bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Factors Affecting Bevacizumab Efficacy With and Without Conventional Chemotherapy in Metastatic Colon Cancer
Authors: Islam Rezwan , Khan Rafiullah , Ali Asad , Kollu Vidya , Phan TramAnh , Chyou Po-Huang , Burmester James K. , Kibriya Muhammad G. 
Published: October 2018

Purpose:
Bevacizumab (BZ) combined with first line chemotherapy (CC) has shown good clinical outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Overall survival (OS) and/or progression free survival in mCRC patients receiving BZ with or without 5FU-based CC is thought to be affected by clinical and morphological factor(s).

Patients and Methods:
We reviewed retrospective medical records of all consecutive mCRC patients treated with BZ with or without CC at tertiary care center between 2003 and 2009 out of which149 patients (m = 77, f = 72) were eligible.

Results:
Our study population had a mean age at diagnosis of 63.5 years (SD = 11) with median follow-up period of 19.4 months. On initial radiological evaluation following BZ therapy, 56 patients (m = 31, f = 25) had complete or partial response categorized as “early responders.” Remaining patients (m = 46, f = 47) who were either stable or showed progressive disease were categorized as “non-responders.” Fifty percent among early responders and 60% among non-responders [relative risk (RR) 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43–1.06)] demonstrated disease progression on follow up. There was a slightly better OS among early responders compared to non-responders (median 21.5 months days versus 16.8 months, P = 0.07). Cox regression analysis suggested male sex (RR 0.65, 95% CI, 0.43–0.98), hematochezia (RR 0.63, 95% CI, 0.4–0.98), resectable primary tumor (RR 0.42, 95% CI, 0.24–0.72) and resectable metastatic mass (RR 0.32, 95% CI, 0.14–0.74) were found to be associated with longer OS. Abdominal pain (RR 1.76, 95% CI, 1.1–2.8), accompanying diabetes (RR 1.76, 95% CI, 1.09–2.85), and unexplained weight loss (RR 2.73, 95% CI, 1.73–4.29) were associated with poor OS.

Conclusions:
Better OS among mCRC patients with resectable primary and metastatic tumors was seen. This is the first study to demonstrate slightly better outcome in males and negative influence of diabetes on outcome in mCRC treated with BZ.
Parent Psychological and Physical Health Outcomes in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Ward Jessica , Fogg Louis , Rodgers Cheryl , Breitenstein Susie , Kapoor Neena , Swanson Barbara A. 
Published: October 2018

Background
Parents of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at risk of adverse health outcomes due to their intense caregiver demands.

Objective
The aim of this study was to describe adverse health outcomes in parents of children who survived an allogeneic HSCT done within the past 1 to 10 years.

Methods
This cross-sectional study, conducted at a children's hospital in the western United States, enrolled English- and Spanish-speaking parents of children who survived allogeneic HSCT between 2005 and 2015. Outcome measures included Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories, Perceived Stress and Parent Stress Scales, Physical Symptom Inventory, and Short-Form 36 version 2. Parent scores were compared with normative means. Subsequently, the parent sample was stratified by the amount of time since their child's HSCT for comparison between groups.

Results
Fifty-four mothers and 7 fathers (n = 61) were enrolled. Global mental health scores were lower for parents in the sample compared with norms (P = .003). Parents in the sample reported moderate anxiety and depression (20% and 23%, respectively), yet reported less parenting stress and superior health outcomes compared with norms (P < .001). Social functioning and general health scores were lower for parents whose children survived an allogeneic HSCT done within the past 1 to 4.99 years (P = .012).

Conclusion
Parents of survivors of allogeneic HSCT may concurrently experience posttraumatic growth and stress following their child's HSCT.

Implications for Practice
Health screening and psychological support for parents of children post-HSCT may help to identify parents at risk of adverse outcomes and allow for early, targeted interventions.
Meta-analysis on the Effect of Aspirin Use for Prevention of Preeclampsia on Placental Abruption and Antepartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Roberge Stephanie , Bujold Emmanuel , Nicolaides Kypros H. 
Published: October 2018

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018;218:483–489)
Impaired placentation in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy is associated with increased risk of subsequent development of preeclampsia, birth of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, and placental abruption. Previous studies reported that prophylactic use of aspirin reduces the risk of preeclampsia and SGA neonates with no significant effect on placental abruption.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Proceedings of the STAR Sexually Transmitted Infection—Clinical Trial Group Programmatic Meeting
Authors: Cristillo Anthony D. , Bristow Claire C. , Torrone Elizabeth , Dillon Jo-Anne , Kirkcaldy Robert D. , Dong Huan , Grad Yonatan H. , Nicholas Robert A. , Rice Peter A. , Lawrence Kenneth , Oldach David , Shafer William Maurice , Zhou Pei , Wi Teodora E. , Morris Sheldon R. , Klausner Jeffrey D. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The goal of the Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinical Trial Group's Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) meeting was to assemble experts from academia, government, nonprofit and industry to discuss the current state of research, gaps and challenges in research and technology and priorities and new directions to address the continued emergence of multidrug-resistant NG infections. Topics discussed at the meeting, which will be the focus of this article, include AMR NG global surveillance initiatives, the use of whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics to understand mutations associated with AMR, mechanisms of AMR, and novel antibiotics, vaccines and other methods to treat AMR NG. Key points highlighted during the meeting include: (i) US and International surveillance programs to understand AMR in NG; (ii) the US National Strategy for combating antimicrobial-resistant bacteria; (iii) surveillance needs, challenges, and novel technologies; (iv) plasmid-mediated and chromosomally mediated mechanisms of AMR in NG; (v) novel therapeutic (eg, sialic acid analogs, factor H [FH]/Fc fusion molecule, monoclonal antibodies, topoisomerase inhibitors, fluoroketolides, LpxC inhibitors) and preventative (eg, peptide mimic) strategies to combat infection. The way forward will require renewed political will, new funding initiatives, and collaborations across academic and commercial research and public health programs.
Impact of controllability on pain and suffering
Authors: Löffler Martin , Kamping Sandra , Brunner Michael , Bustan Smadar , Kleinböhl Dieter , Anton Fernand , Flor Herta 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroduction:Chronic pain and pain-related suffering are major health problems. The lack of controllability of experienced pain seems to greatly contribute to the extent of suffering. This study examined how controllability affects the perception of pain and pain-related suffering, and the modulation of this effect by beliefs and emotions such as locus of control of reinforcement, pain catastrophizing, and fear of pain.Methods:Twenty-six healthy subjects received painful electric stimulation in both controllable and uncontrollable conditions. Visual analogue scales and the “Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure” were used to assess pain intensity, unpleasantness, pain-related suffering, and the level of perceived control. We also investigated nonverbal indicators of pain and suffering such as heart rate, skin conductance, and corrugator electromyogram.Results:Controllability selectively reduced the experience of pain-related suffering, but did not affect pain intensity or pain unpleasantness. This effect was modulated by chance locus of control but was unrelated to fear of pain or catastrophizing. Physiological responses were not affected by controllability. In a second sample of 25 participants, we varied the instruction. The effect of controllability on pain-related suffering was only present when instructions focused on the person being able to stop the pain.Discussion:Our data suggest that the additional measure of pain-related suffering may be important in the assessment of pain and may be more susceptible to the effects of perceived control than pain intensity and unpleasantness. We also show that this effect depends on personal involvement.
Impact of Treatment With Chelating Agents Depends on the Stability of Administered GBCAs
Authors: Boyken Janina , Frenzel Thomas , Lohrke Jessica , Jost Gregor , Schütz Gunnar , Pietsch Hubertus 
Published: October 2018

Objective
This study investigated the potential effect of the chelating agent calcium trisodium pentetate (Ca-DTPA) on the urinary excretion of gadolinium and the subsequent elimination of gadolinium (Gd) in the brain after a single intravenous administration of either a linear (gadodiamide) or a macrocyclic (gadobutrol) Gd-based contrast agent in rats.

Materials and Methods
Rats received either a single injection of gadodiamide or gadobutrol (1.8 mmol/kg, each) or saline (n = 18 per group). Seven weeks after the injection, 6 animals of each group were killed before the treatment period. From the remaining 12 animals, 6 received either 3 intravenous injections of Ca-DTPA (180 μmol/kg) or saline. Urine was collected daily for 3 days after each infusion. Gadolinium measurements by ICP-MS were performed in urine and tissue samples.

Results
In animals that initially received the linear gadodiamide, Ca-DTPA infusion increased the urinary excretion of Gd by a factor of 10 (cumulative amount of 114 ± 21 nmol Gd vs 10 ± 4 nmol Gd after saline infusion, P ≤ 0.0001). In contrast, animals that received the macrocyclic gadobutrol exhibited a higher spontaneous urinary excretion of Gd (33 ± 12 nmol after saline infusion) and Ca-DTPA had no impact (30 ± 11 nmol Gd, P = 0.68).
The urinary excretion of Gd was associated with Gd brain content. Seven weeks after the initial Gd-based contrast agent administration, a total amount of 0.74 ± 0.053 nmol Gd was quantified in the brain after administration of gadodiamide. The Gd brain burden was partially reduced at the end of the treatment period in the animals that were repeatedly infused with Ca-DTPA (0.56 ± 0.13 nmol Gd, P = 0.009) but not with saline (0.66 ± 0.081 nmol, P = 0.32). In contrast, the total amount of macrocyclic gadobutrol measured in the brain was lower (0.11 ± 0.029 nmol Gd) and still spontaneously cleared during the 3-week saline infusion period (0.057 ± 0.019 nmol Gd (P = 0.003). Gadolinium quantified in the brain after infusions with Ca-DTPA did not differ from saline-infused animals (0.049 ± 0.014 nmol Gd).

Conclusions
Administration of the chelating agent Ca-DTPA 7 weeks after injection of linear gadodiamide induced relevant urinary Gd excretion. In parallel, the Gd amount in the brain tissue decreased. This indicates a dechelated pool among the chemical Gd forms present in the rat brain after linear gadodiamide administration that can be mobilized by chelation with Ca-DTPA. In contrast, Ca-DTPA did not mobilize Gd in animals that received macrocyclic gadobutrol, indicating that the Gd measured is intact gadobutrol.
68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT in Thyroid Metastases of Lung Carcinoid
Authors: Leccisotti Lucia , Lorusso Margherita , Giannetta Elisa , Isidori Andrea M. , Rufini Vittoria 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
We report the case of a 43-year-old man with a history of lung carcinoid and a recent detection of thyroid nodules by ultrasound. The cytological analysis raised the suspicion of medullary thyroid carcinoma; however, calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were in reference range. Considering the previous diagnosis of lung carcinoid, the patient underwent whole-body 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT. The images showed focal radiopharmaceutical uptake in both thyroid lobes. After thyroidectomy, the histology and immunohistochemistry (negative for calcitonin and positive for chromogranin A) confirmed the neuroendocrine origin of the thyroid nodules, possibly referable to previous lung carcinoid.
Gastric GIST Incidentally Detected on 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT
Authors: Vaz Sofia , Oliveira Carla , Castanheira Joana C. , Silva Ângelo F. , Costa Durval C. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is specific for prostate cancer cells; nevertheless when finding uptake in abnormal locations for prostate cancer metastases, it is important to consider other hypothesis, including second cancers. There are several papers about PSMA expression in many different types of cancer, but few reported expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). In this case, we documented the GIST lesion not only by PET/CT but also by gastroscopy and histology. Additionally, PSMA immunochemistry was performed, showing PSMA expression in tumoral GIST cells (not in endothelial cells), evidencing a good correlation between PET/CT image and histology.
End-to-Side Nerve Repair
Authors: Konofaos Petros , Bassilios Habre Samer , Wallace Robert D. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Peripheral nerves injuries are extremely debilitating and have been a perennial challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. End-to-side (ETS) neurorrhaphy is a potential strategy for treating nerve lesions without usable proximal nerve stump. A number of interesting clinical and experimental studies have been carried out on ETS nerve repair during the first years of the 20th century. End-to-side nerve repair was then almost abandoned for more than 50 years. The rediscovery of ETS nerve repair was attributed to the experimental work of Viterbo.
Two mechanisms have been suggested for axonal regeneration: terminal and collateral sprouting. While in collateral sprouting axonal outgrowth occurs along the length of the uninjured axons, in terminal sprouting, axonal regeneration takes place at the distal most aspect of either injured or uninjured axons. Clinical experience with ETS nerve repair includes management of upper extremity nerve injury, facial reanimation, reconstruction after tumor ablation, and the prevention of neuroma formation.
The aim of this review article was 2-fold: (1) overviewing the most interesting experimental investigations and clinical studies published so far; (2) calling for more basic research on ETS nerve repair indicating the several unanswered questions that this concept asks to the microsurgical community.
A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Perioperative Outcomes of Laparoscopic-assisted Rectal Resection (LARR) Versus Open Rectal Resection (ORR) for Carcinoma
Authors: Memon Muhammed A. , Yunus Rossita M. , Memon Breda , Awaiz Aiman , Khan Shahjahan 
Published: October 2018

Aims and Objectives:
The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized evidence to determine the relative merits of perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted (LARR) versus open rectal resection (ORR) for proven rectal cancer.

Materials and Methods:
A search of the Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, Current Contents and PubMed databases identified English-language randomized clinical trials comparing LARR and ORR. The meta-analysis was prepared in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Thirteen outcome variables were analyzed. Random effects meta-analyses were performed due to heterogeneity.

Results:
A total of 14 randomized clinical trials that included 3843 rectal resections (LARR 2096, ORR 1747) were analyzed. The summary point estimates favored LARR for the intraoperative blood loss, commencement of oral intake, first bowel movement, and length of hospital stay. There was significantly longer duration of operating time of 38.29 minutes for the LARR group. Other outcome variables such as total complications, postoperative pain, postoperative ileus, abdominal abscesses, postoperative anastomotic leak, reintervention and postoperative mortality rates were found to have comparable outcomes for both cohorts.

Conclusions:
LARR was associated with significantly reduced blood loss, quicker resumption of oral intake, earlier return of gastrointestinal function, and shorter length of hospital stay at the expense of significantly longer operating time. Postoperative morbidity and mortality and analgesia requirement for both these groups were comparable. LARR seems to be a safe and effective alternative to ORR; however, it needs to be performed in established colorectal units with experienced laparoscopic surgeons.
A two-step probing method to compare lysine accessibility across macromolecular complex conformations
Authors: MacRae Andrew J. , Coltri Patricia , Hrabeta-Robinson Eva , Chalkley Robert J. , Burlingame A.L. , Jurica Melissa S. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTStructural models of multi-megadalton molecular complexes are appearing in increasing numbers, in large part because of technical advances in cryo-electron microscopy realized over the last decade. However, the inherent complexity of large biological assemblies comprising dozens of components often limits the resolution of structural models. Furthermore, multiple functional configurations of a complex can leave a puzzle as to how one intermediate moves to the next stage. Orthogonal biochemical information is crucial to understanding the molecular interactions that drive those rearrangements. We present a two-step method for chemical probing detected by tandem mass-spectrometry to globally assess the reactivity of lysine residues within purified macromolecular complexes. Because lysine side chains often balance the negative charge of RNA in ribonucleoprotein complexes, the method is especially powerful for detecting changes in protein-RNA interactions. Probing the E. coli 30S ribosome subunit showed that the reactivity pattern of lysine residues quantitatively reflects structure models from X-ray crystallography. We assessed differences in two conformations of purified human spliceosomes. Our results demonstrate that this method supplies powerful biochemical information that aids in functional interpretation of atomic models of macromolecular complexes at the intermediate resolution often provided by cryo-electron microscopy.
Liver ultrasound elastography for the evaluation of periportal fibrosis in schistosomiasis mansoni: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Santos Joelma Carvalho , Batista Andrea Dória , Vasconcelos Carla Maria Mola , Lemos Roberto Souza , de Souza Valter Romão , Dessein Alain , Dessein Hélia , Montenegro Silvia Maria Lucena , Almeida Lopes Edmundo Pessoa , Domingues Ana Lúcia Coutinho 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundARFI elastrography has been used as a noninvasive method to assess the severity of liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis, although with few studies in schistosomiasis mansoni. We aimed to evaluate the performance of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) for predicting significant periportal fibrosis (PPF) in schistosomotic patients and to determine its best cutoff point.Methodology/Principal findingsThis cross-sectional study included 358 adult schistosomotic patients subjected to US and pSWE on the right lobe. Two hundred two patients (62.0%) were women, with a median age of 54 (ranging 18-92) years. The pSWE measurements were compared to the US patterns of PPF, as gold standard, according to the Niamey classification. The performance of pSWE was calculated as the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Patients were further classified into two groups: 86 patients with mild PPF and 272 patients with significant PPF. The median pSWE of the significant fibrosis group was higher (1.40 m/s) than that of mild fibrosis group (1.14 m/s, p<0.001). AUC was 0.719 with ≤1.11 m/s as the best cutoff value for excluding significant PPF. Sensitivity and negative predictive values were 80.5% and 40.5%, respectively. Whereas, for confirming significant PPF, the best cutoff value was >1.39 m/s, with specificity of 86.1% and positive predictive value of 92.0%.Conclusions/SignificancepSWE was able to differentiate significant from mild PPF, with better performance to predict significant PPF.Author summaryIn the developing world, over 207 million people are infected with parasitic Schistosoma worms. Among the species of Schistosoma that infect humans Schistosoma mansoni is one of the most common causes of illness. Here, we investigated the performance of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) for predicting significant periportal fibrosis (PPF) in schistosomotic patients and to determine its best cutoff point. We examined 358 people from northeast of Brazil for Schistosoma infections. The present study showed that pSWE was able to differentiate significant from mild PPF, with better performance to predict significant PPF.
MR-PET head motion correction based on co-registration of multi-contrast MR images
Authors: Chen Zhaolin , Sforazzini Francesco , Baran Jakub , Close Thomas , Jon Shah N. , Egan Gary F. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHead motion is a major source of image artefacts in neuroimaging studies and can lead to degradation of the quantitative accuracy of reconstructed PET images. Simultaneous Magnetic Resonance-Positron Emission Tomography (MR-PET) makes it possible to estimate head motion information from high-resolution MR images and then correct motion artefacts in PET images. In this paper, we introduce a fully automated PET motion correction method, MR-guided MAF, based on the co-registration of multi-contrast MR images. The performance of the MR-guided MAF method was evaluated using MR-PET data acquired from a cohort of ten healthy participants who received a slow infusion of fluorodeoxyglucose ([18-F]FDG). Compared with conventional methods, MR guided PET image reconstruction can reduce head motion introduced artefacts and improve the image sharpness and quantitative accuracy of PET images acquired using simultaneous MR-PET scanners. The fully automated motion estimation method has been implemented as a publicly available web-service.
Production of glycine-derived ammonia as a low-cost and long-distance antibiotic strategy byStreptomyces
Authors: Avalos Mariana , Garbeva Paolina , Raaijmakers Jos M. , van Wezel Gilles P. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTSoil-inhabiting streptomycetes are Nature’s medicine makers, producing over half of all known antibiotics and many other bioactive natural products. However, these bacteria also produce many volatile compounds, and research into these molecules and their role in soil ecology is rapidly gaining momentum. Here we show that streptomycetes have the ability to kill bacteria over long distances via air-borne antibiosis. Our research shows that streptomycetes do so by producing surprisingly high amounts of the low-cost volatile antimicrobial ammonia, which travels over long distances and antagonises both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Glycine is required as precursor to produce ammonia, and inactivation of the glycine cleavage system annihilated air-borne antibiosis. As a resistance strategy,E. colicells acquired mutations resulting in reduced expression of the porin master regulator OmpR and its cognate kinase EnvZ, which was just enough to allow them to survive. We further show that ammonia enhances the activity of the more costly canonical antibiotics, suggesting that streptomycetes adopt a low-cost strategy to sensitize competitors for antibiosis over longer distances.