criteria in differentiating between benign and malignant adrenal masses have been defined. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the usefulness of adrenal imaging and image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas with the aim of excluding or confirming malignancy before surgery. Methods Forty-two consecutive patients (18 men and 24 women; median age, 54 years; range, 25-75 years) with incidentally discovered adrenal masses of 3 cm or more in the greatest diameter were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients underwent helical computerized tomography scan and image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology, 33 (78.6%) underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and 26 (61.9%) underwent norcholesterol scintigraphy before adrenalectomy. Results The revised final pathology showed 30 (71.4%) benign (26 adrenocortical adenomas, of which 3 were atypical, 2 ganglioneuromas, and 2 nonfunctioning benign pheochromocytomas) and 12 (28.6%, 95% CI = 15-42) adrenal malignancies (8 adrenocortical carcinomas and 4 unsuspected adrenal metastases). The definitive diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma was made according to Weiss criteria and confirmed on the basis of local invasion at surgery or metastases. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 75%, 67% and 83% for computerized tomography scan, 92%, 95% and 94% for magnetic resonance imaging, 89%, 94% and 92% for norcholesterol scintigraphy, and 92%, 100% and 98% for fine-needle aspiration cytology. The sensitivity and accuracy of image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology and magnetic resonance imaging together reached 100%. Immediate periprocedural complications of fine-needle aspiration cytology occurred in 2 (4.7%) patients: self-limited pneumothorax (n = 1), and severe pain (n = 1) requiring analgesic therapy. No postprocedural or late complications were observed. Conclusions With the aim of selecting for surgery patients with a non-functioning adrenal incidentaloma of 3 cm or more in diameter, the combination of magnetic resonance imaging and fine-needle aspiration cytology should be considered the strategy of choice.
Retroperitoneal Schwannomas: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Tortorelli Antonio Pio , Rosa Fausto , Papa Valerio , Rotondi Fabio , Sanchez Alejandro Martin , Bossola Maurizio , Pacelli Fabio , Doglietto Giovanni Battista 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Schwannomas are a rare group of soft-tissue tumors that are derived from the peripheral nerve sheath and rarely develop in the retroperitoneum. Methods and study design We reviewed the clinicopathological features of 4 patients referred to our unit between October 1999 and March 2004 who on radiological examination were diagnosed with pancreatic, adrenal, psoas and retroperitoneal fat tissue tumors and subsequently underwent surgical treatment. Results The preoperative diagnosis was incorrect in all cases. At time of surgery, we found a mass probably arising from the adrenal gland in 2 patients, a lesion originating from the femoral nerve in 1 patient, and a retroperitoneal mass without a clear site of origin in 1 patient. Pathological evaluation revealed schwannomas in all cases, with no signs of malignancy. Complete surgical excision was performed in all patients without any major postoperative complications. At the time of writing all patients are alive with no evidence of local or distant recurrence. Conclusions Radical surgical excision is considered the best treatment for these neoplasms, resulting in a very good long-term prognosis.
Methodology for Estimation of Cancer Incidence, Survival and Prevalence in Italian Regions
Authors: Verdecchia Arduino , De Angelis Roberta , Francisci Silvia , Grande Enrico 
Published: February 2018

Background The Italian health care system is based on a regional responsibility and organization. Incidence, survival and prevalence of cancer patients were estimated for major cancer sites by single regions in Italy within a collaborative project “I TUMORI IN ITALIA” aimed at providing epidemiological information in a web site, www.tumori.net , for health operators, health programmers, epidemiologists and the general public. The aim of this paper is to present the methodology used to derive regional estimates of cancer burden indicators in Italy for major cancer sites. Methods Estimates require a complex methodology to be used. We present herein the methodology to provide regional estimates that involves a combined use of multiple methods to model and extrapolate patient survival to derive incidence and prevalence estimates and future projections. Results Regional patient survival estimates in Italy are presented and discussed. Cancer survival has greatly improved over the years and differences between northern-central and southern regions have persisted. The fraction of patients cured from cancer is today over 50% for young men and women aged 15-44 and declines to 15%-25% at older ages (75-99). Discussion We integrated different methods to derive estimates of cancer burden in Italy, at a regional level, in order to take advantage of all information available and to obtain the most reliable estimates. The value of producing regional estimates of cancer burden indicators was motivated by the lack of such information systematically on the Italian national territory.
Regional Estimates of all Cancer Malignancies in Italy
Authors: Grande Enrico , Inghelmann Riccardo , Francisci Silvia , Verdecchia Arduino , Micheli Andrea , Baili Paolo , Capocaccia Riccardo , De Angelis Roberta 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The aim of this paper is to present regional and national estimates of mortality, incidence and prevalence for all cancers in Italy over the period 1970-1999, with projections up to 2010. Methods The estimates were obtained by applying the MIAMOD method, a statistical back-calculation approach, to derive incidence and prevalence starting from mortality and relative survival data. Published data from the Italian Cancer Registries were modeled in order to estimate regional and national cancer survival. Results Cancer time trends resulted more favorable in northern-central regions than in southern regions, both for men and women. Mortality started to decrease in the northern-central area approximately from the mid 1980s, whereas it was expected to slightly decline only after the year 2000 in the southern area. Incidence was estimated to decrease in men from 1995 in northern and central areas only; no incidence reduction is expected for women during the study period. Overall, 130,000 cancer deaths, 250,000 new cancer cases and 1,700,000 prevalent cancer cases are estimated in Italy in the year 2005. Conclusions This up-to-date picture of cancer risk and burden in the Italian regions shows as a relevant epidemiological change is ongoing in Italy. Although a clear geographical variability in mortality and morbidity levels still exists across the country, the historical North-to-South gap appears smaller than in the past. This change is particularly remarkable for men, as a consequence of trends that are favorable in northern-central regions but not yet in southern regions.