bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of pulmonary function testing on bleomycin dosing in germ cell tumours
Authors: Roncolato F. T. , Chatfield M. , Houghton B. , Toner G. , Stockler M. , Thomson D. , Friedlander M. , Gurney H. , Rosenthal M. , Grimison, P. ,   on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP)
Published: June 2016

Background/AimThe utility of pulmonary function testing (PFT) to detect bleomycin‐induced pneumonitis is controversial. We describe its impact on bleomycin dosing in a phase 2 trial of accelerated BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) for advanced germ cell tumours.MethodsThere were 12 planned weekly bleomycin doses for intermediate‐risk and poor‐risk disease and nine for good‐risk disease. Clinical assessments, chest X‐ray, diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were performed bi‐weekly. Bleomycin was ceased for predefined clinical/radiological evidence of pulmonary toxicity and a >25% reduction in DLCO or FVC. We determined doses planned, received and omitted and patients receiving all, ≥two‐thirds, two‐thirds of planned bleomycin doses.ResultsOf 43 eligible patients, 30% had lung metastases. Of 471, 375 (80%) of planned bleomycin doses were received, and 30% received <two‐thirds of their planned doses, all for reductions in DLCO. No patient developed other evidence of pulmonary toxicity. Patients with lung metastases were 1.5 times as likely to have a >25% reduction in DLCO (35 vs 24%, P = 0.4) and 1.5 times as likely to receive <two‐thirds of their planned doses (35 vs 24%, P = 0.4). Patients who received less than full doses of bleomycin had worse outcomes if they were of good or poor prognosis.ConclusionAsymptomatic reductions in DLCO caused 20% of bleomycin doses to be omitted and 30% of patients to receive <two‐thirds of their planned doses. A 25% reduction in DLCO appears too cautious a threshold. Given the potential negative impact of this practice on anti‐cancer effect, routine use of PFT to monitor for bleomycin toxicity should be questioned.
The Ethics and Politics of Child Naming
Authors: Sarajlic Eldar 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis article examines the issue of justification of government's intervention in the parental acts of child naming, a neglected topic in the recent philosophical literature. It questions the ability of some of the current theories in family ethics to respond to this problem, and argues that both permissive and restrictive theories fail to provide a plausible argument about the proper limits of government regulation of child naming practices. The article outlines an alternative solution that focuses on the child's right to authenticity and suggests that only those names that infringe upon this right invite justified state intervention.
Assessing relative variable importance across different spatial scales: a two‐dimensional wavelet analysis
Authors: Carl Gudrun , Doktor Daniel , Schweiger Oliver , Kühn Ingolf 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimAssessing the relationship between a spatial process and environmental variables as a function of spatial scale is a challenging problem. Therefore, there is a need for a valid and reliable tool to examine and evaluate scale dependencies in biogeography, macroecology and other earth sciences.LocationCentral Europe (latitude 43.99°–54.22° N, longitude 4.79°–15.02° E).MethodsWe present a method for applying two‐dimensional wavelet analysis to a generalized linear model. This scale‐specific regression is combined with a multimodel inference approach evaluating the relative importance of several environmental variables across different spatial scales. We apply this method to data of climate, topographic and land cover variables to explain variation in annual greening of vegetation (i.e. phenology) in Central Europe.ResultsLand use is more important to explain the variation in greening than climate at smaller resolution while climate is more important at larger resolution with a shift at c. 1000 km2.Main conclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study analysing the scale dependency of an ecosystem process, clearly distinguishing between the different components of scale, namely grain, focus and extent. The obtained results demonstrate that our newly proposed method is particularly suitable for studying scale dependencies of various spatial processes on environmental drivers keeping grain and extent constant and changing focus (i.e. resolution).
Shared phylogeographical breaks in a Caribbean coral reef sponge and its invertebrate commensals
Authors: DeBiasse Melissa B. , Richards Vincent P. , Shivji Mahmood S. , Hellberg Michael E. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimTo test whether phylogeographical barriers in the brooding sponge Callyspongia vaginalis match breaks previously identified in the Caribbean. We also compared patterns of subdivision in the sponge to those of three of its commensals, the broadcast spawning brittle star Ophiothrix suensonii and the brooding amphipods Leucothoe ashleyae and L. kensleyi, and tested whether any shared breaks arose simultaneously.LocationFlorida, Bahamas and the Caribbean.MethodsSubdivision of C. vaginalis populations was inferred from one mitochondrial (COI) and six nuclear loci using clustering analyses. We identified phylogeographical breaks in the sponge and its invertebrate commensals by determining geographical patterns of genetic variation and tested simultaneous population divergence across barriers shared among taxa using hierarchical approximate Bayesian computation.ResultsSponge populations were partitioned into western and eastern groups across the Caribbean, with hierarchical subdivision within regions. The sponge and its commensals shared barriers across their ranges despite differences in dispersal strategy: C. vaginalis, L. ashleyae and O. suensonii populations in Central America were isolated from the remainder of the Caribbean, and all four taxa shared a break between Florida and the Bahamas, although simultaneous population divergence could not be inferred with statistical certainty. Our results also suggest cryptic speciation within C. vaginalis.Main conclusionsPhylogeographical patterns in C. vaginalis largely matched barriers previously identified at the Florida Straits, Mona Passage and Bay of Honduras in other Caribbean taxa. Oceanographic features such as deep water between locations, strong currents, and eddies are likely mechanisms responsible for these breaks.
Outcomes of infants followed‐up at least 12 months after fetal open and endoscopic surgery for meningomyelocele: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Araujo Júnior Edward , Tonni Gabriele , Martins Wellington P. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the outcomes of infants followed‐up at least 12 months after open and endoscopic fetal surgery for the treatment of spina bifida.MethodsA searching in The Cochrane Library, LILACS, PubMed and SCOPUS databases for fetal meningomyelocele (MMC) open or endoscopic surgery in humans from 2003 on‐wards with follow‐up at least 12 months. The rate of the estimated proportions was evaluated by the 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsA total of 19 studies were finally included (17 open and 2 endoscopic surgery). The results suggested that the rate for ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement were 40% (29%, 51%) versus 45% (34%, 56%) for open surgery group and endoscopic surgery group. The rate of hindbrain herniation reversal was 34% (28%, 52%) versus 86% (49%, 97%), the lower extremity function rates for both groups were 47% (30%, 64%) versus 86% (49%, 97%), and bladder dysfunction rates for both groups were 72% (53%, 88%) versus 29% (8%, 64%), respectively. Open and endoscopic fetal surgery for MMC presented similar ventriculoperitoneal shunt rates.ConclusionOpen and endoscopic fetal surgery for MMC presented similar ventriculoperitoneal shunt rates in infants followed at least 12 months.
Skin Cancer in U.S. Elderly Adults: Does Life Expectancy Play a Role in Treatment Decisions?
Authors: Linos Eleni , Chren Mary‐Margaret , Stijacic Cenzer Irena , Covinsky Kenneth E. 
Published: June 2016

ObjectivesTo examine whether life expectancy influences treatment pattern of nonmelanoma skin cancer, or keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), the most common malignancy and the fifth most costly cancer to Medicare.DesignNationally representative cross‐sectional study.SettingNationally representative Health and Retirement Study linked to Medicare claims.ParticipantsTreatments (N = 9,653) from individuals aged 65 and older treated for basal or squamous cell carcinoma between 1992 and 2012 (N = 2,702) were included.MeasurementsLimited life expectancy defined according to aged 85 and older, medical comorbidities, Charlson Comorbidity Index score of 3 or greater, difficulty in at least one activity of daily living (ADL), and a Lee index of 13 or greater. Treatment type (Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) (most intensive, highest cost), excision, or electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C) (least intensive, lowest cost)), according to procedure code.ResultsMost KCs (61%) were treated surgically. Rates of MMS (19%), excision (42%), and ED&C (39%) were no different in participants with limited life expectancy and those with normal life expectancy. For example, 19% of participants with difficulty or dependence in ADLs, 20% of those with a Charlson comorbidity score greater than 3, and 15% of those in their last year of life underwent MMS; participants who died within 1 year of diagnosis were treated in the same way as those who lived longer.ConclusionA one‐size‐fits‐all approach in which advanced age, health status, functional status, and prognosis are not associated with intensiveness of treatment appears to guide treatment for KC, a generally nonfatal condition. Although intensive treatment of skin cancer when it causes symptoms may be indicated regardless of life expectancy, persons with limited life expectancy should be given choices to ensure that the treatment matches their goals and preferences.
From Advance Euthanasia Directive to Euthanasia: Stable Preference in Older People?
Authors: Bolt Eva E. , Pasman H. Roeline W. , Deeg Dorly J. H. , Onwuteaka‐Philipsen Bregje D. 
Published: June 2016

ObjectivesTo determine whether older people with advance directive for euthanasia (ADEs) are stable in their advance desire for euthanasia in the last years of life, how frequently older people with an ADE eventually request euthanasia, and what factors determine this.DesignMortality follow‐back study nested in a cohort study.SettingThe Netherlands.ParticipantsProxies of deceased members of a cohort representative of Dutch older people (n = 168) and a cohort of people with advance directives (n = 154).MeasurementsData from cohort members (possession of ADE) combined with after‐death proxy information on cohort members’ last 3 months of life. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed on determinants of a euthanasia request in individuals with an ADE.ResultsResponse rate was 65%. One hundred forty‐two cohort members had an ADE at baseline. Three months before death, 87% remained stable in their desire for euthanasia; 47% eventually requested euthanasia (vs 6% without an ADE), and 16% died after euthanasia. People with an ADE were more likely to request euthanasia if they worried about loss of dignity.ConclusionThe majority of older adults who complete an ADE will have a stable preference over time, but an advance desire for euthanasia does not necessarily result in a euthanasia request. Writing an ADE may reflect a person's need for reassurance that they can request euthanasia in the future.
Setting targets leads to greater long‐term weight losses and ‘unrealistic’ targets increase the effect in a large community‐based commercial weight management group
Authors: Avery A. , Langley‐Evans S. C. , Harrington M. , Swift J. A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundSetting personal targets is an important behavioural component in weight management programmes. Normal practice is to encourage ‘realistic’ weight loss, although the underlying evidence base for this is limited and controversial. The present study investigates the effect of number and size of weight‐loss targets on long‐term weight loss in a large community sample of adults.MethodsWeight change, attendance and target weight data for all new UK members, joining from January to March 2012, were extracted from a commercial slimming organisation's electronic database.ResultsOf the 35 380 members who had weight data available at 12 months after joining, 69.1% (n = 24 447) had a starting body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg m–2. Their mean (SD) weight loss was 12.9% (7.8%) and, for both sexes, weight loss at 12 months was greater for those who set targets (P < 0.001). Those that set ≥4 targets achieved the greatest loss (P < 0.001). The odds ratio for weight loss ≥10% at 12 months was 10.3 (95% confidence interval = 9.7–11.1, P < 0.001) where targets had been set compared to none. At the highest quintile of target size, the size of the first target explained 47.2% (P < 0.001) of the variance in weight loss achieved at 12 months. The mean (SD) BMI reduction in those with a target >25% was 7.6 (4.0) kg m–2. A higher percentage of obese members did not set targets (P < 0.001) compared to those with a BMI <30 kg m–2.ConclusionsMuch of the variance in weight loss achieved in this population was explained by the number of targets set and the size of the first target. Although obese people were less likely to set targets, doing so increased the likelihood of achieving clinically significant weight loss and, for some ‘unrealistic’ targets, improved the results.
Factors influencing satisfaction with emergency department medical service: Patients’ and their companions’ perspectives
Authors: Son Heesook , Yom Young‐Hee 
Published: June 2016

AimsTo examine the individual determinants that influence satisfaction with medical services at the emergency department and to compare the factors that influence satisfaction for the patients, compared with their companions.MethodsUsing data from the 2009 Korea Health Panel Survey, Andersen's behavioral model was used to examine the factors that affect satisfaction with service. A logistic regression analysis was conducted with the data.ResultsPatients who were older, female, and employed were more satisfied with the service, as were patients who visited more frequently and those who had non‐surgical treatment. Companions who had less education, were accompanying non‐Medicaid‐holders, and spent a longer time in the emergency department were less likely to be satisfied. This was in contrast to those who spent a shorter amount of time in the emergency department and who visited due to illness, rather than injury; these companions were more satisfied with the service. When all the factors were analyzed simultaneously, they differed significantly between the two groups of patients and companions.ConclusionsDifferent factors contributed to the satisfaction with the services for the patients and their companions. In order to increase the satisfaction levels and improve the quality of care in emergency departments, it is necessary to consider more specific approaches that reflect the different perspectives of the visitors to the emergency department.
Sociocultural construction of food ways in low‐income Mexican‐American women with diabetes: a qualitative study
Authors: Benavides‐Vaello Sandra , Brown Sharon A. 
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectivesThe aim of the study was to explore how low‐income Hispanic women, with at least 10 years of having type 2 diabetes, successfully manage the disease within a sociocultural context, especially in relation to foodways.BackgroundManaging type 2 diabetes is challenging, particularly for underserved populations such as low‐income Hispanic women. This population segment has higher rates of type 2 diabetes, diabetes‐related complications, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles than the general U.S. population. Dietary management is a critical aspect of diabetes care, but it is perhaps the most difficult health behaviour to modify.DesignA qualitative and ethnographically based study was used.MethodsParticipant observation and individual interviews explored the interrelationships of culture, food habits and type 2 diabetes among 12 low‐income Hispanic women residing in an impoverished rural community located on the Texas‐Mexico border.ResultsHispanic women used unique strategies to adjust their diet, particularly portion control; for example, they emphasised the ‘use of the fork’, based on the notion that Hispanic finger foods are less healthy. Women categorised foods as bad or acceptable, depending on the context, such as important family or social gatherings. Those with years of diabetes experience confidently took charge of the disease based on knowledge of their bodies and a desire to avoid complications, while acknowledging brief infractions of dietary ‘rules’ and balancing various social roles and expectations.ConclusionsHispanic women manage their type 2 diabetes within a sociocultural environment. Those with expertise make changes in how they eat to care for their diabetes, but also continue to maintain traditional foodways.Relevance to clinical practiceFoodways are critical to most cultural groups and modifying dietary behaviours can be challenging. Clinicians must develop self‐management guidance within the sociocultural context of the patient if diabetes outcomes are to improve and be sustained.
The application of a feminist poststructural framework in nursing practice for addressing young women's sexual health
Authors: Cassidy Christine , Goldberg Lisa , Aston Megan 
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectivesUsing a feminist poststructuralist framework, this paper examines the conflicting discourses of young women who experience power struggles with regard to their sexuality and sexual health practices. It aims to provide nurses with a pragmatic framework for exploring, interrogating and potentially transforming health care situations when caring for young women in a sexual health setting.BackgroundSexuality and sexual health are important components of health and well‐being. Young men and women are continually perpetuated with societal ideals of sexuality and sexual health practices. Young women specifically, receive societal and peer pressure to conform to certain sexual health practices that can lead to both positive and negative health outcomes. Nurses and other health care providers may care for young women in a public or acute care setting that are living with these conflicting sexual health discourses.DesignA review of the literature on young women's sexuality and sexual health was conducted and analysed using a feminist poststructuralist framework.MethodsA review of the sexual health literature on young women was conducted. Issues identified from the review, as they relate to sexual discourse were power, language, subjectivity and agency. Nursing strategies to address these issues in practice were identified using a feminist poststructuralist framework.DiscussionThe feminist poststructural framework highlights the conflicting discourses related to young women's sexuality and sexual health practices. This paper provides a pragmatic example of how to incorporate theory to improve nurses’ understanding of an individual or group's health.Relevance to clinical practiceExamples of how a feminist poststructural framework can be used to enhance sexual health nursing practice are discussed, such as helping nurses to challenge the status quo and question the sexual health norms among young women.
Following transforming DNA in Helicobacter pylori from uptake to expression
Authors: Corbinais Christopher , Mathieu Aurélie , Kortulewski Thierry , Radicella J. Pablo , Marsin Stéphanie 
Published: June 2016

SummaryNatural transformation is a potent driver for genetic diversification in bacterial populations. It involves exogenous DNA binding, uptake, transport and internalization into the cytoplasm, where DNA can be processed and integrated into the host chromosome. Direct visualisation of transforming DNA (tDNA) has been limited to its binding to the surface or, in the case of Gram‐negative species, to its entrance into the periplasm. We present here for the first time the direct visualisation of tDNA entering the bacterial cytoplasm. We used as a model the Gram‐negative pathogen Helicobacter pylori, characterised by a large intraspecies variability that results from high mutation rates and efficient horizontal gene transfer. Using fluorescently labelled DNA, we followed for up to 3 h the fate of tDNA foci formed in the periplasm and eventually internalised into the cytoplasm. By tracking at the single cell level the expression of a fluorescent protein coded by the tDNA, we show that up to 50% of the cells express the transforming phenotype. The overall transformation process in H. pylori, from tDNA uptake to expression of the recombinant gene, can take place in less than 1 h, without requiring a growth arrest, and prior to the replication of the chromosome.
Three Fusarium oxysporum mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have distinct and complementary roles in stress adaptation and cross‐kingdom pathogenicity
Authors: Segorbe David , Di Pietro Antonio , Pérez‐Nadales Elena , Turrà David 
Published: June 2016

SummaryMitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades mediate cellular responses to environmental signals. Previous studies in the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum have revealed a crucial role of Fmk1, the MAPK orthologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fus3/Kss1, in vegetative hyphal fusion and plant infection. Here, we genetically dissected the individual and combined contributions of the three MAPKs Fmk1, Mpk1 and Hog1 in the regulation of development, stress response and virulence of F. oxysporum on plant and animal hosts. Mutants lacking Fmk1 or Mpk1 were affected in reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and impaired in hyphal fusion and aggregation. Loss of Mpk1 also led to increased sensitivity to cell wall and heat stress, which was exacerbated by simultaneous inactivation of Fmk1, suggesting that both MAPKs contribute to cellular adaptation to high temperature, a prerequisite for mammalian pathogens. Deletion of Hog1 caused increased sensitivity to hyperosmotic stress and resulted in partial rescue of the restricted colony growth phenotype of the mpk1Δ mutant. Infection assays on tomato plants and the invertebrate animal host Galleria mellonella revealed distinct and additive contributions of the different MAPKs to virulence. Our results indicate that positive and negative cross‐talk between the three MAPK pathways regulates stress adaptation, development and virulence in the cross‐kingdom pathogen F. oxysporum.