bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Computerized Database for Head and Neck Cancer Registry
Authors: Benazzo Marco , Lanza Laura , Mullace Mauro , Tinelli Carmine , Castelnuovo Paolo , Mira Eugenio 
Published: April 2018

Aims Over the last years, the management of patients with head and neck cancer has become extremely complex, and the knowledge and information needed to care for a patient can no longer be trusted to the memory or manual systems. Recent advances in data processing technology offer the potential for creating ideal instruments to organize, store and analyze such information. Methods We developed a computerized database management system (H&N-CDMS) which fulfils the following requisites: easy to use even by operators not expert in informatics; minimum possibility of insertion of ambiguous data; use for clinical and research purposes; can be interconnected in a network of similar database operating in other centers; can be expanded to image processing. Conclusions The configuration of the system is described and its main characteristics are discussed: data entry and coding facilities, data accuracy and standardization, security and anonymity, data retrieval and analysis. H&H-CDMS is a user-friendly tool for head and neck cancer data management in clinical and research environments.
The Concentrations of Five Tumor Markers in Both Bal Fractions in Lung Cancer Patients in Relation to Cigarette Smoking
Authors: Prados M Concepción , Álvarez-Sala Rodolfo , De Terreros Caro F. Javier Gómez , Gómez Luis , De Terreros F. Javier Gómez , Villamor José 
Published: April 2018

Background Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. Tobacco is related to the development of this type of tumor due to genetic alterations and to the secretion of certain biological markers. Bronchogenic carcinomas secrete a series of biological substances known as tumor markers. Some of these markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen, neuron-specific enolase, tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS) and CYFRA 21.1, possess clear clinical value when analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of patients with lung malignancies, particularly when they are analyzed in the two BAL fractions, bronchial (BF) and alveolar (AF), being more increased in the BF. For this reason, we intend to demonstrate that smokers with cancer secrete more biological substances in the BF and that the concentrations of these markers are higher in the BAL of smokers than in that of non-smokers. Methods The five aforementioned tumor markers were studied in the two BAL fractions of 52 lung cancer patients (46 smokers and 6 non-smokers). We performed BAL using 150 ml of 0.9% saline solution divided in three aliquots of 50 ml. The fluid obtained from the first 50 ml was the BF. The liquid from the other two aliquots was the AF. The five tumor marker concentrations were calculated in accord with the indications of the laboratory. Results The TPA and TPS levels in the BAL of lung cancer patients were more increased in the BF than in the AF, even when the patients were divided into smokers and non-smokers. When we compared smokers with non-smokers, the smokers had higher levels of TPS in the BF and of TPA in the AF. Conclusions Thus, we believe that the cellular alterations produced by tobacco are responsible for the secretion of these tumor markers.
Mitoxantrone, 5-Fluorouracil and Low-dose Leucovorin in Doxorubicin-resistant Advanced Breast Cancer Patients: A Phase II Study
Authors: Šušnjar Snežana , Vasović Suzana , Nešković-Konstantinović Zora , Stamatović Ljiljana , Lukić Vesna , Čolaković Slobodanka , Mitrović Labuda , Jelić Svetislav , Radulović Siniša 
Published: April 2018

Aim Twenty-two anthracycline-resistant advanced breast cancer patients were entered from June 1995 till November 1997 in a phase II study to assess the activity and tolerability of second-line chemotherapy consisting of mitoxantrone, 5-fluorouracil and low-dose leucovorin. Study Design Patients were eligible if they failed to respond to doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy, given as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Treatment consisted of mitoxantrone, 12 mg/m2 iv infusion on day 1, and leucovorin, 50 mg iv 1 hr before 5-fluorouracil, 350 mg/m2 iv infusion on days 1-3, every three weeks. Results Nineteen patients were eligible for response, 2 refused further therapy after 2 cycles, and 1 was excluded because grade 3 myelotoxicity developed during the first cycle. Partial remission of 15 months duration occurred in 1 patient, in 7/19 women disease remained stable with a median duration of 11 months (range, 5-24), and 11/19 patients experienced progressive disease. Median time to disease progression was 2 months (range, 0-17), and median survival was 8 months (range, 0-24). Toxicity was generally mild and acceptable. One patient was excluded because of grade 3 granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, and one due to cardiotoxicity assessed by the drop of left ventricular ejection fraction to more than 20% below the initial value. Conclusions In spite of the very low objective response rate, almost one-fourth of our anthracycline-resistant patients achieved a disease stabilization of 27 weeks duration during mitoxantrone-based second-line chemotherapy. Hence, mitoxantrone in combination with 5-fluorouracil, especially continuous infusion, should be further investigated in this setting, particularly if new and expensive drugs, considered the most active, are not readily available.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Baltali Esmen , Günel Nazan , Onat Demir Ali , Atahan Ibdisan Lale , Akçali Zafer , Büyükünal Evin , Firat Dincer ,   Turkish Oncology Study Group, Turkey
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background A pilot study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide-epirubicin-5-fluorouracil (FEC) was performed on 85 patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Methods and Study Design Patients received four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery, radiotherapy and a treatment with cyclophosphamide-methotrexate-5-fluorouracil for three cycles. Results Major clinical response was obtained in 76 (89%) patients. Complete response was documented in 14 (17%) patients at pathologic examination of surgical specimen. Grade 1-2 nausea and vomiting was the most common (77%) side effect. Grade 2-3 alopecia was 66%. Grade 2-3 neutropenia occurred in 16% of patients. None of the patients developed febrile neutropenia. Sinus tachycardia was observed only in one patient. Three patients had a more than 10% decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction without any clinical signs. Nine patients had progressive or stable disease and 4 did not undergo surgery or receive radiation therapy; thus 13 were excluded from survival analysis. After a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 15-41), disease-free survival and overall survival were 20 (range, 13-32) and 23 months (range, 17-32). Conclusions The FEC combination is safe and effective for a neoadjuvant setting in locally advanced breast cancer. A longer follow-up is necessary for the end point results.
Primary Malignant Melanoma Arising in the Parotid Gland: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Bussi Mario , Cardarelli Laura , Riontino Elena , Valente Guido 
Published: April 2018

Melanoma of the head and neck is an extremely rare disease, characterized by difficult and late diagnosis and poor prognosis; moreover, the definition of primary melanomas of the salivary glands remains controversial. In this paper we describe an unusual case of primary melanoma arising in the parotid gland. A 60-year-old woman presented to us for the persistence of a parotid neoplasm diagnosed as carcinoma by fine-needle aspiration and treated with radiation therapy. Wide destructive surgery was performed and immunohistochemical analysis of the surgical specimen led to a diagnosis of melanoma. Complete screening excluded other primary tumor sites. After five years of follow-up the patient is alive and free of disease. Here we report the diagnostic procedures leading to the diagnosis along with a critical analysis of the literature, emphasizing the difficulties in the diagnosis and classification of melanoma as a primary tumor in the parotid gland and the need for destructive surgery.
Toxicity in Uremia 1. Correlation between PTH Levels and Depressed Cell Proliferation
Authors: Esposito R. , Manzo M. , Hohenegger M. , Pluvio M. , Lanzetti N. , Perna N. , Romano-Carratelli C. , Giordano C. 
Published: April 2018

Cell proliferation is significantly depressed in uremia; to assess the influence of PTH on it, normal lymphocytes were cultured in presence of uremic patients’ serum with low or high plasma PTH levels (Group A; PTH < 2.5 ng/ml; Group B: PTH > 12 ng/ml), and serum of normal subjects (Group C). Cell proliferation was lowered by serum from both groups (p A vs C < 0.004; p B vs C < 0.001). However, the depressing effect was more evident when group B serum was employed (p A vs B< 0.002).
Social Determinants of Health and Preclinical Glycemic Control in Newly Diagnosed First-Episode Psychosis Patients
Authors: Veru-Lesmes Franz , Rho Aldanie , King Suzanne , Joober Ridha , Pruessner Marita , Malla Ashok , Iyer Srividya N. 
Published: April 2018

Background: The abnormally high incidence of disorders of glucose metabolism (DGM) in psychotic-spectrum disorders (PSD) has often been attributed to the side effects of antipsychotics and unhealthy lifestyles. The influence of social determinants of health has been largely ignored, despite ample evidence linking social adversity with both PSD and DGM. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of well-established social determinants of health on preclinical levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in a sample of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. Methods: In a sample of newly admitted FEP patients, univariate analyses were used to select the main predictors of HbA1c levels from the following social determinants of health: childhood trauma, immigrant background, visible minority status, and indices of social and material deprivation. The predictors identified in the univariate analyses were tested in multivariate linear regression models including age, sex, BMI, depression, and physical anergia (proxy of sedentary behaviour) as covariates. Results: Univariate analyses identified visible minority status and childhood physical abuse as predictors of HbA1c. After controlling for covariates, minority status significantly predicted higher levels of glycated hemoglobin (β = 0.23; P = 0.01), and physical abuse had a marginally significant effect (β = 0.23; P = 0.06). Other predictors were not significantly associated. Conclusion: FEP patients from a visible minority or who were victims of childhood physical abuse have higher levels of HbA1c at admission compared with other patients. This might suggest an increase in risk for the development of future DGM. If confirmed, preventive strategies could be tailored for these groups.
Caregivers’ Perspectives of Quality of Life of People With Young- and Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Kimura Nathália R. S. , Baptista Maria Alice T. , Santos Raquel L. , Portugal Maria da Gloria , Johannenssen Aud , Barca Maria L. , Engedal Knut , Laks Jerson , Simões José Pedro , Rodrigues Valeska Marinho , Dourado Marcia C. N. 
Published: April 2018

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is a growing area of interest in dementia research. This study aims to investigate the caregivers’ perspective about the QoL of people with young-onset Alzheimer disease (YOAD) and late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). We also aim to investigate factors that might be associated to caregivers’ perspective in YOAD and LOAD. Methods: We included 110 people with Alzheimer disease (PwAD; 53 YOAD) and their primary caregivers. The PwAD completed assessments about their QoL and cognition. The caregivers provided information about the PwAD (demographics, QoL, ability to perform activities of daily living, mood, and dementia severity) and had burden of care assessed. Results: We did not find a difference in caregivers’ perspectives of PwAD QoL according to the age at onset. However, the linear regression analysis indicated that caregivers’ burden ( P < .01) and PwAD depressive symptoms ( P < .05) were significantly related to the caregivers’ perspective of YOAD QoL. Caregivers’ burden ( P < .01), years of education ( P < .05), and self-reported QoL ( P < .01) were significantly related to the caregivers’ perspective of LOAD QoL. Conclusions: The factors that drive the perceptions of caregivers of PwAD QoL may vary according to the age at onset. The study provides basic information on caregivers’ perspectives of PwAD QoL to create more effective interventions according to the age at onset.
Age at Time of Craniosynostosis Repair Predicts Increased Complication Rate
Authors: Bruce William J. , Chang Victor , Joyce Cara J. , Cobb Adrienne N. , Maduekwe Uma I. , Patel Parit A. 
Published: April 2018

Objective: This study uses administrative data to assess the optimal timing for surgical repair of craniosynostosis and to identify factors associated with risk of perioperative complications. Design: Statistical analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database (2006, 2009, 2012). Setting: KID-participating hospitals in 44 states. Patients: Children 0 to 3 years of age with ICD-9 codes for surgical correction of craniosynostosis (756 and 0124, 0125, 0201, 0203, 0204, or 0206). Main Outcome Measure: Age-based cohorts were assessed for perioperative complications. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine characteristics associated with increased risk of complications. Results: 21 million admissions were screened and 8417 visits met criteria for inclusion. Seventy-five percent of procedures occurred before age 1. Complications occurred in 8.6% of patients: 6.6% of patients at age 0 to 6 months, 10.3% of patients aged 7 to 12 months, and 13.9% of patients 12 to 36 months. Patients with acrocephalosyndactyly or associated congenital anomalies experienced complications in 22.9% of cases (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 2.33, 4.03). Conclusion: Craniosynostosis repair is safe; however, the risk of complications increases with age at intervention. Presence of a syndromic congenital deformity at any age carries the greatest increased risk of perioperative complications. This suggests that optimal timing of intervention is within the first year of life, especially in those cases with additional factors increasing perioperative risk. These data support the importance of counseling patients of the increased risk associated with delaying craniosynostosis repair.
Patterns of Orofacial Clefting in New York City From 1983 to 2010
Authors: Butts Sydney C. , Reynolds Simone , Gitman Lyuba , Patel Prayag , Joseph Michael 
Published: April 2018

Objective: To determine the role of racial background, public health initiatives, and residence on the prevalence of orofacial clefts (OFCs) in New York City (NYC). Design/Methods: Retrospective review of OFC cases from the New York State Congenital Malformations Registry. Patients/Participants: Patients born with an OFC and all live births to mothers residing in NYC between 1983 and 2010. Main Outcome Measures: Orofacial cleft birth prevalence by cleft type, race, and borough of maternal residence for each year and by time period around the implementation of public health interventions including folate supplementation. Results: A total of 3557 cases were reviewed. The prevalence remained stable for cleft palate and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL ± P) in sequential time periods of the study. Among CL ± P cases, cleft lip prevalence decreased early in the study compared to increases in cleft lip and palate prevalence. For most years, the prevalence of OFCs was lower among African Americans than whites. A total of 12% to 26% of mothers in 4 of the NYC boroughs deliver outside of their borough of residence, choosing to give birth in Manhattan most often. No difference in OFC prevalence was shown in any of the 5 NYC boroughs. Conclusions: The period prevalence remained relatively stable during the time periods before and after the implementation of folate supplementation for OFCs in NYC. Prevalence of OFC subtypes was lower for most time periods during this study among African Americans compared to whites. Several factors may explain the choice of birthplace outside of the mother’s borough of residence.
Parental Experience of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Infants With Cleft Palate: Comparing Parental and Clinical Priorities
Authors: Davies Karen , Lin Yin-Ling , Glenny Anne-Marie , Callery Peter , Bruce Iain A. 
Published: April 2018

Objective: To identify outcomes relating to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) that are relevant to parents, during the early weeks of caring for infants with cleft palate (CP), and compare these with clinical outcomes identified in a systematic search of research literature. Design: A qualitative study using telephone/face-to-face interviews with parents explored their understanding of breathing and respiratory effort in infants with CP. Setting: Care provided by 3 specialist cleft centers in the United Kingdom, with study conducted in parents’ homes. Participants: Criteria for participation were parents of infants with isolated CP aged 12 to 16 weeks. Thirty-one parents of infants with CP (over 12 weeks) were invited to participate in the interview. Interviews were completed with 27 parents; 4 parents could not be contacted after completing the sleep monitoring. Results: Parents’ description of infants’ sleep suggests that breathing is not considered as a separate priority from their principal concerns of feeding and sleeping. They observe indicators of infants’ breathing, but these are not perceived as signs of SDB. Parents’ decision to use lateral or supine sleep positioning reflects their response to advice from specialists, observation of their infants’ comfort, ease of breathing, and personal experience. Outcomes, identified in published research of SDB, coincide with parents’ concerns but are expressed in medical language and fit into distinct domains of “snoring,” “sleep,” “gas exchange,” and “apnea.” Conclusions: Parents’ description of sleeping and respiration in infants with CP reflect their everyday experience, offering insight into their understanding, priorities, and language used to describe respiration. Understanding parents’ individual priorities and how these are expressed could be fundamental to selecting meaningful outcomes for future studies of airway interventions.
Long-Term Visual Outcome of Choroidal Neovascularization in Pathologic Myopia: Natural History and Laser Treatment
Authors: Secrétan M. , Kuhn D. , Soubrane G. , Coscas G. 
Published: April 2018

This retrospective study was designed to help clarify the visual prognosis during long-term follow-up (5-10 years) of myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with and without laser treatment in a referral population. Patients and Methods. A group of 50 consecutive non-treated eyes and a group of 50 consecutive treated eyes were selected retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were: fluorescein angiographic documentation of CNV not involving the center of the fovea, visual acuity (VA) > 20/200, age less than 60, onset of symptoms ≤ 6 months and at least five years of follow-up. The mean decrease in VA in non-treated and treated eyes during the follow-up was analysed on the basis of subgroups with the same initial VA. Results Considering both groups (100 eyes) at presentation, 89% of CNV spared the center of the fovea but were located in the foveolar area (< 200 μm) and only 11% were extrafoveal (> 200 μm). In the natural history group, after five years all CNV involved the center of the fovea and mean VA was 20/160. In the treated group, at the end of the five year follow-up and after one or more laser session, 64% of eyes had a dry scar and mean VA was 20/74. Nevertheless there was a very high rate of recurrences (72%) and at the end of follow-up, 36% of treated eyes had a subfoveal recurrence with a mean decrease in VA to 20/154. The difference between the mean decrease in VA of the treated and non-treated groups was statistically significant at two years. At five years (100 eyes), the difference persisted only for eyes with initial VA better than ≥ 20/40 (P<0.05). At eight years (76 eyes) and ten years (24 eyes), this difference was no longer significant. Comments This study confirms that CNV accompanying degenerative myopia has an extremely poor prognosis. Nevertheless analysis of final VA in both groups suggests that eyes with high initial VA gain more from treatment.
The effect of self-assessed fatigue and subjective cognitive impairment on work capacity: The case of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kobelt Gisela , Langdon Dawn , Jönsson Linus 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: The impact of physical disability in multiple sclerosis on employment is well documented but the effect of neurological symptoms has been less well studied. We investigated the independent effect of self-reported fatigue and cognitive difficulties on work. Methods: In a large European cost of illness survey, self-reported fatigue, subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), and productivity at work were assessed with visual analogue scales (VAS 0–10). The analysis controlled for country, age, age at diagnosis, gender, education, and physical disability. Results: A total of 13,796 patients were of working age and 6,598 were working. Physical disability had a powerful impact on the probability of working, as did education. The probability of working was reduced by 8.7% and 4.4% for each point increase on the VAS for SCI and fatigue, respectively ( p < 0.0001). Regular work hours decreased linearly with increasing severity of fatigue and cognitive problems, while sick leave during the 3 months preceding the assessment increased. Finally, the severity of both symptoms was associated with the level at which productivity at work was affected ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our results confirm the independent contribution of self-reported fatigue and SCI on work capacity and highlight the importance of assessment in clinical practice.
Reduced Lung Cancer Mortality With Lower Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Merrill Ray M. , Frutos Aaron 
Published: April 2018

Background: Research has shown that higher altitude is associated with lower risk of lung cancer and improved survival among patients. The current study assessed the influence of county-level atmospheric pressure (a measure reflecting both altitude and temperature) on age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rates in the contiguous United States, with 2 forms of spatial regression. Methods: Ordinary least squares regression and geographically weighted regression models were used to evaluate the impact of climate and other selected variables on lung cancer mortality, based on 2974 counties. Results: Atmospheric pressure was significantly positively associated with lung cancer mortality, after controlling for sunlight, precipitation, PM2.5 (µg/m3), current smoker, and other selected variables. Positive county-level β coefficient estimates ( P < .05) for atmospheric pressure were observed throughout the United States, higher in the eastern half of the country. Conclusion: The spatial regression models showed that atmospheric pressure is positively associated with age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rates, after controlling for other selected variables.