bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Approach for Copy‐Move Detection Based on Improved Weber Local Descriptor
Authors: Saadat Shabnam , Moghaddam Mohsen Ebrahimi , Mohammadi Mohsen 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOne of the most common image tampering techniques is copy‐move; in this technique, one or more parts of the image are copied and pasted in another area of the image. Recently, various methods have been proposed for copy‐move detection; however, many of these techniques are not robust to additional changes like geometric transformation, and they are failed to be useful for detecting small copied areas. In this paper, a new method based on point descriptors which are derived from the integration of textural feature‐based Weber law and statistical features of the image is presented. In this proposed approach, modified multiscale version of Weber local descriptor is presented to make the method robust versus geometric transformation and detect small copied areas. The results of the experiments showed that our method can detect small copied areas and copy‐move tampered images which are influenced by rotation, scaling, noise addition, compression, blurring, and mirroring.
Bulimic Behaviors and Early Substance Use: Findings from a Cotwin‐Control Study
Authors: Munn‐Chernoff Melissa A. , Grant Julia D. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Agrawal Arpana , Lynskey Michael T. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Heath Andrew C. , Duncan Alexis E. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundBulimic behaviors (i.e., binge eating and compensatory behaviors) and substance use frequently co‐occur. However, the etiology underlying this association is poorly understood. This study evaluated the association between bulimic behaviors and early substance use, controlling for genetic and shared environmental factors.MethodsParticipants were 3,540 young adult women from the Missouri Adolescent Female Twin Study. A telephone adaptation of the Semi‐Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism interview assessed DSM‐IV bulimic behaviors, substance use, and other psychological characteristics. Lifetime bulimic behaviors were examined in twin pairs concordant and discordant for early substance use. Logistic regressions were adjusted for the nonindependence of twin data, zygosity, age, body mass index, early menarche (onset before age 12), and early sex (first consensual sexual intercourse before age 15).ResultsIn the entire study population, women who reported early use of alcohol or nicotine were more likely to engage in bulimic behaviors after adjusting for covariates. In 53 pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for alcohol experimentation before age 15, the twin who reported early alcohol experimentation had 3.21 (95% confidence interval = 1.54 to 6.67) times higher odds of reporting bulimic behaviors than the cotwin who did not report early alcohol experimentation, even after adjustment for covariates.ConclusionsFindings suggest that early alcohol experimentation may contribute to the development of bulimic behaviors via mechanisms extending beyond shared vulnerability, including individual‐specific environmental experiences or causal pathways.
Concomitant cannabis abuse/dependence in patients treated with opioids for non‐cancer pain
Authors: Hefner Kathryn , Sofuoglu Mehmet , Rosenheck Robert 
Published: August 2015

Background and ObjectivesCannabis use is common among patients taking prescription opioids, although rates of concomitant cannabis use disorder (CUD) have been largely unexamined. CUD may increase safety risks in those taking opioid pain medications but it is unknown whether cannabis and opioids function as substitutes (cannabis use is associated with less prescription opioid use), or rather as complements (cannabis is associated with increased use of prescription opioids).MethodsWe examined rates of CUD in a national sample of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients (n = 1,316,464) with non‐cancer pain diagnoses receiving opioid medications in fiscal year 2012. Using bivariate analysis to identify potentially confounding variables associated with CUD (eg, psychotropic medication, other substance use disorders) in this population, we then utilized logistic regression to examine rates of cannabis use disorder among individuals receiving different numbers of opioid prescriptions (0, 1–2, 3–10, 11–19, 20+).ResultsDescriptive analysis, largely confirmed by logistic regression, demonstrated that greater numbers of prescription opioid fills were associated with greater likelihood of CUD. This relationship was reduced somewhat for those receiving the most opioid prescriptions (20+) in the logistic regression, which controlled for potentially confounding variables.Discussion and ConclusionsThese results warrant increased attention to CUDs among patients receiving numerous opioid prescriptions. Increasing legalization of cannabis is likely to further increase use and abuse of cannabis in patients prescribed opioids.Scientific SignificanceThese findings suggest that clinicians should be alert to concomitant CUD and prescription opioid use, as these substances appear to complement each other. (Am J Addict 2015;24:538–545)
Transient elevation in serum carcinoembryonic antigen while on adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer: Is this of prognostic importance?
Authors: Lawrence Nicola , Hinder Victoria , Murray Melissa , Macapagal Jerome , Thompson Paul , Sharples Katrina , Findlay Michael 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimsSerum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is used to detect relapses from colon cancer following initial surgical or adjuvant treatment. There are little data on transient elevations of CEA while receiving chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. We aimed to review patterns of change in CEA levels while receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and investigate associations between transient rises and patient survival.MethodsA retrospective review of patients in Auckland with a new diagnosis of colon cancer in 2001 or 2005 was performed and CEA values were collected. Three patient groups were defined: no increase in CEA; transient elevation in CEA; and persistent elevation in CEA. Kaplan–Meier methods were used to estimate 5‐year survival; Cox regression and log‐rank P‐values were used to compare survival.ResultsSixty‐one patients with stage II or III disease who had received adjuvant chemotherapy had sufficient CEA data to be included in the analysis. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 7.4 years (or death). The 5‐year overall survival was higher in the transient elevation in CEA group 95.0% and the no increase in CEA group 85.2% compared with the persistent elevation in CEA group 42.9%. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the transient elevation group and the no increase group (P = 0.2).ConclusionsThe group with a transient elevation in CEA during adjuvant chemotherapy did not have a poorer prognosis compared with the group that had no increase in CEA. This will be further examined in a population‐based New Zealand‐wide study of colorectal cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcome.
Phase II study of cetuximab with irinotecan for KRAS wild‐type colorectal cancer in Japanese patients
Authors: Terazawa Tetsuji , Nishitani Hitoshi , Kato Ken , Hashimoto Hironobu , Akiyoshi Kohei , Ito Yuriko , Nakamoto Akihiro , Iwasa Satoru , Nakajima Takako Eguchi , Hamaguchi Tetsuya , Yamada Yasuhide , Shimada Yasuhiro 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimCetuximab improves the prognosis for wild‐type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of cetuximab in combination with irinotecan in Japanese patients with wild‐type KRAS MCRC refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidines.MethodsCetuximab was administered initially at a dose of 400 mg/m2, followed by weekly infusions at 250 mg/m2. Irinotecan was administered every 2 weeks at 150 mg/m2. Primary endpoint was the incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events; secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), time to treatment failure (TTF), and TTF for irinotecan.ResultsThirty‐four patients were enrolled. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities were leucopenia (11.8%), neutropenia (23.5%), anemia (11.8%), fatigue (2.9%), anorexia (2.9%), diarrhea (14.7%) and hypomagnesemia (5.9%). Skin toxicities were as follows (any grade/grade 3): acne (94.2/8.8%), rash (55.9/0%), nail changes (75.5/8.8%) and hand‐foot syndrome (55.9/5.9%). Median PFS was 6.0 months (95%CI; 4.7–7.4). Median OS was 12.9 months (95%CI; 10.0–15.9). RR was 26.4%. Median TTF was 5.1 months and median TTF for irinotecan was 5.0 months (95%CI; 4.3–5.6).ConclusionCetuximab with irinotecan therapy was well tolerated in Japanese patients with wild‐type KRAS colorectal cancer refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine, thus demonstrating the feasibility of their usage.
Artery first approach to pancreatoduodenectomy: current status
Authors: Pandanaboyana Sanjay , Bell Richard , Windsor John 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe need for an early determination of resectability and before an irreversible step is taken during pancreatoduodenectomy promoted the development of an ‘artery first approach' (AFA). The aim of this study was to review the current evidence related to this approach, with particular reference to margins and survival.MethodsAn electronic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed databases from 1960 to 2015 using both subject headings (MeSH) and truncated word searches to identify all published related articles to this topic.ResultsSix different AFAs have been published. Four studies evaluated the impact of AFA on perioperative outcomes and survival. Three studies showed no difference in the perioperative outcomes, margin status, lymph node yield and survival while one study showed improved margin status and survival comparing AFA with standard resection.ConclusionThe current evidence regarding the benefits of AFA in relation to decreasing margin positivity or increasing survival is sparse. Further larger studies and randomized controlled trails are needed to ascertain the benefits of AFA.
Trends in cerclage use
Authors: Suhag Anju , Saccone Gabriele , Bisulli Maria , Seligman Neil , Berghella Vincenzo 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroductionThe indications of placement of cerclage have recently changed, and so it is important to evaluate how many women are undergoing this procedure. With the recent completion of clinical trials, it is plausible that obstetricians and perinatologists may have become more selective in terms of the best candidates for cerclage.Material and methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent cerclage for prevention of preterm birth in the Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia, USA) over a 16‐year period, from 1998 to 2013. We included women with singleton gestations who had a history‐indicated (HIC) or ultrasound‐indicated cerclage (UIC). Physical examination‐indicated cerclage and transabdominal cerclage were excluded. We planned to compare data before and after 2005.ResultsFrom 1998 to 2013, there were 33 353 deliveries, of which 16 871 occurred from 1998 to 2005 and 16 482 from 2006 to 2013. Of all deliveries, 328 women (1.0%) received HIC or UIC, and were therefore included in the analysis. Between 1998–2005 and 2006–2013 there were significant decreases in the overall rate of cerclage (1.4% to 0.6%; p < 0.001), as well as the rate of HIC (0.8% to 0.2%; p < 0.001) and UIC (0.6% to 0.3%; p < 0.001).ConclusionsDuring the last 16 years, the overall rate of HIC and UIC cerclage at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital significantly declined from 1.4% to 0.6%; significant decreases were seen for both HIC and UIC. The reason for the lower rate of cerclages may be the recently published evidence.
Assisted reproductive technology treatment in women with severe eating disorders: a national cohort study
Authors: Assens Maria , Ebdrup Ninna H. , Pinborg Anja , Schmidt Lone , Hougaard Charlotte O. , Hageman Ida 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroductionThis national retrospective cohort study investigates the prevalence of women with severe eating disorders in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment compared with an age‐matched background population without ART treatment. It assesses the frequency distribution of the first and last eating disorder diagnosis before, during, and after ART treatment, and evaluates differences in obstetric outcomes between women with and without a severe eating disorder.Material and methodsHospital‐diagnosed eating disorders among 42 915 women in the Danish National ART cohort (DANAC), registered during 1994–2009 in the mandatory Psychiatric Central Research Register, were compared with a non‐eating disorder ART cohort of 42 644 women and an age‐matched background population of 215 290 women without a history of ART treatment for the main outcome measures prevalence of eating disorders, frequency distribution of diagnoses before/during/after ART treatment, as well as ART treatment and obstetric outcomes.ResultsIn the ART cohort, 271 women (0.63%) had an eating disorder diagnosis compared with 0.73% in the background population (p = 0.025). The prevalence of ovulatory disorder was significantly higher in women with a severe eating disorder compared with the ART cohort without eating disorders. Obstetric outcomes were similar in ART‐treated women with and without an eating disorder.ConclusionWomen with severe eating disorders were identified in the ART cohort, although significantly less often than in the age‐matched background population. Women with severe eating disorders suffered more often from anovulatory infertility than the ART comparison cohort without this disease. Obstetric outcomes appeared reassuring in the ART cohort with eating disorders.
Tree Species Composition Predicts Epiphytic Lichen Communities in an African Montane Rain Forest
Authors: Frisch Andreas , Rudolphi Jörgen , Sheil Douglas , Caruso Alexandro , Thor Göran , Gustafsson Lena 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe ecology of many tropical rain forest organisms, not the least in Africa, remains poorly understood. Here, we present a detailed ecological study of epiphytic lichens in the equatorial montane rain forest of Bwindi National Park (331 km2), Uganda. We evaluated all major lichen growth forms, including selected groups of crustose lichens. In 14 transects at elevations of 1290 m to 2500 m, we sampled 276 trees belonging to 60 species. We recorded all lichen species on each tree trunk between ground level and 2 m above the ground, yielding 191 lichen species in 67 genera, with a mean of 4.7 species per tree. We used non‐metric multi‐dimensional scaling to separate epiphytic lichen assemblages according to tree species composition and elevation. Structural equation modeling indicated that elevation influenced tree species composition and that tree species composition largely determined lichen species composition. Thus, elevation acted indirectly on the lichen assemblages. Further studies examining factors such as bark properties and lichen colonization ecology may clarify what determines the association between tree species and lichen assemblages. The link between lichen assemblages and large‐scale elevation patterns, as well as disturbance and regrowth histories, warrants further study. An analysis of lichen species composition on individual tree species that occur over large elevation ranges would distinguish the effect of tree species on lichen assemblages from the effect of elevation and thus climate. Our study highlights the limited extent of our knowledge of tropical epiphytic lichens.
Recruitment Distance from the Nearest Reproductive Conspecific Increases with Tree Size in Tropical Premontane Wet Forests
Authors: Sugiyama Anna 
Published: August 2015

AbstractStudies have shown that median distances of plants from the nearest reproductive conspecific (recruitment distance) shifts outward with increasing age or size class, and that plant spatial distribution changes over time in a predictable manner. However, observations and empirical evidence for such predictable changes are limited, and underlying mechanisms explaining such patterns for a wide range of individual sizes are not fully explored. In Costa Rican premontane wet forests, I empirically tested whether recruitment distance changes in a predictable manner with increasing size for five animal‐dispersed tree species by considering all post‐germination sizes. Specifically, I tested the Janzen–Connell hypothesis and the colonization hypothesis by considering distance, density, size, herbivory, biotic infection, and light availability simultaneously. Recruitment distance increased with increasing size (16–22 m) for the four non‐pioneer species, suggesting eventual regeneration success for seeds dispersed away from reproductive conspecifics. During the 2 years of this study, I found positive distance‐dependent survivorship and light availability were important for post‐seedling survivorship, in agreement with the Janzen–Connell hypothesis and the colonization hypothesis, respectively, but only for seedlings. However, seedlings did not escape aboveground herbivory or biotic infection better when the seeds were dispersed greater distances. Results highlight the importance of seed dispersal for successful regeneration, and suggest that changes in spatial distribution over time may be predictable in the vicinity of maternal trees for some non‐pioneer tree species.
Validation and adaptation of rapid neurodevelopmental assessment instrument for infants in Guatemala
Authors: Thompson L. , Peñaloza R. A. , Stormfields K. , Kooistra R. , Valencia‐Moscoso G. , Muslima H. , Khan N. Z. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundTimely detection of neurodevelopmental impairments in children can prompt referral for critical services that may prevent permanent disability. However, screening of impairments is a significant challenge in low‐resource countries. We adapted and validated the rapid neurodevelopmental assessment (RNDA) instrument developed in Bangladesh to assess impairment in nine domains: primitive reflexes, gross and fine motor development, vision, hearing, speech, cognition, behaviour and seizures.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study of 77 infants (0–12 months) in rural Guatemala in July 2012 and July 2013. We assessed inter‐rater reliability and predictive validity between the 27‐item RNDA and the 325‐item Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID‐III) and concurrent validity based on chronic malnutrition, a condition associated with neurodevelopmental impairments. For both RNDA and BSID‐III, standardized scores below 80 were defined as borderline impairment.ResultsChildren came from rural households (92%), were born to indigenous women of Mayan descent (73%) and had moderate or severe growth stunting (43%). Inter‐rater reliability for eight RNDA domains was of moderate to high reliability (weighted κ coefficients, 0.49–0.99). Children screened positive for impairment in fine motor (17%) and gross motor (14%) domains using the RNDA. The RNDA had good concurrent ability; infants who were growth stunted had higher mean levels of impairment in gross motor, speech and cognition domains (all p < 0.001). The RNDA took 20–30 min to complete compared with 45–60 min for BSID‐III.ConclusionsWide‐scale implementation of a simple, valid and reliable screening tool like the RNDA by community health workers would facilitate early screening and referral of infants at‐risk for neurodevelopmental impairment.
Elevated IL‐5 and IL‐13 responses to egg proteins predate the introduction of egg in solid foods in infants with eczema
Authors: Metcalfe J. R. , D'Vaz N. , Makrides M. , Gold M. S. , Quinn P. , West C. E. , Loh R. , Prescott S. L. , Palmer D. J. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundEgg allergy is a leading cause of food allergy in young infants; however, little is known about early allergen‐specific T‐cell responses which predate the presentation of egg allergy, and if these are altered by early egg exposure.ObjectiveTo investigate the early T‐cell responses to multiple egg proteins in relation to patterns of egg exposure and subsequent IgE‐mediated egg allergy.MethodsEgg‐specific T‐cell cytokine responses (IL‐5, IL‐13, IL‐10, IFNγ and TNFα) to ovomucoid (OM), ovalbumin (OVA), conalbumin (CON) and lysozyme (LYS) were measured in infants with eczema at 4 months of age (n = 40), before randomization to receive ‘early egg’ or a placebo as part of a randomized controlled trial (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number 12609000415202) and at 12 months of age (n = 58), when IgE‐mediated egg allergy was assessed by skin prick test and food challenge.ResultsIn 4–month‐old infants, who had not directly ingested egg, those who subsequently developed egg allergy already had significantly higher Th2 cytokine responses to multiple egg allergens, particularly elevated IL‐13 responses to OVA (P = 0.004), OM (P = 0.012) and LYS (P = 0.003) and elevated IL‐5 to the same antigens (P = 0.031, 0.04 and 0.003, respectively). IL‐13 responses (to OVA and LYS) and IL‐5 responses (to LYS) at 4 months significantly predicted egg allergy at 12 months. All responses significantly declined with age in the egg‐allergic infants, and this did not appear to be modified by ‘early’ introduction of egg.Conclusions & Clinical RelevanceElevated egg‐specific Th2 cytokine responses were established prior to egg ingestion at 4 months and were not significantly altered by introduction of egg. Th2 responses at 4 months of age predicted egg allergy at 12 months, suggesting that this could be used as a biomarker to select infants for early prevention and management strategies.