bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Home‐based pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD using minimal resources: An economic analysis
Authors: Burge Angela T. , Holland Anne E. , McDonald Christine F. , Abramson Michael J. , Hill Catherine J. , Lee Annemarie L. , Cox Narelle S. , Moore Rosemary , Nicolson Caroline , O'Halloran Paul , Lahham Aroub , Gillies Rebecca , Mahal Ajay 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveThis study aimed to compare the cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility of home and centre‐based pulmonary rehabilitation for adults with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsProspective economic analyses were undertaken from a health system perspective alongside a randomized controlled equivalence trial in which participants referred to pulmonary rehabilitation undertook a standard 8‐week outpatient centre‐based or a new home‐based programme. Participants underwent clinical assessment prior to programme commencement, immediately following completion and 12 months following programme completion. They provided data for utility (quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) determined using SF6D (utility scores for health states) calculated from 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey version 2) and effectiveness (change in distance walked on 6‐min walk test (Δ6MWD) following pulmonary rehabilitation ). Individual‐level cost data for the 12 months following programme completion was sourced from healthcare administration and government databases.ResultsBetween‐group mean difference point estimates for cost (−$4497 (95% CI: −$12 250 to $3257), utility (0.025 (−0.038 to 0.086) QALY) and effectiveness (14 m (−11 to 39) Δ6MWD) favoured the home‐based group. Cost‐utility analyses demonstrated 63% of estimates falling in the dominant southeast quadrant and the probability that the new home‐based model was cost‐effective at a $0 threshold for willingness to pay was 78%. Results were robust to a range of sensitivity analyses. Programme completion was associated with significantly lower healthcare costs in the following 12 months.ConclusionHome‐based pulmonary rehabilitation provides a cost‐effective alternative model for people with COPD who cannot access traditional centre‐based programmes.
The prognostic value of tumour‐associated macrophages in Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Xuanxuan , Li Zhixia , Liu Jun , Zhu Fengfeng , Wang Zhitao , Wang Jiyu , Zhang Jiakui , Wang Huiping , Zhai Zhimin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in the tumour environment and were reported to be associated with poor prognosis in several tumours. However, the prognostic significance of TAMs in Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) remains controversial. Consequently, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between subpopulations of TAMs and clinical outcomes in NHL patients. We did a comprehensive search of the PubMed, elsevier ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases and extracted hazard ratio (HR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) from eligible studies. Pooling total effect value by the stata statistical software and analysing correlation of TAMs with overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). Furthermore, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. We deemed eleven studies, including 1211 NHL patients. Our study demonstrated that high‐density CD68+ TAMs are associated with poor OS (HR: 1.17; 95% CI, 0.81‐1.54; P = .000) and poor PFS (HR: 1.15; 95% CI, 0.63‐1.67; P = .000) compared with low‐density CD68+ TAMs in the tumour microenvironment. Similarly, high‐density CD163+ TAMs can also predict poor OS (HR: 1.52; 95% CI, 1.11‐1.92; P = .000) and shorter PFS (HR: 1.52; 95% CI, 0.73‐2.30; P = .000). In addition, the high CD163+/CD68+ TAMs ratio is significantly correlated with poor OS (HR: 3.59; 95% CI, 0.77‐6.40; P = .013). However, in our subgroup analysis, high‐density CD68+ TAMs in the tumour microenvironment is associated with better OS (HR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.41‐1.09; P = .000) in NHL patients treated with rituximab chemotherapy. Our results suggest that TAMs are a robust predictor of outcomes in NHL.
Demographic Transition and Fertility Rebound in Economic Development*
Authors: Ohinata Asako , Varvarigos Dimitrios 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRecent evidence on the “fertility rebound” offers credence to the idea that, from the onset of early industrialization to the present day, the dynamics of fertility can be represented by an N‐shaped curve. An overlapping generations model with parental investment in human capital can account for these observed movements in fertility rates during the different stages of demographic change. A demographic transition with declining fertility emerges at the intermediate stage, when parents engage on a child quantity–quality trade‐off. At later stages, however, the process of economic growth generates sufficient resources so that households can rear more children while still providing the desirable amount of education investment per child.
Cox regression of clustered event times with covariates missing not at random
Authors: Liu Li , Liu Yanyan , Xiong Yi , Hu X. Joan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMotivated by a recent tuberculosis (TB) study, this paper is concerned with covariates missing not at random (MNAR) and models the potential intracluster correlation by a frailty. We consider the regression analysis of right‐censored event times from clustered subjects under a Cox proportional hazards frailty model and present the semiparametric maximum likelihood estimator (SPMLE) of the model parameters. An easy‐to‐implement pseudo‐SPMLE is then proposed to accommodate more realistic situations using readily available supplementary information on the missing covariates. Algorithms are provided to compute the estimators and their consistent variance estimators. We demonstrate that both the SPMLE and the pseudo‐SPMLE are consistent and asymptotically normal by the arguments based on the theory of modern empirical processes. The proposed approach is examined numerically via simulation and illustrated with an analysis of the motivating TB study data.
Evaluation of weight loss in canine cancer bearing patients undergoing radiation therapy
Authors: Callanan Gabrielle F. , Pfeiffer Isabella , Smith Kaitlin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCritical weight loss, as defined by ≥5% decrease in body weight, has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in human patients with cancers of the head and neck. Weight loss has anecdotally been reported to occur frequently in veterinary patients undergoing radiation therapy and is hypothesized to be more severe in patients with cancers of the head and neck, along with those hospitalized during radiation therapy. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the occurrence of critical weight loss in canine cancer bearing patients undergoing either definitive or palliative radiation protocols and to determine if weight changes were associated with radiation toxicity, tumour location or patient hospitalization status. Data from 47 dogs who underwent definitive and 43 dogs who underwent palliative radiation protocols at the University of Tennessee were included for analysis. Dogs were categorized based on tumour location (head/neck or other), hospitalization status (boarded or non‐boarded) and radiation toxicity score. Weight recorded at the start of treatment, midway through treatment and at the final treatment was used for analysis. No significant differences were found in regard to weight change over time, location or hospitalization status when evaluated for both protocols. Overall, 5/90 dogs (5.5%) lost 5% or more of their body weight during therapy, and 7/90 dogs (7.7%) gained 5% or more of their body weight. The results of the current study suggest that critical weight loss occurs in a small percentage of canine patients undergoing radiation therapy, contrary to what is often anecdotally reported.
Electrochemotherapy in treatment of canine oral non‐tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma. A case series report
Authors: Simčič Petra , Lowe Ron , Granziera Valentina , Pierini Alessio , Torrigiani Filippo , Lubas George 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNon‐tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (ntSCC) is a common and locally aggressive oral tumour in dogs. The treatments of choice are currently surgery and radiotherapy. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a local ablative anti‐tumour technique using electric pulses to enhance the intracellular diffusion of cytotoxic drugs. The aim was to retrospectively evaluate the outcome of patients with oral ntSCC treated with ECT. Twelve dogs with ntSCC were retrospectively enrolled. ECT was combined with IV bleomycin (15 000 UI/m2) alone in 11 cases and post‐surgery in 1. Parameters considered were: tumour site and size, electroporation parameters, response rate (complete remission [CR], partial remission [PR]), median survival time (MST), recurrence rate (RR), median disease‐free interval (DFI) and treatment toxicity (6‐point scale). Median tumour size was 1.65 cm (range 0.3‐8.0 cm) and the response rate was 90.9% (10/11; 8 CR and 2 PR). Two dogs underwent a second ECT. MST for dogs dead with tumour (n = 2) was 110 days and for dogs dead without tumour (n = 3) was 831 days. Among five surviving dogs, one experienced tumour recurrence and four were in CR. Results from two dogs were analysed separately. Overall RR was 27.3%. DFI and MST for dogs with recurrence were 50 and 115 days, respectively. Treatment toxicity was very low. We noticed that all dogs with tumours smaller than 1‐2 cm achieved CR without recurrence suggesting a favourable prognosis when using ECT. ECT for canine ntSCC could be considered a valid treatment option especially for smaller tumours, but a larger caseload would be needed to confirm this statement.
Characterizing differences in the collagen fiber organization of skin wounds using quantitative polarized light imaging
Authors: Woessner Alan E. , McGee James D. , Jones Jake D. , Quinn Kyle P. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCollagen fiber organization requires characterization in many biomedical applications, but it is difficult to objectively quantify in standard histology tissue sections. Quantitative polarized light imaging is a low‐cost technique that allows for rapid measurement of collagen fiber orientation and thickness. In this study, we utilize a quantitative polarized light imaging system to characterize fiber orientation and thickness from wound sections. Full thickness skin wound sections that were previously stained with hematoxylin and eosin were used to assess collagen fiber content and organization at different points during the wound healing process. Overall, wounds exhibited a measurable increase in collagen fiber thickness and a nonlinear change in fiber reorganization within the wound. Our study demonstrates that quantitative polarized light imaging is an inexpensive alternative or supplement to standard histology protocols, requiring no additional stains or dyes, and yields repeatable quantitative assessments of collagen organization.
Occupational swine exposure and Hepatitis E virus, Leptospira, Ascaris suum seropositivity and MRSA colonization in Austrian veterinarians, 2017–2018—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Taus Karin , Schmoll Friedrich , El‐Khatib Ziad , Auer Herbert , Holzmann Heidemarie , Aberle Stephan , Pekard‐Amenitsch Shiva , Monschein Stefanie , Sattler Tatjana , Steinparzer Romana , Allerberger Franz , Schmid Daniela 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe investigated the prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), Leptospira and Ascaris suum (A. suum) seropositivity, and of nasal methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among Austrian practising veterinarians, and assessed the association with occupational swine livestock exposure. The 261 participants completed a questionnaire on demographics, intensity of occupational swine livestock contact and glove use during handling animals and their secretions. Participants' blood samples were tested for HEV, Leptospira and A. suum seropositivity and nasal swabs cultured for MRSA. We compared swine veterinarians (defined as >3 swine livestock visits/week) to non‐swine veterinarians (≤3 swine livestock visits/week) with regard to the outcomes through calculating prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Furthermore, the relationship between occupational swine livestock contact and the study outcomes was examined by age (</≥55 years) and glove usage. The prevalence of nasal MRSA colonization was 13.4% (95% CI: 9.3–17.6), of HEV seropositivity 20.8% (95% CI: 15.8–25.7) and A. suum seropositivity 44% (95% CI: 37.7–50.2). The highest anti‐leptospiral antibodies titres were 1:200 (L. hebdomadis) and 1:100 (L. autumnalis, L. caicola) found in three non‐swine veterinarians. Compared to non‐swine veterinarians, swine veterinarians were 1.9 (95% CI: 1.0–3.4) and 1.5 (95%CI: 1.0–2.3) times more likely HEV seropositive and A. suum seropositive, respectively, and 4.8 (95%CI: 2.5; 9.3) times more likely nasally colonized with MRSA. Among glove‐using veterinarians, occupational swine contact was no longer a determinant for HEV seropositivity (PR 1.6; 95% CI: 0.8–2.9). Similar was found for A. suum seropositivity, which was no longer associated with occupational swine livestock contact in the subgroup of glove using, ≥55‐year‐old veterinarians (PR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.4–3.3). Our findings indicate that >3 occupational swine livestock visits per week is associated with HEV and A. suum seropositivity and nasal MRSA colonization and that glove use may play a putative preventive role in acquiring HEV and A. suum. Further analytical epidemiological studies have to prove the causality of these associations.
In Vitro
Activity of Minocycline against U.S. Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii-Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Species Complex, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia Complex: Results from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program, 2014 to 2018
Authors: Flamm Robert K. , Shortridge Dee , Castanheira Mariana , Sader Helio S. , Pfaller Michael A. 
Published: August 2019

We evaluated the activity of minocycline and comparator agents against a large number of
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
(
n
= 1,289),
Acinetobacter baumannii
-
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
species complex (
n
= 1,081), and
Burkholderia cepacia
complex (
n
= 101) isolates collected from 2014 to 2018 from 87 U.S. medical centers spanning all 9 census divisions.
Metabolism of the Gram-Positive Bacterial Pathogen
Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Sauer John-Demian , Herskovits Anat A. , O’Riordan Mary X.D. 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT

Bacterial metabolism represents the biochemical space that bacteria can manipulate to produce energy, reducing equivalents and building blocks for replication. Gram-positive pathogens, such as
Listeria monocytogenes
, show remarkable flexibility, which allows for exploitation of diverse biological niches from the soil to the intracytosolic space. Although the human host represents a potentially rich source for nutrient acquisition, competition for nutrients with the host and hostile host defenses can constrain bacterial metabolism by various mechanisms, including nutrient sequestration. Here, we review metabolism in the model Gram-positive bacterium,
L. monocytogenes
, and highlight pathways that enable the replication, survival, and virulence of this bacterial pathogen.
Late Cretaceous topographic doming caused by initial upwelling of Deccan magmas: Stratigraphic and sedimentological evidence
Authors: Li Juan , Hu Xiumian , Garzanti Eduardo , Banerjee Santanu , BouDagher-Fadel Marcelle 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis study focused on uppermost Cretaceous sedimentary rocks deposited in the Himalayan region and around the core of peninsular India just before the eruption of the Deccan Traps. Detailed stratigraphic and sedimentological analysis of Late Cretaceous successions in the Himalayan Range together with literature data from the Kirthar fold-and-thrust belt and central to southeastern India document a marked shallowing-upward depositional trend that took place in the Campanian–Maastrichtian before the Deccan magmatic outburst around the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Topographic uplift of the Indian peninsula began in Campanian time and is held responsible for thick sediment accumulation associated with shorter periods of nondeposition in peripheral areas (Himalayan Range, Kirthar fold belt, and Krishna-Godavari Basin) than in the central part of the Deccan Province. Surface uplift preceding Deccan volcanism took place at warm-humid equatorial latitudes, which may have led to an acceleration of silicate weathering, lowered atmospheric pCO2, and climate cooling starting in the Campanian–Maastrichtian. The radial centrifugal fluvial drainage in India that is still observed today was established at that time.
Magmatically folded and faulted schlieren zones formed by magma avalanching in the Sonora Pass Intrusive Suite, Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Alasino P.H. , Ardill K. , Stanback J. , Paterson S.R. , Galindo C. , Leopold M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe southwestern margin of the Late Cretaceous Sonora Pass Intrusive Suite, northern Sierra Nevada, California (USA), preserves a densely populated zone of magmatic structures that record dynamic magmatic layer formation and deformation (faulting and folding) within a solidifying upper-crustal magma mush. This zone consists largely of coupled melanocratic (or schlieren) and leucocratic bands hosted within the 95.6 ± 1.5 Ma Kinney Lakes granodiorite (Leopold, 2016), with orientations approximately parallel to the intrusive margin and with inward younging directions. Schlieren consist of a high modal abundance of medium-grained ferromagnesian minerals (hornblende + biotite), zircon, sphene, apatite, opaque minerals, and minor plagioclase and interstitial quartz. Leucocratic bands are dominated by coarse-grained feldspar + quartz with minor ferromagnesian and accessory minerals. Whole-rock geochemical and Sr and Nd isotopic data indicate that the schlieren are derived from the Kinney Lakes granodiorite by effective mechanical separation of mafic minerals and accessory phases.We interpret that the schlieren zone at the margin of the Kinney Lakes granodiorite formed by large-scale collapse of crystal mush by “magma avalanching,” facilitated by gravity, local convection, and possibly by host-rock stoping at the margin. This process eroded a significant portion of the solidifying margin of the chamber and resulted in the formation of magmatically deformed layered structures, which experienced further mingling, re-intrusion, magmatic erosion, and recycling processes. We envisage that magma avalanching of magma mushes in plutons can be achieved by any unstable process (e.g., tectonic, fluid-assisted, stoping, or gravity-driven) in large, long-lived magma-mush chambers.
Nature of the crust in the northern Gulf of California and Salton Trough
Authors: van Wijk Jolante W. , Heyman Samuel P. , Axen Gary J. , Persaud Patricia 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn the southern Gulf of California, the generation of new oceanic crust has resulted in linear magnetic anomalies and seafloor bathymetry that are characteristic of active seafloor-spreading systems. In the northern Gulf of California and the onshore (southeastern California, USA) Salton Trough region, a thick sedimentary package overlies the crystalline crust, masking its nature, and linear magnetic anomalies are absent. We use potential-field data and a geotherm analysis to constrain the composition of the crust (oceanic or continental) and develop a conceptual model for rifting. Gravity anomalies in the northern Gulf of California and Salton Trough are best fit with crustal densities that correspond to continental crust, and the fit is not as good if densities representative of mafic rocks, i.e., oceanic crust or mafic underplating, are assumed. Because extensive mafic underplated bodies would produce gravity anomalies that are not in agreement with observed gravity data, we propose, following earlier work, that the anomalies might be due to serpentinized peridotite bodies such as found at magma-poor rifted margins. The density and seismic velocities of such serpentinized peridotite bodies are in agreement with observed gravity and seismic velocities. Our conceptual model for the Salton Trough and northern Gulf of California shows that net crustal thinning here is limited because new crust is formed rapidly from sediment deposition. As a result, continental breakup may be delayed.
Delphi method to identify expert opinion to support children’s cancer referral guidelines
Authors: Murray Matthew J , Ruffle Amy , Lowis Stephen , Howell Lisa , Shanmugavadivel Dhurgshaarna , Dommett Rachel , Gamble Ashley , Shenton Geoff , Nicholson James 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance for referral of children with suspected cancer was first published in 2005 and updated in 2015. The updated version relied on sparse primary care evidence and published without input from key stakeholders, for example, acute general paediatricians and paediatric haematologists/oncologists. This led to a document that fell short as a practical guide for referring physicians managing children with potentially life-threatening conditions. Following discussions between the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG, the UK multidisciplinary professional body for healthcare professionals caring for children with cancer) and NICE, it was agreed that a practical supplement should be produced for the 2015 guidance. A prerequisite was evidence gathering from tertiary care to balance the existing primary care evidence, and a Delphi consensus method was therefore convened.MethodsA CCLG NICE Guidance Committee formulated 25 draft statements for review. The CCLG emailed its paediatric haematologist/oncologist membership (n=179) and 88 responded (49%). To achieve consensus, statements required ≥70% agreement from ≥60% of actual respondents, from the denominator (n=88).ResultsFifteen of 25 original statements were accepted at the first round of voting. Three of 25 statements where >50% did not support were rejected outright. One statement could not be revised without replicating a previously accepted statement. The six remaining statements were revised and a second round of voting undertaken; all six revised statements were accepted. Overall, 21 of 25 statements (84%) met consensus criteria.ConclusionsThis expert opinion should help streamline suspected cancer referral in children and help optimise subsequent outcomes.