bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical Models of Parkinson’s Disease Progression: Predictive Validity in a 3-Year Follow-up
Authors: Mendes Alexandre , Gonçalves Alexandra , Vila-Chã Nuno , Calejo Margarida , Moreira Inês , Fernandes Joana , Damásio Joana , Teixeira-Pinto Armando , Krack Paul , Lima António Bastos , Cavaco Sara 
Published: September 2016

Background: The rate of Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression varies widely between patients. Current knowledge does not allow to accurately predict the evolution of symptoms in a given individual over time. Objectives: To develop regression-based models of PD progression and to explore its predictive value in a three-year follow-up. Methods: At baseline, 300 consecutive PD patients were assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) - subscales II and III, Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) and Schwab and England Independence Scale (S&E); and the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q). UPDRS-III and H&Y were applied in OFF and ON medication conditions. An axial index was derived from the UPDRS-III. Based on multiple linear regression coefficients, algorithms were developed to adjust test scores to the characteristics of each individual. Sixty-eight patients were reevaluated three years later. Results: In the construction of the models, disease duration, age ≥70, age at disease onset ≥55, tremor as the first symptom alone, and medication description explained between 35% (UPDRS-III in ON) and 57% (axial index in ON) of the variance of test scores. The predictive r2 of the models in a 10-fold cross-validation ranged between 33% (UPDRS-III in ON) and 55% (axial index in ON and S&E in OFF). All measures, except UPDRS-III OFF, H&Y ON, and S&E ON, had moderate/good absolute agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient between 0.60 and 0.72) between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions: A cross-sectional assessment of a PD population allowed the development of models of disease progression, whose predictive value was validated on a three-year longitudinal study.
Multicenter Assessment of Immunohistochemical Methods for Pathological Alpha-Synuclein in Sigmoid Colon of Autopsied Parkinson’s Disease and Control Subjects
Authors: Beach Thomas G. , Corbillé Anne-Gaëlle , Letournel Franck , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Kremer Thomas , Munoz David G. , Intorcia Anthony , Hentz Joseph , Adler Charles H. , Sue Lucia I. , Walker Jessica , Serrano Geidy , Derkinderen Pascal 
Published: September 2016

Background: Conflicting results from studies of Lewy-type α−synucleinopathy (LTS) in colonic biopsies of subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD) prompted a two-part multicenter assessment. The first assessment, now published (Acta Neuropathol Commun 4 : 35, 2016), examined archived colonic biopsies and found that none of the tested methods was adequately sensitive or specific. Objective: As the amount of nervous tissue in typical colonic biopsies may be insufficient, and the clinical diagnosis of PD not completely accurate, the objective of the current study was to use instead full-thickness sections of sigmoid colon from autopsy-proven PD and normal subjects. Methods: Seven different immunohistochemical (IHC) methods were used, employing five different primary antibodies and four different combinations of epitope exposure and signal development protocols. Specific staining was defined as being restricted to morphological features consistent with neuronal elements. Stained slides from each subject were independently categorized as being positive or negative for LTS, and their density semi-quantitatively graded, by four raters blinded to diagnosis. Results: Agreement and mean diagnostic performance varied markedly between raters. With the two most accurate raters, 5 methods achieved diagnostic accuracies of 70% or greater; one method had 100% accuracy and 100% inter-rater agreement. The submucosa had the highest prevalence of pathological LTS staining, followed by the muscularis and mucosa. Conclusions: The major conclusion of this study is that, when sufficient submucosa and LTS is present, and when specific staining is defined as being consistent with neuronal morphology, adequately-trained raters may reliably distinguish PD colon from control using suitable IHC methods.
Rate of elimination of radioiodineavid lymph node metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma by postsurgical radioiodine ablation
Authors: Mustafa Mona , Bartenstein Peter , Kuwert Torsten , Schmidt Daniela , Ilhan Harun 
Published: September 2016

SummarySPECT/CT detects radioiodine-positive cervical lymph node metastases (LNMs) of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) at the time of postsurgical radioablation (RA). Preliminary evidence indicates that the majority of LNMs are successfully treated by RA. The aim of this study was to confirm this evidence in a bicentric setting and to evaluate whether size is a predictor for successful elimination. Patients and methods: Since 01/2007 and 05/2008, respectively, SPECT/spiral-CT is performed routinely in all patients with DTC at RA in two University Clinics. The outcome of iodine-positive LNMs identified by SPECT/CT until 12/2012 was analyzed by follow-up diagnostic 131I scans and serum thyreoglobulin (Tg) values. LNM volume and short-axis diameter were evaluated as prognostic factors by a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: 79 patients with 97 iodine-positive LNMs were included. Surgery was carried out in 8 patients with 13 LNMs due to the presence of additional iodine-negative lesions. Of the remaining 84 LNMs, 74 (88%) were successfully treated as demonstrated by radioiodine scans at follow-up. 10 LNMs persisted. 67/70 LNMs smaller than 0.9 ml were treated successfully, whereas this was the case of only 6/14 exceeding this threshold. Using this cut-off level to predict treatment success, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were 92%, 73%, 96%, and 57%. Results for short-axis diameter (cut-off level < 1cm) were 90%, 69%, 94% and 56%. Conclusion: RA is effective in the treatment of the majority of 131I-positive LNMs identified in SPECT/CT images. In this study, 88% of iodine-positive LNM in DTC were successfully treated by radioiodine given at RA. Both LNM volume and diameter are reliable predictors of treatment success.
Outcomes of Acutely HIV-1-Infected Individuals following Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation
Authors: Girometti Nicolò , Nwokolo Nneka , McOwan Alan , Whitlock Gary 
Published: September 2016

Background Few data exist on the benefits and acceptability of rapid initiation of antiretroviral treatment in acute HIV infection (AHI). We analysed a large cohort of acutely infected HIV patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) to determine uptake, linkage into care and time to achieve viral suppression. Methods Case notes of all individuals diagnosed with AHI between May 2014 and October 2015 at 56 Dean Street, a sexual health clinic in London, UK were reviewed. AHI was defined through documentation of plasma HIV RNA positivity only, plasma HIV RNA and p24 antigen positivity with a negative HIV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test or HIV EIA test switching from negative to positive within 6 weeks. Between-group comparisons of time to viral suppression according to ART chosen were performed using the log-rank test. Results We identified 113 individuals with AHI. Linkage to care was 95%. 77% of patients started ART at first medical appointment: all men who have sex with men, median age 35 years, median viral load (VL) log10 6.45, median CD4+ T-cell count 483 cells/mm3. Median time from diagnosis to ART initiation was 20 days. At 24 weeks, no patients had discontinued ART; 99% of patients achieved viral suppression by 24 weeks, with a median time to documented VL suppression of 74 days. Viral suppression was more rapid with integrase inhibitors compared with other regimens (median 41 versus 88.5 days, P<0.05). Conclusions In acute HIV infection, individuals demonstrated high ART uptake and rapid VL suppression suggesting that early treatment with antiretrovirals is acceptable and efficacious.
Triage of Rheumatology Referrals Facilitates Wait Time Benchmarks
Authors: Farrer Chandra , Abraham Liza , Jerome Dana , Hochman Jacqueline , Gakhal Natasha 
Published: September 2016

Objective.In 2014 the Canadian Rheumatology Association published wait time benchmarks for inflammatory arthritis (IA) and connective tissue disease (CTD) to improve patient outcomes. This study’s aim was to determine whether centralized triage and the introduction of quality improvement initiatives would facilitate achievement of wait time benchmarks.Methods.Referrals from September to November 2012 were retrospectively triaged by an advanced practice physiotherapist (APP) and compared to referrals triaged by an APP from January to March 2014. Each referral was assigned a priority ranking and categorized into one of 2 groups: suspected IA/CTD, or suspected non-IA/CTD. Time to initial consult and time to notification from receipt of referral were assessed.Results.A total of 558 (n = 227 and n = 331 from 2012 and 2014, respectively) referrals were evaluated with 35 exclusions. In 2012, there were 96 (42.5%) suspected IA/CTD and 124 (54.9%) suspected non-IA/CTD patients at the time of the initial consult. Mean wait times in 2012 for patients suspected to have IA was 33.8 days, 95% CI 27.8–39.8, compared to 37.3 days, 95% CI 32.9–41.7 in suspected non-IA patients. In 2014, there were 131 patients (43%) with suspected IA based on information in the referral letter. Mean wait times in 2014 for patients suspected to have IA was 15.5 days, 95% CI 13.85–17.15, compared to 52.2 days, 95% CI 46.3–58.1 for suspected non-IA patients. Time to notification of appointment improved from 17 days to 4.37 days.Conclusion.Centralized triage of rheumatology referrals and quality improvement initiatives are effective in improving wait times for priority patients as determined by paper referral.
Distinct Subtypes of Microparticle-containing Immune Complexes Are Associated with Disease Activity, Damage, and Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Fortin Paul R. , Cloutier Nathalie , Bissonnette Vincent , Aghdassi Ellie , Eder Lihi , Simonyan David , Laflamme Nathalie , Boilard Eric 
Published: September 2016

Objective.Microparticles (MP) are small extracellular vesicles present in body fluids. MP originate from different cellular lineages, principally from platelets in blood, and may expose phosphatidylserine (PS). In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), MP harbor immunoglobulin G (IgG), thereby forming MP-containing immune complexes (mpIC). We aimed to verify an association between SLE disease activity, damage, and surrogate markers of atherosclerosis and MP harboring IgG, taking into account the platelet origin and PS exposure of MP.Methods.MP expressing surface IgG, platelet antigen (CD41+), and PS were quantified using flow cytometry in plasma of 191 women with SLE. Carotid ultrasounds (US) were available in 113 patients. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze whether levels of MP were associated with the following outcomes: SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI), and carotid US plaques and intima-media thickness (CIMT) as surrogates for vascular damage.Results.We found CD41+ MP harboring IgG present in SLE. A positive correlation was found between SLEDAI-2K and levels of CD41+ MP harboring IgG and exposing (p = 0.027) and non-exposing PS (p = 0.001). Conversely, SDI (p = 0.024) and CIMT (p = 0.016) correlated with concentrations of CD41− MP harboring IgG and exposing PS. Associations were independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, body mass index, and antimalarial drug use.Conclusion.Different subtypes of mpIC are produced in SLE and are associated with distinct clinical characteristics such as disease activity and vascular damage. The assessment of MP subtypes might serve for the design of predictive markers of disease activity and vascular damage in patients.
L’église Saint-Georges du château de Caen
Authors: Faisant Étienne 
Published: September 2016

En dépit de l’absence d’archives, l’examen de l’église Saint-Georges de Caen permet d’en préciser la chronologie et ainsi d’éclairer l’histoire de cette paroisse indissociable du château de la capitale bas-normande. D’une reconstruction entreprise vers 1100 subsistent l’arc triomphal et les murs-gouttereaux de la nef. Celle-ci a été modifiée au xiv e siècle par l’ajout de fenêtres puis dans la première moitié du xv e par la pose d’une nouvelle charpente évoquant des modèles anglais. Une transformation plus ambitieuse, comprenant la construction d’un nouveau chœur et l’ajout d’une chapelle pour le gouverneur, accompagna la transformation du château en citadelle. L’église fut dès lors réservée à la garnison, dont les tombes témoignent de la vie paroissiale. Devenue dépôt de munition après la Révolution, elle fut endommagée en 1944 puis restaurée pour devenir un mémorial de la Bataille de Caen.
Considerações sobre a implementação de uma intervenintervenção de índole dialógica com crianças do ensino fundamental
Authors: Marques Stela Maria Fernandes , Campos Regina Helena De Freitas 
Published: September 2016

<p>Este texto apresenta um estudo realizado em duas escolas de ensino fundamental de Belo Horizonte. Em cada escola participaram do estudo uma turma do 5º ano, considerada mais agitada, e uma de suas professoras. O estudo consistiu na implementação de uma intervenção de carácter dialógico e filosófico em sessões inspiradas no programa Filosofia para Crianças, que notadamente melhora o pensamento, habilidades de comunicação e competência social. Pretendeu-se observar se a intervenção tinha algum impacto na atitude agitada dos alunos. Foram recolhidos dados por meio de observações e questionários antes e depois da intervenção. Os resultados foram comparados e analisados sob quatro ângulos: disciplina, autoestima, criatividade e opinião sobre aprender a pensar bem. Apenas a avaliação da criatividade mostrou mudança negativa. Considerando o debate uma ferramenta pedagógica poderosa, cogita-se sobre o aumento da sua utilização em sala de aula e seu impacto na socialização e comunicação e possíveis consequências para o rendimento escolar.</p><p> </p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>This paper presents the results of a study conducted in two primary schools in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In each school, one 5th grade class behaviourally challenging and one of its teachers participated in the study. Its aim was to involve pupils in a dialogic intervention, in sessions inspired in the Philosophy for Children programme, which knowingly boosts thinking, communication and social skills. We wanted to observe pupils´ response and ascertain whether the intervention changed their attitude of indiscipline. Data was collected through observations and before-and-after the intervention questionnaires. Results were compared and analysed under four parameters: discipline, self-esteem, creativity and opinions on learning to think better. All aspects showed improvement, except the evaluation of creativity. Considering that debates are powerful pedagogical tools, a discussion is presented involving a more prominent use of debate in the classroom, its contribution to the improvement of social and communication skills and possible impact on school attainment.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Dialogic intervention. Socratic dialogue. Philosophy. Debate. Metacognition. Learning to think.</p>
Impactos das políticas educacionais no cotidiano das escolas públicas e o plano nacional de educação
Authors: Ferreira Luiz Antonio Miguel , Nogueira Flávia Maria De Barros 
Published: September 2016

<p>Este artigo analisa a relação do Plano Nacional de Educação com a escola, em especial, os reflexos que produz como políticas públicas em seu cotidiano. Também analisa a questão de sua judicialidade e suas consequências. Aborda o papel do Ministério Público como protagonista de ações que busquem a concretização dos planos, com a fiscalização dos prazos previstos, das metas, das estratégias e dos direitos assegurados. Com a constatação da falha, a negociação articulada e/ou a indução para a efetivação de política pública específica deve ser o caminho a seguir. O trabalho enfatiza que a participação de todos redunda do modelo democrático assumido pelo País e previsto constitucionalmente. Entretanto, essa participação tem outro efeito: o princípio do pertencimento da coisa pública.</p><p> </p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p> </p><p>This article analyzes the relationship of the National Education Plan with the school, especially the reflexes that produces as public policies in their daily lives. It also examines the question of its judicialidade and its consequences. Addresses the role of the public prosecution as the protagonist of actions that seek to achieve the plans, with the supervision of deadlines, goals, strategies and guaranteed rights. With a finding of failure to articulate negotiation and / or induction to the execution of specific public policy should be the way forward. It emphasizes that the participation of all redounds to the democratic model assumed by the country and set out constitutionally. But this participation has another effect: the principle of public affairs belonging.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Educational policies. Right to Education. Legalization of Education. Participation.</p><p> </p>
Lung Carcinoma Predictive Biomarker Testing by Immunoperoxidase Stains in Cytology and Small Biopsy Specimens: Advantages and Limitations
Authors: Zhou Fang , Moreira Andre L. 
Published: September 2016

Context.—
In the burgeoning era of molecular genomics, immunoperoxidase (IPOX) testing grows increasingly relevant as an efficient and effective molecular screening tool. Patients with lung carcinoma may especially benefit from the use of IPOX because most lung carcinomas are inoperable at diagnosis and only diagnosed by small tissue biopsy or fine-needle sampling. When such small specimens are at times inadequate for molecular testing, positive IPOX results still provide actionable information.

Objective.—
To describe the benefits and pitfalls of IPOX in the detection of biomarkers in lung carcinoma cytology specimens and small biopsies by summarizing the currently available commercial antibodies, preanalytic variables, and analytic considerations.

Data Sources.—
PubMed.

Conclusions.—
Commercial antibodies exist for IPOX detection of aberrant protein expression due to EGFR L858R mutation, EGFR E746_A750 deletion, ALK rearrangement, ROS1 rearrangement, and BRAF V600E mutation, as well as PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. Automated IPOX protocols for ALK and PD-L1 detection were recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration as companion diagnostics for targeted therapies, but consistent interpretive criteria remain to be elucidated, and such protocols do not yet exist for other biomarkers. The inclusion of cytology specimens in clinical trials would expand patients' access to testing and treatment, yet there is a scarcity of clinical trial data regarding the application of IPOX to cytology, which can be attributed to trial designers' lack of familiarity with the advantages and limitations of cytology. The content of this review may be used to inform clinical trial design and advance IPOX validation studies.
Encouraging Innovation in Preventive Health Technology: A Spotlight on Women's Health
Authors: McCaman Elizabeth Ann 
Published: September 2016

Encouraging technology innovation, specifically preventive health technology, can use the intellectual property regime to the public health's benefit. Â Patents today are currently concentrated in reactive care technology. Â However some preventive technologies, particularly the IUD, are gaining popularity. Â The Affordable Care Act and other government policies present an opportunity for more preventive care techologies to flourish.
Using a Rasch Model to Rank Big Pharmaceutical Firms by Financial Performance
Authors: Jambulingam Thani , Schellhorn Carolin , Sharma Rajneesh 
Published: September 2016

We explore a Rasch approach to ranking the top 15 firms in the pharmaceutical industry by their overall financial performance. Using an initial set of ratios spanning multiple dimensions of firm financial performance, we select the ratios that are compatible with the requirements of the Rasch model for this industry during 2002-2013. We then identify the firms that most frequently ranked among the top five performers. Three firms stand out as consistently disclosing the required data and showing up at the top of the performance spectrum. Our approach offers a new perspective on the valuation of managers and their firms.
Les traces de la formation indo-européaniste de Saussure dans le CLG
Authors: Marchese Maria Pia 
Published: September 2016

Fondateur de la linguistique générale, Saussure était, avant tout, un linguiste historique et connaissait bien les méthodes de la reconstruction de l’indo-européen, laquelle se fonde sur la connaissance des langues anciennes.
Cet article vise à montrer la transition des études indo-européennes aux études théoriques sur la langue chez Saussure, et surtout à mettre en évidence le lien existant entre elles dans le CLG. En vue de reconstruire cette transition, il analyse également les éditions des trois cours universitaires qui sont à la base du CLG, de même que les manuscrits saussuriens découverts en 1996.
Nous pouvons constater que certaines parties du CLG, notamment la troisième, consacrée à la linguistique diachronique, seraient impensables en dehors d’une solide formation dans le domaine de la linguistique historico-comparative et que, même les parties les plus théoriques, sont illustrées par des exemples et des raisonnements émanant précisément de sa formation d’indo-européaniste.
Public Information, Private Information, and Financial Analysts’ Forecasts*
Authors: Wang Yutao 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
This paper investigates the joint impact of public and private information on analysts’ forecasting behaviour. Information disclosure determines the quality and quantity of public information. The geographical distance between listed firms’ headquarters and brokerage houses determines the difficulty and costs of analysts obtaining private information, which affect the quality and quantity of private information. Firstly, this paper finds results consistent with prior literature that the higher the disclosure level of the firm and the shorter the geographical distance between firms and brokerage headquarters, the more frequently analysts make earnings forecasts and the lower the forecast errors. Furthermore, this paper examines the joint effects of information disclosure and geographical distance on analysts’ forecasts and finds that information disclosure quality imposes a stronger impact on analysts’ forecast frequency and forecast error than distance. Moreover, the effect of geographical distance on the frequency and errors of analysts’ forecasts is manifested only in the case of higher information disclosure quality. These results imply that both public and private information affect analysts’ forecasts but that their effects are asymmetric. Public information has a significantly stronger impact on analysts’ forecasts than private information, and the effect of private information depends on a better public information environment. This paper has significant value to public policy regulators, market participants, stakeholders, and academics in China and can help to increase their understanding of the impact of public and private information on analysts’ forecasts.