bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness randomised controlled trial of basic versus biofeedback-mediated intensive pelvic floor muscle training for female stress or mixed urinary incontinence: protocol for the OPAL (optimising pelvic floor exercises to achieve long-term benefits) trial mixed methods longitudinal qualitative case study and process evaluation
Authors: Grant Aileen , Dean Sarah , Hay-Smith Jean , Hagen Suzanne , McClurg Doreen , Taylor Anne , Kovandzic Marija , Bugge Carol 
Published: March 2019

IntroductionFemale urinary incontinence (UI) is common affecting up to 45% of women. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the first-line treatment but there is uncertainty whether intensive PFMT is better than basic PFMT for long-term symptomatic improvement. It is also unclear which factors influence women’s ability to perform PFMT long term and whether this has impacts on long-term outcomes. OPAL (optimising PFMT to achieve long-term benefits) trial examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of basic PFMT versus biofeedback-mediated PFMT and this evaluation explores women’s experiences of treatment and the factors which influence effectiveness. This will provide data aiding interpretation of the trial findings; make recommendations for optimising the treatment protocol; support implementation in practice; and address gaps in the literature around long-term adherence to PFMT for women with stress or mixed UI.Methods and analysisThis evaluation comprises a longitudinal qualitative case study and process evaluation (PE). The case study aims to explore women’s experiences of treatment and adherence and the PE will explore factors influencing intervention effectiveness. The case study has a two-tailed design and will recruit 40 women, 20 from each trial group; they will be interviewed four times over 2 years. Process data will be collected from women through questionnaires at four time-points, from health professionals through checklists and interviews and by sampling 100 audio recordings of appointments. Qualitative analysis will use case study methodology (qualitative study) and the framework technique (PE) and will interrogate for similarities and differences between the trial groups regarding barriers and facilitators to adherence. Process data analyses will examine fidelity, engagement and mediating factors using descriptive and interpretative statistics.Ethics and disseminationApproval from West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 4 (16/LO/0990). Findings will be published in journals, disseminated at conferences and through the final report.Trial registration numberISRCTN57746448.
Photodynamic diagnostics of early gastric cancer: Complexity measures of gastric microcirculation and new model of metastatic adenocarcinoma of rat stomach
Authors: Pavlov Alexey , Borisova Ekaterina , Pavlova Olga , Agranovich Ilana , Khorovodov Alexander , Terskov Andrey , Mamedova Aysel , Klimova Maria , Avramov Latchezar , Semyachkina-Glushkovskaya Oxana 
Published: March 2019

The detection of early gastric cancer that often develops asymptomatically is crucial for improving patient survival. The photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) of gastric cancer using 5-aminolevulinic acid/protoporphyrin IX (5-ALA/PpIX) has been reported in several studies. However, the selectivity of PDD of gastric tumor is poor with often false-positive results that require the development of new methods to improve PDD for early gastric cancer. Therefore, a measure of the complexity of gastric microcirculation (multi-scale entropy, MSE) and the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) were applied as additional tools to detect early gastric cancer in rats.In this experimental study, we used our original model of metastatic adenocarcinoma in the stomach of a rat. To induce a gastric tumor, we used a long-term combination (for 9 months, which is 1/2 of the life of rats) of two natural factors, such as chronic stress (overpopulation being typical for modern cities) and the daily presence of nitrites in food and drinks, which are common ingredients added to processed meat and fish to help preserve food. Our results clearly show that both methods, namely, PDD using 5-ALA/PpIX and complexity/correlation analysis, can detect early gastric cancer, which was confirmed by histological analysis. Pre-cancerous areas in the stomach were detected as an intermediate fluorescent signal or MSE level between normal and malignant lesions of the stomach. However, in some cases, PDD with 5-ALA/PpIX produced a false-positive fluorescence of exogenous fluorophores due to its accumulation in benign and inflammatory areas of the mucosa. This fact indicates that the PDD itself is not sufficient for the correct diagnosis of gastric cancer, and the use of additional characteristics, e.g., complexity measures or scaling exponents, can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of PDD of gastric cancer that should be confirmed in further clinical studies and applications.
Multifunctional APJ Pathway Promotes Ovarian Cancer Progression and Metastasis
Authors: Neelakantan Deepika , Dogra Samrita , Devapatla Bharat , Jaiprasart Pharavee , Mukashyaka Marie Claire , Janknecht Ralf , Dwivedi Shailendra Kumar Dhar , Bhattacharya Resham , Husain Sanam , Ding Kai , Woo Sukyung 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

High mortality rates in ovarian cancer are due to late-stage diagnosis when extensive metastases are present, coupled with the eventual development of resistance to standard chemotherapy. There is, thus, an urgent need to identify targetable pathways to curtail this deadly disease. In this study, we show that the apelin receptor, APJ, is a viable target that promotes tumor progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). APJ is specifically overexpressed in tumor tissue, and is elevated in metastatic tissues compared with primary tumors. Importantly, increased APJ expression significantly correlates with decreased median overall survival (OS) by 14.7 months in patients with HGSOC. Using various ovarian cancer model systems, we demonstrate that APJ expression in cancer cells is both necessary and sufficient to increase prometastatic phenotypes in vitro, including proliferation, cell adhesion to various molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM), anoikis resistance, migration, and invasion; and these phenotypes are efficiently inhibited by the APJ inhibitor, ML221. Overexpression of APJ also increases metastasis of ovarian cancer cells in vivo. Mechanistically, the prometastatic STAT3 pathway is activated downstream of APJ, and in addition to the ERK and AKT pathways, contributes to its aggressive phenotypes. Our findings suggest that the APJ pathway is a novel and viable target, with potential to curb ovarian cancer progression and metastasis.

Implications:
The APJ pathway is a viable target in HGSOC.
Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate in Acute Stroke
Authors: Avgerinos Konstantinos I. , Chatzisotiriou Athanasios , Haidich Anna-Bettina , Tsapas Apostolos , Lioutas Vasileios-Arsenios 
Published: March 2019

Background and Purpose—

Acute stroke treatment is challenging, and stroke remains a major cause of death and disability. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate the effects of postacute stroke intravenous administration of the neuroprotectant magnesium sulfate (MgSO
4
) on global outcome, functional outcome, and mortality 90 days poststroke (ischemic and nonischemic).

Methods—
We searched in Pubmed, Science Direct, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov, up to November 11, 2017, and we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. We synthesized results by using random-effects model, weighted mean differences, standardized mean differences, and odds ratios.

Results—

Seven randomized controlled trials (4347 patients) met our criteria. Compared with placebo, treatment did not improve functional outcome defined as Barthel Index >60 (odds ratio =1.05; 95% CI, 0.92–1.19) and >95 (odds ratio =0.95; 95% CI, 0.76–1.20), 90 days poststroke. It also did not improve global outcome measured with modified Rankin Scale (standardized mean difference =−0.01; 95% CI, −0.12 to 0.10), 90 days poststroke. In an additional subgroup meta-analysis that exclusively included ischemic stroke patients, intravenous MgSO
4
resulted in lower modified Rankin Scale score (improved global outcome; weighted mean difference =−0.96; 95% CI, −1.34 to −0.58; I
2
=0%], 90 days poststroke. Finally, mortality stayed unaltered (odds ratio =1.10; 95% CI, 0.94–1.29).

Conclusions—

The findings of our meta-analysis showed that intravenous MgSO
4
generally did not improve global/functional outcomes and mortality at 90 days after stroke (combined ischemic stroke and nonischemic stroke). The finding of favorable neurological outcome, selectively in ischemic stroke patients, should be viewed with extreme caution given the limited number of patients included in this subgroup meta-analysis.
New records of Namibian Bombyliidae (Diptera), with notes on some genera and descriptions of new species
Authors: GREATHEAD DAVID J. 
Published: March 2019

Bombyliidae in the Namibian National Insect Collection and the Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa were identified. This material included six genera and 54 species not previously recorded from Namibia. Among these species three were found to be new and are described: viz., Heterotropus diamantis sp. nov., Hyperusia longirostris sp. nov., Exoprosopa gracilis sp. nov. In addition a new species is proposed, Doliogethes decipiens sp. nov. for the species misidentified as Doliogethes tripunctatus (Macquart) by previous authors. Six new junior synonyms are proposed: Anastoechus eurystephus Hesse (= A. macrophthalmus Bezzi), syn. nov.; Anastoechus leuchocroicus Hesse (=A. vatipecten Bezzi), syn. nov.; Doliogethes consobrinus Hesse and D. meridionalis Hesse (= D. aridicolus Hesse), syn. nov.; Systoechus bechuanus Hesse (= S. robustus Bezzi), syn. nov.; Heteralonia (Acrodisca) nephoneura (Hesse) (= H. (A.) katonae (Bezzi)). A supplement to the checklist of Bombyliidae of Namibia including full label data is provided.
Notes on some tanypods from Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: SÆTHER OLE A. 
Published: March 2019

The Tanypodinae from Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada are listed and taxonomic and ecological notes given. The males of Paramerina fragilis (Walley) and Helopelopia pilicaudata (Walley), and the immatures of Telopelopia okoboji (Walley) are redescribed. The larvae of cf. Conchapelopia currani (Walley) and cf. Helopelopia pilicaudata are described.
The Palestinian Diaspora and Latin American Solidarity with the Palestinian Cause: Brazil as a Model
Authors: Bisharat Rasem 
Published: March 2019

The Palestinian diaspora and Arab communities in Latin America, especially in Brazil, have contributed significantly to the Palestinian cause in Latin America. The convergence between these communities and union and left parties encouraged the left to include the Palestinian cause on its agenda. Brazil may be considered a model in this respect because of the influence of its Partido dos Trabalhadores (Workers’ Party—PT), which led the Latin American left after the founding of the São Paulo Forum in 1992. The Palestinian community has an even greater role to play today, the more so since the PT’s exclusion from power favors Israel at the expense of the Palestinian cause. A diáspora palestina e as comunidades árabes na América Latina, especialmente no Brasil, teem contribuído significativamente para a causa palestina na América Latina. A convergência entre essas comunidades, sindicatos e partidos de esquerda levou a esquerda a incluir a causa palestina em sua agenda. O Brasil pode ser considerado um modelo nesse aspecto devido à influência do Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT), que liderou a esquerda latino-americana após a fundação do Fórum de São Paulo em 1992. A comunidade palestina tem uma relevância ainda maior já que a perda de poder do PT favorece Israel em detrimento da causa palestina.
Changes in cerebral glucose metabolism after acupuncture at KI3 in spontaneously hypertensive rats: a positron emission tomography study
Authors: Li Jing , Peng Chong , Lai Dongjian , He Kejie , Wang Yumei , Zhang Gaochuan , Wu Yuwen , Nie Binbin , Shan Baoci , Tang Chunzhi , Lai Xinsheng 
Published: March 2019

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the effect of acupuncture stimulation at KI3 on brain glucose metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).Methods:Brain glucose metabolism in SHRs after acupuncture stimulation at KI3 was detected using 18F-2-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET). SHRs were randomly divided into three groups: no treatment (SHR group); acupuncture at KI3 (KI3 group); and sham acupuncture (Sham group). Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as a normal blood pressure (BP) control group. Rats were subjected to 10 min of acupuncture once a day for 7 days. BP and positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) were measured after the first acupuncture session and after 7 days of treatment.Results:The results showed that BP was lower in the KI3 group than in the SHR group, both 30–60 min after the first acupuncture session and 24–48 h after the 7-day treatment. Compared with the WKY group, the SHR group had lower glucose metabolism in the motor cortex, sensory cortex, basal ganglia, corpus callosum, caudate putamen, and visual cortex. Compared with the untreated/sham-treated SHR control groups, cerebral glucose metabolism was lower in the medulla oblongata, thalamus, dorsal thalamus, orbital cortex, and hypothalamus after acupuncture at KI3, while it was higher in the olfactory cortex and inferior phrenic muscle.Conclusion:Our results show that, in SHRs, needling at KI3 reduces high BP, most likely by altering the activation of cerebral regions.
Prevalence of diabetes and diabetic macular edema in patients undergoing senile cataract surgery in Italy: The DIabetes and CATaract study
Authors: Panozzo Giacomo , Staurenghi Giovanni , Dalla Mura Giulia , Giannarelli Diana , Alessio Giovanni , Alongi Salvatore , Appolloni Romolo , Baldascino Antonio , Boscia Francesco , Caporossi Aldo , Cereda Matteo , D’Ugo Erminia , Fallico Matteo , Avitabile Teresio , Galan Alessandro , La Spina Carlo , Lo Giudice Giuseppe , Mastropasqua Leonardo , Palmisano Carmela , Panico Claudio , Parravano Maria Cristina , Penna Rachele , Pintore Pierpaolo , Vaiano Agostino , Reibaldi Michele , Rizzo Stanislao , Rossi Tommaso , Varano Monica , Virgili Gianni 
Published: March 2019

Background:The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of diabetes and diabetic macular edema in patients undergoing senile cataract surgery in Italy.Methods:It is a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study. Thirteen ophthalmic units equally distributed across the Italian territory have been involved in the study. For a period of 3 months, all subjects undergoing phacoemulsification received an Optical Coherence Tompgraphy (OCT) scan and were screened for the anamnestic presence of diabetes. In addition, five selected units collected blood samples from all their patients to measure glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and detect the presence of occult diabetes (HbA1c > 6.5%). In diabetic patients, levels of retinopathy were measured and diabetic macular edema was considered significant (clinically significant macular edema) when foveal thickness was above 30% of normal levels.Results:A total number of 3657 subjects have been screened. Among them, 20.4% were diabetics. Prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in males (24.7%) than in females (17%). Levels of HbA1c were tested in a representative sample of 1216 consecutive subjects, and occult diabetes was diagnosed in 4.8% of cases. No significant differences were observed between age groups or different geographic areas. Among diabetic patients, diabetic macular edema of any kind was present in 27.5% (clinically significant macular edema (6.6%)). No significant differences were seen in the prevalence of diabetic macular edema between males and females or between age groups. Among the 745 diabetic patients, no signs of retinopathy were seen in 537 subjects (76.3%), while 101 patients (14.3%) had nonproliferative retinopathy, 13 (1.7%) had nontreated proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and 53 (7.5%) had laser-treated retinopathy. In the entire sample of 3657 subjects, a normal macula was present in 90.9% of cases, diabetic macular edema of any kind in 5.4%, and other maculopathies in 3.4%.Conclusion:In this large cohort study on patients undergoing cataract surgery, more than one-fourth were diabetics and more than one-fourth of these had diabetic macular edema. These high prevalences suggest the opportunity to plan an adequate preoperative assessment in all patients in order to reduce the risk of postoperative development or worsening of a sight-threatening complication such as chronic diabetic macular edema.
Trochanteric spurs and surface irregularities on plain radiography are not predictive of greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Authors: Barrett Matthew C , Robertson-Waters Eve E , Whitehouse Michael R , Blom Ashley W , Berstock James R 
Published: March 2019

Purpose: Surface irregularities of the greater trochanter have been described as a potential radiographic sign of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). We report a diagnostic accuracy study to evaluate the clinical usefulness of trochanteric surface irregularities on plain radiographs in the diagnosis of GTPS. Methods: We retrospectively identified the anteroposterior pelvic radiographs of a consecutive group of 38 patients (representing a 27.5% series prevalence) diagnosed with GTPS (mean age 69.5 years ± 16.1 [standard deviation], 27 females, 11 males) based on clinical symptoms and a positive response to a local anaesthetic and steroid injection. A control group consisted of 100 patients (mean age 73 years ± 17.1 [standard deviation], 67 females, 33 males) with either hip osteoarthritis listed for hip arthroplasty ( n = 50), or with an intracapsular neck of femur fracture ( n = 50) both presenting between January and July 2017. Radiographs were cropped to blind observers to the presence of hip osteoarthritis or intracapsular fracture but included the trochanteric region. The radiograph sequence was randomised and separately presented to 3 orthopaedic surgeons to evaluate the presence of trochanteric surface irregularities. Results: The inter-observer correlation coefficient agreement was acceptable at 0.75 (95% CI, 0.60–0.84). Trochanteric surface irregularities including frank spurs protruding ⩾2 mm were associated with a 24.7% positive predictive value, 64.0% sensitivity, 25.7% specificity, 74.3% false-positive rate, 36.0% false-negative rate, and a 65.3% negative predictive value for clinical GTPS. Conclusion: Surface irregularities of the greater trochanter are not reliable radiographic indicators for the diagnosis of greater trochanteric pain syndrome.
Comprehensive Analysis of Driver Genes in Personal Genomes of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Jin , Guo Liping , Chai Li , Ai Zisheng 
Published: March 2019

Aim: To characterize personal driver genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma independent of somatic mutation frequencies. Methods: Personal cancer driver genes were predicted by Integrated CAncer GEnome Score in 417 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma using 26 786 somatic mutations from The Cancer Genome Atlas, followed by an integrated investigation on personal driver genes. Results: A total of 233 personal driver genes were determined by Integrated CAncer GEnome Score. The coexpression network analysis found 5 coexpressed modules. The blue module was significantly negatively correlated with all 5 clinical features, including cancer stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, age, and survival status (death). CTNNB1, TGFBR2, KDR, FLT1, and INSR were the hub genes in the blue module. The expression of 79 personal driver genes was significantly associated with clinical outcomes of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Conclusions: The set of personal driver genes sheds insights into the tumorigenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and paves the way for developing personalized medicine for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Clinicopathological and molecular differences in colorectal cancer according to location
Authors: Hsu Yu-Lun , Lin Chun-Chi , Jiang Jeng-Kai , Lin Hung-Hsin , Lan Yuan-Tzu , Wang Huann-Sheng , Yang Shung-Haur , Chen Wei-Shone , Lin Tzu-Chen , Lin Jen-Kou , Lin Pei-Ching , Chang Shih-Ching 
Published: March 2019

Purpose: The incidence, pathogenesis, molecular pathways, and outcomes of colorectal cancer vary depending on the location of the tumor. This study aimed to compare the difference in tumor characteristics and the outcome between right-sided colon cancer and left-sided colorectal cancer (LCRC). Materials and methods: A total of 1503 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital between 2000 and 2010 were enrolled in this study. Right-sided colon cancer was defined as cancers in the cecum, ascending colon, and transverse colon, while LCRC was defined as cancers in the splenic flexure colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. The endpoint was overall survival. The mutations were detected via polymerase chain reaction and MASS array. The prognostic value was determined using the log-rank test and the Cox regression analysis. Results: A total of 407 and 1096 cases were classified as right-sided colon cancer and LCRC, respectively. Compared to patients with LCRC, those with right-sided colon cancer had more mucinous type cancer (7.4% vs. 3.5%), poorly differentiated tumor (11.5% vs. 3.6%), and advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage. The risk for peritoneal tumor seeding was higher in the right-sided colon cancer group (12.8% vs. 5.7%). Overall survival was better in LCRC than in right-sided colon cancer ( P=0.036). Conclusions: In our study, right-sided colon cancer had a more advanced tumor stage, a higher risk of peritoneal metastasis, and a poorer outcome than LCRC. Moreover, right-sided colon cancer had more gene mutations in BRAF, KRAS, SMAD4, TGF-β, PIK3CA, PTEN, AKT1, and high microsatellite instability.
Prognostic roles of microRNA 143 and microRNA 145 in colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Li Chenyao , Yan Guoqiang , Yin Libin , Liu Tao , Li Chao , Wang Lei 
Published: March 2019

Background: A systematic analysis was conducted to clarify the relationship between miR-143/145 and the prognosis of colorectal cancer. Materials and methods: We searched four databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. We extracted and estimated the hazard ratios for survival outcomes, which compared low and high expression levels of miR-143/145 in colorectal cancer patients in the available studies. Each individual hazard ratio was used to calculate the pooled hazard ratio. Results: A total of 17 articles including 5128 patients were ultimately included. The results showed that there was no significant difference between low expression and high expression of miR-143 in the overall survival of colon cancer patients. However, low expression of miR-143 was significantly associated with high event-free survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40, 0.88). Low expression of miR-145 was associated with poor prognosis of patients (HR 1.92; 95% CI 1.45, 2.54); those with low expression of miR-145 were at 1.92-fold higher risk for short-term overall survival than those with high expression of miR-145. MiR-145 was an unfavorable factor for the prognosis of colorectal cancer. There were no significant differences between low expression of miR-145 and high expression of miR-143 in event-free survival. Conclusion: miR-143 and miR-145 have promising prognostic value for colorectal cancer. Low expression of miR-143 can predict high event-free survival, and low expression of miR-145 can predict poor overall survival.