bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Addition of Docetaxel to Oral Fluoropyrimidine Improves Efficacy in Patients With Stage III Gastric Cancer: Interim Analysis of JACCRO GC-07, a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yoshida Kazuhiro , Kodera Yasuhiro , Kochi Mitsugu , Ichikawa Wataru , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Sano Takeshi , Nagao Narutoshi , Takahashi Masazumi , Takagane Akinori , Watanabe Takuya , Kaji Masahide , Okitsu Hiroshi , Nomura Takashi , Matsui Takanori , Yoshikawa Takaki , Matsuyama Jin , Yamada Makoto , Ito Seiji , Takeuchi Masahiro , Fujii Masashi 
Published: March 2019

PURPOSE S-1 is a standard postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage II or III gastric cancer in Asia. Neoadjuvant or perioperative strategies dominate in Western countries, and docetaxel has recently shown significant survival benefits when combined with other standard regimens in advanced cancer and perioperative settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS This randomized phase III study was designed to prove the superiority of postoperative S-1 plus docetaxel over S-1 alone for R0 resection of pathologic stage III gastric cancer. The sample size of 1,100 patients was necessary to detect a 7% increase in 3-year relapse-free survival as the primary end point (hazard ratio, 0.78; 2-sided α = .05; β = .2). RESULTS The second interim analysis was conducted when the number of events reached 216 among 915 enrolled patients (median follow-up, 12.5 months). Analysis demonstrated the superiority of S-1 plus docetaxel (66%) to S-1 (50%) for 3-year relapse-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.632; 99.99% CI, 0.400 to 0.998; stratified log-rank test, P < .001), and enrollment was terminated as recommended by the independent data and safety monitoring committee. Incidences of grade 3 or greater adverse events, particularly neutropenia and leukopenia, were higher in the S-1 plus docetaxel group, but all events were manageable. CONCLUSION Addition of docetaxel to S-1 is effective with few safety concerns in patients with stage III gastric cancer. The present findings may also be applicable in countries in which perioperative adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation is not standard.
Thirty-Day Readmissions in Patients With Metastatic Cancer: Room for Improvement?
Authors: Solomon Rachel , Egorova Natalia , Adelson Kerin , Smith Cardinale B. , Franco Rebeca , Bickell Nina A. 
Published: March 2019

Purpose: Cancer, with readmission rates as high as 27%, has thus far been excluded from most readmission reduction efforts. However, some readmissions for patients with advanced disease may be avoidable. We assessed the prevalence of potentially preventable readmissions and associated factors in patients with metastatic cancer. Patients and Methods: Using a merged longitudinal data set of New York State hospital discharges and vital records, we measured 30-day readmissions for anemia, dehydration, diarrhea, emesis, fever, nausea, neutropenia, pain, pneumonia, and sepsis among patients with metastatic cancer between 2012 and 2014. We used competing-risk models to assess the effects of demographics, comorbidities, hospital type, payer, and discharge disposition. Results: A total of 11,275 patients had 19,307 hospitalizations. The 30-day readmission rate was 24.5%; 11.9% (n = 565) of readmissions were potentially preventable. Higher readmission rates occurred in black (hazard rate [HR], 1.26; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.35), Hispanic (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.31), and younger patients (HR per 10 years, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.97). Lower rates were associated with female sex (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91 to 0.99), private insurance (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.81), teaching hospitals, and hospice discharge (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.91). Discharge home with services (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.27) or to a skilled nursing facility (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.23) increased readmission likelihood. Potentially preventable readmissions were associated with younger age (HR per 10 years, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.98 to 0.99) and discharge home with services (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.50). Likelihood decreased if care was received at a teaching hospital (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.99). Payer, sex, race, and comorbidities did not contribute. Conclusion: Although the overall rate of potentially preventable readmissions among patients with metastatic cancer is low, higher readmission rates among those discharged home with help suggest that services supplied may not be sufficient to address health needs.
A Contemporary Medicolegal Analysis of Outpatient Interventional Pain Procedures: 2009–2016
Authors: Abrecht Christopher R. , Saba Ramsey , Greenberg Penny , Rathmell James P. , Urman Richard D. 
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND:
Closed malpractice claim studies allow a review of rare but often severe complications, yielding useful insight into improving patient safety and decreasing practitioner liability.

METHODS:
This retrospective observational study of pain medicine malpractice claims utilizes the Controlled Risk Insurance Company Comparative Benchmarking System database, which contains nearly 400,000 malpractice claims drawn from >400 academic and community medical centers. The Controlled Risk Insurance Company Comparative Benchmarking System database was queried for January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2016, for cases with pain medicine as the primary service. Cases involving outpatient interventional pain management were identified. Controlled Risk Insurance Company–coded data fields and the narrative summaries were reviewed by the study authors.

RESULTS:
A total of 126 closed claims were identified. Forty-one claims resulted in payments to the plaintiffs, with a median payment of $175,000 (range, $2600–$2,950,000). Lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injections were the most common procedures associated with claims (n = 34), followed by cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections (n = 31) and trigger point injections (n = 13). The most common alleged injuring events were an improper performance of a procedure (n = 38); alleged nonsterile technique (n = 17); unintentional dural puncture (n = 13); needle misdirected to the spinal cord (n = 11); and needle misdirected to the lung (n = 10). The most common alleged outcomes were worsening pain (n = 26); spinal cord infarct (n = 16); epidural hematoma (n = 9); soft-tissue infection (n = 9); postdural puncture headache (n = 9); and pneumothorax (n = 9). According to the Controlled Risk Insurance Company proprietary contributing factor system, perceived deficits in technical skill were present in 83% of claims.

CONCLUSIONS:
Epidural steroid injections are among the most commonly performed interventional pain procedures and, while a familiar procedure to pain management practitioners, may result in significant neurological injury. Trigger point injections, while generally considered safe, may result in pneumothorax or injury to other deep structures. Ultimately, the efforts to minimize practitioner liability and patient harm, like the claims themselves, will be multifactorial. Best outcomes will likely come from continued robust training in procedural skills, attention paid to published best practice recommendations, documentation that includes an inclusive consent discussion, and thoughtful patient selection. Limitations for this study are that closed claim data do not cover all complications that occur and skew toward more severe complications. In addition, the data from Controlled Risk Insurance Company Comparative Benchmarking System cannot be independently verified.
Seasonal upsurge of pneumococcal meningitis in the Central African Republic
Authors: Crellen Thomas , Rao V. Bhargavi , Piening Turid , Zeydner Joke , Siddiqui M. Ruby 
Published: March 2019

A high incidence of bacterial meningitis was observed in the Central African Republic (CAR) from December 2015 to May 2017 in three hospitals in the northwest of the country that are within the African meningitis belt. The majority of cases were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (249/328; 75.9%), which occurred disproportionately during the dry season (November-April) with a high case-fatality ratio of 41.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 33.0, 50.8%). High rates of bacterial meningitis during the dry season in the meningitis belt have typically been caused by Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal meningitis), and our observations suggest that the risk of contracting S. pneumoniae (pneumococcal) meningitis is increased by the same environmental factors. Cases of meningococcal meningitis (67/328; 20.4%) observed over the same period were predominantly group W and had a lower case fatality rate of 9.6% (95% CI 3.6, 21.8%). Due to conflict and difficulties in accessing medical facilities, it is likely that the reported cases represented only a small proportion of the overall burden. Nationwide vaccination campaigns in the CAR against meningitis have been limited to the use of MenAfriVac, which targets only meningococcal meningitis group A. We therefore highlight the need for expanded vaccine coverage to prevent additional causes of seasonal outbreaks.
Continuous Variable Neighborhood Search (C-VNS) for Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Pei Jun , Dražić Zorica , Dražić Milan , Mladenović Nenad , Pardalos Panos M. 
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we propose the continuous variable neighborhood search method for finding all the solutions to a nonlinear system of equations (NSEs). We transform the NSE problem into an equivalent optimization problem, and we use a new objective function that allows us to find all the zeros. Instead of the usual sum-of-squares objective function, our objective function is presented as the sum of absolute values. Theoretical investigation confirms that our objective function provides more accurate solutions regardless of the optimization method used. In addition, we achieve a trade-off (i.e., increased precision at the expense of reduced smoothness). Computational analysis of standard test instances shows that the proposed method is more precise and much faster than two recently developed methods. Similar conclusions are drawn by comparing the proposed method with many other methods in the literature. The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2018.0876 .
The impact of brief lifestyle self-management education for the control of seizures
Authors: Edward Karen-leigh , Cook Mark , Stephenson John , Giandinoto Jo-Ann 
Published: March 2019

Aim: this study examined a brief lifestyle self-management intervention, based on self-determination theory, to manage seizure frequency, and its effects on health-related quality of life and resilience in people with epilepsy aged over 18 years. Background: most people with epilepsy can identify factors that may trigger seizures and may try to avoid these; however, education from clinicians on this varies. Design: a cohort study with control design. Method: sixty participants were purposively sampled and allocated to an intervention or a control group. Results: moderate correlations were found, particularly between: resilience and satisfaction with life; medication adherence and psychological quality of life; and psychological quality of life and satisfaction with life. The mean seizure occurrences between the control and intervention groups were 12.71 (SD 24.55) and 6.76 (SD 13.40) respectively after the intervention. While the study was not powered to assess this, the intervention may be most effective regarding medication adherence and physical health quality of life. Conclusion: the relationship between self-efficacy and seizure management appeared to be strengthened by the programme. This study is the first known to measure resilience in relation to lifestyle self-management for seizure control in people with epilepsy. Relevance to practice: nurses are well placed to work with patients' strengths towards self-efficacy and potentially resilient coping.
The experience of preparing for and transitioning to registered practice
Authors: Hart Elizabeth 
Published: March 2019

Background:over the past 10 years higher education institutions (HEIs) have redeveloped their nursing courses so that students follow a degree-level programme. The curriculum requires 50% of the total learning hours to be clinically based. This includes placements within the final year to assess management skills.Aims:this study focuses on exploring retrospective experiences of learning and support within the final placements, as reflected upon by newly qualified nurses in one trust.Method:phenomenological one-to-one interviews were used, and data were analysed using Colaizzi's method.Findings:the study found a positive experience of placements. The level of support final-placement students experienced was found to be dependent on staffing levels, commitment from staff and their passion for teaching. Placements were found to support preparation for practice. The impact of familiarity with a trust in improving transition was also recognised.Conclusion:this study recommends supporting transition through targeted placements based on employment, solid links between the HEI and trusts and increased support and teaching for students.
Influence of tibiofemoral congruency design on the wear of patient-specific unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using finite element analysis
Authors: Koh Y-G. , Park K-M. , Lee H-Y. , Kang K-T. 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesUnicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an alternative to total knee arthroplasty for patients who require treatment of single-compartment osteoarthritis, especially for young patients. To satisfy this requirement, new patient-specific prosthetic designs have been introduced. The patient-specific UKA is designed on the basis of data from preoperative medical images. In general, knee implant design with increased conformity has been developed to provide lower contact stress and reduced wear on the tibial insert compared with flat knee designs. The different tibiofemoral conformity may provide designers the opportunity to address both wear and kinematic design goals simultaneously. The aim of this study was to evaluate wear prediction with respect to tibiofemoral conformity design in patient-specific UKA under gait loading conditions by using a previously validated computational wear method.MethodsThree designs with different conformities were developed with the same femoral component: a flat design normally used in fixed-bearing UKA, a tibia plateau anatomy mimetic (AM) design, and an increased conforming design. We investigated the kinematics, contact stress, contact area, wear rate, and volumetric wear of the three different tibial insert designs.ResultsConforming increased design showed a lower contact stress and increased contact area. In addition, increased conformity resulted in a reduction of the wear rate and volumetric wear. However, the increased conformity design showed limited kinematics.ConclusionOur results indicated that increased conformity provided improvements in wear but resulted in limited kinematics. Therefore, increased conformity should be avoided in fixed-bearing patient-specific UKA design. We recommend a flat or plateau AM tibial insert design in patient-specific UKA. Cite this article: Y-G. Koh, K-M. Park, H-Y. Lee, K-T. Kang. Influence of tibiofemoral congruency design on the wear of patient-specific unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using finite element analysis. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:156–164. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.83.BJR-2018-0193.R1.
On Maximal 𝑜𝑡-Subsets of the Euclidean Plane
Authors: Kharazishvili A. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
We say that a subset 𝑋 of the plane 𝐑2 is an 𝑜𝑡-set if any three points of 𝑋 form an obtuse triangle. Some properties of 𝑜𝑡-sets are investigated. It is shown that no finite 𝑜𝑡-subset of 𝐑2 is maximal, but there exists a countable maximal 𝑜𝑡-subset of 𝐑2. Several related problems are formulated and discussed.
Singular Integrals in Weighted Lebesgue Spaces with Variable Exponent
Authors: Kokilashvili V. , Samko S. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
In the weighted Lebesgue space with variable exponent the boundedness of the Calderón–Zygmund operator is established. The variable exponent 𝑝(𝑥) is assumed to satisfy the logarithmic Dini condition and the exponent β of the power weight ρ(𝑥) = |𝑥 – 𝑥0|
β
is related only to the value 𝑝(𝑥0). The mapping properties of Cauchy singular integrals defined on the Lyapunov curve and on curves of bounded rotation are also investigated within the framework of the above-mentioned weighted space.
Sturm–Liouville and Focal Higher Order BVPs with Singularities in Phase Variables
Authors: Rachůnková Irena , Staněk Svatoslav 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The paper deals with the existence of solutions for singular higher order differential equations with Sturm–Liouville or (𝑝, 𝑛 – 𝑝) right focal boundary conditions or the (𝑛 – 𝑝, 𝑝) left focal boundary conditions. Right-hand sides of differential equations may be singular in the zero values of all their phase variables. The proofs are based on the regularization and sequential techniques.
Elevated serum neopterin concentration increases mortality risk in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Xiang Zemin , Gu Yijun , Huang Yuanyuan , Zhang Lefeng , Zhang Xiaohong , Xu Huafeng , Liu Hong , Zhong Yebo 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to investigate serum neopterin levels in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and its predictive value for mortality in cases of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods Eighty-two patients with confirmed acute pancreatitis (AP) were included and divided into two groups, mild acute pancreatitis (MAP, n=51) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP, n=31) according to severity of disease. From the SAP group, 8 cases went on to develop multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and 6 subsequently died. Thirty healthy subjects from routine medical examination were included as the control group. The neopterin serum concentrations were determined and compared between groups.

Results Serum neopterin concentrations from control, MAP, SAP, SAP_Non-MODS, MODS_survival and MODS_death groups were 6.85±2.42 (nmol/L), 0.91±4.83(nmol/L), 33.11±11.67(nmol/L), 30.39±9.97(nmol/L), 36.40±4.48(nmol/L) and 41.75±15.64(nmol/L) respectively, with statistical significant difference (p<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity for mortality risk were 66.67% (95%CI:22.28-95.67%) and 88.00%(95%CI:68.78-97.45%) respectively, with area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.71(95%CI:0.50-0.9), under the cut off value of 40.18.

Conclusion: Serum neopterin levels in patients with acute pancreatitis were significantly elevated and correlated with the severity of disease. Neopterin may also be used a serological biomarker of mortality risk in patients with SAP.
Does sex hormone-binding globulin cause insulin resistance during pubertal growth?
Authors: Le Shenglong , Xu Leiting , Schumann Moritz , Wu Na , Törmäkangas Timo , Alén Markku , Cheng Sulin , Wiklund Petri 
Published: March 2019

Background
The directional influences between serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), adiposity and insulin resistance during pubertal growth remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate bidirectional associations between SHBG and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and adiposity from childhood to early adulthood.

Methods
Participants were 396 healthy girls measured at baseline (age 11.2 years) and at 1, 2, 4 and 7.5 years. Serum concentrations of estradiol, testosterone and SHBG were determined by ELISA, glucose and insulin by enzymatic photometry, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays, whole-body fat mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and HOMA-IR were determined by homeostatic model assessment. The associations were examined using cross-lagged path models.

Results
In a cross-lagged path model, SHBG predicted HOMA-IR before menarche β = −0.320 (95% CI: −0.552 to −0.089), P = 0.007, independent of adiposity and IGF-1. After menarche, no directional effect was found between SHBG and insulin resistance or adiposity.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that in early puberty, decline in SHBG predicts development of insulin resistance, independent of adiposity. However, after menarche, no directional influences between SHBG, adiposity and insulin resistance were found, suggesting that observational associations between SHBG, adiposity and insulin resistance in pubertal children may be subject to confounding. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of the associations between SHBG and cardiometabolic risk markers in peripubertal children.
Posterior hypothalamus-sparing surgery improves outcome after childhood craniopharyngioma
Authors: Bogusz Agnieszka , Boekhoff Svenja , Warmuth-Metz Monika , Calaminus Gabriele , Eveslage Maria , Müller Hermann L 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveQuality of life (QoL) is frequently impaired in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP) by hypothalamic syndrome. The debate, whether pretreatment hypothalamic involvement (HI) has apriori prognostic impact or surgical hypothalamic lesions (HL) determine outcome, is controversial.DesignSurvival and outcome of CPs recruited between 2007 and 2014 in KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007 were analyzed with regard to reference-confirmed presurgical HI and surgical HL.MethodsRadiological findings, BMI and QoL were assessed at diagnosis and during follow-up. QoL was assessed using Pediatric Quality of Life (PEDQOL) questionnaire.ResultsOne hundred sixty-nine CPs were included presenting with no HI (n = 11), anterior (n = 49) and anterior + posterior (a + p) HI (n = 109) prior to surgery. The latter 109 were analyzed for postoperative HL (no lesion:n = 23, anterior HL:n = 29, a + pHL:n = 57). Progression-free survival (PFS) was higher after complete resection. The highest PFS was observed in CP with a + pHL, especially when compared between non-irradiated subgroups (P = 0.006). Overall survival (OS) rates were 1.0 in all subgroups. CP with a + pHL developed higher BMI (P ≤ 0.001) during follow-up compared between subgroups. 55/109 pts with a + pHI completed PEDQOL at diagnosis (48/109 at 3 years follow-up). QoL was worse for a + pHL patients in terms of physical, social and emotional functionality when compared with the anterior HL and no HL subgroup. BMI development and QoL during follow-up were similar for patients with anterior HL and without HL.ConclusionsPosterior hypothalamus-sparing surgical strategies are associated with higher QoL, decreased development of obesity and lower PFS in CP.
GÜNCEL PERİODONTAL SPLİNTLERE GENEL BAKIŞ
Authors: Öncü ELİF 
Published: March 2019

Çeşitli nedenler ile destek
dokularda oluşan kayıplara bağlı olarak mobilitesi artmış daimi dişler, başarılı periodontal tedavi ve dişlerin idamesi için periodontal
iyileşmeyi destekleyecek şekilde splintlenmelidir. Literatürde birçok
periodontal splint çeşitinden bahsedilmektedir.
Bu makalede periodontal harabiyet sonucunda mobilitesi artmış dişlerde
kullanılan splint çeşitleri ve kullanım prensipleri güncel literatür ışığında
gözden geçirilmiştir.