bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment Burden of Medicare Beneficiaries With Stage I Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Presley Carolyn J. , Soulos Pamela R. , Tinetti Mary , Montori Victor M. , Yu James B. , Gross Cary P. 
Published: February 2017

Purpose: To quantify the burden and complexity associated with treatment of Medicare beneficiaries with stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Using the SEER-Medicare database, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries who were diagnosed with stage I NSCLC from 2007 to 2011 and who were treated with surgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy, or external beam radiation therapy. Main outcome measures were the number of days a patient was in contact with the health care system (encounter days), the number of physicians involved in a patient’s care, and the number of medications prescribed. Logistic regression modeled the association between patient characteristics, treatment type, and high treatment burden (defined as ≥ 66 encounter days). Results: On average, 7,955 patients spent 1 in 3 days interacting with the health care system during the initial 60 days of treatment. Patients experienced a median of 44 encounter days with high variability (interquartile range [IQR], 29 to 66) in the 12 months after treatment initiation. The median number of physicians involved was 20 (IQR, 14 to 28), and the median number of medications prescribed was 12 (IQR, 8 to 17). Patients who were treated with surgery had high treatment burden (predicted probability, 21.6%; 95% CI, 20.2 to 23.1) compared with patients who were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (predicted probability, 16.1%; 95% CI, 12.9 to 19.3), whereas patients who were treated with external beam radiation therapy had the highest burden (predicted probability, 46.8%; 95% CI, 43.3 to 50.2). Conclusion: The treatment burden imposed on patients with early-stage NSCLC was substantial in terms of the number of encounters, physicians involved, and medications prescribed. Because treatment burden varied markedly across patients and treatment types, future work should identify opportunities to understand and ameliorate this burden.
Integrating Oncology Massage Into Chemoinfusion Suites: A Program Evaluation
Authors: Mao Jun J. , Wagner Karen E. , Seluzicki Christina M. , Hugo Audra , Galindez Laura K. , Sheaffer Heather , Fox Kevin R. 
Published: February 2017

Objective: This article reports on the development, implementation, and evaluation of an integrative clinical oncology massage program for patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in a large academic medical center. Materials and Methods: We describe the development and implementation of an oncology massage program embedded into chemoinfusion suites. We used deidentified program evaluation data to identify specific reasons individuals refuse massage and to evaluate the immediate impact of massage treatments on patient-reported outcomes using a modified version of the Distress Thermometer delivered via iPad. We analyzed premassage and postmassage data from the Distress Thermometer using paired t test and derived qualitative data from participants who provided written feedback on their massage experiences. Results: Of the 1,090 massages offered, 692 (63%) were accepted. We observed a significant decrease in self-reported anxiety (from 3.9 to 1.7), nausea (from 2.5 to 1.2), pain (from 3.3 to 1.9), and fatigue (from 4.8 to 3.0) premassage and postmassage, respectively (all P < .001). We found that 642 survey participants (93%) were satisfied with their massage, and 649 (94%) would recommend it to another patient undergoing treatment. Spontaneous patient responses overwhelmingly endorsed the massage as relaxing. No adverse events were reported. Among the 398 patients (36%) who declined a massage, top reasons were time concerns and lack of interest. Conclusion: A clinical oncology massage program can be safely and effectively integrated into chemoinfusion units to provide symptom control for patients with breast cancer. This integrative approach overcomes patient-level barriers of cost, time, and travel, and addresses the institutional-level barrier of space.
Unintended Consequences in Cancer Care Delivery Created by the Medicare Part B Proposal: Is the Clinical Rationale for the Experiment Flawed?
Authors: Gordan Lucio , Grogg Amy , Blazer Marlo , Fortner Barry 
Published: February 2017

Purpose: Medicare currently enrolls ≥ 45 million adults, and by 2030 this is projected to increase to ≥ 80 million beneficiaries. With this growth, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposal, the Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model, to shrink drug expenditures, a major contributor to overall health care costs. For this to not adversely affect patient outcomes, lower-cost alternative medications with equivalent efficacy and no increased toxicity must be available. This is often not true in the treatment of cancer. Herein, we examine the flaws in the rationale of the CMS and the potential unintended consequences of this experiment. Methods: We identified the top three oncology expenditures (rituximab, bevacizumab, and trastuzumab) and their vetted alternatives (per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines) to ascertain whether lower-cost equivalent alternatives are available. Drug cost was based on April 2016 average sale price. We explored both efficacy of the agents and, when applicable, toxicity to compare alternatives to these high-dollar medications. Results: For the largest Medicare oncology drug expenditures, there is not a lower-cost option with equal efficacy for their primary indications. Without lower-cost alternatives, the unintended consequence of this CMS experiment may include curtailing access to care or an increase in patient/program costs. Conclusion: The CMS proposal, by simply lowering reimbursement for drugs, does not acknowledge the value of these agents and could unintentionally reduce quality of care. Alternative approaches to value-based care, such as the Oncology Care Model and similar frameworks, should be explored.
2016 Updated American Society of Clinical Oncology/Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards, Including Standards for Pediatric Oncology
Authors: Neuss Michael N. , Gilmore Terry R. , Belderson Kristin M. , Billett Amy L. , Conti-Kalchik Tara , Harvey Brittany E. , Hendricks Carolyn , LeFebvre Kristine B. , Mangu Pamela B. , McNiff Kristen , Olsen MiKaela , Schulmeister Lisa , Von Gehr Ann , Polovich Martha 
Published: February 2017

Purpose To update the ASCO/Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards and to highlight standards for pediatric oncology. Methods The ASCO/ONS Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards were first published in 2009 and updated in 2011 to include inpatient settings. A subsequent 2013 revision expanded the standards to include the safe administration and management of oral chemotherapy. A joint ASCO/ONS workshop with stakeholder participation, including that of the Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, was held on May 12, 2015, to review the 2013 standards. An extensive literature search was subsequently conducted, and public comments on the revised draft standards were solicited. Results The updated 2016 standards presented here include clarification and expansion of existing standards to include pediatric oncology and to introduce new standards: most notably, two-person verification of chemotherapy preparation processes, administration of vinca alkaloids via minibags in facilities in which intrathecal medications are administered, and labeling of medications dispensed from the health care setting to be taken by the patient at home. The standards were reordered and renumbered to align with the sequential processes of chemotherapy prescription, preparation, and administration. Several standards were separated into their respective components for clarity and to facilitate measurement of adherence to a standard. Conclusion As oncology practice has changed, so have chemotherapy administration safety standards. Advances in technology, cancer treatment, and education and training have prompted the need for periodic review and revision of the standards. Additional information is available at http://www.asco.org/chemo-standards .
Packing Structure Effects on the Slow Magnetic Relaxation Pathways of Dysprosium (III) Complexes
Authors: Kamila Mritunjoy , Cosquer Goulven , Breedlove Brian K , Yamashita Masahiro 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Three complexes, [Dy{5-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine}(hfac)3] (6), [Dy{5-(4-bromo-5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine}(hfac)3] (7) and [Dy{5-(4-ethynyl-5-methylthio-phen-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine}(hfac)3] (8) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetate), were synthesized to investigate the effects of substituents on the ligand far from the metal ion on the magnetic properties of the dysprosium ion. 7 crystallized in two polymorphs (P21/n for 7a and P21/a for 7b), whereas 6 and 8 crystallized in one polymorph (P21/n and P21/a, respectively). All of the complexes have columnar structures, and in 6 and 7a, there are π–π stacking interactions between neighboring aromatic rings in contrast to compounds 7b and 8, which do not show such interactions. Every complex underwent slow magnetic relaxation with a single relaxation time, except for complex 7a, for which there were two relaxation times. In order to clarify the role of distal substitution and crystal packing, the magnetic properties were studied in solution, where all of the complexes show single relaxation times.
Exploring salutogenesis as a concept of health and wellbeing in nurses who thrive professionally
Authors: Stock Eleanor 
Published: February 2017

Aim: To determine whether salutogenesis, a concept of health and wellbeing, can be identified in nurses who self-describe as thriving professionally. Background: Nurse burnout can potentially impact clinical performance, patient safety, and increase the turnover of nurses, which all contribute to additional healthcare costs. The ability to not only avoid burnout, but to thrive in stressful environments is an important factor worth exploring. The salutogenic concept is related to this. Method: This was a mixed-method, exploratory, descriptive study involving 12 volunteer nurses. Results: Qualitative data analysis revealed the following main themes: ‘other people’, ‘passion’, ‘coping mechanisms’, ‘personal characteristics’ and ‘time’. Quantitative data revealed the average sense of coherence (SOC) score, which measures a person's perceived health, was 73.58 out of a possible 91 points. Ranking of scores revealed the four highest scoring means all correlated to the meaningfulness category of the SOC questionnaire. Conclusion: Salutogenesis could be considered a quality in nurses who thrive, but further research is needed.
The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Sun Xin , Zhang Yan , Xie Meilin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been defined as a spectrum of histological abnormalities and is characterized by significant and excessive accumulation of triglycerides in the hepatocytes in patients without alcohol consumption or other diseases. Current studies are targeting new molecular mechanisms that underlie NAFLD and associated metabolic disorders. Many therapeutic targets have been found and used in clinical studies. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are among the potential targets and have been demonstrated to exert a pivotal role in modulation of NAFLD. Many drugs developed so far are targeted at PPARs. Thus, the aim of this paper is to summarize the roles of PPARs in the treatment of NAFLD.
Improving quality in the preanalytical phase through innovation, on behalf of the European Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE)
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Baird Geoffrey S. , Banfi Giuseppe , Bölenius Karin , Cadamuro Janne , Church Stephen , Cornes Michael P. , Dacey Anna , Guillon Antoine , Hoffmann Georg , Nybo Mads , Premawardhana Lakdasa Devananda , Salinas María , Sandberg Sverre , Slingerland Robbert , Stankovic Ana , Sverresdotter Sylte Marit , Vermeersch Pieter , Simundic Ana-Maria 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIt is now undeniable that laboratory testing is vital for the diagnosis, prognostication and therapeutic monitoring of human disease. Despite the many advances made for achieving a high degree of quality and safety in the analytical part of diagnostic testing, many hurdles in the total testing process remain, especially in the preanalytical phase ranging from test ordering to obtaining and managing the biological specimens. The Working Group for the Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE) of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) has planned many activities aimed at mitigating the vulnerability of the preanalytical phase, including the organization of three European meetings in the past 7 years. Hence, this collective article follows the previous three opinion papers that were published by the EFLM WGPRE on the same topic, and brings together the summaries of the presentations that will be given at the 4th EFLM-BD meeting “Improving quality in the preanalytical phase through innovation” in Amsterdam, 24–25 March, 2017.
Role of treatment-modifying MTHFR677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms in metformin-treated Puerto Rican patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Jiménez-Ramírez Francisco J. , Castro Liza M. , Ortiz Clarymar , Concepción Jennifer , Renta Jessicca Y. , Morales-Borges Raúl H. , Miranda-Massari Jorge R. , Duconge Jorge 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Background:
The study was conducted to investigate potential association between MTHFR genotypes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in Puerto Ricans with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin. The prevalence of major MTHFR polymorphisms in this cohort was also ascertained.

Methods:
DNAs from 89 metformin-treated patients with T2DM and DPN were genotyped using the PCR-based RFLP assay for MTHFR677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms. Frequency distributions of these variants in the study cohort were compared to those reported for three reference populations (HapMap project) and controls (400 newborn specimens). Chi-square (or Fischer’s exact) tests and odds ratios (OR) were used to assess association with DPN susceptibility risk (patients vs. controls) and biochemical markers (wild types vs. carriers).

Results:
Sixty-seven percent (67%) of participants carry at least one of these MTHFR polymorphisms. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected. The genotype and allele frequencies showed statistically significant differences between participants and controls (p<0.0001 and p=0.03, respectively). Results suggest that 1298A>C but not 677C>T is associated with DPN susceptibility in this cohort (p=0.018). Different patterns of allelic dissimilarities are observed when comparing our cohort vs. the three parental ancestries. After sorting individuals by their carrier status, no significant associations were observed between these genetic variants (independently or combined) and any of the biochemical markers (HbA1c, folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine).

Conclusions:
Prevalence of major MTHFR variants in Puerto Rican patients with T2DM is first time ever reported. The study provides further evidence on the use of this genetic marker as an independent risk factor for DPN.
Space-Time Unit-Level EBLUP for Large Data Sets
Authors: D’Aló Michele , Falorsi Stefano , Solari Fabrizio 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Most important large-scale surveys carried out by national statistical institutes are the repeated survey type, typically intended to produce estimates for several parameters of the whole population, as well as parameters related to some subpopulations. Small area estimation techniques are becoming more and more important for the production of official statistics where direct estimators are not able to produce reliable estimates. In order to exploit data from different survey cycles, unit-level linear mixed models with area and time random effects can be considered. However, the large amount of data to be processed may cause computational problems. To overcome the computational issues, a reformulation of predictors and the correspondent mean cross product estimator is given. The R code based on the new formulation enables the elaboration of about 7.2 millions of data records in a matter of minutes.
Design of Seasonal Adjustment Filter Robust to Variations in the Seasonal Behaviour of Time Series
Authors: Martelotte Marcela Cohen , Souza Reinaldo Castro , Silva Eduardo Antônio Barros da 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Considering that many macroeconomic time series present changing seasonal behaviour, there is a need for filters that are robust to such changes. This article proposes a method to design seasonal filters that address this problem. The design was made in the frequency domain to estimate seasonal fluctuations that are spread around specific bands of frequencies. We assessed the generated filters by applying them to artificial data with known seasonal behaviour based on the ones of the real macroeconomic series, and we compared their performance with the one of X-13A-S. The results have shown that the designed filters have superior performance for series with pronounced moving seasonality, being a good alternative in these cases.
Estimation when the Covariance Structure of the Variable of Interest is Positive Definite
Authors: Théberge Alain 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Generalized regression (GREG) estimation uses a model that assumes that the values of the variable of interest are not correlated. An extension of the GREG estimator to the case where the vector of interest has a positive definite covariance structure is presented in this article. This extension can be translated to the calibration estimators. The key to this extension lies in a generalization of the Horvitz-Thompson estimator which, in some sense, also assumes that the values of the variable of interest are not correlated. The Godambe-Joshi lower bound is another result which assumes a model with no correlation. This is also generalized to a vector of interest with a positive definite covariance structure, and it is shown that the generalized calibration estimator asymptotically attains this generalized lower bound. Properties of the new estimators are given, and they are compared with the Horvitz-Thompson estimator and the usual calibration estimator. The new estimators are applied to the Canadian Reverse Record Check survey and to the problem of variance estimation.
The karyotype of Trinomys paratus (Rodentia: Echimyidae) with comments about its phylogenetic relationship
Authors: Lazar Ana , Nacif Camila , Weksler Marcelo , Bonvicino Cibele R. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The spiny rat Trinomys, with ten endemic species in eastern Brazil, has a complex taxonomy. We carried out a revision of the karyotypes of Trinomys, described for the first time the karyotype of Trinomys paratus and performed the first phylogenetic analysis including all Trinomys species based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The T. paratus karyotype showed diploid number of 58 and fundamental autosomal number of 112. Diploid and fundamental autosomal numbers (FNa), and chromosomes’ morphology, are similar to those described for Trinomys eliasi. T. paratus appears as sister taxa of T. eliasi; in turn, this clade was recovered as the sister group of Trinomys setosus, as previously reported, confirming that sister species of Trinomys has conserved karyotypes, and suggesting that karyological evolution in this genus could be slower than species differentiation.
The Deconsolidation of Democracy in East‑Central Europe: The New World Order and the EU’s Geopolitical Crisis
Authors: Ágh Attila 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn recent decades, the most remarkable feature of East-Central European (ECE) states has been their engagement in a deconsolidation process that necessitates the reconceptualising of European Studies and the theory of democracy. In the early ’90s, during the “revolution of high expectations,” consolidation was the key term in the conceptual framework of the transitology paradigm, but this approach was questioned increasingly in the 2000s and rejected in the 2010s. In its place, deconsolidation was introduced as one of a wide array of similar terms referring to the decline, backsliding or regression of democracy and later as one of a whole “other” family of opposite terms like (semi-)authoritarian system and competitive/elected autocracy. Indeed, rather than a transition to democracy, a tendency to transition to authoritarian rule has been observed in the ECE states in general and in Poland and Hungary in particular. In the last quarter century, the twin terms of Europeanisation and democratisation, which denote normative approaches, have been the main conceptual pillars of analyses of the ECE states. It turns out, however, that the opposite processes of de-Europeanisation and de-democratisation can now also be observed in these countries.
Economic Crisis and Euroscepticism: A Comparative Study of the Hungarian and Italian Case (1990–2013)
Authors: Molnár Anna 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This comparative paper examines the reasons and the features of the rising Euroscepticism in Italy and in Hungary in the light of economic, financial, and political crisis. The financial crisis became the main focus of the political debates and discourses among the Italian and the Hungarian political parties between 2008 and 2013. In Italy and Hungary, Euroscepticism is still on the rise. In the first chapter, I will shortly summarise the conceptual framework of Euroscepticism. In the second chapter, I provide an overview of the way Hungarian and Italian political discourse has envisioned Europe in the post-bipolar, or post-Maastricht, period that began in the early 1990s. The fall of the Berlin wall had a decisive impact on the domestic politics of Hungary and Italy, and subsequent international changes created the basis for different forms of transitions in both countries. Hungary left behind dictatorship and the one-party system to create a functioning democracy, whereas Italy experienced the end of the political party system of the “First Republic,” giving birth to the highly promising “Second Republic.”