bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is COPD associated with increased mortality and morbidity in hospitalized pneumonia? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Hong‐Li , Chen Hong‐Xuan , Liu Wei , Fan Tao , Liu Guan‐Jian , Mao Bing 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis review aimed to investigate whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science were searched for cohort studies and case–control studies investigating the impact of COPD on CAP. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality, and secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and need for mechanical ventilation. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The Mantel–Haenszel method and inverse variance method were used to calculate pooled relative risks (RRs) and mean differences (MD), respectively. Eleven studies (nine cohort studies and two case–control studies), involving 257 958 patients, were included. The overall methodological quality was high. COPD was not associated with increased mortality in hospitalized CAP patients (RR, 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92–1.56; P = 0.19; I2 = 55%) in cohort studies, and was associated with reduced mortality in case–control studies (RR, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74–0.90; P < 0.0001; I2 = 80%). COPD was not associated with longer hospital stay (MD, 0.11; 95% CI: −0.42 to 0.64; P = 0.68; I2 = 21%), more frequent ICU admission (RR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.70–1.35; P = 0.87; I2 = 65%), and more need for mechanical ventilation (RR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.71–1.16; P = 0.44; I2 = 4%).The current available evidence indicates that COPD may not be associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with CAP. This conclusion should be re‐evaluated by prospective population‐based cohort studies.
The Role of Peers and Siblings in Toddlers’ Developing Understanding of Incompatible Desires
Authors: Schuhmacher Nils , Kärtner Joscha 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAccording to previous research, social experiences with other children might explain why three‐year‐olds are already quite proficient in understanding desires but not beliefs as subjective mental states. This study investigated toddlers’ (N = 50) developing subjective understanding of incompatible desires around the age of 3 years (M = 35.5 months) and the associated social factors (i.e., family demographics, peer, and sibling variables). Results indicated a developmental sequence from understanding desires to understanding desire‐dependent emotions with an unexpected positivity bias in toddlers’ prediction of own emotions. A hierarchical regression model revealed that specific social factors (i.e., reported quality of peer interactions and day care attendance) individually contributed to explaining the variance in children's desire‐reasoning skills. Findings are interpreted as supporting a belief–desire asymmetry, and specific social experiences, such as positive peer interactions and desire conflicts, may promote toddlers’ understanding of incompatible desires as subjective mental states.
Democracy, Institutional Maturity, and Economic Development*
Authors: Heo Uk , Hahm Sung Deuk 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveDespite a plethora of studies on the relationship between democracy and economic development, a dominant theoretical framework has yet to emerge. Economic development may lead to the transition to democracy and mature democratic institutions are likely to help economic development. Thus, in this article, we test the relationship among economic development, institutional maturity, and democracy.MethodsIn a recent study, Gerring et al. (2005) developed a new concept, “democracy stock,” to incorporate institutional maturity. This concept is useful because institutional maturity matters. To address the issue of endogeneity between democracy and economic development, we investigate the relationship using a simultaneous equation method and data from 1950 to 2000.ResultsThe empirical results show that democracy and economic development affect each other.ConclusionsEconomic development not only helps democratization, but it also assists democratic systems to survive and mature. Mature democratic systems do help economic development.
The impact of noninvasive, capillary, and venous hemoglobin screening on donor deferrals and the hemoglobin content of red blood cells concentrates: a prospective study
Authors: Sümnig Ariane , Hron Gregor , Westphal Antje , Petersmann Astrid , Kohlmann Thomas , Greinacher Andreas , Thiele Thomas 
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDHemoglobin (Hb) is screened before whole blood donation to protect donors from anemia. Recently, noninvasive methods have become available for Hb screening in blood donors. We compared a noninvasive, a capillary, and a venous method for Hb screening of blood donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSConsecutive donors were prospectively screened using a noninvasive (Masimo Pronto‐7), a capillary (HemoCue Hb 301), and a venipuncture‐based method as gold standard (Siemens Advia 2120i) for Hb determination. All measurements were performed in parallel and in duplicate. A cutoff Hb value of 125 g/L (females) and 135 g/L (males) was used for donor acceptance.RESULTSA total of 553 donors were analyzed; in 38 donors (7%) the noninvasive Hb method was not applicable due to technical reasons. The noninvasive test underestimated (mean bias, −5.9 g/L; 95% limits of agreement, −25.74, 13.88) and the capillary test overestimated Hb values (mean bias, 4.3 g/L; 95% limits of agreement, −8.13, 16.71). Coefficients of variation of duplicate measurements were 1.05 (venous), 2.73 (noninvasive), and 3.23 (capillary). The noninvasive test revealed false low Hb values in 21.2% and the capillary test revealed false high Hb values in 9% of donors compared to the venous method. The negative predictive value of the noninvasive test was 94.3%.CONCLUSIONThe noninvasive Hb measurement is a reasonable first‐line approach for predonation Hb screening of blood donors but a second method should be available to retest those not testable with the noninvasive device or with Hb values below the cutoffs.
Successful xenotransplantation with re‐aggregated and encapsulated neonatal pig liver cells for treatment of mice with acute liver failure
Authors: Ham Dong‐Sik , Song Min‐Sang , Park Heon‐Seok , Rhee Marie , Yang Hae Kyung , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Kim Ji‐Won , Jung Eun‐Sun , Yoon Kun‐Ho 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundHepatocyte transplantation is a promising therapy for acute liver failure. Cell therapy using xenogeneic sources has emerged as an alternative treatment for patients with organ failure due to the shortage of transplantable human organs. The purpose of this study was to improve the survival of mice with acute liver failure by transplanting encapsulated neonatal pig re‐aggregated liver cells (NPRLC).MethodsLiver injury was induced in C57/BL6 male mice by the injection of 600 mg/kg of acetaminophen. Xenogeneic liver cells were isolated from a neonatal pig and processed via re‐aggregation and encapsulation to improve the efficiency of the xenogeneic liver cell transplantation. The neonatal pig liver showed abnormal lobule structure. Isolated cells were re‐aggregated and intraperitoneally transplanted into acute liver failure mice models.ResultsRe‐aggregated cells showed significantly enhanced viability and significantly greater synthesis of albumin and urea than cells cultured in monolayers. Further, we observed improved serum levels of ALT/AST, and the survival rate of mice with acute liver failure was improved by the intraperitoneal transplantation of encapsulated hepatocytes (48 000 equivalent (Eq) per mouse).ConclusionsThis study shows that using encapsulated NPRLCs improves the efficacy of xenogeneic liver cell transplantation for the treatment of mice with acute liver failure. Therefore, this may be a good strategy for bridge therapy for the treatment of acute liver failure in humans.
Boxing headguard performance in punch machine tests
Authors: McIntosh Andrew S , Patton Declan A 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundThe paper presents a novel laboratory method for assessing boxing headguard impact performance. The method is applied to examine the effects of headguards on head impact dynamics and injury risk.MethodsA linear impactor was developed, and a range of impacts was delivered to an instrumented Hybrid III head and neck system both with and without an AIBA (Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur)-approved headguard. Impacts at selected speeds between 4.1 and 8.3 m/s were undertaken. The impactor mass was approximately 4 kg and an interface comprising a semirigid ‘fist’ with a glove was used.ResultsThe peak contact forces were in the range 1.9–5.9 kN. Differences in head impact responses between the Top Ten AIBA-approved headguard and bare headform in the lateral and forehead tests were large and/or significant. In the 8.3 m/s fist-glove impacts, the mean peak resultant headform accelerations for bare headform tests was approximately 130 g compared with approximately 85 g in the forehead impacts. In the 6.85 m/s bare headform impacts, mean peak resultant angular head accelerations were in the range of 5200–5600 rad/s2and almost halved by the headguard. Linear and angular accelerations in 45° forehead and 60° jaw impacts were reduced by the headguard.ConclusionsThe data support the opinion that current AIBA headguards can play an important role in reducing the risk of concussion and superficial injury in boxing competition and training.
Impact of alprazolam in allostatic load and neurocognition of patients with anxiety disorders and chronic stress (GEMA): observational study protocol
Authors: Soria Carlos A , Remedi Carolina , Núñez Daniel A , D'Alessio Luciana , Roldán Emilio J A 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionThe allostatic load model explains the additive effects of multiple biological processes that accelerate pathophysiology related to stress, particularly in the central nervous system. Stress-related mental conditions such as anxiety disorders and neuroticism (a well-known stress vulnerability factor), have been linked to disturbances of hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal with cognitive implications. Nevertheless, there are controversial results in the literature and there is a need to determine the impact of the psychopharmacological treatment on allostatic load parameters and in cognitive functions. Gador study of Estres Modulation by Alprazolam, aims to determine the impact of medication on neurobiochemical variables related to chronic stress, metabolic syndrome, neurocognition and quality of life in patients with anxiety, allostatic load and neuroticism.Methods/analysisIn this observational prospective phase IV study, highly sympthomatic patients with anxiety disorders (six or more points in the Hamilton-A scale), neuroticism (more than 18 points in the Neo five personality factor inventory (NEO-FFI) scale), an allostatic load (three positive clinical or biochemical items at Crimmins and Seeman criteria) will be included. Clinical variables of anxiety, neuroticism, allostatic load, neurobiochemical studies, neurocognition and quality of life will be determined prior and periodically (1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks) after treatment (on demand of alprazolam from 0.75 mg/day to 3.0 mg/day). A sample of n=55/182 patients will be considered enough to detect variables higher than 25% (pretreatment vs post-treatment or significant correlations) with a 1-ß power of 0–80. t Test and/or non-parametric test, and Pearson's test for correlation analysis will be determined.Ethics and disseminationThis study protocol was approved by an Independent Ethics Committee of FEFyM (Foundation for Pharmacological Studies and Drugs, Buenos Aires) and by regulatory authorities of Argentina (ANMAT, Dossier # 61 409–8 of 20 April 2009), following the law of Habeas Data and psychotherapeutic drug control.Trial registration numberGEMA 20811.
Medical versus surgical methods of early abortion: protocol for a systematic review and environmental scan of patient decision aids
Authors: Donnelly Kyla Z , Thompson Rachel 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionCurrently, we lack understanding of the content, quality and impact of patient decision aids to support decision-making between medical and surgical methods of early abortion. We plan to undertake a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature to identify, appraise and describe the impact of early abortion method decision aids evaluated quantitatively (Part I), and an environmental scan to identify and appraise other early abortion method decision aids developed in the US (Part II).Methods and analysisFor the systematic review, we will search PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases for articles describing experimental and observational studies evaluating the impact of an early abortion method decision aid on women's decision-making processes and outcomes. For the environmental scan, we will identify decision aids by supplementing the systematic review search with Internet-based searches and key informant consultation. The primary reviewer will assess all studies and decision aids for eligibility, and a second reviewer will also assess a subset of these. Both reviewers will independently assess risk of bias in the studies and abstract data using a piloted form. Finally, both reviewers will assess decision aid quality using the International Patient Decision Aid Standards criteria, ease of readability using Flesch/Flesch-Kincaid tests, and informational content using directed content analysis.Ethics and disseminationAs this study does not involve human subjects, ethical approval will not be sought. We aim to disseminate the findings in a scientific journal, via academic and/or professional conferences and among the broader community to contribute knowledge about current early abortion method decision-making support.Trial registration numberThis protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42015016717).
Stem cell biomarker ALDH1A1 in breast cancer shows an association with prognosis and clinicopathological variables that is highly cut-off dependent
Authors: Sjöström Martin , Hartman Linda , Honeth Gabriella , Grabau Dorthe , Malmström Per , Hegardt Cecilia , Fernö Mårten , Niméus Emma 
Published: July 2015

AimsAldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 member A1 (ALDH1A1) is a putative marker of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) with prognostic implications when expressed in cancer or stroma. However, previous results are contradictory and we therefore aimed to further evaluate the impact of ALDH1A1 on distant disease-free survival (DDFS) and correlation with clinicopathological variables in breast cancer, specifically by evaluating different cut-offs.MethodsTwo breast cancer cohorts (N=216 and N=210) were evaluated with immunohistochemistry for ALDH1A1 on tissue microarrays with three different cut-offs in cancer cells and in stromal cells. The association of ALDH1A1 with DDFS and other clinicopathological variables was assessed. As further validation, gene expression levels of ALDH1A1 and association with survival were analysed in one of the cohorts and a separate cohort.ResultsALDH1A1 expression in cancer cells was associated with either a better or a worse prognosis, depending on cut-off. Considering weakly stained cancer cells as positive, ALDH1A1+ was associated with a better prognosis in both cohorts. Considering only strongly stained cells as positive, ALDH1A1+ was associated with oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor negativity in both cohorts and worse prognosis in one of the cohorts. Stromal ALDH1A1 staining was associated with improved DDFS in one cohort. Gene expression analysis showed that a high ALDH1A1 expression was associated with a better prognosis.ConclusionsALDH1A1 is associated with DDFS and clinicopathological variables, both in cancer cells and stroma, but is highly cut-off dependent. Only the strongly ALDH1A1-stained cells show a more aggressive phenotype typical for CSCs.
The Association between Leisure Time Physical Activity and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Farris Megan S. , Mosli Mohammed H. , McFadden Alison A. , Friedenreich Christine M. , Brenner Darren R. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe conducted a meta-analysis of the association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and risk of pancreatic cancer to update previous analyses in light of newly published studies, to examine subgroups of interest and potential sources of heterogeneity. We searched the PubMed and MEDLINE databases for studies until February 2015. Study information was collected using a standardized form to abstract relevant data on study design, number of cases, participant and study characteristics, assessment of LTPA, risk estimates, and adjustments for confounding by two independent abstractors. We used random-effects models to pool estimates from included studies of lowest versus highest comparison of LTPA. The search identified 26 studies eligible for inclusion into the meta-analysis. The combined summary risk estimate was [relative risk (RR), 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82–0.96]. There was evidence of heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 22.1%, Pheterogeneity = 0.130). Some of the heterogeneity could be explained by study design, with stronger protective effects observed among case–control studies (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.59–0.81) compared with cohort studies (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.91–1.02). Across study designs, age of population was a source of heterogeneity, with stronger effects observed among younger (&lt;50 years) populations. The present meta-analysis supports a protective association between LTPA and pancreatic cancer with an 11% risk reduction observed. LTPA appears to have the strongest effect among young populations. Additional investigations are needed to provide insights regarding the impact of LTPA in healthy adult populations, to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer and encourage increases in LTPA. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(10); 1462–73. ©2015 AACR.
Nanotechnology: Future of Oncotherapy
Authors: Gharpure Kshipra M. , Wu Sherry Y. , Li Chun , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , Sood Anil K. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Recent advances in nanotechnology have established its importance in several areas including medicine. The myriad of applications in oncology range from detection and diagnosis to drug delivery and treatment. Although nanotechnology has attracted a lot of attention, the practical application of nanotechnology to clinical cancer care is still in its infancy. This review summarizes the role that nanotechnology has played in improving cancer therapy, its potential for affecting all aspects of cancer care, and the challenges that must be overcome to realize its full promise. Clin Cancer Res; 21(14); 3121–30. ©2015 AACR.
A Phase I/II Study for Analytic Validation of 89Zr-J591 ImmunoPET as a Molecular Imaging Agent for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pandit-Taskar Neeta , O'Donoghue Joseph A. , Durack Jeremy C. , Lyashchenko Serge K. , Cheal Sarah M. , Beylergil Volkan , Lefkowitz Robert A. , Carrasquillo Jorge A. , Martinez Danny F. , Fung Alex Mak , Solomon Stephen B. , Gönen Mithat , Heller Glenn , Loda Massimo , Nanus David M. , Tagawa Scott T. , Feldman Jarett L. , Osborne Joseph R. , Lewis Jason S. , Reuter Victor E. , Weber Wolfgang A. , Bander Neil H. , Scher Howard I. , Larson Steven M. , Morris Michael J. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Purpose: Standard imaging for assessing osseous metastases in advanced prostate cancer remains focused on altered bone metabolism and is inadequate for diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive purposes. We performed a first-in-human phase I/II study of 89Zr-DFO-huJ591 (89Zr-J591) PET/CT immunoscintigraphy to assess performance characteristics for detecting metastases compared with conventional imaging modalities (CIM) and pathology.
Experimental Design: Fifty patients with progressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers were injected with 5 mCi of 89Zr-J591. Whole-body PET/CT scans were obtained, and images were analyzed for tumor visualization. Comparison was made to contemporaneously obtained bone scintigraphy and cross-sectional imaging on a lesion-by-lesion basis and with biopsies of metastatic sites.
Results: Median standardized uptake value for 89Zr-J591–positive bone lesions (n = 491) was 8.9 and for soft-tissue lesions (n = 90), it was 4.8 (P &lt; 0.00003). 89Zr-J591 detected 491 osseous sites compared with 339 by MDP and 90 soft-tissue lesions compared with 124 by computed tomography (CT). Compared with all CIMs combined, 89Zr-J591 detected an additional 99 osseous sites. Forty-six lesions (21 bone and 25 soft tissue) were biopsied in 34 patients; 18 of 19 89Zr-J591–positive osseous sites and 14 of 16 89Zr-J591–positive soft tissue sites were positive for prostate cancer. The overall accuracy of 89Zr-J591 was 95.2% (20 of 21) for osseous lesions and 60% (15 of 25) for soft-tissue lesions.
Conclusions: 89Zr-J591 imaging demonstrated superior targeting of bone lesions relative to CIMs. Targeting soft-tissue lesions was less optimal, although 89Zr-J591 had similar accuracy as individual CIMs. This study will provide benchmark data for comparing performance of proposed prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting agents for prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 21(23); 5277–85. ©2015 AACR.
Cluster-Randomized Trial of Personalized Site Performance Feedback in Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure
Authors: DeVore Adam D. , Cox Margueritte , Heidenreich Paul A. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Yancy Clyde W. , Eapen Zubin J. , Peterson Eric D. , Hernandez Adrian F. 
Published: July 2015

Background—
There is significant variation in the delivery of evidence-based care for patients with heart failure (HF), but there is limited evidence defining the best methods to improve the quality of care.

Methods and Results—

We performed a cluster-randomized trial of personalized site performance feedback at 147 hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure quality improvement program from October 2009 to March 2011. The intervention provided sites with specific data on their heart failure achievement and quality measures in addition to the usual Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure tools. The primary outcome for our trial was improvement in site composite quality of care score. Overall, 73 hospitals (n=33 886 patients) received the intervention, whereas 74 hospitals (n=37 943 patients) did not. One year after the intervention, both the intervention and control arms had a similar mean change in percentage points in their composite quality score (absolute change, +0.31 [SE, 1.51] versus +3.18 [SE, 1.68] in control;
P
=0.21). Similarly, none of the individual achievement measures or quality measures improved more at intervention versus control hospitals.

Conclusions—
Our site-based intervention, which included personalized site feedback on adherence to quality metrics, was not able to elicit more quality improvement beyond that already associated with participation in the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure program.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00979264.