bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CD44 overexpression related to lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Liu Yijuan , Wu Ting , Lu Dong , Zhen Jiantao , Zhang Lin 
Published: April 2018

Background: CD44 has recently been reported as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer. However, the predictive value of CD44 in pancreatic cancer remains controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the expression of CD44 and clinicopathological features, and the outcome of pancreatic cancer patients. Materials and method: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. The statistical analysis was conducted using Stata software. Results: A total of nine studies including 583 cases were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated that CD44 overexpression was associated with poor five-year overall survival rate (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.30, 0.91; P = 0.02), more lymph node invasion (OR 3.14 (positive vs. negative); 95% CI 1.47, 6.73; P = 0.003), more advanced T stage (OR 2.4 (T3,4 vs. T1,2); 95% CI 1.28, 4.52; P = 0.007), and more advanced TNM stage (OR 4.53 (III~IV vs. I~II); 95% CI 1.46, 14.08; P = 0.01). However, CD44 overexpression was not associated with other clinicopathological features, such as tumor size, differentiation, and distance metastasis. Conclusions: The current evidence suggests that CD44 is an efficient prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer.
Identification of circulating microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer: A pooled analysis of individual studies
Authors: Zhou Quan , Zuo Man-Zhen , He Ze , Li Hai-Rong , Li Wei 
Published: April 2018

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are proposed as promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for many cancers. However, the diagnostic value of circulating miRNAs in ovarian cancer is inconsistent in different studies. Thus we performed this meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating miRNAs in ovarian cancer. Methods: Eligible studies that were published prior to 30 June 2017 were searched from the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. All analyses were performed using STATA 12.0 software. A bivariate regression was used to calculate pooled diagnostic accuracy estimates. Results: A total of 36 studies from 16 publications were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio of circulating miRNAs for ovarian cancer diagnosis were 0.76 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.69, 0.81), 0.81 (95% CI 0.74, 0.87), 4.00 (95% CI 2.70, 5.30), 0.30(95% CI 0.24, 0.37) and 13.00 (95% CI 9.00, 19.00), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.85 (95% CI 0.82, 0.88). Subgroup analyses showed that multiple miRNA assays yielded better diagnostic characteristics than a single miRNA assay, and plasma miRNAs were better than serum miRNAs for ovarian cancer detection. Conclusion: Circulating miRNAs, especially the combination of multiple circulating miRNAs, are promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. However, further large-scale prospective studies are necessary to validate the applicability of the miRNAs in the early detection of ovarian cancer.
Frequency distribution of BLMH, XPO5 and HFE gene polymorphisms in the South Indian population and their association with Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Thakkar Dimpal N. , Palugulla Sreenivasulu , Selvarajan Sandhiya , Dubashi Biswajit 
Published: April 2018

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma, a highly curable malignancy is currently treated with an adriamycin, bleomycin (BLM), vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) regimen. BLM-induced pulmonary toxicity (BPT) is one of the dose-limiting toxicities. Previous reports have revealed that genetic variants rs1050565, rs11077, and rs1800562 are involved in the development of BPT. These results cannot be extrapolated to the South Indian population because of their ethnic difference. This study aimed to determine the frequency of rs1050565, rs11077, and rs1800562 variants in South Indian healthy individuals and Hodgkin lymphoma cases. These frequencies were compared with 1000 genome populations’ data. We also assessed if these variants modified the risk to Hodgkin lymphoma. Material and methods: A total of 200 healthy individuals and 101 cases with Hodgkin lymphoma were recruited for this case-control study after ethical approval. Blood samples were collected from the study participants and DNA was extracted. Genotyping of rs1050565, rs11077, and rs1800562 variants was done using real-time polymerase chain reaction. A chi-square test was used to assess the differences in genotype frequency data between cases and controls. Results: The minor allele frequencies of rs1050565 and rs11077 were 4.3% and 39%, respectively, whereas all the individuals were wild-type for rs1800562 mutation. The frequencies significantly differed from 1000 genome data. The variants did not alter the risk for Hodgkin lymphoma. Conclusions: We determined the frequencies of rs1050565, rs11077, and rs1800562 variants in South Indian healthy individuals, and the frequencies differed significantly from 1000 genome populations. We also found that the studied polymorphisms are not associated with Hodgkin lymphoma risk in the South Indian population.
“How am I gonna cope?”: Caregivers of adolescents with diabetes in Jamaica
Authors: Anderson M , Tulloch-Reid MK 
Published: April 2018

Objective To determine the challenges, coping strategies and needs of urban and rural Jamaican caregivers of adolescents with diabetes, and suggest ways to assist coping. Methods This qualitative study comprised four focus groups (two urban and two rural) with a total of nineteen caregivers of adolescents with diabetes. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Results The main challenges caregivers faced were keeping their children healthy, managing conflict with their children, and financial concerns. They met these challenges with problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. Caregivers used the problem-focused strategies of vigilance, advocacy, minimising their children’s negative emotions, coercion, education, and seeking support, and the emotion-focused strategies of relying on their identity as parents and turning to their faith. Caregivers wanted assistance acquiring medication and equipment, increased diabetes education, and support groups. Discussion More resources should be channelled toward provision of diabetes supplies. Diabetes education is necessary in schools and for the general public. Healthcare practitioners should explore issues beyond diabetes management, such as caregivers’ coping and the caregiver-child relationship. Support groups are needed to facilitate learning. Special attention must be paid to rural areas: rural residents appeared to be in greater need than their urban counterparts.
Minor digestive symptoms and their impact in the general population: a cluster analysis approach
Authors: L’Heureux-Bouron Diane , Legrain-Raspaud Sophie , Carruthers Helen R. , Whorwell P. J. 
Published: April 2018

Background: The classification and treatment of patients who do not meet the criteria for a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder has not been well established. This study aimed to record the prevalence of minor digestive symptoms (MDSs) in the general population attempting to divide them into symptom clusters as well as trying to assess their impact and the way sufferers cope with them. Methods: Following face-to-face interviews, a web-based, self-administered questionnaire was designed to capture a range of GI sensations using 34 questions and 12 images depicting abdominal symptoms. A randomly selected sample of 1515 women and 409 men representing the general population in France was studied. Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of respondents with naturally co-occurring symptoms. Data were also collected on other factors such as exacerbating and relieving strategies. Results: MDSs were reported at least every 2 months in 66.5% of women and 47.7% of men. A total of 11 symptom clusters were identified: constipation-like, flatulence, abdominal pressure, abdominal swelling, acid reflux, diarrhoea-like, intestinal heaviness, intestinal pain, gurgling, burning and gastric pain. Despite being minor, these problems had a major impact on vitality and self-image as well as emotional, social and physical well-being. Respondents considered lifestyle, food and disordered function as the main factors responsible for MDSs. Physical measures and dietary modification were the most frequent strategies adopted to obtain relief. Conclusions: MDSs are common and improved methods of recognition are needed so that better management strategies can be developed for individuals with these symptoms. The definition of symptom clusters may offer one way of achieving this goal.
Risk Factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Competitive Adolescent Alpine Skiers
Authors: Westin Maria , Harringe Marita L. , Engström Björn , Alricsson Marie , Werner Suzanne 
Published: April 2018

Background: There is a high risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in alpine skiers. To reduce or try to prevent these injuries, intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors need to be identified. Purpose: To identify possible intrinsic and extrinsic ACL injury risk factors among competitive adolescent alpine skiers. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between 2006 and 2009, a cohort of 339 alpine ski students (176 male, 163 female) from Swedish ski high schools were prospectively observed in terms of ACL injuries. First-time ACL injuries were recorded. In September, prior to each ski season, the skiers were clinically examined according to a specific knee protocol. Results: Overall, 11 male and 14 female skiers sustained a total of 25 first-episode ACL injuries. The majority of injuries occurred in the left knee ( P < .05). Skiers who had participated in alpine skiing for >13 years (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.68-1.00; P < .05) had a reduced risk of sustaining an ACL injury. Eighteen ACL injuries occurred during training, 12 in the technical discipline of giant slalom, and 8 in slalom. Fourteen skiers reported not to be fatigued at all at the time of injury, and 8 skiers reported that they were somewhat fatigued. Conclusion: ACL injuries occurred more often in the left knee than the right. This should be taken into consideration in the design of ACL injury prevention programs. Those who reported a higher number of active years in alpine skiing showed a reduced risk of sustaining an ACL injury. No other factor among those studied could be identified as an independent risk factor for ACL injury.
Cost-effectiveness of cognitive–behavioural therapy for sleep disorder added to usual care in patients with schizophrenia: the BEST study
Authors: Tsiachristas Apostolos , Waite Felicity , Freeman Daniel , Luengo-Fernandez Ramon 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundSleep problems are pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but there are no clinical guidelines for their treatment. The Better Sleep Trial (BEST) concluded that suitably adapted cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is likely to be highly effective, although its cost-effectiveness is unknown.AimsTo assess the potential cost-effectiveness of CBT for sleep disorders in patients with schizophrenia.MethodAn economic evaluation of the BEST study with a 6-month time horizon was used to establish the cost-effectiveness of CBT plus usual care in terms of costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Uncertainty was displayed on cost-effectiveness planes and acceptability curves. Value of information analysis was performed to estimate the benefits of obtaining further evidence.ResultsOn average, the treatment led to a 0.035 QALY gain (95% CI −0.016 to 0.084), and £1524 (95% CI −10 529 to 4736) and £1227 (95% CI −10 395 to 5361) lower costs from National Health Service and societal perspectives, respectively. The estimated value of collecting more information about the effects of the CBT on costs and QALYs was approximately £87 million.ConclusionsCBT for insomnia in people with schizophrenia is effective and potentially cost-effective. A larger trial is needed to provide clear evidence about its cost-effectiveness.RelevancePatients with schizophrenia have multiple complex health needs, as well as very high rates of depression, suicidal ideation and poor physical health. The results of this study showed that treating pervasive sleep problems in this patient group with cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is very likely to improve patient quality of life in the short term. Clinicians most commonly use hypnotic medication to treat sleeping disorders. This study indicates that CBT may be an effective and cost-effective intervention in this patient group. This alternative would also be aligned with patient preferences for psychological and behavioural-type therapy.Declaration of interestNone.
Animal models for bone tissue engineering and modelling disease
Authors: McGovern Jacqui Anne , Griffin Michelle , Hutmacher Dietmar Werner 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTTissue engineering and its clinical application, regenerative medicine, are instructing multiple approaches to aid in replacing bone loss after defects caused by trauma or cancer. In such cases, bone formation can be guided by engineered biodegradable and nonbiodegradable scaffolds with clearly defined architectural and mechanical properties informed by evidence-based research. With the ever-increasing expansion of bone tissue engineering and the pioneering research conducted to date, preclinical models are becoming a necessity to allow the engineered products to be translated to the clinic. In addition to creating smart bone scaffolds to mitigate bone loss, the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is exploring methods to treat primary and secondary bone malignancies by creating models that mimic the clinical disease manifestation. This Review gives an overview of the preclinical testing in animal models used to evaluate bone regeneration concepts. Immunosuppressed rodent models have shown to be successful in mimicking bone malignancy via the implantation of human-derived cancer cells, whereas large animal models, including pigs, sheep and goats, are being used to provide an insight into bone formation and the effectiveness of scaffolds in induced tibial or femoral defects, providing clinically relevant similarity to human cases. Despite the recent progress, the successful translation of bone regeneration concepts from the bench to the bedside is rooted in the efforts of different research groups to standardise and validate the preclinical models for bone tissue engineering approaches.
BAMBI is a novel HIF1-dependent modulator of TGFβ-mediated disruption of cell polarity during hypoxia
Authors: Raykhel Irina , Moafi Fazeh , Myllymäki Satu M. , Greciano Patricia G. , Matlin Karl S. , Moyano Jose V. , Manninen Aki , Myllyharju Johanna 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT
Hypoxia and loss of cell polarity are common features of malignant carcinomas. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) is the major regulator of cellular hypoxia response and mediates the activation of ∼300 genes. Increased HIF1 signaling is known to be associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transformation. Here, we report that hypoxia disrupts polarized epithelial morphogenesis of MDCK cells in a HIF1α-dependent manner by modulating the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling pathway. Analysis of potential HIF1 targets in the TGFβ pathway identified the bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI), a transmembrane glycoprotein related to the type I receptors of the TGFβ family, whose expression was essentially lost in HIF1-depleted cells. Similar to what was observed in HIF1-deficient cells, BAMBI-depleted cells failed to efficiently activate TGFβ signaling and retained epithelial polarity during hypoxia. Taken together, we show that hypoxic conditions promote TGFβ signaling in a HIF1-dependent manner and BAMBI is identified in this pathway as a novel HIF1-regulated gene that contributes to hypoxia-induced loss of epithelial polarity.
Detection of Persisting Concussion Effects on Neuromechanical Responsiveness
Authors: WILKERSON GARY B. , NABHAN DUSTIN C. , PRUSMACK CHAD J. , MOREAU WILLIAM J. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Assessment of various indices of neuromechanical responsiveness for association with concussion history.

Methods
An observational cohort study included 48 elite athletes (34 males: 23.8 ± 4.4 yr; 14 females: 25.4 ± 4.5 yr) who performed visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) tests involving rapid manual contact with illuminated target buttons that included two dual-task conditions: 1) simultaneous oral recitation of scrolling text (VMRT+ST) and 2) simultaneous verbal responses to identify the right or left direction indicated by the center arrow of the Eriksen flanker test (VMRT+FT). A whole-body reactive agility (WBRA) test requiring side-shuffle movements in response to visual targets was used to assess reaction time, speed, acceleration, and deceleration.

Results
Concussion occurrence at 2.0 ± 2.3 yr before testing was reported by 21 athletes. Strong univariable associations were found for VMRT+FT left minus right difference ≥15 ms (odds ratio [OR], 7.14), VMRT+ST outer two-ring to inner three-ring ratio ≥1.28 (OR, 4.58), and WBRA speed asymmetry ≥7.7% (OR, 4.67). A large VMRT+FT by VMRT+ST interaction effect was identified (OR, 25.00). Recursive partitioning identified a three-way VMRT+FT by VMRT+ST by WBRA interaction that had 100% positive predictive value for identification of athletes with concussion history, whereas negative status on all three factors had 90% negative predictive value.

Conclusions
Performance on dual-task VMRT tests and the WBRA test identified neuromechanical responsiveness deficiencies among elite athletes who reported a history of concussion.
Case Report: Cerebral leukodystrophy and the gonadal endocrinopathy: a rare but real association
Authors: Humayun Mohammad , Khan Abidullah 
Published: April 2018

A 30 year old married Pakistani woman presented in January 2018 with an eight month history of progressive left sided weakness, ataxia, spasticity, underdeveloped secondary sexual characteristics and primary infertility. She was the elder sister of a 19 year old bed bound woman who was diagnosed with vanishing white matter (VWM) disease 12 months previously. The MRI scan of the brain demonstrated diffuse leukodystrophy and her hormonal assays were significant for premature ovarian insufficiency. Results from her genetic tests demonstrated a point mutation in eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (EIF2B). Thus, she was the second confirmed case of VWM from her family of 12 siblings with normal parents.
Complete assembly of a dengue virus type 3 genome from a recent genotype III clade by metagenomic sequencing of serum
Authors: Dias Mary , Pattabiraman Chitra , Siddappa Shilpa , Gowda Malali , Shet Anita , Smith Derek , Muehlemann Barbara , Tamma Krishnapriya , Solomon Tom , Jones Terry , Krishna Sudhir 
Published: April 2018

Background:Mosquito-borne flaviviruses, such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), cause life-threatening diseases, particularly in the tropics.Methods:Here we performed unbiased metagenomic sequencing of RNA extracted from the serum of four patients and the plasma of one patient, all hospitalized at a tertiary care centre in South India with severe or prolonged febrile illness, together with the serum from one healthy control, in 2014.Results:We identified and assembled a complete dengue virus type 3 sequence from a case of severe dengue fever. We also identified a small number of JEV sequences in the serum of two adults with febrile illness, including one with severe dengue. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the dengue sequence belonged to genotype III. It has an estimated divergence time of 13.86 years from the most highly related Indian strains. In total, 11 amino acid substitutions were predicted for this strain in the antigenic envelope protein, when compared to the parent strain used for development of the first commercial dengue vaccine. Conclusions:We demonstrate that both genome assembly and detection of a low number of viral sequences are possible through the unbiased sequencing of clinical material. These methods may help ascertain causal agents for febrile illnesses with no known cause.
Intensive somatosensory stimulation to improve upper limb recovery and reduce unilateral neglect after stroke
Authors: Hunter Susan 
Published: April 2018

Case description: A 64-year-old male with sub-acute right anterior circulation stroke resulting in severe upper limb (UL) dysfunction and left unilateral neglect (UN). Method/design: Single system (n=1) study (A-B-A). Intervention: Daily intensive mobilisation and tactile stimulation (MTS) involving massage, sensory stimulation, and joint and soft tissue mobilisation techniques for 6 weeks. Outcome measures: Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Motricity Index (MI arm), and Semmes–Weinstein Monofilaments (SWM) measured function, muscle weakness and sensation daily. Data analysis: Visual analysis of plotted data. Findings: Immediate improvements in MI and SWM after just one MTS treatment session; ARAT improved after three sessions. UN behaviour also improved immediately after one MTS session. Discussion: In addition to improving UL recovery, MTS appeared to immediately reduce UN behaviour in this participant. Massage and sensory stimulation components of MTS could potentially be delivered by nurses and carers. Conclusion: The optimum way of delivering MTS and its potential to reduce unilateral neglect warrants further study.
Numerical Solutions of Stochastic Volterra–Fredholm Integral Equations by Hybrid Legendre Block-Pulse Functions
Authors: Saha Ray S. , Singh S. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In this article, the numerical solutions of stochastic Volterra–Fredholm integral equations have been obtained by hybrid Legendre block-pulse functions (BPFs) and stochastic operational matrix. The hybrid Legendre BPFs are orthonormal and have compact support on

[
0
,
1
)

$[0, 1)$

. The numerical results obtained by the above functions have been compared with those obtained by second kind Chebyshev wavelets. Furthermore, the results of the proposed computational method establish its accuracy and efficiency.
Unpacking Legal Pluralism in Commonwealth Africa – Towards Strengthening Methods for Rule of Law Programming for Development
Authors: Bakibinga-Gaswaga Elizabeth 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development has brought the rule of law to the forefront in the quest for sustainable development, with emphasis on Africa and the rest of the developing world. To ensure that law contributes to sustainable development, it is critical to address the mismanagement of legal pluralism in Commonwealth member countries in Africa, demonstrated by the conflict of legal systems and the stagnant evolution of institutions of governance in the aftermath of independence after colonial rule, and the current neoliberal economics-oriented/institutional approach based on the Washington Consensus. The current approaches to rule of law reform and development have resulted in the status quo in Africa, where the role of law and legal systems for sustainable development is not explicitly evident. The law is not applied consciously for development and the role of legal practitioners in development is undermined. An understanding of the impact of colonialism and post-colonial legal systems and the impact of the Washington Consensus; the influence of intergovernmental organizations and international non-governmental actors in providing rule of law reform assistance; and the methodology through which the technical assistance for law and development has been implemented to date is critical to developing new methods/approaches to the rule of law and development.