bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring a compassion-focused intervention for persistent pain in a group setting
Authors: Penlington Chris 
Published: April 2018

Introduction: It is widely known that the mind and the body, although described medically almost as separate entities, are in fact highly interrelated. This is not, however, always reflected within medical settings where physical interventions are often favoured over more holistic management, even in the case of long-term symptoms and/or pain where there is a strong evidence to favour the use of the latter. Mindfulness is an established and evidence-based intervention which can help people living with pain and physical symptoms. Interventions based on Compassion and Loving-kindness have also shown early promise but have not been fully explored. This study proposes a compassion-focused conceptualisation of persistent pain and reports on an intervention based upon this formulation. Methods: The study took place within a routine clinical setting. Standardised outcome measures were collected pre- and post-intervention and effect sizes calculated for mean differences on each measure. Written qualitative comments that participants attributed to the group were also collected post-intervention and analysed with a thematic analysis. This was an uncontrolled, unpowered study conducted within a clinical setting which aimed to examine the intervention for any initial evidence of promise and to explore how it would be received by patients. Results: The results of the study indicated that engagement of patients in the intervention was reasonable. Improvements were recorded in pain distress (effect size (ES), 0.47) and intensity (ES, 0.23), anxiety (ES, 0.72), depression (ES, 0.46) and self-efficacy (ES, 0.36). Following the intervention, patients described changes that were grouped into the categories of feeling different, doing things differently and changed attitude. Conclusion: This exploratory study has demonstrated that a group-based intervention based on a model of compassion and including mindfulness and loving-kindness exercise has potential as an intervention to be used within routine pain management settings.
Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender Individuals: Perceived Satisfaction and Barriers to Care
Authors: El-Hadi Hadal , Stone Jill , Temple-Oberle Claire , Harrop Alan Robertson 
Published: April 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived satisfaction and barriers to care for transgender patients after they decide to undergo gender-affirming surgery (GAS). Method: A survey consisting of 21 multiple-choice and short-answer questions was distributed to transgender organizations and online forums across Canada and the United States. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: There were 32 participants, 12 who identified as female to male and 20 as male to female. The mean age was 36 years, with a range of 18 to 81 years. The mean age of their first GAS was 33 years, and the range of wait time was 6 months to 7 years. Most of the participants received information about GAS from transgender websites and transgender surgery clinics (91% and 50%, respectively). Most participants (74%) felt like they had access to appropriate care and 89% felt like their surgeons provided enough information about GAS. There were 38% of participants who would change their experience with GAS. Participants stated several barriers toward receiving GAS: financial (73%), finding a physician (65%), and access to information (63%). Surgical transition was important to the quality of life for 91% of participants and 100% were happy with their decision to undergo GAS. Conclusions: Transgender participants demonstrated that GAS is important to their quality of life and this study showed significant barriers to GAS.
The Effect of Simulated Total Distal Interphalangeal Joint Stiffness on Grip Strength
Authors: Wu Kitty , Ahluwalia Romeet , Chinchalkar Shrikant J. , Vincent Joshua I. , Richards Robert S. , Suh Nina 
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Production of a functional grip pattern requires the concerted action of numerous structures within the hand. This study quantifies the effect of total distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) stiffness to grip strength. Methods: Fifty (25 men, 25 women, 100 hands) individuals with a mean age of 38 years (range: 17-69 years) were recruited. Exclusion criteria included history of previous upper limb injury, neuropathies, or systemic disease. Custom thermoplastic orthoses were used to splint participants’ DIPJ in full extension simulating stiffness. Grip strength before and after splinting was measured using a calibrated Jamar dynamometer. Data were analyzed using paired and independent sample t tests and 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance with hand dominance and configuration (splinted or unsplinted) as within-subject factors. Results: Restriction of DIPJ flexion led to a 20% decrease in grip strength ( P < .001). There was no significant difference in this decrease between dominant and non-dominant hands. Univariate analysis did not demonstrate any interaction between hand dominance and testing configuration. Post hoc analysis revealed no statistical difference in baseline grip strength between the dominant and non-dominant hands. Furthermore, men had significantly stronger grip strength than women in all configurations ( P < .001). Conclusions: Flexion at the DIPJ contributes significantly to grip strength, and stiffness at this joint greatly limits functional capabilities of the hand. This necessitates the need for targeted rehabilitation in DIPJ injuries to minimize adverse effects on grip strength.
Facilitators and Barriers Affecting Adherence Among People Living With HIV/AIDS: A Qualitative Perspective
Authors: Ahmed Syed Imran , Farooqui Maryam , Syed Sulaiman Syed Azhar , Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Lee Christopher K C 
Published: April 2018

Background: It is widely accepted that for HIV-positive persons on highly active antiretroviral treatment, high levels of adherence to treatment regimens are essential for promoting viral suppression and preventing drug resistance. Objectives: This qualitative study examines factors affecting the adherence to HIV/AIDS treatment among patients with HIV/AIDS at a local hospital in Malaysia. Methods: The data from purposefully selected patients were collected by in-depth interviews using a pretested interview guide. Saturation was reached at the 13th interview. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim for analysis using thematic content analysis. Results: Fear and stigma of perceived negative image of HIV diagnosis, lack of disease understating, poor support from the community, and perceived severity or the treatment side effects were among the reasons of nonadherence. Appropriate education and motivation from the doctors and reduction in pill burden were suggested to improve adherence. Conclusion: Educational interventions, self-management, and peer and community supports were among the factors suggested to improve adherence. This necessitates uncovering efficient ways to boost doctor–patient communication and recognizing the role of support group for the social and psychological well-being of the patients.
How to Conceptualize and Implement a PhD Program in Health Sciences—The Basel Approach
Authors: Keller Franziska , Dhaini Suzanne , Briel Matthias , Henrichs Sina , Höchsmann Christoph , Kalbermatten Daniel , Künzli Nino , Mollet Annette , Puelacher Christian , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno , von Niederhäusern Belinda , De Geest Sabina 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: Over the past decade, several excellent guidelines have been published on how to enhance the quality of PhD education in Europe. Aimed primarily at preparing students for innovative roles in their fields, they include variously structured approaches to curricular offerings, as well as other program components applicable across specialties (eg: supervisor support, scientific conduct, transferable skills). Since 2012, the interdisciplinary PhD Program in Health Sciences (PPHS) at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Basel in Switzerland has focused on translating these guidelines into a 21st-century health sciences PhD program. Results: The PPHS started in 2012 based on the European Union (EU) guidelines for PhD education. This article describes the resulting interdisciplinary PhD program’s conceptual underpinnings, rationale, structures, and 10 building blocks, like student portfolios, thematic training, interdisciplinary research seminars, student-initiated interdisciplinary activities, financial support of course participation, top-up and extension stipends, PhD supervision, research integrity, alumni follow-up network, and promotional tools including a dedicated website. Students enter from Clinical Research, Medicine Development, Nursing Science, Epidemiology and Public Health including Insurance Medicine, Sport Science (all from the Faculty of Medicine), and Epidemiology (Faculty of Science). Discussion and Conclusion: The Basel PPHS exemplifies state-of-the-art PhD education in Health Sciences based on European guidelines and offers guidance to other groups from conceptualization to rollout of an interdisciplinary health sciences PhD program.
Biology and treatment of Richter syndrome
Authors: Rossi Davide , Spina Valeria , Gaidano Gianluca 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRichter syndrome (RS) is the development of an aggressive lymphoma in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Two pathologic variants of RS are recognized: namely, the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) variant and the rare Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) variant. Histologic documentation is mandatory to diagnose RS. The clinical suspicion of RS should be based on clinical signs and symptoms. Differential diagnosis between CLL progression and RS and choice of the biopsy site may take advantage of positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Molecular lesions of regulators of proliferation (CDKN2A, NOTCH1, MYC) and apoptosis (TP53) overall associate with ∼90% of DLBCL-type RS, whereas the biology of the HL-type RS is largely unknown. The prognosis of the DLBCL-type RS is unfavorable; the outcome of HL-type RS appears to be better. The most important RS prognostic factor is the clonal relationship between the CLL and the aggressive lymphoma clones, with clonally unrelated RS having a better prognosis. Rituximab-containing combination chemotherapy for DLBCL is the most widely used treatment in DLBCL-type RS. Fit patients who respond to induction therapy should be offered stem cell transplantation (SCT) to prolong survival. Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine is the preferred regimen for the HL-type RS, and SCT consolidation is less used in this condition.
Multi-dimensional analysis of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects following cancer extirpation surgery, a cadaveric study
Authors: Idris Sherif , Mlynarek Alex M. , Ansari Khalid , Harris Jeffrey R. , Rizk Nabil , Cote David , O'Connell Daniel A. , Allen Heather , Dziegielewski Peter , Seikaly Hadi 
Published: April 2018

Background Defects following resection of tumors in the head and neck region are complex; more detailed and defect-specific reconstruction would likely result in better functional and cosmetic outcomes. The objectives of our study were: 1) to improve the understanding of the two- and three-dimensional nature of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects following oncological resection and 2) to assess the geometric dimensions and the shapes of fasciocutaneous free flaps and locoregional tissue flaps required for reconstruction of these defects. Methods This study was an anatomic cadaveric study which involved creating defects in the oral cavity and oropharynx in two cadaveric specimens. Specifically, partial and total glossectomies, floor of mouth excisions, and base of tongue excisions were carried out. These subsites were subsequently geometrically analyzed and their volumes measured. The two-dimensional (2D) assessment of these three-dimensional (3D) structures included measures of surface area and assessment of tissue contours and shapes. Results The resected specimens all demonstrated unique dimensional geometry for the various anatomic sites. Using 2D analysis, hemiglossectomy defects revealed right triangle geometry, whereas total glossectomy geometry was a square. Finally, the base of tongue defects exhibited a trapezoid shape. Conclusions Customizing the geometry and dimensions of fasciocutaneous free flaps so that they are specific to the confronted head and neck defects will likely result in better functional and cosmetic outcomes.
Survival Outcomes by TP53 Mutation Status in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Meric-Bernstam Funda , Zheng Xiaofeng , Shariati Maryam , Damodaran Senthil , Wathoo Chetna , Brusco Lauren , Demirhan Mehmet Esat , Tapia Coya , Eterovic Agda Karina , Basho Reva K. , Ueno Naoto T. , Janku Filip , Sahin Aysegul , Rodon Jordi , Broaddus Russell , Kim Tae-Beom , Mendelsohn John , Mills Shaw Kenna R. , Tripathy Debu , Mills Gordon B. , Chen Ken 
Published: April 2018

Purpose To determine the significant genomic alterations in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and survival outcomes in common genotypes. Patients and Methods High-depth next-generation sequencing was performed for 202 genes in tumor and normal DNA from 257 patients with MBC, including 165 with estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor–positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 [hormone receptor positive (HR+)])–positive, 32 with HER2-positive, and 60 with triple-negative (estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor–negative and HER2-negative) disease. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed in the discovery set, in patients with breast cancer analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas, and in a separate cohort of 98 patients with MBC who underwent clinical genomic testing. Results Significantly mutated genes (SMGs) varied by histology and tumor subtype, but TP53 was an SMG in all three subtypes. The most SMGs in patients with HR+ cancer were PIK3CA (32%), TP53 (29%), GATA3 (15%), CDH1 (8%), MAP3K1 (8%), PTEN (5%), TGFBR2 (4%), AKT1 (4%), and MAP2K4 (4%). TP53 mutations were associated with shorter recurrence-free survival ( P = .004), progression-free survival ( P < .001), and overall survival ( P = .003). Furthermore, TP53 status was prognostic among patients with HR+ cancer with PIK3CA mutations. TP53 mutations were associated with poorer overall survival in the 442 patients with HR+ breast cancer analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas ( P = .042) and in an independent set of 96 patients with HR+ MBC who underwent clinical sequencing ( P < .001). Conclusion SMGs differ by tumor subtype, but TP53 is significantly mutated in all three breast cancer subtypes. TP53 mutations are associated with poor prognosis in HR+ breast cancer and should be considered in the design and interpretation of precision oncology trials.
Phragmoplast microtubule dynamics – a game of zones
Authors: Smertenko Andrei , Hewitt Seanna L. , Jacques Caitlin N. , Kacprzyk Rafal , Liu Yan , Marcec Matthew J. , Moyo Lindani , Ogden Aaron , Oung Hui Min , Schmidt Sharol , Serrano-Romero Erika A. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT
Plant morphogenesis relies on the accurate positioning of the partition (cell plate) between dividing cells during cytokinesis. The cell plate is synthetized by a specialized structure called the phragmoplast, which consists of microtubules, actin filaments, membrane compartments and associated proteins. The phragmoplast forms between daughter nuclei during the transition from anaphase to telophase. As cells are commonly larger than the originally formed phragmoplast, the construction of the cell plate requires phragmoplast expansion. This expansion depends on microtubule polymerization at the phragmoplast forefront (leading zone) and loss at the back (lagging zone). Leading and lagging zones sandwich the ‘transition’ zone. A population of stable microtubules in the transition zone facilitates transport of building materials to the midzone where the cell plate assembly takes place. Whereas microtubules undergo dynamic instability in all zones, the overall balance appears to be shifted towards depolymerization in the lagging zone. Polymerization of microtubules behind the lagging zone has not been reported to date, suggesting that microtubule loss there is irreversible. In this Review, we discuss: (1) the regulation of microtubule dynamics in the phragmoplast zones during expansion; (2) mechanisms of the midzone establishment and initiation of cell plate biogenesis; and (3) signaling in the phragmoplast.
Chemical signaling for pollen tube guidance at a glance
Authors: Mizuta Yoko , Higashiyama Tetsuya 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT
Pollen tube guidance is a unique navigating system that is required for the successful sexual reproduction of plants. As plant sperm cells are non-motile and egg cells are embedded deep inside the female tissues, a pollen tube delivers the two sperm cells that it contains by growing towards the ovule, in which the egg cell resides. Pollen tube growth towards the ovule is precisely controlled and divided into two stages, preovular and ovular guidance. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we provide a comprehensive overview of pollen tube guidance and highlight some of the attractant peptides used during ovular guidance. We further discuss the precise one-to-one guidance system that exists in multi-ovular plants. The pollen tube-blocking system, which is mediated by male–female crosstalk communication, to avoid attraction of multiple pollen tubes, is also reviewed.
Blood-derived extracellular proteins as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of early ER+ breast cancer and detection of lymph node involvement
Authors: Tucker Rod , Pedro Ana 
Published: April 2018

Extracellular vesicles (EV’s) are membrane surrounded structures released by different cell types and are emerging as potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets in cancer. In the present study, plasma samples derived from 7 patients with metastatic and non-metastatic ER+ (estrogen receptor positive) breast cancer (BC) were collected and their respective (EVs) isolated and the protein content analyzed by mass spectrometry and FunRich analysis. Here we report on the presence of two putative plasma EV biomarkers (which were absent in healthy controls samples) that could be used to detect early ER+ breast cancer and for those with lymph node (LN) involvement However, given the preliminar nature of the work, further investigation in a larger patient cohort is warranted to corroborate these findings. If confirmed, these biomarkers could be incorporated into simple blood test kit for the early detection of those with ER+ breast cancer and lymph node involvement.
Individual typological differences in a neurally distributed semantic processing system: Revisiting the Science article by Mitchell et al. on computational neurolinguistics
Authors: Akama Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2018

Background: Revisiting the 2008 Science article by Mitchell et al. on computational neurolinguistics, individual typological differences were found as striking characteristics in the patterns of informative voxels crucial for the distributed semantic processing system. Methods: The results of different feature selection methods (ANOVA and Stability) were compared based on the open datasets of each subject for evaluating how these features were decisive in predicting human brain activity associated with language meaning. Results: In general, the two selection results were similar and the voxel-wise ranks were correlated but they became extremely dispersive for a subgroup of subjects exhibiting mediocre precision when examined without regularization. Quite interestingly, looking at the anatomical location of these voxels, it appears that the modality-specific areas were likely to be monitored by the Stability score (indexing “identity”), and that the ANOVA (emphasizing “difference”) tended to detect supramodal semantic areas. Conclusions: This minor finding indicates that in some cases, seemingly poor data may deeply and systematically conceal information that is significant and worthwhile. It may have potential for shedding new light on in the controversy pertaining to cognitive semantics, which is divided into modality-biased (embodied) and amodal symbol theories.
Are Strategic Customers Bad for a Supply Chain?
Authors: Lin Yen-Ting , Parlaktürk Ali K. , Swaminathan Jayashankar M. 
Published: April 2018

We consider a manufacturer serving a retailer that sells its product to customers over two periods. Each firm determines its unit price. The retailer orders the product from the manufacturer prior to the beginning of the selling periods. We consider two types of customers: (1) strategic customers who take their future options into account and time their purchases accordingly and (2) myopic customers who consider only their current options. We compare the resulting equilibria for these two scenarios and evaluate the impact of customers’ strategic behavior. We find that strategic customer behavior always benefits the manufacturer. Interestingly, it may also improve the profitability of the retailer and the entire supply chain in some cases. Strategic customer behavior and decentralization are often regarded as detriments to supply chain performance. We find that, however, the combination of these two factors may not result in the worst supply chain performance. When customers are sufficiently patient, a decentralized supply chain that faces strategic customers actually outperforms the supply chain with only one of those factors at play. Finally, we show that when customers are strategic, the retailer’s and manufacturer’s profits with price commitment, availability commitment, or quick response can be lower than those when customers are myopic. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0651 .
Hyperspectral, Time-Resolved, Fluorescence Imaging System for Large Sample Sizes: Part I. Development of a High-Energy Line-Illumination Source
Authors: Tewey Kevin , Lefcourt Alan M. , Shilts Patrick , Tasch Uri , Kim Moon S. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract. To reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, produce fields are visually surveyed prior to harvest for signs of fecal contamination. To improve the efficacy of surveys, a hyperspectral, line-scan, laser-induced fluorescence imaging system was developed. The goal is to incorporate the imaging system into a field-deployable apparatus to survey produce fields. The system includes a gated intensified camera, a spectral adapter, a 355 nm pulsed laser, and a Powell lens that is used to expand the laser beam into a line-illumination source. Software was developed to facilitate alignment of the Powell lens with the laser beam and the resulting line-illumination profile with the line-imaging field. Comparisons were made of uniformity and efficiency measures for regions within illumination profiles that corresponded to the camera field of view for the Powell lens and previously developed simple and homogenizing expansion optics. Spatial and temporal uniformity measures were similar for the Powell and homogenizing optics, and both were better than for simple optics; however, total efficiency was better for Powell compared to homogenizing optics at 28.5% and 3.0%, respectively. After spectral calibrations, theoretical and measured spectral peaks of five fluorescent standards were identical. Images of apples and spinach artificially contaminated with dilutions of dairy manure demonstrated high contrast. By selecting appropriate gate timing parameters, it was possible to create images in which responses from contamination sites were still evident but responses from normal surfaces were effectively extinguished. These results demonstrate that the system has potential to be used to detect sites of fecal contamination in produce fields. Keywords: Fecal detection, Fluorescence imaging, Food safety, Machine vision, Powell lens.