bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Therapy in Advanced Cancer Continued Into Bereavement
Authors: Kissane David W. , Zaider Talia I. , Li Yuelin , Hichenberg Shira , Schuler Tammy , Lederberg Marguerite , Lavelle Lisa , Loeb Rebecca , Del Gaudio Francesca 
Published: April 2016

PurposeSystematic family-centered cancer care is needed. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of family therapy, delivered to families identified by screening to be at risk from dysfunctional relationships when one of their relatives has advanced cancer.Patients and MethodsEligible patients with advanced cancer and their family members screened above the cut-off on the Family Relationships Index. After screening 1,488 patients or relatives at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or three related community hospice programs, 620 patients (42%) were recruited, which represented 170 families. Families were stratified by three levels of family dysfunction (low communicating, low involvement, and high conflict) and randomly assigned to one of three arms: standard care or 6 or 10 sessions of a manualized family intervention. Primary outcomes were the Complicated Grief Inventory-Abbreviated (CGI) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Generalized estimating equations allowed for clustered data in an intention-to-treat analysis.ResultsOn the CGI, a significant treatment effect (Wald χ2= 6.88; df = 2; P = .032) and treatment by family-type interaction was found (Wald χ2= 20.64; df = 4; P < .001), and better outcomes resulted from 10 sessions compared with standard care for low-communicating and high-conflict groups compared with low-involvement families. Low-communicating families improved by 6 months of bereavement. In the standard care arm, 15.5% of the bereaved developed a prolonged grief disorder at 13 months of bereavement compared with 3.3% of those who received 10 sessions of intervention (Wald χ2= 8.31; df = 2; P =.048). No significant treatment effects were found on the BDI-II.ConclusionFamily-focused therapy delivered to high-risk families during palliative care and continued into bereavement reduced the severity of complicated grief and the development of prolonged grief disorder.
US Intergroup Trial of Response-Adapted Therapy for Stage III to IV Hodgkin Lymphoma Using Early Interim Fluorodeoxyglucose–Positron Emission Tomography Imaging: Southwest Oncology Group S0816
Authors: Press Oliver W. , Li Hongli , Schöder Heiko , Straus David J. , Moskowitz Craig H. , LeBlanc Michael , Rimsza Lisa M. , Bartlett Nancy L. , Evens Andrew M. , Mittra Erik S. , LaCasce Ann S. , Sweetenham John W. , Barr Paul M. , Fanale Michelle A. , Knopp Michael V. , Noy Ariela , Hsi Eric D. , Cook James R. , Lechowicz Mary Jo , Gascoyne Randy D. , Leonard John P. , Kahl Brad S. , Cheson Bruce D. , Fisher Richard I. , Friedberg Jonathan W. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose Four US National Clinical Trials Network components (Southwest Oncology Group, Cancer and Leukemia Group B/Alliance, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and the AIDS Malignancy Consortium) conducted a phase II Intergroup clinical trial that used early interim fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging to determine the utility of response-adapted therapy for stage III to IV classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients and Methods The Southwest Oncology Group S0816 (Fludeoxyglucose F 18-PET/CT Imaging and Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Additional Chemotherapy and G-CSF in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Hodgkin Lymphoma) trial enrolled 358 HIV-negative patients between July 1, 2009, and December 2, 2012. A PET scan was performed after two initial cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) and was labeled PET2. PET2-negative patients (Deauville score 1 to 3) received an additional four cycles of ABVD, whereas PET2-positive patients (Deauville score 4 to 5) were switched to escalated bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (eBEACOPP) for six cycles. Among 336 eligible and evaluable patients, the median age was 32 years (range, 18 to 60 years), with 52% stage III, 48% stage IV, 49% International Prognostic Score 0 to 2, and 51% score 3 to 7. Results Three hundred thirty-six of the enrolled patients were evaluable. Central review of the interim PET2 scan was performed in 331 evaluable patients, with 271 (82%) PET2-negative and 60 (18%) PET2-positive. Of 60 eligible PET2-positive patients, 49 switched to eBEACOPP as planned and 11 declined. With a median follow-up of 39.7 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimate for 2-year overall survival was 98% (95% CI, 95% to 99%), and the 2-year estimate for progression-free survival (PFS) was 79% (95% CI, 74% to 83%). The 2-year estimate for PFS in the subset of patients who were PET2-positive after two cycles of ABVD was 64% (95% CI, 50% to 75%). Both nonhematologic and hematologic toxicities were greater in the eBEACOPP arm than in the continued ABVD arm. Conclusion Response-adapted therapy based on interim PET imaging after two cycles of ABVD seems promising with a 2-year PFS of 64% for PET2-positive patients, which is much higher than the expected 2-year PFS of 15% to 30%.
KIR3DL1 Allelic Polymorphism and HLA-B Epitopes Modulate Response to Anti-GD2 Monoclonal Antibody in Patients With Neuroblastoma
Authors: Forlenza Christopher J. , Boudreau Jeanette E. , Zheng Junting , Le Luduec Jean-Benoît , Chamberlain Elizabeth , Heller Glenn , Cheung Nai-Kong V. , Hsu Katharine C. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose In patients with neuroblastoma (NB), treatment with anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directs natural killer (NK) cell–mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against tumor cells. However, tumor cytotoxicity is attenuated by ligation of inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) by HLA class I molecules. KIR3DL1 polymorphism influences its ability to engage HLA-Bw4 ligands. We tested the hypothesis that poorly interacting combinations of KIR3DL1 and HLA ligands are more permissive of mAb-mediated antitumor effect. Methods KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtyping were performed with a multiplex intermediate-resolution polymerase chain reaction assay for a cohort of 245 patients who were treated with antibody 3F8 for high-risk NB. Patient outcomes were analyzed according to expected degree of interaction between KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtypes and grouped as strong, weak, or noninteractors. A comparison of NK response to 3F8 mAb opsonized NB cells between strong- and noninteracting donors was performed by flow cytometry. Results KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtype combinations associated with noninteraction as a result of lack of receptor expression [KIR3DL1(−)], failure of interaction with inhibitory ligands [KIR3DS1(+)], or absence of KIR ligands resulted in significantly improved overall and progression-free survival. Patients with KIR3DL1 and HLA-B subtype combinations that were predictive of weak interaction had superior outcomes compared with those that were predictive of strong interaction; however, both groups were inferior to those with noninteracting subtype combinations. In vitro analysis of 3F8-mediated ADCC showed that KIR3DL1(−) and 3DS1(+) NK cells were insensitive to inhibition by HLA-Bw4–expressing NB targets. Conclusion We conclude that KIR3LD1 and HLA-B allele combinations can have a prognostic impact on patient survival after treatment with anti-GD2 mAb that relies on NK-ADCC. The survival advantage seen in noninteracting combinations supports the therapeutic disinhibition of individuals with strongly interacting KIR and ligand pairs.
Economic Implications of Widespread Expansion of Frozen Section Margin Analysis to Guide Surgical Resection in Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Breast-Conserving Surgery
Authors: Boughey Judy C. , Keeney Gary L. , Radensky Paul , Song Christine P. , Habermann Elizabeth B. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose: In the current health care environment, cost effectiveness is critically important in policy setting and care of patients. This study performed a health economic analysis to assess the implications to providers and payers of expanding the use of frozen section margin analysis to minimize reoperations for patients undergoing breast cancer lumpectomy. Methods: A health care economic impact model was built to assess annual costs associated with breast lumpectomy procedures with and without frozen section margin analysis to avoid reoperation. Results: If frozen section margin analysis is used in 20% of breast lumpectomies and under a baseline assumption that 35% of initial lumpectomies without frozen section analysis result in reoperations, the potential annual cost savings are $18.2 million to payers and $0.4 million to providers. Under the same baseline assumption, if 100% of all health care facilities adopted the use of frozen section margin analysis for breast lumpectomy procedures, the potential annual cost savings are $90.9 million to payers and $1.8 million to providers. On the basis of 10,000 simulations, use of intraoperative frozen section margin analysis yields cost saving for payers and is cost neutral to slightly cost saving for providers. Conclusion: This economic analysis indicates that widespread use of frozen section margin evaluation intraoperatively to guide surgical resection in breast lumpectomy cases and minimize reoperations would be beneficial to cost savings not only for the patient but also for payers and, in most cases, for providers.
Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacists: Their Potential Contribution to Reducing a Shortfall in Oncology Patient Visits
Authors: Ignoffo Robert , Knapp Katherine , Barnett Mitchell , Barbour Sally Yowell , D’Amato Steve , Iacovelli Lew , Knudsen Jasen , Koontz Susannah E. , Mancini Robert , McBride Ali , McCauley Dayna , Medina Patrick , O'Bryant Cindy L. , Scarpace Sarah , Stricker Steve , Trovato James A. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose: With an aging US population, the number of patients who need cancer treatment will increase significantly by 2020. On the basis of a predicted shortage of oncology physicians, nonphysician health care practitioners will need to fill the shortfall in oncology patient visits, and nurse practitioners and physician assistants have already been identified for this purpose. This study proposes that appropriately trained oncology pharmacists can also contribute. The purpose of this study is to estimate the supply of Board of Pharmacy Specialties–certified oncology pharmacists (BCOPs) and their potential contribution to the care of patients with cancer through 2020. Methods: Data regarding accredited oncology pharmacy residencies, new BCOPs, and total BCOPs were used to estimate oncology residencies, new BCOPs, and total BCOPs through 2020. A Delphi panel process was used to estimate patient visits, identify patient care services that BCOPs could provide, and study limitations. Results: By 2020, there will be an estimated 3,639 BCOPs, and approximately 62% of BCOPs will have completed accredited oncology pharmacy residencies. Delphi panelists came to consensus (at least 80% agreement) on eight patient care services that BCOPs could provide. Although the estimates given by our model indicate that BCOPs could provide 5 to 7 million 30-minute patient visits annually, sensitivity analysis, based on factors that could reduce potential visit availability resulted in 2.5 to 3.5 million visits by 2020 with the addition of BCOPs to the health care team. Conclusion: BCOPs can contribute to a projected shortfall in needed patient visits for cancer treatment. BCOPs, along with nurse practitioners and physician assistants could substantially reduce, but likely not eliminate, the shortfall of providers needed for oncology patient visits.
Cancer Screening Patterns and Concerns in Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy
Authors: Lin Jolinta Y. , Diwanji Tejan P. , Snider James W. , Knight Nancy , Regine William F. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose: Evolving cancer screening guidelines can confuse the public. Caregivers of patients undergoing radiation oncology may represent a promising outreach target for disseminating and clarifying screening information. We aimed to: (1) determine the incidence of cancer screening in this cohort, and (2) identify barriers to and deficiencies in screening. Methods: We distributed a 21-item survey on cancer screening history and related concerns to caregivers ≥ 18 years old at one urban and two suburban radiation oncology centers. Reported screening habits were compared with American Cancer Society/American Urological Association guidelines for breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancer. Statistical analysis included Pearson χ2 tests. Results: A total of 209 caregivers (median age, 55.5 years; 146 women) were surveyed. Although 92% had primary care physicians (PCPs), only 58% reported being informed about recommended screening intervals. Participants ≤ 49 years old were less likely to report PCP discussion of cancer screening than older participants (41% and 66%, respectively; P = .006). Ninety-eight respondents (47%) had one or more screening concern(s). Among screening-eligible caregivers, 23 (18%) reported not undergoing regular colonoscopies. Fourteen women (13%) did not have Papanicolaou smears at recommended intervals, and 21 (18%) did not have annual mammograms. Six men (21%) did not undergo annual prostate screening. Decreased recommended screening with colonoscopy and mammography correlated with younger age. Conclusion: This survey of relatively unexplored caregivers identified cancer screening deficiencies and concerns that might be addressed by targeted interventions. With approximately 60% of patients with cancer receiving radiation therapy, advice in the radiation oncology setting could positively affect cancer screening behaviors in caregivers.
Training differentially regulates elastin level and proteolysis in skeletal and heart muscles and aorta in healthy rats
Authors: Gilbert Anna , Wyczalkowska-Tomasik Aleksandra , Zendzian-Piotrowska Malgorzata , Czarkowska-Paczek Bozena 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
Exercise induces changes in muscle fibers and the extracellular matrix that may depend on elastin content and the activity of proteolytic enzymes. We investigated the influence of endurance training on the gene expression and protein content and/or activity of elastin, elastase, cathepsin K, and plasmin in skeletal and heart muscles and in the aorta. Healthy rats were randomly divided into untrained (n=10) and trained (n=10; 6 weeks of endurance training with increasing load) groups. Gene expression was evaluated via qRT-PCR. Elastin content was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzyme activity was measured fluorometrically. Elastin content was significantly higher in skeletal (P=0.0014) and heart muscle (P=0.000022) from trained rats versus untrained rats, but not in the aorta. Although mRNA levels in skeletal muscle did not differ between groups, the activities of elastase (P=0.0434), cathepsin K (P=0.0343) and plasmin (P=0.000046) were higher in trained rats. The levels of cathepsin K (P=0.0288) and plasminogen (P=0.0005) mRNA were higher in heart muscle from trained rats, but enzyme activity was not. Enzyme activity in the aorta did not differ between groups. Increased elastin content in muscles may result in better adaption to exercise, as may remodeling of the extracellular matrix in skeletal muscle.
Η επίδραση της ευρωπαϊκής στρατηγικής απασχόλησης στην ελληνική πολιτική απασχόλησης: μια περίπτωση «γνωσιακού» εξευρωπαϊσμού;
Authors: Φερώνας Ανδρέας 
Published: April 2016

<p>Τhis article examines the role of OMC, as a ‘soft’ mode of governance, in the Europeanisation of national policies is examined. Recent OMC bibliography highlights its cognitive effects, suggesting that the level of its influence varies nationally according to country and welfare regime and depends on the distance between national sociopolitical situation and European requirements. The examination of some aspects of the impact of European Employment Strategy on Greek employment policy, that follows as a case study, confirms to a large extent the aforementioned hypothesis. In addition, it shows that Europeanisation through OMC in some cases might be stronger and lead to some degree of convergence in policy outcomes.</p>
Human acellular dermal wound matrix for complex diabetic wounds
Authors: Rupert P. 
Published: April 2016

Objective: Diabetic ulcers are the most common foot injuries leading to lower-extremity amputation and the most common cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the industrialised world. Approximately 85% of all diabetes-related lower-extremity amputations are preceded by foot ulcers. When foot ulcers develop despite preventive measures, early and appropriate treatment should be initiated to help reduce the burden of diabetes-related amputations. Recent advances now offer these patients a regenerative process of restoring the wound with human integument by replacing damaged or missing tissue with similar tissue rather than scar formation. The aim of this product evaluation was to test the efficacy of regenerative products on complex diabetic wounds. Method: Before wound intervention, the underlying comorbidities of type II diabetes mellitus and osteomyelitis were treated. In the operating room, the wounds received a sterile surgical scrub and were treated with either regenerative tissue matrix sutured over the open wounds or regenerative flowable soft tissue scaffold placed in a plantar tunnelled wound. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was applied for 10–14 days to create an environment that promotes wound healing, to secure the grafts, and to facilitate adhesion of the matrix to the wound bed. Results: All wounds, three in two patients, completely epithelialised without any complications at the end of the 17-week follow-up period. Conclusion: With the absence of complications and successful wound epithelialisation in a variety of diabetic wounds, regenerative tissue matrix products have taken the next step forward in wound healing.
SlimShot
Authors: Gribkoff Eric , Suciu Dan 
Published: April 2016

Increasingly large Knowledge Bases are being created, by crawling the Web or other corpora of documents, and by extracting facts and relations using machine learning techniques. To manage the uncertainty in the data, these KBs rely on probabilistic engines based on Markov Logic Networks (MLN), for which probabilistic inference remains a major challenge. Today's state of the art systems use variants of MCMC, which have no theoretical error guarantees, and, as we show, suffer from poor performance in practice.
In this paper we describe SlimShot (Scalable Lifted Inference and Monte Carlo Sampling Hybrid Optimization Technique), a probabilistic inference engine for knowledge bases. SlimShot converts the MLN to a tuple-independent probabilistic database, then uses a simple Monte Carlo-based inference, with three key enhancements: (1) it combines sampling with safe query evaluation, (2) it estimates a conditional probability by jointly computing the numerator and denominator, and (3) it adjusts the proposal distribution based on the sample cardinality. In combination, these three techniques allow us to give formal error guarantees, and we demonstrate empirically that SlimShot outperforms to-day's state of the art probabilistic inference engines used in knowledge bases.
The Rise of the Notion of Illegitimate Debt: a Comment on “Rethinking Sovereign Debt: Politics, Reputation, and Legitimacy in Modern Finance” by Odette Lienau
Authors: Ishikawa Tomoko 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
“Rethinking Sovereign Debt: Politics, Reputation, and Legitimacy in Modern Finance” by Odette Lienau convincingly challenges the notion that the norm of debt continuity is a “stable and inevitable market principle” by providing a thorough analysis of the historical and political contexts surrounding this norm. The author’s approach which goes beyond the “market narrative” on the norm of debt continuity provides significant insights into the difficult issues of debt repudiation. This approach reveals the politically and historically variable nature of the norm of debt continuity. As such, the author demonstrates the openness and the possible development of sovereign debt practices towards accepting a more flexible and non-statist approach to sovereign debt management.
Evaluation of lysozyme, complement C3, and total protein in different developmental stages of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum K.)
Authors: Abdollahi Razieh , Heidari Behrooz , Aghamaali Mahmoudreza 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
In this study, non–specific immune parameters in fertilized eggs, eyed embryos, larvae 10, 25, 50, 60, and 70 days post hatch (DPH), and female broodstock of Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum (Kamensky), were evaluated. The lysozyme activity, complement C3, and total protein levels were measured with the turbidimetric, immunoturbidimetric, and Bradford methods, respectively. The results showed that lysozyme levels decreased from levels noted in the fertilized eggs until the larvae were 10 days old. Subsequently, significant increases in lysozyme levels were observed until 70 DPH. An increasing trend of complement component C3 was noted from the levels in fertilized eggs to 10 DPH, following which it decreased significantly. Total protein levels differed significantly in early developmental stages of Caspian kutum. The higher values of complement component C3 than of lysozyme in the early life stages could be indicative of the former’s more fundamental role.
Genetic diversity of Diplomonadida in fish of the genus Coregonus from Southeastern Siberia
Authors: Denikina Natalia , Nebesnykh Ivan , Maikova Olga , Dzyuba Elena , Belkova Natalia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDiplomonadida are primitive flagellate protozoa, among which both commensals and pathogens have been recorded. To date, members of the genera
Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of biological activities of some 2,3-diaryl bicyclo methanones
Authors: Thirunarayanan Ganesamoorthy 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Sixteen (3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(substituted phenyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-yl) methanone derivatives have been synthesized by an aqueous phase fly-ash catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene and 3,4-dichloro phenyl chalcones. The yields of the methanones were greater than 60%. The synthesized methanones were characterized by their physical constants and spectral data. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the synthesized methanones were evaluated using a variety of bacterial and fungal species and DPPH radical scavenging methods.
3D Numerical Simulation of Laminar Flow and Conjugate Heat Transfer through Fabric
Authors: Zhu Guocheng , Kremenakova Dana , Wang Yan , Militky Jiri , Mishra Rajesh , Wiener Jakub 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The air flow and conjugate heat transfer through the fabric was investigated numerically. The objective of this paper is to study the thermal insulation of fabrics under heat convection or the heat loss of human body under different conditions (fabric structure and contact conditions between the human skin and the fabric). The numerical simulations were performed in laminar flow regime at constant skin temperature (310 K) and constant air flow temperature (273 K) at a speed of 5 m/s. Some important parameters such as heat flux through the fabrics, heat transfer coefficient, and Nusselt number were evaluated. The results showed that the heat loss from human body (the heat transfer coefficient) was smallest or the thermal insulation of fabric was highest when the fabric had no pores and no contact with the human skin, the heat loss from human body (the heat transfer coefficient) was highest when the fabric had pores and the air flow penetrated through the fabric.