bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managing collaboration in public security networks in the fight against terrorism and organized crime
Authors: Kapucu Naim , Demirhan Cihan 
Published: February 2017

The fight against terrorism and organized crime requires collaboration between public security organizations. Due to a lack of strong hierarchical structure, managing networks is not similar to managing a single government agency. This study examines the factors influencing network effectiveness in the public security sector. The study highlighted the importance of inter-organizational trust, network leadership style, goal convergence, and organizational culture on network effectiveness. In order to find these relations between study variables, a self-reported survey was conducted with 305 current and previous public network leaders. The study found that inter-organizational trust and goal convergence have a positive relationship with network effectiveness, with co-producer network leadership being the most convenient leadership style for effectiveness. Points for practitioners Government and network managers should focus on establishing relationships to promote trust and decrease the goal divergence between partner agencies, with increased open communication in the network. Governors should ensure an accountable system of public security, identify the boundaries of member organizations, network principles, and values, and appropriately coordinate joint actions. In order to promote governors to implement behaviors in co-producer leadership styles, the government should strengthen the governor’s authority and financial power over military units and intelligence departments.
Factors influencing compliance to the infection control precautions among nurses and physicians in Jordan: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Nofal Maysa , Subih Maha , Al-Kalaldeh Mahmoud , Al Hussami Mahmoud 
Published: February 2017

Background:Adherence to infection control precautions (ICP) is important to reduce the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).Aims:To determine nurses and physician’s knowledge, attitude and compliance to ICPs and factors associated with reported compliance.Methods:A cross-sectional survey of nurses and physicians recruited from three hospitals at three different healthcare sectors in Jordan. Three instruments were used to assess knowledge, attitudes and compliance to ICPs.Findings:A total of 211 professionals completed the survey: 155 nurses and 56 physicians. Both groups had low knowledge scores for ICP but a high positive attitude. Although both groups had high reported compliance scores, nurses scores were higher ( P = 0.04). Participants from the private hospital had higher knowledge and compliance scores. Length of experience, knowledge and attitude were significant predictors of reported compliance to ICPs.Discussion:Despite poor knowledge, Jordanian healthcare professionals reported high scores for positive attitudes and compliance with IPCs. Clinical training programmes are required to enhance knowledge and understanding of IPCs.
Cross-Validation of a Glucose-Insulin-Glucagon Pharmacodynamics Model for Simulation Using Data From Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Wendt Sabrina Lyngbye , Ranjan Ajenthen , Møller Jan Kloppenborg , Schmidt Signe , Knudsen Carsten Boye , Holst Jens Juul , Madsbad Sten , Madsen Henrik , Nørgaard Kirsten , Jørgensen John Bagterp 
Published: February 2017

Background: Currently, no consensus exists on a model describing endogenous glucose production (EGP) as a function of glucagon concentrations. Reliable simulations to determine the glucagon dose preventing or treating hypoglycemia or to tune a dual-hormone artificial pancreas control algorithm need a validated glucoregulatory model including the effect of glucagon. Methods: Eight type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients each received a subcutaneous (SC) bolus of insulin on four study days to induce mild hypoglycemia followed by a SC bolus of saline or 100, 200, or 300 µg of glucagon. Blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of glucagon, insulin, and glucose. We fitted pharmacokinetic (PK) models to insulin and glucagon data using maximum likelihood and maximum a posteriori estimation methods. Similarly, we fitted a pharmacodynamic (PD) model to glucose data. The PD model included multiplicative effects of insulin and glucagon on EGP. Bias and precision of PD model test fits were assessed by mean predictive error (MPE) and mean absolute predictive error (MAPE). Results: Assuming constant variables in a subject across nonoutlier visits and using thresholds of ±15% MPE and 20% MAPE, we accepted at least one and at most three PD model test fits in each of the seven subjects. Thus, we successfully validated the PD model by leave-one-out cross-validation in seven out of eight T1D patients. Conclusions: The PD model accurately simulates glucose excursions based on plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations. The reported PK/PD model including equations and fitted parameters allows for in silico experiments that may help improve diabetes treatment involving glucagon for prevention of hypoglycemia.
Screening for prostate cancer in renal transplant candidates: Single-centre experience over 10 years
Authors: Aleckovic-Halilovic Mirna , Zelhof Bachar , Solomon Laurie , Ahmed Aimun , Woywodt Alexander 
Published: February 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to report 10 years of single-centre experience with prostate cancer screening in renal transplant candidates. Patients and methods: This is a single-centre retrospective analysis of results of prostate cancer screening as a part of renal pre-transplant workup. We included all male patients suitable for transplant workup over 10 years. Patients with persistently elevated prostate specific antigen were considered for prostate biopsy. Biopsy results, treatment data and short-term outcomes for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were collected. Results: We identified 542 patients with a mean age of 52 years. Thirty-one (5.7%) patients were referred to a urologist. Twenty-three (74%) of those referred were biopsied. Histological findings for 10 biopsies (44%) were normal, three (13%) had prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm and nine patients (39%) had invasive adenocarcinoma. One case (4%) was inconclusive. All patients with a normal biopsy proceeded with pre-transplant workup. Out of nine patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, five were transplant listed, two were receiving treatment and two were subsequently deceased. Conclusion: Prostate specific antigen screening with repeat testing and the use of age-adjusted normal values led to the diagnosis of prostate cancer that had major implications for transplant listing. For the majority of cancers the diagnosis did not deny transplant surgery to patients but only delayed listing for transplant.
Quantitative Anatomic Analysis of the Native Ligamentum Teres
Authors: Mikula Jacob D. , Slette Erik L. , Chahla Jorge , Brady Alex W. , Locks Renato , Trindade Christiano A. C. , Rasmussen Matthew T. , LaPrade Robert F. , Philippon Marc J. 
Published: February 2017

Background: While recent studies have addressed the biomechanical function of the ligamentum teres and provided descriptions of ligamentum teres reconstruction techniques, its detailed quantitative anatomy remains relatively undocumented. Moreover, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the number and morphology of the acetabular attachments of the ligamentum teres. Purpose: To provide a clinically relevant quantitative anatomic description of the native human ligamentum teres. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Ten human cadaveric hemipelvises, complete with femurs (mean age, 59.6 years; range, 47-65 years), were dissected free of all extra-articular soft tissues to isolate the ligamentum teres and its attachments. A coordinate measuring device was used to quantify the attachment areas and their relationships to pertinent open and arthroscopic landmarks on both the acetabulum and the femur. The clock face reference system was utilized to describe acetabular anatomy, and all anatomic relationships were described using the mean and 95% confidence intervals. Results: There were 6 distinct attachments to the acetabulum and 1 to the femur. The areas of the acetabular and femoral attachment footprints of the ligamentum teres were 434 mm2 (95% CI, 320-549 mm2) and 84 mm2 (95% CI, 65-104 mm2), respectively. The 6 acetabular clock face locations were as follows: anterior attachment, 4:53 o’clock (95% CI, 4:45-5:02); posterior attachment, 6:33 o’clock (95% CI, 6:23-6:43); ischial attachment, 8:07 o’clock (95% CI, 7:47-8:26); iliac attachment, 1:49 o’clock (95% CI, 1:04-2:34); and a smaller pubic attachment that was located at 3:50 o’clock (95% CI, 3:41-4:00). The ischial attachment possessed the largest cross-sectional attachment area (127.3 mm2; 95% CI, 103.0-151.7 mm2) of all the acetabular attachments of the ligamentum teres. Conclusion: The most important finding of this study was that the human ligamentum teres had 6 distinct points of attachment on the acetabulum (transverse, anterior, and posterior margins of the acetabular notch and cotyloid fossa attachments: ilium, ischium, and pubis) and 1 on the femur. On the acetabulum, the anterior attachment was substantially larger than the posterior attachment and was located at a mean clock face position of 4:53 o’clock. Clinical Relevance: These quantitative descriptions of the ligamentum teres can be used by clinicians to arthroscopically identify the attachments of the ligamentum teres, guiding arthroscopic surgical interventions designed to address ligamentum teres pathology.
Neoadjuvant combined modality program with selective organ preservation for invasive bladder cancer: results of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group phase II trial 8802.
Authors: Tester W , Caplan R , Heaney J , Venner P , Whittington R , Byhardt R , True L , Shipley W 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE This phase II study was designed to evaluate effectiveness and toxicity of a combined chemoradiotherapy program with selective bladder preservation in the management of patients with invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ninety-one eligible patients with invasive bladder cancer stages T2M0 to T4AM0 suitable for radical cystectomy received two courses of methotrexate, cisplatin, and vinblastine (MCV regimen) followed by radiotherapy with 39.6 Gy and concurrent cisplatin. After complete urologic evaluation, operable patients who achieved complete response were selected for bladder preservation and treated with consolidation cisplatin-radiotherapy. RESULTS Of 91 eligible patients, 85 underwent complete urologic evaluation and 68 (75%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 59% to 84%) had documented complete responses. Fourteen operable patients with residual tumor underwent immediate cystectomy. Of 70 patients treated with consolidation cisplatin-radiotherapy, 36 subsequently developed bladder recurrences, 23 of which were invasive. Patients with invasive recurrence (n = 16), extensive noninvasive recurrence (n = 6), or severe treatment complications (n = 1) underwent salvage cystectomy. Thus, a total of 37 of 91 patients (40%) required cystectomy. The 4-year cumulative risk of invasive local failure (which includes induction failures) was 43% (95% CI, 33% to 53%). The 4-year actuarial risk of distant metastasis was 22% (95% CI, 13% to 31%). The 4-year actuarial survival rate of the entire group was 62% (95% CI, 52% to 72%). The 4-year actuarial rate of survival with bladder intact was 44% (95% CI, 34% to 54%). CONCLUSION Initial results of this combined chemoradiotherapy program show that bladder preservation can be achieved in the majority of patients, and that overall survival is similar to that reported with aggressive surgical approaches. Long-term survival and quality-of-life assessments require longer follow-up study.
Phase II trial of vinorelbine in metastatic squamous cell esophageal carcinoma. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Gastrointestinal Treat Cancer Cooperative Group.
Authors: Conroy T , Etienne P L , Adenis A , Wagener D J , Paillot B , François E , Bedenne L , Jacob J H , Seitz J F , Bleiberg H , Van Pottelsberghe C , Van Glabbeke M , Delgado F M , Merle S , Wils J 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the response rate and toxic effects of vinorelbine (VNB) administered as a single agent in metastatic squamous cell esophageal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-six eligible patients with measurable lesions were included and were stratified according to previous chemotherapy. Thirty patients without prior chemotherapy and 16 pretreated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy were assessable for toxicity and response. VNB was administered weekly as a 25-mg/m2 short intravenous (i.v.) infusion. RESULTS Six of 30 patients (20%) without prior chemotherapy achieved a partial response (PR) (95% confidence interval [CI], 8% to 39%). The median duration of response was 21 weeks (range, 17 to 28). One of 16 patients (6%) with prior chemotherapy had a complete response (CR) of 31 weeks' duration (95% CI, 0% to 30%). The overall response rate (World Health Organization [WHO] criteria) was 15% (CR, 2%; PR 13%; 95% CI, 6% to 29%). The median dose-intensity (DI) was 20 mg/m2/wk. VNB was well tolerated and zero instances of WHO grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity occurred. At least one episode of grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia was seen in 59% of patients. A grade 2 or 3 infection occurred in 16% of patients, but no toxic deaths occurred. Other side effects were rare, and peripheral neurotoxicity has been minor (26% grade 1). CONCLUSION These data indicate that VNB is an active agent in metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Given its excellent tolerance profile and low toxicity, further evaluation of VNB in combination therapy is warranted.
Dose-escalation trial of cladribine using five daily intravenous infusions in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies.
Authors: Larson R A , Mick R , Spielberger R T , O'Brien S M , Ratain M J 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE The optimal dose and schedule for cladribine (2CdA) therapy of malignant hematologic diseases have not been determined. This dose-escalation study was designed to assess toxicity when 2CdA is given using five daily 1-hour intravenous infusions. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-two adults with advanced hematologic malignancies were treated in one of nine cohorts, starting at 2.5 mg/m2/d for 5 days. Plasma drug concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Responses were assessed by bone marrow biopsy on day 15 of the first course and by clinical measurements after each course. Patients received one to four courses each. RESULTS Nonhematologic toxicity was mild, and dose-limiting nonhematologic toxicity was not observed, even at the highest dose level of 21.5 mg/m2/d. In particular, neurotoxicity was not observed. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) was not identified. However, prolonged cytopenias and severe infections were more common in the higher 2CdA dose cohorts. Logistic regression analysis suggested that severe hematologic toxicity was associated with pretreatment platelet count and performance status (PS). Good-risk patients were identified as having a PS of 0 and platelet count > or = 80,000/microL, PS of 1 and platelet count > or = 120,000/microL, or PS of 2 and platelet count > or = 160,000/microL. Sustained complete responses (CRs) and partial responses (PRs) were observed in eight patients. CONCLUSION 2CdA can be administered using five daily 1-hour infusions at 21.5 mg/m2/d without dose-limiting nonhematologic toxicity. Unlike continuous intravenous infusions, neurotoxicity was not observed using this schedule. Further dose escalation may be possible in good PS patients with adequate platelet counts.
Cyclosporin A does not reverse clinical resistance to paclitaxel in patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Authors: Sarris A H , Younes A , McLaughlin P , Moore D , Hagemeister F , Swan F , Rodriguez M A , Romaguera J , North L , Mansfield P , Callendar D , Mesina O , Cabanillas F 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE Cyclosporin A has been shown to reverse paclitaxel resistance in vitro by inhibiting P-gp function. Therefore, we determined whether addition of cyclosporine to paclitaxel reversed clinical paclitaxel resistance in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with relapsed NHL were eligible if they had no intervening treatment after failure to respond to paclitaxel (200 mg/m2 over 3 hours), and if they had adequate marrow, renal, and hepatic function, no serious cardiac disease, no CNS involvement, and no antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus-1. A cyclosporin A bolus dose (5 mg/kg over 3 hours) was followed by intravenous infusion (15 mg/kg) over 24 hours. Six hours after the beginning of cyclosporin A, the immediately preceding paclitaxel dose was administered over 3 hours. All patients were premedicated with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and cimetidine. Response was assessed after two cycles, and those patients who achieved at least a partial response received a maximum of six courses. RESULTS All 26 patients entered were assessable for toxicity and 25 were assessable for response. One patient whose disease had progressed during paclitaxel treatment had a partial remission after the addition of cyclosporin A (response rate, 4%; 95% confidence interval, 1% to 20%). Disease progressed in 17 patients (71%) and did not respond in seven (25%). Serum cyclosporin A A levels measured at the time of initiation of paclitaxel infusion were greater than 2,000 ng/mL during 81% of cycles. Treatment toxicity included peripheral neuropathy in 57%, myalgia or arthralgia in 30%, neutropenia in 53%, neutropenic fever in 8%, and thrombocytopenia in 42% of patients. One patient with preexisting asthma had an acute bronchospasm during the first cycle and was removed from the study. There were no renal or hepatic toxicity and no infectious or hemorrhagic deaths. CONCLUSION Cyclosporin A administered on this schedule did not reverse established clinical resistance to paclitaxel, which suggests that P-gp-mediated drug efflux is unlikely to be the only cause of paclitaxel resistance in this patient population.
Trade-offs between survival and breast preservation for three initial treatments of ductal carcinoma-in-situ of the breast.
Authors: Hillner B E , Desch C E , Carlson R W , Smith T J , Esserman L , Bear H D 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To assess the trade-offs between survival and breast preservation of currently accepted approaches for ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) of the breast. PATIENTS AND METHODS Decision analysis was performed using the Markov model of hypothetical cohorts of 55-year-old white women with nonpalpable mammographic abnormalities found to be DCIS. Strategies were breast-conserving surgery (BCS), BCS with 50-Gy radiation (RT) or initial mastectomy. Recurrence rates were derived from the published literature. Main outcomes were overall, breast cancer-free, and event-free survival plus years of both breasts preserved. RESULTS Using the conditions defined in this model, the actuarial survival rates at 10 and 20 years were 91.7% and 74.1% for the initial mastectomy strategy, 91.0% and 72.1% for BCS plus RT, and 89.6% and 68.2% for BCS alone. At 20 years, the initial mastectomy strategy also had a greater breast cancer-free survival rate of 74.5%, compared with 63.3% for BCS plus RT, or 46.8% for BCS alone. However, BCS alone had the highest survival rate with both breasts preserved (64.2%) compared with BCS plus RT (56.0%) or initial mastectomy (0%). Of the breast-conserving strategies at 20 years, the breast event-free survival rate (no invasive cancer or DCIS) was greater for BCS plus RT (47.2%) compared with BCS alone (28.4%). Using just survival as the primary end point, mastectomy is the optimal strategy by a small margin. However, if quality-adjusted survival is at issue, mastectomy is the choice only if the yearly reduction in quality of life due to mastectomy is less than 1%. CONCLUSION BCS with or without radiation compared with mastectomy as initial management of DCIS of the breast trades a slight decrease in survival rates for the value of breast preservation. This model should aid clinicians in matching treatments to their patients' preferences.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of irinotecan during a phase II clinical trial in colorectal cancer. Pharmacology and Molecular Mechanisms Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.
Authors: Canal P , Gay C , Dezeuze A , Douillard J Y , Bugat R , Brunet R , Adenis A , Herait P , Lokiec F , Mathieu-Boue A 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE A pharmacokinetic study was performed during a phase II clinical trial of irinotecan (CPT-11) to confirm the pharmacokinetic profile of this drug and its metabolite and to investigate interpatient and intrapatient pharmacokinetic variations and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-six men and 21 women (mean age, 61 years) with metastatic colorectal cancer, performance status less than 3 (World Health Organization [WHO] scale), and normal renal and hepatic function were administered CPT-11 (350 mg/m2) by 30-minute intravenous (IV) infusion every 21 days. CPT-11 and its metabolites SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorimetric detection. RESULTS The mean CPT-11 clearance and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) were 15.2 L/h. m2 and 24,769ng. h/mL, respectively. The large difference in SN-38 and SN-38G AUCs (559 v 2,283 ng. h/mL) was suggestive of extensive glucuronidation of SN-38. Interindividual variation in the metabolic ratio ([AUCSN-38 + AUCSN-38Gl/AUCCPT-11) was marked (coefficient of variation [CV] = 51.6%] compared with intrapatient variation in this variable (CV = 32.6%). A significant relationship existed between percentage reduction in neutrophil count and the AUC of CPT-11 (r = .597, P < .001) and SN-38 (r = .559, P < .001). No relationship was identified between any pharmacokinetic parameter and delayed diarrhea or therapeutic outcome. CONCLUSION Interindividual variations in the metabolic ratio suggest interpatient variation in carboxylesterase activity. Furthermore, glucuronidation of SN-38 may also be in part responsible for the large interpatient variability in the total SN-38 AUC. Conversely, low intrapatient variation of this parameter was observed in this study, which indicates a lack of autoinduction of the carboxylesterase system. The relationship between neutropenia and both CPT-11 and SN-38 pharmacokinetic parameters confirms the results of previous studies.