bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel bioerodable eluting-spacers for radiotherapy applications with in situ dose painting
Authors: Boateng Francis , Ngwa Wilfred 
Published: May 2019

Objective: To investigate feasibility of using bioerodable/bioerodible spacers (BES) over biodegradable spacers (BDS) loaded with gold nanoparticles for radiotherapy applications with in situ dose-painting, and to explore dosimetric impact on dose enhancement ratio of different radioisotopes. Methods: Analytical models proposed were based on experimentally reported erosion rate constant (k 0 = 5. 5E-7 kgm− 2s− 1 ) for bioerodible polymeric matrix. An in vivo determined diffusion coefficient (2.2E-8 cm2/s) of 10 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNP) of concentration 7 mg/g was used to estimate diffusion coefficient of other AuNP sizes (2, 5, 14 nm) using the Stoke–Einstein diffusion equation. The corresponding dose enhancement factors (DEF) were used to study dosimetric feasibility of employing AuNP-eluting BPS for radiotherapy applications. Results: The results showed AuNP release period from BES was significantly shorter (116 h) compared to BDS (more than a month) reported previously. The results also agree with reported Hopfenberg equation for a cylindrical matrix undergoing surface erosion. The DEF at tumour distance 5 mm for Cs-131 (DEF > 2.2) greater than that of I-125 (DEF > 2) and Pd-103 (DEF ≥ 2) could be achieved for AuNP sizes (2, 5, 10, and 14 nm) respectively. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that BES could be used for short-lived radioisotopes like Pd-103 and Cs-131 in comparison to eluting BDS which is feasible for long-lived radioisotopes like I-125. Advances in knowledge: The study provides scientific basis for development of new generation eluting spacers viable for enhancing localized tumour dose. It concludes that BES gives higher DEF for Cs-131, and good candidate for replacing conventional fiducials/spacers.
Diagnostic accuracy of diffusion weighted MRI in differentiating benign and malignant meningiomas
Authors: Sohu Din Muhammad , Sohail Saba , Shaikh Rehana 
Published: May 2019

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of DWI in differentiating benign and malignant meningiomas keeping histopathology as gold standard.
Methods: This was a descriptive analytical study conducted at Radiology Department, DUHS/Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, from August 2016 to March 2018. It included152 patients clinically suspected of meningioma on conventional neuroimaging. Imaging features of DWI were compared with histopathology findings. The diagnostic accuracy of DWI was calculated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV using histopathology as gold standard.
Results: There were 59 male and 93 female patients with mean age of 55.38±9.8 years. Mean duration of sign and symptoms was 5.67±2.57 months. Out of 152 patients, 117(77%) and 35(23%) were differentiated into benign and malignant meningiomas respectively by DWI while 135(88.82%) and17(11.18%) patients were diagnosed respectively on histopathology. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of DWI of 84.4%, 82.3%, 97.4%, 40%, and 84.2% respectively keeping histopathology as gold standard.
Conclusion: DWI features along with calculation of ADC values is a reliable non-invasive technique for differentiating benign and malignant meningiomas. However the low negative predictive value necessitates the use of histopathology.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.1011
How to cite this:Sohu DM, Sohail S, Shaikh R. Diagnostic accuracy of diffusion weighted mri in differentiating benign and malignant meningiomas. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(3):726-730. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.1011
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Incidence of occupational injuries among adults residing in a selected rural area of India: A cross sectional study
Authors: Ravi Shilpa , Joseph Bobby 
Published: May 2019

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence and profile of occupational injuries among rural workers of rural India.
Methods: This study was conducted among all persons between the ages of 18 to 60 years and engaged in some occupation and residing in the villages under the three rural subcentres of Sarjapur Primary Health Centre during the time period of 2009-2012. The sample size was calculated to be 400 assuming a prevalence of 10% and absolute precision of 3% at 95% confidence limits and a systematic random sampling of the household was done to select the study population.
Results: The incidence of occupational injuries in the study period of 2009-2012 was 22%. Out of the total 91 injuries, the proportion of injuries, which were agriculture-related, was 62%. The most common cause of injury was due to contact with plant thorns. Above half (54%) involved the upper limbs, and (30%) involved the lower limbs. By using the injury severity scale, 88% were of minor degree. 67% required treatment and 32% of the injured persons took treatment in a private hospital. Those who sustained an injury, 9% required admission to a hospital. Three participants have sustained a permanent disability during this study.
Conclusion: The Incidence of occupational injuries was found to be 22% and agriculture showed to have the highest proportion of injuries.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.293
How to cite this:Ravi S, Joseph B. Incidence of occupational injuries among adults residing in a selected rural area of India: A cross sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(3):737-742. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.293
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Does handwriting the name of a potential trial participant on an invitation letter improve recruitment rates? A randomised controlled study within a trial
Authors: McCaffery Jennifer , Mitchell Alex S. , Fairhurst Caroline , Cockayne Sarah , Rodgers Sara , Relton Clare , Torgerson David J. ,   OTIS Study Team
Published: May 2019

Background: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) often fail to recruit to target, resulting in a lack of generalisability of findings. A wide range of strategies for potentially increasing recruitment have been identified; however, their effectiveness has not been established. The aim of this study within a trial (SWAT) was to evaluate the effectiveness of handwritten personalisation of an invitation letter as part of a trial recruitment pack on recruitment to a host RCT. Methods: A pragmatic, two-armed RCT was conducted, embedded within an existing falls prevention trial (OTIS) in men and women aged 65 years and over living in the community. Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive an OTIS recruitment pack containing an invitation letter on which their name was handwritten (intervention group), or one on which it was printed (control group). The primary outcome was randomisation into the host trial. Secondary outcomes related to trial eligibility and retention. Analyses were via logistic regression and Cox Proportional Hazards regression. Results: Of the 317 SWAT participants, 12 (3.8%) were randomised into the OTIS trial: 3 (handwritten: 3/159 [1.9%]; printed: 9/158 [5.7%]; difference -3.8%, 95% CI -8.0% to 0.4%). There was weak evidence, against the intervention, of a difference in the likelihood of participants being randomised into the host trial between the two groups (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.20, p=0.09). There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups on any of the secondary outcomes. Conclusions: There was no evidence that personalisation of invitation letters improved recruitment to the OTIS trial. However, due to the small sample size, the results should be interpreted with caution. These findings need to be replicated across larger studies and wider populations. Registration: ISRCTN22202133.
Bowel preparation for inpatient colonoscopy: a quality evaluation
Authors: Catalan Carolina Clavera , Laura Estepa , Almudena Navarrete , MªAngels Milà , Avonello Maynard 
Published: May 2019

Background: Adequate bowel preparation is a prerequisite for colonoscopy. Good preparation improves adenoma detection and caecal intubation rates, and poor preparation can increase complications, cancellations, rebookings, and overall hospital stay. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of all inpatient colonoscopies within inclusion criteria at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital from June 2016 to June 2017. This assessed the quality of bowel preparation using the simple, reliable Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and collected data on demographics and the referring unit. Results: Of 10 643 diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopies performed, 854 (8%) were in inpatient studies, and 126 of these (14.8 %) were excluded. Of 728 patients included in the final analysis, bowel preparation was excellent in 18%, good in 45%, regular in 18% and poor in 19%. Of the 37% with inadequate preparation, 15% had to be repeated. Conclusions: Overall, hospital bowel preparations were insufficient. Proposals for improving the quality of bowel preparation included: recommending a waste-free diet for all new inpatients expected to undergo diagnostic colonoscopy; introducing a more tolerable polyethylene glycol laxative solution; and developing learning materials, such as simple written instructions for inpatients, a training plan for ward nurses and an infographic on the prerequisites for endoscopy.
Dual Parasitization of the Biliary Tree: First Reported Case
Authors: Robbani Irfan , Shah Omar Javed , Shah Altaf A. , Ilyas Mohd 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACT
Cases of biliary ascariasis and hydatid cysts in liver and elsewhere are common in endemic areas and are routinely encountered in surgical outpatient departments. We describe the diagnosis and management of a unique case, who presented with manifestations of biliary ascariasis, but on further investigation was found to harbor ascarids as well as ruptured hydatids in his biliary passages. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of simultaneous parasitization of common bile duct by ascarid and hydatid forms, resulting in obstruction of the biliary system. This report highlights the diversity of presentation and challenges in the management of such cases, when encountered in practice.
Efficacy and safety of sarilumab in combination with methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate effect of methotrexate monotherapy (results of phase III MOBILITY study)
Authors: Nasonov E. L. , Stanislav M. L. , Raskina T. A. , Kuropatkin G. V. , Shirinsky I. V. , Rebrov A. P. , Shostak N. A. , Alikhanov B. A. , Ushakov E. N. , Kamalova R. G. , Smakotina S. A. , Simanenkov V. I. , Pavsun A. S. , Zaharjan I. I. , Yakushin S. S. , Sandin M. Yu. 
Published: May 2019

Objective: to study the efficacy and safety of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with monoclonal antibodies to interleukin 6 receptors (IL6R) – sarilumab (SAR) in combination with methotrexate (MT).Subjects and methods. The study included adult patients with moderate or severe RA and inadequate effect of MT monotherapy. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to subgroups receiving SAR (at doses of 150 or 200 mg) or placebo (PL) every 2 weeks in combination with a weekly intake of MT for 52 weeks. The primary endpoints of the study included the achievement of ACR20 after 24 weeks, the change of HAQ-DI after 16 weeks and assessment of radiological progression of joint destruction (modified total Sharp score mTSS) after 52 weeks.Results and discussion. In general, the initial characteristics of patients were similar in all groups. A statistically significant improvement of all three primary endpoints was found in the groups of patients treated with SAR 150 and 200 mg compared to the group of PL. ACR20 response after 24 weeks was achieved in 53.6% (p<0.0005), 65.9 and 19.6% of patients respectively (p<0.0001), the average change in HAQ-DI after 16 weeks was 20.53; 20.55 and 20.29 respectively (p<0.0001); the average change in mTSS after 52 weeks was 0.49; 0.11 and 2.30, respectively (p<0.0001).Conclusion. Both doses of SAR (150 and 200 mg every 2 weeks) in combination with MT demonstrated sustained clinical efficacy in patients with RA, which was confirmed by a significant improvement in symptomatic, functional and radiographic outcomes. SAR therapy was generally well tolerated. The adverse events observed in this study were consistent with the effects of the IL6 blockade.
Disease activity and two-year sacroiliac joint changes according to instrumental study findings in a CoRSAr cohort of patients with early axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: Erdes Sh. , Rumyantseva D. G. , Smirnov A. V. , Dubinina T. V. 
Published: May 2019

The evolution of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and the transition of its nonradiographic to radiographic stage, when ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be diagnosed, concern many researchers. To clarify this issue, an active search for predictors of the progression of this disease is underway; special cohort studies are being conducted.Objective: to analyze two-year changes in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) inflammation and disease activity in patients with axSpA who form a Moscow CoRSAr cohort (a Cohort of early SpondylArthritis) and the role of these indicators in the progression of sacroiliitis.Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 68 CoRSAr cohort patients followed up for two years. All the patients underwent pelvic radiography and SIJ MRI at inclusion in the cohort and then every year. At inclusion in the cohort, nonradiographic axSpA was present in 28 patients, and AS was in 40. Disease activity was determined by BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP. The progression of sacroiliitis was assessed by the total scores of radiographic sacroiliitis.Results and discussion. The patients' age at inclusion in the cohort averaged 28.5±5.8 years, with a mean disease duration of 24.1±15.4 months and a male proportion of 51.5%; the HLA-B27-positive patients were 92.6%. At two years, 39% of the patients with nonradiographic axSpA went to the AS group. 24-month sacroiliitis progression was observed in 40% of the patients. Disease activity had little impact on the progression of sacroiliitis.Conclusion. Over two years, almost 40% of patients with axSpA showed an increase in the radiographic stage of sacroiliitis in the CoRSar cohort; this progression was primarily associated with the foci of osteitis according to MRI and correlated little with the activity of the disease.
Description of aspheric surfaces
Authors: Schuhmann Rainer 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Aspheric surfaces, in particular rotationally invariant surfaces, can be described according to the ISO standard 10110 Part 12 as sagitta functions of the surface coordinates. Usually, such functions are standardized as a combination of conic terms and power series or orthogonal polynomials. Similar functions are applied for surface forms, which are not rotationally invariant as cylindric and toric surfaces. In the following, different forms of describing aspheric surfaces as given in the standard as well as other forms will be presented and compared in an overview, and their special features will be discussed.
Expression of HER2/c-erbB-2, EGFR protein in gastric carcinoma and its clinical significance
Authors: Cheng Guoxiong , Mei Yijun , Pan Xiaoming , Liu Ming , Wu Suping 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the HER2/c-erbB-2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein expression in gastric cancer and association with patients’ clinical pathology characteristics and prognosis.MethodsHER2/c-erbB-2 and EGFR protein expression was examined by immunohistochemical assay in gastric cancer tissue and corresponding paired normal gastric tissue of 67 patients of gastric carcinoma. The HER2/c-erbB-2, EGFR protein positive expression rate in cancer tissue and normal gastric tissue were compared. The correlation between HER2/c-erbB-2, EGFR protein positive expression and patients’ clinical pathology characteristics and survival was evaluated.ResultsThe positive expression rate of HER2/c-erbB-2 in the cancer and paired normal gastric tissues were 32.8% (22/67) and 4.5% (3/67), respectively with statistical difference (p<0.05). And the positive expression rate of EGFR in cancer and paired normal gastric tissues were 41.8% (28/67) and 5.9 (4/67), respectively, with statistical difference (p<0.05). HER2/c-erbB-2 positive expression in cancer tissue was significant correlated with the pathology grading (p<0.05), tumor invasion depth (p<0.05) and local regional lymph node metastasis (p<0.05); EGFR positive expression in cancer tissue was significant correlated with the tumor invasion depth (p<0.05) and local regional lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). The median survival time was 13.14 and 23.6 months respectively for HER2/c-erbB-2 positive and negative expression groups respectively with statistical difference ( HR=2.26, 9%CI:1.06-4.80, p<0.05). However, the median survival time was 15.47 and 22.87 months for EGFR positive and negative expression groups respectively, without statistical difference (HR=1.78, 9%CI:0.96-3.29, p>0.05).ConclusionPositive expression of HER2/c-erbB-2 and EGFR proteins in cancer tissue was significant higher than normal gastric tissue and have significant correlation with prognosis.
Seaweed resources of Mexico: current knowledge and future perspectives
Authors: Vázquez-Delfín Erika , Freile-Pelegrín Yolanda , Pliego-Cortés Hugo , Robledo Daniel 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
High diversity of marine macroalgae is reported for Mexican coasts, including numerous endemic species. Seaweed research in Mexico has focused on the northern regions of the Pacific coast (Temperate Pacific and Gulf of California) and on the Mexican Caribbean coast, leaving aside other regions (Tropical Pacific and Gulf of Mexico). Utilization of seaweed resources within the country has been based on artisanal collection of wild populations mainly for polysaccharide extraction, fertilizers, raw material for animal feed and cosmetic products. The main exploitation has occurred along the coasts of Baja California peninsula, based on few species (Gelidium robustum, Macrocystis pyrifera, Chondracanthus canaliculatus and Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis). Governmental regulations for management have allowed harvesting to reach approximately 11,500 wet tons per year (2013–2016). Nevertheless, in recent years (2014–2016) the total seaweed import volume has increased (5302 tons per year in average) over the export volume (2156 tons per year in average), suggesting a notably growing demand for seaweed resources in the country and representing an opportunity for investment projects. Several pilot studies on seaweed cultivation in Mexico propose that sustainable aquaculture techniques could complement the harvest in natural populations and ensure a homogeneous production with high quality in the long term.
Comparison of a new rapid method for the determination of adalimumab serum levels with two established ELISA kits
Authors: Laserna-Mendieta Emilio J. , Salvador-Martín Sara , Arias-González Laura , Ruiz-Ponce Miriam , Menchén Luis A. , Sánchez César , López-Fernández Luis A. , Lucendo Alfredo J. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Background
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of adalimumab (ADA) in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) has gained increased attention since several studies showed a correlation between drug levels and mucosal healing. The limitations of routine usage of enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) kits for measuring serum ADA concentrations have prompted the development of rapid methods, such as Quantum Blue (QB). We evaluated the interchangeability and agreement between the QB method and two established ELISA kits, Promonitor (PM) and Lisa-Tracker (LT).

Methods
Fifty samples from patients with IBD were included. Quantitative analysis was performed using the ANOVA test for repeated measures, Deming regression and the Bland-Altman plot. Clinical implications were evaluated by concordance in classifying patients into therapeutic windows according to the proposed cut-off levels for subtherapeutic (either <5 or <7.5 μg/mL) and supratherapeutic (>12 μg/mL) ranges.

Results
Statistical differences were detected between the QB method and the two ELISA kits, with QB overestimating ADA serum values compared to them. A lack of interchangeability was observed between methods, with greater differences as ADA levels increased. An analysis of a sub-set of samples with ADA values below 9 μg/mL (n = 25) showed that QB fulfilled the criteria to be interchangeable with the LT assay. Concordance for patient classification into ADA therapeutic windows was better for QB vs. LT than for QB vs. PM, with high agreement (>75%) for subtherapeutic levels among the three methods.

Conclusions
Although quantitative differences existed between the rapid method and ELISA kits that hampered their interchangeability, the agreement for identifying patients with subtherapeutic values of ADA was high.
Entrepreneurial Orientation and Performance in South Korea: The Mediating Roles of Dynamic Capabilities and Corporate Entrepreneurship
Authors: Lim Euncheon , Kim Dohyeon 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Although a cumulative body of literature explains entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance, there remain differing views on the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of EO on firm performance by considering the roles of dynamic capabilities (DC) and corporate entrepreneurship (CE). We propose that DC and CE mediate the relationship between EO and firm performance, and our empirical results support these propositions. This study fills a gap in the literature on the EO–performance relationship by considering the linkages among disposition, capabilities, and activities in the South Korean context.
The Implications of Brexit for Financial Markets: Towards a Network of EU Financial Centres
Authors: Wuermeling Joachim 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The departure of the global financial centre in London from the EU raises fundamental questions about the future of the European financial market. But we should refrain from discussing which European financial centre will get which part of the London pie. Instead, we ought to be asking: How can we develop a European financial system that spreads investment and risk among many strong shoulders?