bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors to prevent febrile neutropenia and related complications in cancer patients in clinical practice: A systematic review
Authors: Mitchell Sarah , Li Xiaoyan , Woods Matthew , Garcia Jacob , Hebard-Massey Kerri , Barron Rich , Samuel Miny 
Published: January 2016

Introduction Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a serious side-effect of myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Several clinical trials and observational studies have evaluated the effects of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) on risk of FN and related complications; however, no systematic reviews have focused on effectiveness in routine clinical practice. Here, we perform a systematic review assessing the comparative effectiveness of prophylaxis with a long-acting G-CSF (pegfilgrastim) versus short-acting G-CSFs (filgrastim, lenograstim, and filgrastim biosimilars) in cancer patients in real-world clinical settings. Methods A systematic review was performed based on a pre-specified protocol and was consistent with the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook (2009) and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination’s Guidance for Undertaking Reviews in Health Care (2011). MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles published from January 2002 to June 2014. Congress databases (MASCC/ASCO/ESMO) and Google Scholar were searched for abstracts published from January 2012 to August 2014. Filgrastim (NEUPOGEN®), lenograstim and nivestim (a filgrastim biosimilar) were the only short-acting G-CSFs and pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®) was the only long-acting G-CSF described in eligible studies. Outcomes of interest were FN, FN-related hospitalisation and other FN-related complications (death, chemotherapy dose delays and reductions, antimicrobial treatment, severe neutropenia and costs and resource use). Results Of 1259 unique records identified, 18 real-world observational studies met predefined inclusion criteria; 15 were retrospective studies, and 3 were prospective studies. Multiple tumour types, chemotherapy regimens and geographical regions were included. Seven studies provided statistical comparisons of the risk of FN; risk of FN among patients receiving prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim versus short-acting G-CSF was significantly lower in three studies, numerically lower in three studies, and numerically higher in one study. Six studies provided statistical comparisons of the risk of FN-related hospitalisation; risk of FN-related hospitalisation among patients receiving prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim versus short-acting G-CSF was significantly lower in all six studies, though some variation was seen in subanalyses. Data for other outcomes were sparse with available results being generally consistent with the results seen for risk of FN and FN-related hospitalisation. Conclusions Based on the findings from this review of real-world comparative effectiveness studies, risks of FN and FN-related complications were generally lower for prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim versus prophylaxis with short-acting G-CSFs.
The effectiveness of the use of consumer health information technology in patients with heart failure: A meta-analysis and narrative review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Or Calvin KL , Tao Da , Wang Hailiang 
Published: January 2016

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine whether the use of consumer health information technologies (CHITs) has an impact on outcomes of patients in the self-management of heart failure (HF). Methods A literature search of six electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the analysis. Mortality, hospitalization and length of hospital stay were meta-analyzed and other patient outcomes were synthesized using a narrative approach. Results The literature search identified 50 studies, representing 43 RCTs, comparing the use of CHITs with usual care for HF patients. The meta-analysis showed that the use of CHITs reduced the risk of HF-caused mortality (relative risk (RR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54–0.91), p = 0.007), lowered the risk of HF-caused hospitalization (RR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66–0.96), p = 0.020), and shortened HF-caused length of hospital stay (mean difference = –0.52, 95% CI: –0.77 to –0.27, p < 0.00), but not all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalization or all-cause length of hospital stay, compared with usual care. The narrative synthesis indicated that only a small proportion of the trials reported positive effects of CHITs over usual care. Conclusions Evidence from RCTs presents mixed results on the impacts of CHITs for HF management. Further studies are required to assess whether and how CHITs would play a role in enhancing health care and patient outcomes and what specific CHIT features and functions are relevant to different HF treatment goals and self-care objectives.
Comparison of Endovenous Laser and Radiofrequency Ablation in Treating Varicose Veins in the Same Patient
Authors: Bozoglan Orhan , Mese Bulent , Eroglu Erdinc , Erdogan Mustafa Bilge , Erdem Kemalettin , Ekerbicer Hasan Cetin , Yasim Alptekin 
Published: January 2016

Purpose: To compare endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency venous ablation (RFA) in different legs in the same patients with venous insufficiency. Methods: Sixty patients with bilateral saphenous vein insufficiency were included. Endovenous laser ablation or RFA was applied to one of the patient’s legs and the remaining procedure, RFA or EVLA, to the other leg. Results: Minor complications in EVLA and RFA were hyperemia at 20.7% and 31.0%, ecchymosis at 31.0% and 51.7% and edema at 27.6% and 65.5%, respectively. The rate of recanalization was 6.8% in the RFA group. No recanalization was observed in the EVLA group. The level of patients satisfied with EVLA was 51.7%, compared to 31.0% for RFA, while 17.2% of patients were satisfied with both the procedures. Times to return to daily activity were 0.9 days in the EVLA group and 1.3 days in the RFA group. Conclusion: The EVLA procedure may be superior to RFA in certain respects.
Time density curve analysis for C-arm FDCT PBV imaging
Authors: Kamran Mudassar , Byrne James V 
Published: January 2016

Introduction Parenchymal blood volume (PBV) estimation using C-arm flat detector computed tomography (FDCT) assumes a steady-state contrast concentration in cerebral vasculature for the scan duration. Using time density curve (TDC) analysis, we explored if the steady-state assumption is met for C-arm CT PBV scans, and how consistent the contrast-material dynamics in cerebral vasculature are across patients. Methods Thirty C-arm FDCT datasets of 26 patients with aneurysmal-SAH, acquired as part of a prospective study comparing C-arm CT PBV with MR-PWI, were analysed. TDCs were extracted from the 2D rotational projections. Goodness-of-fit of TDCs to a steady-state horizontal-line-model and the statistical similarity among the individual TDCs were tested. Influence of the differences in TDC characteristics on the agreement of resulting PBV measurements with MR-CBV was calculated. Results Despite identical scan parameters and contrast-injection-protocol, the individual TDCs were statistically non-identical ( p < 0.01). Using Dunn's multiple comparisons test, of the total 435 individual comparisons among the 30 TDCs, 330 comparisons (62%) reached statistical significance for difference. All TDCs deviated significantly ( p < 0.01) from the steady-state horizontal-line-model. PBV values of those datasets for which the TDCs showed largest deviations from the steady-state model demonstrated poor agreement and correlation with MR-CBV, compared with the PBV values of those datasets for which the TDCs were closer to steady-state. Conclusion For clinical C-arm CT PBV examinations, the administered contrast material does not reach the assumed ‘ideal steady-state’ for the duration of scan. Using a prolonged injection protocol, the degree to which the TDCs approximate the ideal steady-state influences the agreement of resulting PBV measurements with MR-CBV.
Management of incidental renal masses: Time to consider contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
Authors: Di Vece Francesca , Tombesi Paola , Ermili Francesca , Sartori Sergio 
Published: January 2016

Proliferation of imaging studies for different clinical purposes and continuous improvement of imaging technology have led to an increasing number of incidental findings of renal masses. It is estimated that over 50% of patients older than 50 years have at least one renal mass. The majority of incidental renal masses are simple cysts that can be easily diagnosed by conventional ultrasonography. However, some incidental renal masses are not simple cysts, and differentiation between benign and malignant entities requires further imaging modalities. In the past, multiphase contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were considered the primary imaging modalities used to characterize and stage complex cystic and solid renal lesions. Currently, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography represents a novel alternative to contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography employs microbubble contrast agents that allow the study of different enhancement phases of the kidney without risk of nephrotoxicity and radiation exposure. The diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the characterization of complex renal cysts is comparable to that of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and several studies have demonstrated its reliability also in identifying solid lesions such as pseudotumors, typical angiomyolipomas, and clear cell renal carcinomas. Considering the high incidence of incidental renal masses and the need for rapid and reliable diagnosis, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could be proposed as the first step in the diagnostic work-up of renal masses because of its safety and cost effectiveness. In this paper, we propose a diagnostic algorithm for the characterization of cystic and solid renal masses.
Cerebrolysin dose-dependently improves neurological outcome in rats after acute stroke: A prospective, randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled study
Authors: Zhang Li , Chopp Michael , Lu Mei , Zhang Talan , Winter Stefan , Doppler Edith , Meier Dieter , Chao Li , Eapen Anita , Pabla Pardeep , Gang Zhang Zheng 
Published: January 2016

Background Cerebrolysin is a mixture of neuropeptides and free amino acids that is clinically used for the treatment of stroke. To further standardize treatment schemes, we assessed the dose response of Cerebrolysin on sensorimotor outcome in a rat model of ischemic stroke. Methods This study was a prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled, preclinical experiment. Male and female Wistar rats, subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion, were randomly treated with Cerebrolysin doses of 0.8, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 ml/kg or placebo, 4 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion for a total of 10 consecutive days. Results The primary outcome was neurologic improvement at day 28, lesion volume, mortality, and animal weight were secondary and safety outcomes, respectively. There was a significant ( p < 0.001) dose effect of Cerebrolysin on neurological outcome. Cerebrolysin at a dose of ≥ 2.5 ml/kg significantly ( p < 0.001) improved neurological outcome (Mean Estimate (95% CL): 0.8 ml/kg: 6.2 (–6.0/18.4), 2.5 ml/kg: −28.9 (−41.6/−16.2), 5.0 ml/kg: −33.4 (−45.0/−21.7), 7.5 ml/kg: −36.3 (−48.2/−24.4). Higher doses (≥2.5 ml/kg) resulted in better recovery; however, differences between effective doses were not significant. Treatment with 5 ml/kg reduced lesion volume ( p = 0.016). No treatment gender interactions were found and there were no differences in death or weight loss. Conclusion Collectively, these data on Cerebrolysin efficacy demonstrate the feasibility of a preclinical study setup following a randomized, placebo-controlled, and blinded design with a clinical relevant treatment scheme. Cerebrolysin at doses of ≥ 2.5 ml/kg improved functional outcome and at a dose of 5 ml/kg reduced infarct volume.
High quality permanent draft genome sequence of Phaseolibacter flectens ATCC 12775T, a plant pathogen of French bean pods
Authors: Aizenberg-Gershtein Yana , Izhaki Ido , Lapidus Alla , Copeland Alex , Reddy TBK , Huntemann Marcel , Pillay Manoj , Markowitz Victor , Göker Markus , Woyke Tanja , Klenk Hans-Peter , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Halpern Malka 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPhaseolibacter flectens strain ATCC 12775T (Halpern et al., Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 63:268–273, 2013) is a Gram-negative, rod shaped, motile, aerobic, chemoorganotroph bacterium. Ph. flectens is as a plant-pathogenic bacterium on pods of French bean and was first identified by Johnson (1956) as Pseudomonas flectens. After its phylogenetic position was reexamined, Pseudomonas flectens was transferred to the family Enterobacteriaceae as Phaseolibacter flectens gen. nov., comb. nov. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the draft genome sequence and annotation. The DNA GC content is 44.34 mol%. The chromosome length is 2,748,442 bp. It encodes 2,437 proteins and 89 RNA genes. Ph. flectens genome is part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Type Strains, Phase I: the one thousand microbial genomes study.
ReCAP: Economic Evaluation Alongside a Clinical Trial of Telephone Versus In-Person Genetic Counseling forBRCA1/2Mutations in Geographically Underserved Areas
Authors: Chang Yaojen , Near Aimee M. , Butler Karin M. , Hoeffken Amanda , Edwards Sandra L. , Stroup Antoinette M. , Kohlmann Wendy , Gammon Amanda , Buys Saundra S. , Schwartz Marc D. , Peshkin Beth N. , Kinney Anita Y. , Mandelblatt Jeanne S. , Chang Yaojen , Near Aimee M. , Butler Karin M. , Hoeffken Amanda , Edwards Sandra L. , Stroup Antoinette M. , Kohlmann Wendy , Gammon Amanda , Buys Saundra S. , Schwartz Marc D. , Peshkin Beth N. , Kinney Anita Y. , Mandelblatt Jeanne S. 
Published: January 2016

QUESTION ASKED:Many individuals at risk for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations do not have access to trained genetic counselors. This study conducted an economic evaluation alongside a clinical trial of approaches to extending the reach of genetic testing services to geographically underserved populations.SUMMARY ANSWER:Telephone genetic counseling was less expensive than in-person services delivered in the community per individual counseled, individual tested, or mutation detected. For example, it cost an average of $120 (range, $80 to $200) per person counseled in the telephone counseling arm compared with $270 (range, $180 to $400) for in-person counseling. One-way sensitivity analyses showed that the average cost per participant remained consistently lower in the telephone counseling arm than in the in-person counseling arm across the range values for each cost parameter and for each study outcome.METHODS:Microcosting was used to enumerate resources for counseling delivered at 14 primary care clinics (nine geographically remote, five urban) in Utah. Staff time and travel, space, overhead, patient time costs, and test costs were calculated on the basis of actual intervention use and valued using national data for wage rates, space, and overhead. We calculated the costs per arm for pretest counseling, uptake of BRCA1/BRCA2 testing, per mutation detected, and per completion of post-test genetic counseling at 6 months afterrandomization. Costs and effects were not discounted.BIAS, CONFOUNDING FACTOR(S), DRAWBACKS:The findings may not be generalizable to women in other geographically underserved regions in terms of socio-demographic characteristics and mutation risk. Next, we included only costs related to genetic counseling and testing. Counseling and testing may affect other costs, such as those related to increased or decreased short-term use of medical care or long-term health behaviors.REAL-LIFE IMPLICATIONS:Telephone counseling is a cost-efficient method to extend the reach of genetic counseling services in geographically remote areas.
Improving the Safety of Oral Chemotherapy at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Shah Nirav N. , Casella Erica , Capozzi Donna , McGettigan Suzanne , Gangadhar Tara C. , Schuchter Lynn , Myers Jennifer S. 
Published: January 2016

Purpose: Over the last decade, the use of oral chemotherapy (OC) for the treatment of cancer has dramatically increased. Despite their route of administration, OCs pose many of the same risks as intravenous agents. In this quality improvement project, we sought to examine our current process for the prescription of OC at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania and to improve on its safety. Methods: A multidisciplinary team that included oncologists, advanced-practice providers, and pharmacists was formed to analyze the current state of our OC practice. Using Lean Six Sigma quality improvement tools, we identified a lack of pharmacist review of the OC prescription as an area for improvement. To address these deficiencies, we used our electronic medical system to route OC orders placed by treating providers to an oncology-specific outpatient pharmacist at the Abramson Cancer Center for review. Results: Over 7 months, 63 orders for OC were placed for 45 individual patients. Of the 63 orders, all were reviewed by pharmacists, and, as a result, 22 interventions were made (35%). Types of interventions included dosage adjustment (one of 22), identification of an interacting drug (nine of 22), and recommendations for additional drug monitoring (12 of 22). Conclusion: OC poses many of the same risks as intravenous chemotherapy and should be prescribed and reviewed with the same oversight. At our institution, involvement of an oncology-trained pharmacist in the review of OC led to meaningful interventions in one third of the orders.
Development of Highly Active Ir–PNP Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide with Organic Bases
Authors: Aoki Wataru , Wattanavinin Natdanai , Kusumoto Shuhei , Nozaki Kyoko 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Methoxy-substituted PNP–iridium(III) complexes and pyrazine-based PNP–iridium(III) complexes were developed and used to hydrogenate carbon dioxide in the presence of triethanolamine as a base. The methoxy-substituted PNP–hydridodichloridoiridium complex (C-HCl2) showed the highest turnover number, 160000; this is the highest value ever reported with an organic base in an aqueous medium. The reactivities of these complexes, derived from their ligand modification, were further studied. The results were as follows. (i) The pyrazine-based PNP–trihydridoiridium complex undergoes release of dihydrogen to afford dihydridoamido complex, possibly because of easy dearomatization of the pyrazine ring. This process was reversible, i.e., B-H2amido can readily be converted back to B-H3 on exposure to dihydrogen. (ii) The p-methoxy-substituted dihydridochlorido complex showed facile disproportionation of the chloride anion on the iridium center; this is attributed to the electron-donating nature of the methoxypyridine backbone.
Comparative Study of Resistance and Feeding Preference of 24 Wood Species to Attack by Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann) and Coptotermes heimi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) in Pakistan.
Authors: Dugal Farkhanda Manzoor , Latif Muhammad Umair 
Published: January 2016

Present study was conducted to evaluate the laboratory and field preference of 24 Pakistani wood species: Azadirachta indica (Neem), Pinus roxberghii (Chir), Dalbergia sissoo (Sheesham), Populus deltoides (Popular), Albizzia lebbeck (Shirin), Abies pindrow(fir), Alstonia scholaris (Alstonia), Erythrina suberosa (Gul-e-nister), Eucalyptus citriodora (safaeda), Ficus religiosa (Bohar), Heterophragma adenophyllum (Beeri Patta), Melia azedarach (Derek), Pinus wallichiana (Chir), Terminalia arjuna (Arjun), Acacia Arabica (Kikar), Betula utilis (Birch) Cedrus deodara (Deodar), Cordia oblique (Lasura), Mangifera indi,a (Aam),Ehretia serrata Moringa oleifera (sohanjana), Putranjiva roxburghii (Lucky bean), Syzygium cumini (Jaman) and Zizyphus jujube (Berry) against attack and damage by termite species Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi. Two weeks laboratory and four weeks field feeding trials were performed as described in standards of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA, 1997). Samples of each of the 24 wood species were individually exposed to 100 termites (10% soldiers); and termite mortality, wood mass loss and visual appearance of the samples (on a scale of 0-10) were recorded. Results indicated that by no choice feeding assay, Populus deltoides was the most preferred and Dalbergia sissoo was the least preferred among the 24 wood species tested in laboratory against Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi. Field studies by no choice feeding test against mixed termites and C. heimi indicated D. sissoo the least palatable and Mangifera indica the most palatable wood. So it is recommended that though all 24 species evaluated in the present study differ in their susceptibility to termite attack, they would require additional protection to avoid termite attack.
Work in progress – Authentic Movement: Danced and moving active imagination
Authors: Chodorow Joan 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In 2014, TANTER, The Dance Movement Therapy Association of the Czech Republic <http://www.tanter.cz> invited Chodorow to be among the international dance movement therapists who brought and continue to bring theoretical foundations and direct experience to their early and continuing intensive three and four year DMT training programs. She decided to record and share elements of their work together, with special attention to Authentic Movement, including many creative combinations, seen and explored from diverse perspectives. This article is largely informed and inspired by the psychology of C. G. Jung and the early contributions of Tina Keller, Trudi Schoop, Alma Hawkins, and Mary Whitehouse. It deepens our understanding of dyad, triad and long circle work; symbolic play; memory, imagination, the senses, emotions and their development. The conclusion describes a playful introduction to elements of neuroanatomy via symbolic enactment.
Towards a new ontology and name for ‘Authentic Movement’
Authors: Goldhahn Eila 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The Discipline of Authentic Movement and related practices grouped under the term Authentic Movement appear, by merit of their name, to purport the possibility of teaching and learning movement that is authentic. This article critiques the term authentic with regard to movement and instead offers an historic and philosophical understanding of the term exploring the genealogy of the practice’s name. Further the article develops a case for a new ontology of the methodological workings of the Discipline of Authentic Movement by listing and exploring some of its key qualities. The article expands previous research of its precursor of 2009: ‘Is Authentic the correct name to describe the Discipline of Authentic Movement’, and proposes and explains an alternative term for the practice, namely the MoverWitness or, simply, Movers and Witnesses.