bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New and old biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of lung cancer: Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide in comparison with neuron-specific enolase, carcinoembryonic antigen, and CYFRA 21-1
Authors: Mauro Cristian , Passerini Rita , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Galetta Domenico , Radice Davide , Lentati Paola , Sandri M. Teresa 
Published: April 2019

Background: Testing for circulating biomarkers in lung cancer is hampered by the insufficient specificity. We aimed to assess the relative diagnostic accuracy of pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) for the differential diagnosis of small cell lung cancer and compare it with more conventional biomarkers. Methods: We enrolled a cohort of 390 patients with a clinical suspicion of lung cancer and for whom a histologic assessment was available. Serum or plasma samples were assessed for ProGRP, carcinoembryonic antigen, CYFRA 21-2, and neuron-specific enolase. The performance of each biomarker in discriminating the small cell lung cancer and squamous cell carcinoma/adenocarcinoma from non-malignant lung disease, and small cell lung cancer from squamous cell carcinoma/adenocarcinoma, was assayed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: At the cut-off levels suggested by the manufacturers, ProGRP and neuron-specific enolase showed an almost identical sensitivity of 55.2% and 55.6%, respectively, in discriminating small cell lung cancer with respect to non-malignant lung disease. In order to quantify the added value of ProGRP to other conventional markers, we ran a multivariable logistic regression analysis, but the results showed that no markers improve the performance of ProGRP. Conclusions: ProGRP and neuron-specific enolase individually appear more accurate than other conventional biomarkers for small cell lung cancer, but the union of two markers does not increase the accuracy. The very small target group of patients with small cell lung cancer is a limitation of this study, which can explain why ProGRP alone does not show a sensitivity higher than neuron-specific enolase, as reported by other authors.
Trajectories of lower back, upper back, and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and early postpartum in primiparous women
Authors: Dunn Guinn , Egger Marlene J , Shaw Janet M , Yang Jingye , Bardsley Tyler , Powers Emily , Nygaard Ingrid E 
Published: April 2019

Objective: Most studies about truncal pain during and after pregnancy focus on low back pain, few prospectively define change in pain, and even fewer evaluate pain in all three major truncal areas: upper back, lower back, and pelvic girdle. Thus, the objective of this prospective cohort study was to describe, in primiparous women delivered vaginally, prevalence rates and severities of upper back, lower back, and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and 6–10 weeks postpartum and to describe the trajectory of pain constellations between time points. Study design: Participants completed questionnaires at each time point. Pain intensity was rated on a visual analogue scale ranging from 0 to 100. Results: Of the 288 participants, 94% reported truncal pain during pregnancy, while 75% did so postpartum. Prevalence rates of upper back, lower back, and pelvic girdle pain with or without other types of pain during pregnancy were 42%, 77%, and 74% and postpartum were 43%, 52%, and 41%, respectively. Pain severity was highest for women endorsing pain in three locations (median 55–60). Of women with the most common pain constellation during pregnancy, lower back and pelvic girdle (32%), 18% had persistent low back and pelvic girdle pain postpartum, 20% had no pain, and the remainder had pain in a different location. Of women with pain in all three locations during pregnancy (27%), 34% had persistent pain in three locations postpartum, 13% had no pain, and the remainder had pain in at least one location. Conclusion: More women experience pain in a constellation of locations than in a single location. Severity increases as number of pain sites increase. Women with pain in three sites during pregnancy are least likely to have pain resolve. Interventions should focus on the entire trunk and not simply one site of pain.
Predictors of hospital-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation effects in persons with multiple sclerosis: a large-scale, single-centre study
Authors: Groppo Elisabetta , Signori Alessio , Sormani Maria Pia , Grosso Cristina , Mantia Loredana La , Cattaneo Davide , Rovaris Marco 
Published: April 2019

Background Persons with multiple sclerosis may benefit from hospital-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Objectives To investigate the effects of hospital-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation and to identify their potential predictors in a large sample of persons with multiple sclerosis. Methods From the charts of 655 persons with multiple sclerosis consecutively admitted to our unit, disease profiles, modified Barthel index, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), pain numerical rating score and type of interventions were retrospectively collected. We defined an improvement at discharge as follows: modified Barthel index increase of at least 5 points, EDSS decrease of 1.0 if baseline score was 5.5 or less and of 0.5 if baseline score was greater than 5.5; any numerical rating score decrease. Results After a median admission period of 36 days, at discharge 65%, 22% and 89% of persons with multiple sclerosis improved for modified Barthel index, EDSS and numerical rating score, respectively. The modified Barthel index improvement was associated with shorter disease duration, lower EDSS at baseline and with access to psychological counselling. EDSS improvement was associated with shorter disease duration, relapsing–remitting course, female gender and longer duration of the admission period. Conclusions Inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation was associated with improved autonomy in activities of daily living in a relevant proportion of persons with multiple sclerosis. The effect seems to be more evident in individuals with shorter multiple sclerosis duration and relapsing–remitting disease course.
Adherence to Monitoring Guidelines of Amiodarone Adverse Reactions
Authors: Lavon Ophir , Goldman Ron 
Published: April 2019

Background: Amiodarone treatment frequently causes adverse reactions. Clinical guidelines warrant a comprehensive assessment prior to chronic treatment with amiodarone and repeated monitoring for the appearance of adverse reactions. Objective: To evaluate adherence to these guidelines. Methods: A retrospective chart review of electronic medical records of adult patients treated with oral amiodarone for at least 12 months. Results: One hundred patient records were analyzed; 97% of patients were evaluated for thyroid and liver functions prior to treatment. Liver functions were properly monitored every 6 months in 96% of patients and thyroid function in only 59%. Most (84%) patients completed a chest X-ray before treatment; only 2% completed a respiratory function test. None have performed a chest X-ray annually. Sixty-four percent of the patients were examined by an ophthalmologist prior to treatment; periodic ophthalmic surveillance was not consistent. Neurological and dermatological evaluations were not recorded for any of the patients, unless symptoms appeared. Only 50% were adherent to annual cardiac reassessment. Conclusions: Adherence to recommended clinical guidelines for monitoring amiodarone adverse reactions is poor. Interventions to improve compliance with these guidelines are needed.
Treatment optimization and genomic outcomes in refractory severe aplastic anemia treated with eltrombopag
Authors: Winkler Thomas , Fan Xing , Cooper James , Desmond Ronan , Young David J. , Townsley Danielle M. , Scheinberg Phillip , Grasmeder Sophia , Larochelle Andre , Desierto Marie , Valdez Janet , Lotter Jennifer , Wu Colin , Shalhoub Ruba N. , Calvo Katherine R. , Young Neal S. , Dunbar Cynthia E. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Eltrombopag (EPAG) received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of refractory severe aplastic anemia (rSAA) based on treatment of 43 patients with doses escalating from 50 to 150 mg daily for 12 weeks. Response kinetics suggested that more prolonged administration of EPAG at a dose of 150 mg could speed and improve response rates. We enrolled 40 patients with rSAA in a study of EPAG 150 mg daily, with a primary end point of response at 24 weeks. Twenty (50%) of 40 patients responded at 24 weeks; 5 (25%) of 20 would have been deemed nonresponders at 12 weeks, the end point of the previous study. Fifteen of the 19 responding patients continuing on EPAG had drug discontinued for robust response; 5 of the 15 required EPAG re-initiation for relapse, with all recovering response. To analyze risk of clonal progression, we combined long-term data from the 83 patients with rSAA enrolled in both studies. Evolution to an abnormal karyotype occurred in 16 (19%), most within 6 months of EPAG initiation. Targeted deep sequencing/whole-exome sequencing was performed pre-EPAG and at primary response end point and/or time of clonal evolution or longest follow-up. Cytogenetic evolution did not correlate with mutational status, and overall mutated allele fractions of myeloid cancer genes did not increase on EPAG. In summary, extended administration of EPAG at a dose of 150 mg for 24 weeks rescued responses in some patients with rSAA not responding at 12 weeks. The temporal relationship between clonal evolution and drug exposure suggests that EPAG may promote expansion of dormant preexisting clones with an aberrant karyotype. The studies were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00922883 and #NCT01891994.
Use of the terms “overdiagnosis” and “misdiagnosis” in the COPD literature: a rapid review
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth T. , Glasziou Paul , Dobler Claudia C. 
Published: April 2019

Challenges in the diagnostic process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can result in diagnostic misclassifications, including overdiagnosis. The term “overdiagnosis” in general has been associated with variable definitions. In connection with efforts to reduce low-value care, “overdiagnosis” has been defined as a true positive diagnosis of a condition that is not associated with any harm in the diagnosed person. It is, however, unclear how the term “overdiagnosis” is used in the COPD literature. We conducted a rapid review of the literature to explore how the terms “overdiagnosis” and “misdiagnosis” are used in the context of COPD. Electronic searches of Medline were conducted from inception to October 2018, to identify primary studies that reported on over- and/or misdiagnosis of COPD using these terms. 28 articles were included in this review. Overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis in COPD were found to be used to describe five main concepts: 1) physician COPD diagnosis despite normal spirometry (14 studies); 2) discordant results for COPD diagnosis based on different spirometry-based definitions for airflow obstruction (10 studies); 3) COPD diagnosis based on pre-bronchodilator spirometry results (three studies); 4) comorbidities (e.g.heart failure or asthma) that affect spirometry and have clinical features which overlap with COPD (two studies); and 5) normalisation of abnormal (post-bronchodilator) spirometry at follow-up (one study). The terms “overdiagnosis” and “misdiagnosis” were often used interchangeably and almost always referred to a false positive diagnosis. Performing (technically correct) spirometry with correct interpretation of the results could probably reduce misdiagnosis in a large proportion of the misdiagnosed cases of COPD. In addition, guidelines need to provide a more acceptable consensus spirometric definition of airflow obstruction.Key pointsIn the COPD literature, the terms “overdiagnosis” and “misdiagnosis” are often used interchangeably and almost always refer to a false positive diagnosis.Use of spirometry with correct interpretation of the results can avoid a substantial proportion of cases of misdiagnosis of COPD.Educational aimsTo explore the use of the terms “overdiagnosis” and “misdiagnosis” in the COPD literature.To identify the main sources of overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis in COPD.
A Construção da Identidade Discursiva dos Idosos da UnATI: Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade - UERJ
Authors: Resende Simone Vieira 
Published: April 2019

A construção de identidades no contexto de estudos sobre o envelhecimento tem sido foco de alguns estudos contemporâneos (GONÇALVES, 1999); (SOUSA, 2006); (PRADO E SAYD, 2004); (VERAS E CALDAS, 2004). Essas pesquisas destacam a importância do levantamento do perfil do idoso como elemento primordial para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas especialmente direcionadas para essa parte da população. Entretanto, como esses estudos são muito generalizados, e na sua grande maioria de cunho quantitativo, as identidades projetadas discursivamente nos depoimentos e falas dos idosos, especialmente os idosos que frequentam a UnATI, Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade da UERJ, não aparecem como objeto de estudo nesse contexto. O presente estudo corrobora o preenchimento dessa lacuna, investigando como os idosos, alunos da UnATI, constroem discursivamente suas identidades enquanto frequentadores das oficinas e serviços oferecidos. A investigação é realizada com base nos estudos sócio-cognitivos, busca nas colocações lexicais, informação para identificar os Modelos Cognitivos Idealizados (MCIs – LAKOFF, 1987) projetados discursivamente pelos idosos. Os dados foram obtidos através da extração das falas e depoimentos dos idosos que aparecem na publicação de comemoração dos 15 anos de fundação da UnATI (VERAS, 2008) e analisados qualitativamente a partir dos estudos sobre os processos identitários no discurso (SCHIFFRIN, 2006; ROGERS, 2004) e dos MCIs (LAKOFF, 1987). Os resultados sinalizam que, discursivamente, as identidades projetadas pelos idosos que frequentam a UnATI, consolidam-se nos modelos cognitivos e culturais construídos a respeito desse idoso e corroboram o papel que a UnATI assume institucionalmente. Os dados também apontam que a rede de referências construída no discurso dos idosos sobre a UnATI, também revela informações sobre a identidade da UnATI como instituição. O levantamento da identidade discursiva dos alunos da UnATI também fornece dados que colaboram para o desenvolvimento de novas oficinas e cursos, que atendam essa parte da população.
Evaluation of CisBio ELISA for Chromogranin A Measurement
Authors: Lim Maili , Erdman Patrick , Cho Sun , Mathew Anu , Fleisher Martin , Thoren Katie L 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Chromogranin A (CgA) is a nonspecific marker for the presence of neuroendocrine tumors and neuroendocrine differentiation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the CisBio CgA ELISA.

Methods
Precision, linearity, limit of blank, and recovery of the CisBio CgA ELISA were evaluated. Seventy waste serum samples obtained from the clinical laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were analyzed by the CisBio CgA ELISA. Results were compared to those obtained from a reference laboratory that used a proprietary ELISA for serum CgA measurement. Paired waste plasma samples were also collected from 24 of these patients to assess possible differences between CgA in serum and plasma. Finally, a preliminary reference range study was performed with samples from healthy volunteers in serum (n = 60) and plasma (n = 60).

Results
Within-run and between-run precision ranged from 3.0% to 5.1% and 4.8% to 12.9%, respectively. The limit of blank was 2.4 ng/mL. Recovery ranged from 88% to 102%. A statistically significant bias was observed when the CisBio CgA assay results were compared to those of a reference laboratory. Comparison of the 2 assays yielded a slope of 9.05, intercept of −18.0, and a correlation coefficient of 0.955. CgA values in serum correlated well to values measured in plasma.

Conclusions
The analytical performance of the CisBio CgA ELISA was acceptable. However, CgA results are method-specific owing to lack of standardization and use of different antibodies. This lack of standardization results in several challenges for the clinical laboratory when evaluating a CgA assay.
Amplitude Incremental Method: A Novel Approach to Capture Stable and Unstable Solutions of Harmonically Excited Vibration Response of Functionally Graded Beams under Large Amplitude Motion
Authors: Panigrahi B. , Pohit G. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
An interesting phenomenon is observed while conducting numerical simulation of non-linear dynamic response of FGM (functionally graded material) beam having large amplitude motion under harmonic excitation. Instead of providing a frequency sweep (forward or backward), if amplitude is incremented and response frequency is searched for a particular amplitude of vibration, solution domain can be enhanced and stable as well as unstable solution can be obtained. In the present work, first non-linear differential equations of motion for large amplitude vibration of a beam, which are obtained using Timoshenko beam theory, are converted into a set of non-linear algebraic equations using harmonic balance method. Subsequently an amplitude incremental iterative technique is imposed in order to obtain steady-state solution in frequency amplitude plane. It is observed that the method not only shows very good agreement with the available research but the domain of applicability of the method is enhanced up to a considerable extent as the stable and unstable solution can be captured. Subsequently forced vibration response of FGM beams are analysed.
Context-Based Facilitation in Visual Word Recognition: Evidence for Visual and Lexical But Not Pre-Lexical Contributions
Authors: Eisenhauer Susanne , Fiebach Christian J. , Gagl Benjamin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWord familiarity and predictive context facilitate visual word processing, leading to faster recognition times and reduced neuronal responses. Previously, models with and without top-down connections, including lexical-semantic, pre-lexical (e.g., orthographic/phonological), and visual processing levels were successful in accounting for these facilitation effects. Here we systematically assessed context-based facilitation with a repetition priming task and explicitly dissociated pre-lexical and lexical processing levels using a pseudoword (PW) familiarization procedure. Experiment 1 investigated the temporal dynamics of neuronal facilitation effects with magnetoencephalography (MEG;N= 38 human participants), while experiment 2 assessed behavioral facilitation effects (N= 24 human participants). Across all stimulus conditions, MEG demonstrated context-based facilitation across multiple time windows starting at 100 ms, in occipital brain areas. This finding indicates context-based facilitation at an early visual processing level. In both experiments, we furthermore found an interaction of context and lexical familiarity, such that stimuli with associated meaning showed the strongest context-dependent facilitation in brain activation and behavior. Using MEG, this facilitation effect could be localized to the left anterior temporal lobe at around 400 ms, indicating within-level (i.e., exclusively lexical-semantic) facilitation but no top-down effects on earlier processing stages. Increased pre-lexical familiarity (in PWs familiarized utilizing training) did not enhance or reduce context effects significantly. We conclude that context-based facilitation is achieved within visual and lexical processing levels. Finally, by testing alternative hypotheses derived from mechanistic accounts of repetition suppression, we suggest that the facilitatory context effects found here are implemented using a predictive coding mechanism.
Hemşirelerde Danışmanlık Becerileri Ölçeği’ni (HDBÖ) Geliştirilmesi: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması
Authors: AYDIN AVCI İlknur , KUMCAĞIZ Hatice 
Published: April 2019

Bu çalışmada hemşirelerin danışmanlık becerilerini ölçebilecek geçerlik
ve güvenirlikte bir ölçme aracı geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. Ölçek için
oluşturulan madde havuzuna son şekli verildikten sonra açımlayıcı faktör
analizi için 204 hemşireye uygulama yapılmıştır. Ölçeğin tek faktörden ve 10
maddeden oluştuğu görülmüştür. Sonrasında 200 hemşire ile Doğrulayıcı Faktör
Analizi (DFA) yapılmıştır. DFA ile tek faktörlü yapının uyum indeksi
değerlerinin kabul edilebilir sınırlar içerisinde olduğu görülmüştür (χ2=94.785,
sd=33, χ2/sd= 2.872, RMSEA=0.097, GFI=0.92, AGFI=0.86, CFI=0.92 ve IFI=0.92).
Ölçeğin geçerliği AFA ve DFA yapılmak suretiyle incelenmiştir. Ölçeğin
güvenilirliği ise Cronbach alfa katsayısı ve Split-half ile incelenmiştir.
Cronbach alfa .88,&nbsp; Split-half ise .86
olarak hesaplanmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre HDBÖ’nin hemşirelerin
danışmanlık becerilerini belirlemek amacıyla kullanılabileceğini göstermiştir.
Caracterização de um sistema convectivo de mesoescala por meio de sistema de informações geográficas
Authors: Passos Robson , Preisser Guilherme , Reboita Michelle , Mattos Enrique 
Published: April 2019

O uso de Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) é muito difundido na geografia e nos campos das engenharias ambiental e hídrica, mas é pouco conhecido na área de ciências atmosféricas. Nessa última, o SIG pode ser uma importante ferramenta para análises em climatologia, meteorologia sinótica, meteorologia de mesoescala, agrometeorologia, sensoriamento remoto da atmosfera e hidrometeorologia. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo tem dois objetivos: i) classificar o tipo de um sistema convectivo mesoescala, ocorrido em outubro de 2017 entre o Paraguai, Brasil e Argentina, com o auxílio de um SIG, no caso, o Global Mapper 15.0 e ii) apresentar um roteiro para que possam ser reproduzidas as análises usando o referido software em ciências atmosféricas. O Sistema Convectivo de Mesoescala (MSC) estudado foi responsável por totais elevados de precipitação (50 mm/dia) na fronteira entre Brasil, Argentina e Paraguai. Embora o sistema visualmente se assemelhe a um complexo convectivo de mesoescala, nos critérios analisados ele foi classificado apenas como um sistema com dimensão horizontal mais alongada. O sistema convectivo durante seu desenvolvimento máximo apresentou área de 719.044 km² e excentricidade de 0,5. O procedimento metodológico estabelecido pode ser utilizado para caracterizar intensos sistemas como os SCM e pode ser útil no auxilio de tomadas de decisão pela defesa civil e comunidade local.
Biological Treatments of Oilfield Produced Water: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Lusinier Nicolas , Seyssiecq Isabelle , Sambusiti Cecilia , Jacob Matthieu , Lesage Nicolas , Roche Nicolas 
Published: April 2019

Summary
Crude–oil extraction leads to the production of water, called produced water (PW). PW–flow rate increases along with the time of operation, up to more than 20 times the flow rate of crude oil. PW is often considered toxic because of its complex composition. At the moment, only dispersed hydrocarbons are targeted by water regulation. However, as regulations are becoming more stringent, they are also targeting dissolved compounds and/or the whole effluent toxicity. Consequently, PW treatments have to be more efficient, also allowing for high reliability of installations and high compactness (offshore processes). Biological treatments are often considered to offer the best compromise between removal performances and operating costs. However, their lack of compactness is unsuitable for offshore implementation. Hybrid processes, defined here as the combination of two or more processes, show promising performance and should be further studied to overcome the drawbacks noted in the case of other technologies.