bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Practicalities of using a modified version of the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool for randomised and non‐randomised study designs applied in a health technology assessment setting
Authors: Robertson Clare , Ramsay Craig , Gurung Tara , Mowatt Graham , Pickard Robert , Sharma Pawana ,   The UK Robotic Laparoscopic Prostatectomy HTA Study Group
Published: November 2013

We describe our experience of using a modified version of the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool for randomised and non‐randomised comparative studies.ObjectivesTo assess time to complete RoB assessmentTo assess inter‐rater agreementTo explore the association between RoB and treatment effect sizeMethodsCochrane risk of bias assessment was performed on a sample of full text primary reports included in a systematic review comparing operative techniques for radical prostatectomy. Inter‐rater agreement was assessed using the kappa statistic.ResultsTwenty‐four studies were judged as high overall RoB, 13 were judged as low RoB and 11 were unclear. The weighted Kappa value was 0.35 indicating fair agreement. The median (range) time taken to rate each study was 30 min (10–49). The effect estimate for all studies was 0.61 (95% credible interval (CrI) 0.46–0.83) and 0.73 (95% CrI 0.29–1.75) for low risk studies.ConclusionsAlthough the process was time consuming, using a modified version of the RoB tool proved useful for demonstrating conservative effect estimates. That we only achieved a fair agreement between reviewers demonstrates the urgent need for further validation to improve inter‐rater agreement. We suggest additional RoB levels could improve inter‐rater reliability. © 2013 Crown copyright.
Night milking adds value to cow's milk
Authors: Milagres Maria P , Minim Valeria P R , Minim Luis A , Simiqueli Andrea A , Moraes Liliane E S , Martino Hércia S D 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDMelatonin is synthesized in greater concentration at night, and it plays an important role in sleep regulation. This study aimed to evaluate the melatonin concentration in milk collected by milking during the night and evaluates its effect, with or without tryptophan supplementation, in the sleep quality of adult Wistar rats.RESULTSA difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the milking times, where the milk obtained at 02:00 presented a higher melatonin concentration (39.43 pg mL−1) than that acquired at 15:00 (4.03 pg mL−1). A biological assay was also performed on 32 male adult Wistar rats distributed among four groups (n = 8): those receiving an AIN‐93M diet (control group) and three test groups [diets containing milk from milking at 02:00 (M2h), milking at 15:00 (M15h), and milking at 02:00 plus tryptophan supplementation (M2hT)] for 28 days. It was observed that the control group did not differ (P > 0.05) from the M15h group in terms of the levels of blood melatonin and urinary sulfatoxymelatonin, but differed from groups M2h and M2hT, whereas group M2hT presented higher blood melatonin and urinary sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations.CONCLUSIONCombining the techniques of night milking with tryptophan supplementation resulted in production of milk that improves sleep quality in rats. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The relevance of the Siewert classification in the era of multimodal therapy for adenocarcinoma of the gastro‐oesophageal junction
Authors: Curtis Nathan J. , Noble Fergus , Bailey Ian S. , Kelly Jamie J. , Byrne James P. , Underwood Timothy J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIntroductionThe Siewert classification has been used to plan treatment for tumours of the gastro‐oesophageal junction since its proposal in the 1980s. The purpose of this study was to assess its continued relevance by evaluating whether there were differences in the biology and clinical characteristics of adenocarcinomas by Siewert type, in a contemporary cohort of patients, in whom the majority had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsA prospective database was reviewed for all patients who underwent resection from 2005 to 2011 and analysed with regard to Siewert classification determined from the pathological specimen, treatment and clincopathological outcomes.ResultsTwo hundred and sixteen patients underwent oesophagogastric resection: 133 for type I, 51 for type II and 33 for type III tumours. 135 Patients (62.5%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with no difference between groups. There were no significant differences in age, sex, pT stage, pN stage, pM stage, ASA, or inpatient complications between patients with adenocarcinoma based on their Siewert classification. There was a significant increase in maximum tumour diameter (P = 0.023), perineural invasion (P = 0.021) and vascular invasion (P = 0.020), associated with more distal tumours (Type III > Type II > Type I). Median overall survival was significantly shorter for more distal tumours (Type I: 4.96 years vs. Type II: 3.3 years vs. Type III: 2.64 years; P = 0.04). The surgical approach did not influence survival.ConclusionIn the era of multi‐modal treatment pathological Siewert tumour type is of prognostic value, as patients with Type III disease are likely to have larger and more aggressive tumours that lead to worse outcomes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014;109:202–207. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Surgical Oncology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Examination of the cutoff value of postchemotherapy increase in tumor volume as a predictor of subsequent oncologic events in stage IIB osteosarcoma
Authors: Jeon Dae‐Geun , Kong Chang‐Bae , Cho Wan Hyeong , Song Won Seok , Cho Sang Hyun , Choi Sung Woo , Lee Soo‐Yong 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundTumor enlargement after chemotherapy is a predictor of a poor histological response, poor survival, and local recurrence. However, the cutoff point of tumor enlargement for predicting subsequent oncologic events has not been determined.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 567 patients who were treated at our institute for stage IIB osteosarcoma. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of tumor volume increase for the prediction of subsequent metastasis or local recurrence, and calculated diagnostic indices for different cutoff values.ResultsA tumor volume increase of >15% predicted subsequent metastasis or local recurrence with a sensitivity of 64.7%, a specificity of 81.5%, a positive predictive value of 71.6%, and a negative predictive value of 76.1%. Increases in tumor volumes based on this cutoff value were able to predict subsequent oncologic events in all clinical subgroups, except in cases of rare pathologic subtypes. However, for tumors in the proximal humerus, a cutoff value of 25% had optimal predictive value.ConclusionsThis study shows that a cutoff value of 15% for tumor volume increase is useful for predicting subsequent metastasis or local recurrence. Our results suggest that tumor enlargement after chemotherapy serves as an easily assessable clinical parameter for risk‐adapted therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:275–279. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acrylic‐Acid‐Functionalized PolyHIPE Scaffolds for Use in 3D Cell Culture
Authors: Hayward Adam S. , Sano Naoko , Przyborski Stefan A. , Cameron Neil R. 
Published: November 2013

This study describes the development of a functional porous polymer for use as a scaffold to support 3D hepatocyte culture. A high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) is prepared containing the monomers styrene (STY), divinylbenzene (DVB), and 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) in the external oil phase and the monomer acrylic acid (Aa) in the internal aqueous phase. Upon thermal polymerization with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), the resulting porous polymer (polyHIPE) is found to have an open‐cell morphology and a porosity of 89%, both suitable characteristics for 3D cell scaffold applications. X‐ray photo­electron spectroscopy reveals that the polyHIPE surface contained 7.5% carboxylic acid functionality, providing a useful substrate for subsequent surface modifications and bio‐conjugations. Initial bio‐compatibility assessments with human hepatocytes show that the acid functionality does not have any detrimental effect on cell adhesion. It is therefore believed that this material can be a useful precursor scaffold towards 3D substrates that offer tailored surface functionality for enhanced cell adhesion.
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Development of a prediction formula of Parkinson disease severity by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Jiménez Beatriz , Ascaso Francisco J. , Cristóbal José A. , López del Val Javier 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThe aims of this study were to assess the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), to determine its correlation with disease severity, and to define a simple biomarker for predicting clinical severity. One hundred two eyes from 52 patients affected by PD were compared with 97 eyes from 50 age‐comparable controls. In all patients, peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). We used the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) total score and measured responses in the on medication state. Eyes from patients with PD had a statistically significant decrease in average peripapillary RNFL thickness compared with control eyes (P < 0.001). This reduction was observed in every quadrant (inferior, superior, nasal [P < 0.001], and temporal [P = 0.017]) in patients with PD. Furthermore, a strong inverse correlation was found between the PD severity measured according to the UPDRS score and the average peripapillary RNFL thickness (r = −0.615; P < 0.001) and PD duration (r = −0.303; P = 0.002). From these results, we defined a regression equation that predicts the UPDRS score from the above‐mentioned variables: UPDRS = 81.6 + 29.6 * log PD duration (years) − 0.6 * RFNL thickness (μm). We observed that, as the evolution and severity of PD progress, the peripapillary RNFL layer thickness, as evaluated by OCT, gradually diminishes. These results suggest that the average peripapillary RNFL thickness measured by OCT might be useful as a biomarker to detect the early onset and progression of PD. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Two novel mutations identified in familial cases with Donohue syndrome
Authors: Falik Zaccai Tzipora C. , Kalfon Limor , Klar Aharon , Elisha Mordechai Ben , Hurvitz Haggit , Weingarten Galina , Chechik Emelia , Fleisher Sheffer Vered , Haj Yahya Raid , Meidan Gal , Gross‐Kieselstein Eva , Bauman Dvora , Hershkovitz Sylvia , Yaron Yuval , Orr‐Urtreger Avi , Wertheimer Efrat 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDonohue syndrome (DS) is a rare and lethal autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene, manifesting marked insulin resistance, severe growth retardation, hypertrichosis, and characteristic dysmorphic features. We report the clinical, molecular, and biochemical characterization of three new patients with DS, and address genotype–phenotype issues playing a role in the pathophysiology of DS. A female infant born to first‐degree cousins Muslim Arab parents and two brothers born to first‐degree cousins Druze parents presented classical features of DS with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and died in infancy. Each patient was found homozygous for one missense mutation within the extracellular domain of the INSR gene. Western blot analysis identified the proreceptor of INSR, but not its mature subunits alpha and beta. Of 95 healthy Muslims, no heterozygous was found and of 52 healthy Druze from the same village, one was heterozygous. This study presents two novel familial mutations in the alpha subunit of the INSR which appear to impair post‐translational processing of the INSR, resulting loss of its function. Both mutations cause DS with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and early death. Identification of the causative mutation enables prevention of this devastating disease.
Birds in Early Medieval Greater Poland: Consumption and Hawking
Authors: Makowiecki D. , Tomek T. , Bochenski Z. M. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThe paper analyses more than 2000 avian remains from four sites that played a crucial role in the formation of the Polish State in the early Middle Ages: a stronghold and suburbium (extra‐mural settlement) at Ostrów Lednicki, a settlement at Dziekanowice and a stronghold at Grzybowo. At least 25 taxa were found at all the sites. The domestic chicken clearly dominates among all the avian remains, followed by geese of the genus Anser. Other taxa, recorded in smaller numbers, indicate a mosaic of aquatic, woodland and open habitats. The relatively high percentage of immature domestic chicken (28–38%) suggests that it was kept both for meat and eggs. Hawking at Ostrów Lednicki can be indirectly inferred from the presence of remains of female goshawks and their possible prey. Remains of the peacock, capercaillie and black grouse support the high status of the sites. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Offered to Gods, Eaten by People: Bird Bones from the Sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus in Carnuntum–Mühläcker (Austria)
Authors: Gál E. , Kunst G. K. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the bird bones from a large animal bone assemblage found in the largest pit located on the territory of the Sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus in Carnuntum–Mühläcker (Austria). Features of the material suggest that the bones result from ritual meals, perhaps from a single event. The bird bone assemblage is characterised by the dominance of domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus), but the number of (domestic) goose (Anser cf. domesticus) remains is outstanding. Wild species such as the greater white‐fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) were represented by smaller numbers of remains. According to the distribution of bones, the birds were slaughtered in the sanctuary. The calculated minimum number of individuals is about 193 fowl. The slaughtering season is proposed to have been in early spring according to the seasonal presence of the greater white‐fronted goose and the age at death of the domestic mammals. On the basis of the measurements of sexed tarsometatarsi, two size groups of domestic chicken were identified. Similar results regarding the dimensions of this species could be recognised from a number of civic and cultic Roman localities in Central Europe. The dominance of male over female birds in domestic chicken is notable in our assemblage, and points to an Eastern origin for the feasting habits, especially in the light of the scarcity of pig remains in this context as opposed to urban Carnuntum. Unlike the assemblages unearthed from Mithraea, however, it was mostly beef that was consumed in addition to fowl in the sanctuary of Carnuntum–Mühläcker. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Distribution, Thermal Characteristics and Dynamics of Permafrost in Tröllaskagi, Northern Iceland, as Inferred from the Distribution of Rock Glaciers and Ice‐Cored Moraines
Authors: Lilleøren Karianne S. , Etzelmüller Bernd , Gärtner‐Roer Isabelle , Kääb Andreas , Westermann Sebastian , Guðmundsson Águst 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTKnowledge of the characteristics and spatial distribution of permafrost in Iceland is important to understanding slope stability, climate change impacts and palaeo‐glaciology. The permafrost distribution there, however, is poorly constrained. The presence of rock glaciers and stable ice‐cored moraines in mountain settings relates to permafrost, making such landforms indicators of present or past permafrost. This study combines recently published aerial photographs (2002–07), radar interferometry based on Advanced Land Observing Satellite phased array type L‐band synthetic aperture radar (ALOS PALSAR) data (2007), land surface temperatures estimated from moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer satellite data (MODIS; 2003–10) and field mapping to re‐examine the permafrost distribution, thermal characteristics and dynamics on the Tröllaskagi peninsula. An inventory of 265 landforms, mostly active or inactive (intact), categorised them by genesis and activity, the latter independently investigated by PALSAR interferometry. Intact landforms are mainly glacigenic, occurring as moraine‐derived rock glaciers or ice‐cored moraines. Their dominant orientation is between north and northeast, suggesting that topography and exposure influence their present‐day formation. Permafrost landforms exist at all elevations on the Tröllaskagi peninsula, with intact landforms at high elevations and relict landforms reaching down to sea level. Rock glaciers at sea level may imply early deglaciation of northern Iceland. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robotics and Automation for “Icebreaker”
Authors: Glass B. J. , Dave A. , McKay C. P. , Paulsen G. 
Published: November 2013

The proposed “Icebreaker” mission is a return to the Mars polar latitudes first visited by the Phoenix mission in 2007–2008. Exploring and interrogating the shallow subsurface of Mars from the surface will require some form of excavation and penetration, with drilling being the most mature approach. A series of 0.5–5 m automated rotary and rotary‐percussive drills developed over the past decade by NASA Ames and Honeybee Robotics provide the capability to fly on a Mars surface mission within the next decade. Surface robotics have been integrated for sample transfer to deck instruments, and the Icebreaker sample acquisition system has been tested successfully in Mars chambers and analog field sites to depths between 1 and 3 m, most recently in the Antarctic Dry Valleys in January of 2013. This paper provides a hardware and software systems overview of the Icebreaker sample acquisition system, and discusses test results of this robotic system in relevant environments. Test results from recent Arctic and Antarctic field campaigns demonstrate a hands‐off “dust to data” capability.
Safety and utility of an anesthetic protocol for the collection of biological samples from gopher tortoises
Authors: McGuire Jessica L. , Hernandez Sonia M. , Smith Lora L. , Yabsley Michael J. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTAdult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are difficult to physically restrain, particularly for examination of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity—areas important for biological sample collection during disease surveillance studies. Collection of nasal lavage is required for determining the status of Mycoplasma infection in tortoises. Anesthesia is often necessary to provide full relaxation in order to gain access to the head and mouth for nasal lavage. Therefore, deep sedation or general anesthesia are required both for the welfare of the tortoise and to maximize the usefulness of biological samples collected. The objective of this study was to assess the utility and safety of a novel field‐anesthetic combination of dexmedetomidine–ketamine–morphine (75 mc/kg; 8 mg/kg; 1 mg/kg, respectively), followed by reversal with atipamezole (0.02 mg/kg). Between May and October 2009 at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in Baker County, Georgia, USA, 128 tortoises were captured and anesthetized with this protocol. Average time to first effects was 9.7 minutes, to induction was 21.6 minutes, to total recovery after administration of reversal was 92.7 minutes, and the mean time from administration of anesthesia through complete recovery for adult tortoises was 129 minutes but ranged from 40 minutes to 300 minutes. Clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease significantly reduced the induction time such that tortoises with clinical signs lost consciousness faster than healthy tortoises. Study month significantly influenced the time to induction and time to recovery, such that as the study progressed, both parameters decreased. This anesthetic protocol proved to be an effective, reliable, repeatable, and safe method to collect quality biological samples from gopher tortoises. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Prophylactic Level II Neck Dissection Guided by Frozen Section for Clinically Node‐Negative Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Is It Useful?
Authors: Hartl Dana M. , Al Ghuzlan Abir , Borget Isabelle , Leboulleux Sophie , Mirghani Haïtham , Schlumberger Martin 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundProphylactic lateral neck dissection (PLND) is generally not performed for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). When performed, occult metastases are found in up to 50 % of patients, although the incidence of occult level II nodes seems low. Our aim was to evaluate frozen section analysis‐oriented elective level II PLND in patients with clinically node‐negative (cN0) PTC.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with cN0 PTC treated with total thyroidectomy and prophylactic bilateral central and lateral neck dissection of ipsilateral levels III and IV. Frozen section analysis of PLND III and IV was performed. If positive, the PLND was extended to level II. We measured the accuracy of frozen section analysis, the incidence of occult level II metastasis, and oncologic outcomes.ResultsA total of 295 patients were included. For frozen section analysis, the sensitivity was 71.0 %, specificity 99.6 %, positive predictive value 97.8 %, negative predictive value 92.4 %, overall accuracy 93.2 %. Definitive analysis found lateral node metastases in 63 of the 295 (21 %) patients. Extension to level II was performed in 27 of 46 cases (59 %). Level II contained metastatic nodes in 12 of 27 (44 %) patients. There was no difference in total doses of 131I administered to patients with or without level II disease. Even when extension of PLND to level II was not performed, no cases of recurrent or persistent disease in level II occurred.ConclusionsFrozen section analysis was highly accurate. The rate of occult metastases in level II was low. Detection of additional metastases in level II did not modify subsequent treatment or the rate of recurrence and is not useful for routine application.
Towards a unified classification of wear
Authors: Varenberg Michael 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSince the beginning of the systematic study of wear, many classification schemes have been devised. However, though covering the whole field in sum, they stay only loosely connected to each other and do not build a complete general picture. To this end, here we try to combine and integrate existing approaches into a general simple scheme unifying known wear types into a consistent system. The suggested scheme is based on three classifying criterions answering the questions “why”, “how” and “where” and defining a 3-D space filled with the known wear types. The system can be used in teaching to introduce students to such complex phenomena as wear and also in engineering practice to guide wear mitigation initiatives.
Complementary Method for Deriving Concentration of Diffusing Substance in a Medium for Multi-Dimensional Diffusion
Authors: Tsai C.-L. , Lin C.-C. , Lee H.-J. , Wang C.-H. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTConcentration of a diffusing substance in a medium was derived in various cases of uni-dimensional diffusion, including in a semi-infinite medium and a plate-shaped medium. Multi-dimensional diffusion involves boundary conditions in each coordinate direction. The algorithm dealing with uni-dimensional case becomes very complicated in multi-dimensional cases. This study proposes an algorithm, which is called the complementary method, that combines complementary functions of the normalized solution in uni-dimensional diffusion case by multiplication to solve those in various multi-dimensional diffusion cases with dramatically simplified mathematics. Besides, the complementary method is used to solve various kinds of boundary conditions for multi-dimensional diffusion.