bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of characteristics of organ failure and infected necrosis on mortality in necrotising pancreatitis
Authors: Schepers Nicolien J , Bakker Olaf J , Besselink Marc G , Ahmed Ali Usama , Bollen Thomas L , Gooszen Hein G , van Santvoort Hjalmar C , Bruno Marco J 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveIn patients with pancreatitis, early persisting organ failure is believed to be the most important cause of mortality. This study investigates the relation between the timing (onset and duration) of organ failure and mortality and its association with infected pancreatic necrosis in patients with necrotising pancreatitis.DesignWe performed a post hoc analysis of a prospective database of 639 patients with necrotising pancreatitis from 21 hospitals. We evaluated the onset, duration and type of organ failure (ie, respiratory, cardiovascular and renal failure) and its association with mortality and infected pancreatic necrosis.ResultsIn total, 240 of 639 (38%) patients with necrotising pancreatitis developed organ failure. Persistent organ failure (ie, any type or combination) started in the first week in 51% of patients with 42% mortality, in 13% during the second week with 46% mortality and in 36% after the second week with 29% mortality. Mortality in patients with persistent multiple organ failure lasting <1 week, 1–2 weeks, 2–3 weeks or longer than 3 weeks was 43%, 38%, 46% and 52%, respectively (p=0.68). Mortality was higher in patients with organ failure alone than in patients with organ failure and infected pancreatic necrosis (44% vs 29%, p=0.04). However, when excluding patients with very early mortality (within 10 days of admission), patients with organ failure with or without infected pancreatic necrosis had similar mortality rates (28% vs 34%, p=0.33).ConclusionIn patients with necrotising pancreatitis, early persistent organ failure is not associated with increased mortality when compared with persistent organ failure which develops further on during the disease course. Furthermore, no association was found between the duration of organ failure and mortality.
Risk factors of suicidal ideation in a population of UK military veterans seeking support for mental health difficulties
Authors: Harden Larissa , Murphy D 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundLittle has been reported regarding the risk factors of suicidal ideation in individuals once they have left the military in the UK. The aim of this paper was to explore the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation in a sample of treatment-seeking veterans.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, participants included veterans (n=144) seeking treatment from a national mental health charity in the UK. Individuals completed questionnaires regarding their military experiences, pre-enlistment factors and health. Data were then linked to risk assessments extracted from clinical records.ResultsAfter controlling for relevant variables, suicidal ideation was significantly higher in veterans who were unemployed (OR 8.01; 95% CI 1.79 to 35.80), were early service leavers (OR 8.46; 95% CI 2.21 to 32.35) and those with a history of childhood adversity (OR 6.92; 95% CI 2.10 to 22.82). In addition, taking longer than 5 years to seek help was associated with a reduced risk of suicidal ideation (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.87). There was no association between health outcomes and suicidal ideation.ConclusionsRisk factors associated with suicidal ideation in this sample of veterans included: being unemployed, an early service leaver, taking less than 5 years to seek help and experiencing preservice adversity.
Lung cancer stage-shift following a symptom awareness campaign
Authors: Kennedy Martyn P T , Cheyne Leanne , Darby Michael , Plant Paul , Milton Richard , Robson Jonathan M , Gill Alison , Malhotra Puneet , Ashford-Turner Victoria , Rodger Kirsty , Paramasivam Elankumaran , Johnstone Annette , Bhartia Bobby , Karthik Shishir , Foster Catherine , Lovatt Veronica , Hewitt Francesca , Cresswell Louise , Coupland Victoria H , Lüchtenborg Margreet , Jack Ruth H , Moller Henrik , Callister Matthew E J 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundLung cancer outcomes in the UK are worse than in many other developed nations. Symptom awareness campaigns aim to diagnose patients at an earlier stage to improve cancer outcomes.MethodsAn early diagnosis campaign for lung cancer commenced in Leeds, UK in 2011 comprising public and primary-care facing components. Rates of community referral for chest X-ray and lung cancer stage (TNM seventh edition) at presentation were collected from 2008 to 2015. Linear trends were assessed by χ2 test for trend in proportions. Headline figures are presented for the 3 years pre-campaign (2008–2010) and the three most recent years for which data are available during the campaign (2013–2015).FindingsCommunity-ordered chest X-ray rates per year increased from 18 909 in 2008–2010 to 34 194 in 2013–2015 (80.8% increase). A significant stage shift towards earlier stage lung cancer was seen (χ2(1)=32.2, p<0.0001). There was an 8.8 percentage point increase in the proportion of patients diagnosed with stage I/II lung cancer (26.5% pre-campaign vs 35.3% during campaign) and a 9.3% reduction in the absolute number of patients diagnosed with stage III/IV disease (1254 pre-campaign vs 1137 during campaign).InterpretationThis is the largest described lung cancer stage-shift in association with a symptom awareness campaign. A causal link between the campaign and stage-shift cannot be proven but appears plausible. Limitations of the analysis include a lack of contemporary control population.
Comparative study of 9R and 12R hexagonal diamond by first-principles calculations
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhang Quan 
Published: June 2018

The structural and mechanical properties of 9R diamond and 12R diamond have been investigated by using the first-principles calculations. The elastic constants, bulk modulus and Young’s modulus at various pressures have been investigated. The elastic anisotropy under pressure from 0 to 100 GPa has been studied. From our calculations, we found that 9R diamond and 12R diamond have similar high elastic constants and elastic modulus as lonsdaleite and diamond. The detailed ideal strength calculations show that 9R diamond and 12R diamond are intrinsic superhard materials.
STADS
Authors: Böhme Marcel 
Published: June 2018

A fundamental challenge of software testing is the statistically well-grounded
extrapolation
from program behaviors observed during testing. For instance, a security researcher who has run the fuzzer for a week has currently
no
means (1) to estimate the total number of
feasible
program branches, given that only a fraction has been covered so far; (2) to estimate the additional time required to cover 10% more branches (or to estimate the coverage achieved in one more day, respectively); or (3) to assess the residual risk that a vulnerability exists when no vulnerability has been discovered. Failing to discover a vulnerability does not mean that none exists—even if the fuzzer was run for a week (or a year). Hence, testing provides
no formal correctness guarantees
.

In this article, I establish an unexpected connection with the otherwise unrelated scientific field of
ecology
and introduce a statistical framework that models Software Testing and Analysis as Discovery of Species (STADS). For instance, in order to study the species diversity of arthropods in a tropical rain forest, ecologists would first sample a large number of individuals from that forest, determine their species, and extrapolate from the properties observed in the sample to properties of the whole forest. The estimations (1) of the total number of species, (2) of the additional sampling effort required to discover 10% more species, or (3) of the probability to discover a new species are classical problems in ecology. The STADS framework draws from over three decades of research in ecological biostatistics to address the fundamental extrapolation challenge for automated test generation. Our preliminary empirical study demonstrates a good estimator performance even for a fuzzer with adaptive sampling bias—AFL, a state-of-the-art vulnerability detection tool. The STADS framework provides
statistical correctness guarantees
with quantifiable accuracy.
Phase II Studies with Refametinib or Refametinib plus Sorafenib in Patients with RAS-Mutated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lim Ho Yeong , Merle Philippe , Weiss Karl Heinz , Yau Thomas , Ross Paul , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Blanc Jean-Frédéric , Ma Yuk Ting , Yen Chia Jui , Kocsis Judit , Choo Su Pin , Sukeepaisarnjaroen Wattana , Gérolami René , Dufour Jean-François , Gane Edward J. , Ryoo Baek-Yeol , Peck-Radosavljevic Markus , Dao Thong , Yeo Winnie , Lamlertthon Wisut , Thongsawat Satawat , Teufel Michael , Roth Katrin , Reis Diego , Childs Barrett H. , Krissel Heiko , Llovet Josep M. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Purpose: Refametinib, an oral MEK inhibitor, has demonstrated antitumor activity in combination with sorafenib in patients with RAS-mutated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two phase II studies evaluated the efficacy of refametinib monotherapy and refametinib plus sorafenib in patients with RAS-mutant unresectable or metastatic HCC.
Patients and Methods: Eligible patients with RAS mutations of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) determined by beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics technology received twice-daily refametinib 50 mg ± sorafenib 400 mg. Potential biomarkers were assessed in ctDNA via next-generation sequencing (NGS).
Results: Of 1,318 patients screened, 59 (4.4%) had a RAS mutation, of whom 16 received refametinib and 16 received refametinib plus sorafenib. With refametinib monotherapy, the objective response rate (ORR) was 0%, the disease control rate (DCR) was 56.3%, overall survival (OS) was 5.8 months, and progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.9 months. With refametinib plus sorafenib, the ORR was 6.3%, the DCR was 43.8%, OS was 12.7 months, and PFS was 1.5 months. In both studies, time to progression was 2.8 months. Treatment-emergent toxicities included fatigue, hypertension, and acneiform rash. Twenty-seven patients had ctDNA samples available for NGS. The most frequently detected mutations were in TERT (63.0%), TP53 (48.1%), and β-catenin (CTNNB1; 37.0%).
Conclusions: Prospective testing for RAS family mutations using ctDNA was a feasible, noninvasive approach for large-scale mutational testing in patients with HCC. A median OS of 12.7 months with refametinib plus sorafenib in this small population of RAS-mutant patients may indicate a synergistic effect between sorafenib and refametinib—this preliminary finding should be further explored. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4650–61. ©2018 AACR.
How Satisfied Are AMS Members with the Society?: Results from the 2014 AMS Survey
Authors: Durre Imke , Behl Mona , Haacker Rebecca , Herman Redina 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn 2014, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) conducted the latest in its sequence of surveys of its membership. Included in the survey were a number of questions pertaining to the value that members derive from the Society’s products and services. Asked to classify the value of their AMS membership dues as “excellent,” “satisfactory,” or “not good value,” 93% chose at least “satisfactory,” including 36% who selected “excellent.” The three most frequently cited reasons for joining the AMS were attendance at meetings, access to publications, and staying informed. Consistent with these reasons, AMS-sponsored scientific conferences, AMS journals, and BAMS were found to be at least somewhat valuable to more than 90% of survey participants. Those who expressed some level of dissatisfaction cited as reasons the cost of membership dues, travel and registration costs associated with AMS conferences, or a feeling of not being included in the Society. These findings may be pertinent to the Society’s long-term planning for its offering of products and services.
Pathways to care among psychiatric outpatients in a tertiary mental health institution in Singapore
Authors: Jeyagurunathan Anitha , Abdin Edimansyah , Shafie Saleha , Wang Peizhi , Chang Sherilyn , Ong Hui Lin , Abdul Rahman Restria Fauziana , Sagayadevan Vathsala , Samari Ellaisha , Chua Yi Chian , Vaingankar Janhavi Ajit , Verma Swapna Kamal , Wei Ker-Chiah , Chong Siow Ann , Subramaniam Mythily 
Published: June 2018

Background: Pathways to care studies in Singapore are of high interest given the cultural diversity and various sources of help available for those with mental illnesses, ranging from the more traditional to tertiary-level mental health care services. Aim: The current study aimed to explore the associations of patients’ socio-demographic characteristics with pathways to first contact and duration of untreated mental illness. Method: A total of 402 participants were recruited through convenience sampling. A pathway to care form was used to gather systematic information about the sources of care utilized by participants before approaching a mental health professional. Data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression and multiple linear regression models to assess the associations. Results: Majority of participants reported primary care (36.0%) as their first point of contact, followed by non-formal sources of help (33.8%), specialist care (21.8%), police/court (4.0%), websites/media (3.3%) and religious/traditional treatment (1.3%). Those belonging to Malay and Indian ethnicity (vs Chinese) were more likely to make first contact with non-formal sources of help than primary care. Those who received a diagnosis of any mood or anxiety disorder (vs schizophrenia and related psychoses) were less likely to make first contact with specialist care or non-formal sources of help than primary care. Those who were separated/divorced/widowed were significantly associated with higher duration of untreated illness compared to those who were single. Participants whose family/relative initiated the first contact were significantly associated with a shorter duration of untreated illness compared to those who initiated first contact on their own. Conclusion: Findings suggest the determinants of the pathways to first contact and duration of untreated illness included diagnosis, ethnicity, marital status and family initiating the first contact. The pathways adopted by these participants need to be kept in mind for planning mental health programmes.
The Effect of Incomplete Death Certificates on Estimates of Unintentional Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999-2015
Authors: Buchanich Jeanine M. , Balmert Lauren C. , Williams Karl E. , Burke Donald S. 
Published: June 2018

Objectives: A complete and accurate count of the number of opioid-related overdose deaths is essential to properly allocate resources. We determined the rate of unintentional overdose deaths (non–opioid-related, opioid-related, or unspecified) in the United States and by state from 1999 to 2015 and the possible effects of underreporting on national estimates of opioid abuse. Methods: We abstracted unintentional drug overdose deaths ( International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes X40-X44) with contributory drug-specific T codes (T36.0-T50.9) from the Mortality Multiple Cause Micro-Data Files. We assumed that the proportion of unspecified overdose deaths that might be attributed to opioids would be the same as the proportion of opioid-related overdose deaths among all overdose deaths and calculated the number of deaths that could be reallocated as opioid-related for each state and year. We then added these reallocated deaths to the reported deaths to determine their potential effect on total opioid-related deaths. Results: From 1999 to 2015, a total of 438 607 people died from unintentional drug overdoses. Opioid-related overdose deaths rose 401% (from 5868 to 29 383), non–opioid-related overdose deaths rose 150% (from 3005 to 7505), and unspecified overdose deaths rose 220% (from 2255 to 29 383). In 5 states (Alabama, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania), more than 35% of unintentional overdose deaths were coded as unspecified. Our reallocation resulted in classifying more than 70 000 unspecified overdose deaths as potential additional opioid-related overdose deaths. Conclusions: States may be greatly underestimating the effect of opioid-related overdose deaths because of incomplete cause-of-death reporting, indicating that the current opioid overdose epidemic may be worse than it appears.
Reducing the use of inappropriate coagulation testing in emergency general surgical patients
Authors: Thomas Lydiya , Woon EeLaine , Fong Elizabeth , Parnaby Craig , Watson Henry G 
Published: June 2018

Background and aims Indiscriminate coagulation testing in emergency general surgical patients can lead to inappropriate delay in surgery, cause unnecessary concern and is associated with significant cost. The British Committee for Standards in Haematology recommends against coagulation testing to predict peri-operative bleeding risk in unselected patients. Our aim was to assess the appropriateness of coagulation tests performed in emergency general surgical patients and evaluate the effect of a series of educational interventions on clinical practice. Methods and results Appropriate indications for performing coagulation testing included a positive bleeding history, the presence of liver disease/cholestasis, sepsis or use of anticoagulants. Initial data on 142 patients were collected over 2 weeks of receiving. Following analysis, indications for appropriate coagulation testing were highlighted and data were collected on a further 190 patients. Comparing the audit cycles, we observed a decrease in the proportion of patients who underwent routine testing (49.3% vs 32.6%; p = 0.002) and inappropriate testing (67% of tests vs 34% of tests; p < 0.001). Despite being highlighted, there was no evidence of improved documentation of bleeding histories on admission. Conclusions This observational study suggests that simple educational messages can reduce the inappropriate use of coagulation screening tests in general surgical emergencies. This seems to result from clarification of the appropriate surgical indications for coagulation testing in this group.
The use of sacubitril/valsartan in anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy: A mini case series
Authors: Sheppard Christina E , Anwar Maria 
Published: June 2018

Background Sacubitril/valsartan has been shown to significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations due to heart failure in adult patients with reduced ejection fraction when compared to enalapril. To the best of our knowledge, the combination of sacubitril (neprilysin inhibitor) and valsartan (angiotensin receptor blocker) has not been evaluated in patients with chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy, as these patients were excluded from the recent pivotal trial, PARADIGM-HF. However, current guidelines for the evaluation and management of cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy, published by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, direct clinicians to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Heart Failure Guidelines for the management of cancer patients who develop clinical heart failure or an asymptomatic decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (e.g. >10% reduction from baseline or left ventricular ejection fraction <53%), which could include the use of sacubitril/valsartan. Methods Retrospective descriptive comparative case study of two patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan. Results We present data from two patients who experienced anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy and were successfully managed with sacubitril/valsartan after suboptimal responses to traditional evidence-based heart failure therapies. Both patients demonstrated some recovery of function and normalization of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Sacubitril/valsartan was well tolerated with minimal side effects. To date, neither patient has required hospitalization or additional clinic interventions for heart failure. Conclusions While further large scale studies are required to determine a comprehensive safety and efficacy profile, we report two cases of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy survivors managed with sacubitril/valsartan with minimal side effects and no hospitalizations.
Real world evidence: Abiraterone use post-docetaxel in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Shivji Alisha , Ali Raafi , North Scott , Sawyer Michael , Ghosh Sunita , Chambers Carole 
Published: June 2018

Objectives The COU-AA-301 trial demonstrated that in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer using abiraterone post-docetaxel increased overall survival. This study aims to assess this conclusion in a real world context. Design Retrospective chart review of a provincial Pharmacy BDM Database (a pharmacy dispensing software) and a provincial Electronic Chart (ARIA). Dispensing data, information on the state of the disease before and after abiraterone use, and information regarding effects of abiraterone were gathered. Setting Cancer centers in Alberta, Canada. Patients Metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients on abiraterone outside of a clinical trial who have previously had docetaxel chemotherapy for CRPC between February 2012 and May 2014. Primary outcome Overall survival from the time of abiraterone initiation. Results Overall survival increase of 17 months was consistent with the survival increase of 14.8 months observed in the pivotal trial. Conclusion Abiraterone is a valuable therapy post-docetaxel for metastatic CRPC, as in a real world context it demonstrated an increase in overall survival that was consistent with the findings of the clinical trial despite including a patient population of older age and lower performance status.
Burden of Peripheral Artery Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean 1990 to 2015
Authors: Ganta Nitheesha , Soherwadi Shahabuddin , Hughes Kakra , Gillum Richard F. 
Published: June 2018

Background: The estimated global prevalence of Peripheral artery disease (PAD) increased by 24% in span of 10 years (2000-2010) from 164 to 202 million. Despite scarcity of data on PAD in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Caribbean, estimates for PAD from these regions may be helpful for health-care providers. Methods: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 quantified health loss from hundreds of diseases using systematic reviews and multilevel computer modeling. Estimated rates with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) for PAD (ICD-10 I70.2) were examined for SSA and the Caribbean and compared to high-income North America (HINA). Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are years of healthy life lost representing total disease burden by combining years of life lost and years lived disabled. Results: In 2015, estimated age-standardized DALYs per 100,000 due to PAD for males were as follows: Caribbean (34, UI: 29-39), HINA (36, UI: 30-42), and SSA (20, UI: 14-30). In contrast, DALYs in females were as follows: Caribbean (25, UI: 20-30), HINA (28, UI: 22-36), and SSA (17, UI: 11-26). For both sexes combined, the rate in Southern SSA was 55 (46-67). This reflects the extremely high rates in South Africa (males 90, UI: 77-107; females 63, UI: 53-75). Conclusion: Estimated rate of DALYs per 100,000 was lowest in SSA. Within SSA, the rate in South Africa was highest, exceeding even HINA. Caribbean rates were intermediate.