bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disease history and risk of comorbidity in women's life course: a comprehensive analysis of the Japan Nurses’ Health Study baseline survey
Authors: Nagai Kazue , Hayashi Kunihiko , Yasui Toshiyuki , Katanoda Kota , Iso Hiroyasu , Kiyohara Yutaka , Wakatsuki Akihiko , Kubota Toshiro , Mizunuma Hideki 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo classify diseases based on age at peak incidence to identify risk factors for later disease in women's life course.DesignA cross-sectional baseline survey of participants in the Japan Nurses’ Health Study.SettingA nationwide prospective cohort study on the health of Japanese nurses. The baseline survey was conducted between 2001 and 2007 (n=49 927).Main outcome measuresAge at peak incidence for 20 diseases from a survey of Japanese women was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with the Kernel smoothing technique. The incidence rate and peak incidence for diseases whose peak incidence occurred before the age of 45 years or before the perimenopausal period were selected as early-onset diseases. The OR and 95% CI were estimated to examine the risk of comorbidity between early-onset and other diseases.ResultsFour early-onset diseases (endometriosis, anaemia, migraine headache and uterine myoma) were significantly correlated with one another. Late-onset diseases significantly associated (OR>2) with early-onset diseases included comorbid endometriosis with ovarian cancer (3.65 (2.16 to 6.19)), endometrial cancer (2.40 (1.14 to 5.04)) and cerebral infarction (2.10 (1.15 to 3.85)); comorbid anaemia with gastric cancer (3.69 (2.68 to 5.08)); comorbid migraine with transient ischaemic attack (3.06 (2.29 to 4.09)), osteoporosis (2.11 (1.71 to 2.62)), cerebral infarction (2.04 (1.26 to 3.30)) and angina pectoris (2.00 (1.49 to 2.67)); and comorbid uterine myoma with colorectal cancer (2.31 (1.48 to 3.61)).ConclusionsWhile there were significant associations between four early-onset diseases, women with a history of one or more of the early-onset diseases had a higher risk of other diseases later in their life course. Understanding the history of early-onset diseases in women may help reduce the subsequent risk of chronic diseases in later life.
Using a mass media campaign to raise women's awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer: cross-sectional pre-intervention and post-intervention evaluation surveys
Authors: Dixon Helen G , Pratt Iain S , Scully Maree L , Miller Jessica R , Patterson Carla , Hood Rebecca , Slevin Terry J 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of a population-based, statewide public health intervention designed to improve women's awareness and knowledge of the link between alcohol and cancer.DesignCross-sectional tracking surveys conducted pre-intervention and post-intervention (waves I and III of campaign).SettingWestern Australia.ParticipantsCross-sectional samples of Western Australian women aged 25–54 years before the campaign (n=136) and immediately after wave I (n=206) and wave III (n=155) of the campaign.InterventionThe ‘Alcohol and Cancer’ mass media campaign ran from May 2010 to May 2011 and consisted of three waves of paid television advertising with supporting print advertisements.Main outcome measuresCampaign awareness; knowledge of drinking guidelines and the link between alcohol and cancer; intentions towards drinking.ResultsPrompted recognition of the campaign increased from 67% following wave I to 81% following wave III (adjusted OR (adj OR)=2.31, 95% CI 1.33 to 4.00, p=0.003). Improvements in women's knowledge that drinking alcohol on a regular basis increases cancer risk were found following wave I (adj OR=2.60, 95% CI 1.57 to 4.30, p<0.001) and wave III (adj OR=4.88, 95% CI 2.55 to 9.36, p<0.001) compared with baseline. Knowledge of the recommended number of standard drinks for low risk in the long term increased between baseline and wave I (adj OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.76, p=0.041), but not baseline and wave III (adj OR=1.42, 95% CI 0.84 to 2.39, p=0.191). Among women who drink alcohol, the proportion expressing intentions to reduce alcohol consumption increased significantly between baseline and wave III (adj OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.11 to 5.12, p=0.026). However, no significant reductions in recent drinking behaviour were found following the campaign.ConclusionsResults indicate a population-based mass media campaign can reach the target audience and raise awareness of links between alcohol and cancer, and knowledge of drinking guidelines. However, a single campaign may be insufficient to measurably curb drinking behaviour in a culture where pro-alcohol social norms and product marketing are pervasive.
Out-of-hours and weekend admissions to Danish medical departments: admission rates and 30-day mortality for 20 common medical conditions
Authors: Vest-Hansen Betina , Riis Anders Hammerich , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Christiansen Christian Fynbo 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesKnowledge on timing of admissions and mortality for acute medical patients is limited. The aim of the study was to examine hospital admission rates and mortality rates for patients with common medical conditions according to time of admission.DesignNationwide population-based cohort study.SettingPopulation of Denmark.ParticipantsUsing the Danish National Registry of Patients covering all Danish hospitals, we identified all adults with the first acute admission to a medical department in Denmark during 2010.Primary and secondary outcome measuresHourly admission rates and age-standardised and sex-standardised 30-day mortality rates comparing weekday office hours, weekday out of hours, weekend daytime hours and weekend night-time hours.ResultsIn total, 174 192 acute medical patients were included in the study. The admission rates (patients per hour) were 38.7 (95% CI 38.4 to 38.9) during weekday office hours, 13.3 (95% CI 13.2 to 13.5) during weekday out of hours, 19.8 (95% CI 19.6 to 20.1) during weekend daytime hours and 7.9 (95% CI 7.8 to 8.0) during weekend night-time hours. Admission rates varied between medical conditions. The proportion of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) increased outside of office hours. The age-standardised and sex-standardised 30-day mortality rate was 5.1% (95% CI 5.0% to 5.3%) after admission during weekday office hours, 5.7% (95% CI 5.5% to 6.0%) after admission during weekday out of hours, 6.4% (95% CI 6.1% to 6.7%) after admission during weekend daytime hours and 6.3% (95% CI 5.9% to 6.8%) after admission during weekend night-time hours. For the majority of the medical conditions examined, weekend admission was associated with highest mortality.ConclusionsWhile admission rates decreased from office hours to weekend hours there was an observed increase in mortality. This may reflect differences in severity of illness as the proportion admitted to an ICU increased during the weekend.
Prostate biopsy concordance in a large population-based sample: a Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results study
Authors: Schreiber David , Wong Andrew T , Rineer Justin , Weedon Jeremy , Schwartz David 
Published: March 2015

AimsTo use the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database in order to evaluate prostate biopsy concordance in a large population-based sample.MethodsWe identified 34 195 men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent a radical prostatectomy from 2010 to 2011. All patients also had to have both clinical and pathological Gleason scores available for analysis. The concordance of the biopsy Gleason score to the pathological Gleason score was analysed using the coefficient of agreement (κ). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine potential factors that may impact concordance of Gleason score.ResultsOverall, the clinical and pathological Gleason scores matched in 55.4% of patients. The concordance rates were 55.3% for Gleason 6, 66.9% for Gleason 3+4, 42.9% for Gleason 4+3 and 24.8% for Gleason 8, with frequent downgrading to Gleason 7. The κ for Gleason score concordance was 0.36 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.37), indicating fair agreement. The weighted κ for Gleason score concordance was 0.51 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.52), indicating moderate agreement. Additionally, the Bowker tests of symmetry were highly significant (p<0.001), indicating that when discordant findings were present, pathological upgrading was more common than downgrading.ConclusionsThis study is, to our knowledge, the largest contemporary study of prostate biopsy concordance. We found that there continues to be significant Gleason migration both upward from biopsy Gleason 6 or 3+4 and downgrading from biopsy Gleason ≥8. Further studies are needed to better determine other potential genomic or biologic factors that may help increase the biopsy Gleason concordance.
Modeling the Thermal Dynamics of Buildings
Authors: Ghosh Siddhartha , Reece Steve , Rogers Alex , Roberts Stephen , Malibari Areej , Jennings Nicholas R. 
Published: March 2015

Minimizing the energy consumed by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of residential buildings without impacting occupants’ comfort has been highlighted as an important artificial intelligence (AI) challenge. Typically, approaches that seek to address this challenge use a model that captures the thermal dynamics within a building, also referred to as a thermal model. Among thermal models, gray-box models are a popular choice for modeling the thermal dynamics of buildings. They combine knowledge of the physical structure of a building with various data-driven inputs and are accurate estimators of the state (internal temperature). However, existing gray-box models require a detailed specification of all the physical elements that can affect the thermal dynamics of a building a priori. This limits their applicability, particularly in residential buildings, where additional dynamics can be induced by human activities such as cooking, which contributes additional heat, or opening of windows, which leads to additional leakage of heat. Since the incidence of these additional dynamics is rarely known, their combined effects cannot readily be accommodated within existing models.
To overcome this limitation and improve the general applicability of gray-box models, we introduce a novel model, which we refer to as a latent force thermal model of the thermal dynamics of a building, or LFM-TM. Our model is derived from an existing gray-box thermal model, which is augmented with an extra term referred to as the learned residual. This term is capable of modeling the effect of any a priori unknown additional dynamic, which, if not captured, appears as a structure in a thermal model’s residual (the error induced by the model). More importantly, the learned residual can also capture the effects of physical elements such as a building’s envelope or the lags in a heating system, leading to a significant reduction in complexity compared to existing models.
To evaluate the performance of LFM-TM, we apply it to two independent data sources. The first is an established dataset, referred to as the FlexHouse data, which was previously used for evaluating the efficacy of existing gray-box models [Bacher and Madsen 2011]. The second dataset consists of heating data logged within homes located on the University of Southampton campus, which were specifically instrumented to collect data for our thermal modeling experiments. On both datasets, we show that LFM-TM outperforms existing models in its ability to accurately fit the observed data, generate accurate day-ahead internal temperature predictions, and explain a large amount of the variability in the future observations. This, along with the fact that we also use a corresponding efficient sequential inference scheme for LFM-TM, makes it an ideal candidate for model-based predictive control, where having accurate online predictions of internal temperatures is essential for high-quality solutions.
Motivation as a Lens to Understand Online Learners
Authors: Kizilcec René F. , Schneider Emily 
Published: March 2015

Open online learning environments attract an audience with diverse motivations who interact with structured courses in several ways. To systematically describe the motivations of these learners, we developed the Online Learning Enrollment Intentions (OLEI) scale, a 13-item questionnaire derived from open-ended responses to capture learners' authentic perspectives. Although motivations varied across courses, we found that each motivation predicted key behavioral outcomes for learners (N = 71, 475 across 14 courses).
From learners' motivational and behavioral patterns, we infer a variety of needs that they seek to gratify by engaging with the courses, such as meeting new people and learning English. To meet these needs, we propose multiple design directions, including virtual social spaces outside any particular course, improved support for local groups of learners, and modularization to promote accessibility and organization of course content. Motivations thus provide a lens for understanding online learners and designing online courses to better support their needs.
CD44 Isoform Status Predicts Response to Treatment with Anti-CD44 Antibody in Cancer Patients
Authors: Birzele Fabian , Voss Edgar , Nopora Adam , Honold Konrad , Heil Florian , Lohmann Sabine , Verheul Henk , Le Tourneau Christophe , Delord Jean-Pierre , van Herpen Carla , Mahalingam Devalingam , Coveler Andrew L. , Meresse Valerie , Weigand Stefan , Runza Valeria , Cannarile Michael 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Purpose: CD44, a cell surface glycoprotein, plays important roles in the development, progression, and metastasis of various tumor types. The aim of this study was to investigate how the expression of CD44 isoforms influences the interaction with hyaluronic acid (HA) and how differential isoform expression impacts antitumoral responses in vivo to treatment with RG7356, a humanized anti-CD44 antibody inhibiting CD44–HA interaction.
Experimental Design: CD44 isoform expression on various tumor cell lines was analyzed by RNASeq while data on patients with different tumor types were obtained from the publicly available TCGA RNASeq dataset as well as a phase I clinical study (NCT01358903). We analyzed the link between HA production and CD44 isoform expression as well as the consequences of blocking the CD44-mediated cell adhesion to HA using RG7356. The correlation between CD44 isoform expression and antitumor response to RG7356 treatment was investigated in the corresponding murine xenograft in vivo models as well as in a subset of patients treated with RG7356 from a recently completed phase I clinical trial.
Results: CD44 isoform expression, in particular expression of CD44s, is associated with HA production and predicts response to treatment with RG7356 in tumor xenograft models. Furthermore, patient data suggest that CD44 isoform status is a potential predictive biomarker for clinical response to treatment with RG7356.
Conclusions: We provide new insights into the close interplay between CD44 and HA and a potential biomarker to enrich patient responses to RG7356 in the clinic. Clin Cancer Res; 21(12); 2753–62. ©2015 AACR.
Enhancement of the Proapoptotic Properties of Newcastle Disease Virus Promotes Tumor Remission in Syngeneic Murine Cancer Models
Authors: Cuadrado-Castano Sara , Ayllon Juan , Mansour Mena , de la Iglesia-Vicente Janis , Jordan Stefan , Tripathi Shashank , García-Sastre Adolfo , Villar Enrique 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is considered a promising agent for cancer therapy due to its oncolytic properties. These include preferential replication in transformed cells, induction of innate and adaptive immune responses within tumors, and cytopathic effects in infected tumor cells due to the activation of apoptosis. To enhance the latter and thus possibly enhance the overall oncolytic activity of NDV, we generated a recombinant NDV encoding the human TNF receptor Fas (rNDV-B1/Fas). rNDV-B1/Fas replicates to similar titers as its wild-type (rNDV-B1) counterpart; however, overexpression of Fas in infected cells leads to higher levels of cytotoxicity correlated with faster and increased apoptosis responses, in which both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways are activated earlier. Furthermore, in vivo studies in syngeneic murine melanoma models show an enhancement of the oncolytic properties of rNDV-B1/Fas, with major improvements in survival and tumor remission. Altogether, our data suggest that upregulation of the proapoptotic function of NDV is a viable approach to enhance its antitumor properties and adds to the currently known, rationally based strategies to design optimized therapeutic viral vectors for the treatment of cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(5); 1247–58. ©2015 AACR.
QRS Fragmentation and Sudden Cardiac Death in the Obese and Overweight
Authors: Narayanan Kumar , Zhang Lin , Kim Candice , Uy‐Evanado Audrey , Teodorescu Carmen , Reinier Kyndaron , Zheng Zhi‐Jie , Gunson Karen , Jui Jonathan , Chugh Sumeet S. 
Published: March 2015

Background

Obesity has been associated with significantly greater risk of sudden cardiac death (
SCD
); however, identifying the obese patient at highest risk remains a challenge. We evaluated the association between
QRS
fragmentation on the 12‐lead electrocardiogram and
SCD
, in obese/overweight subjects.

Methods and Results

In the ongoing prospective, community‐based Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study (population approximately 1 million), we performed a case‐control analysis, comparing obese/overweight
SCD
victims with obese/overweight controls from the same geographic region. Archived
ECG
s prior and unrelated to the
SCD
event were used for cases and all
ECG
measurements were assessed in blinded fashion. Fragmentation was defined as the presence of
RSR
’ patterns and/or notching of the R/S wave in at least 2 contiguous leads. Analysis was limited to
ECG
s with
QRS
duration <120 ms. Overall prevalence of fragmentation was higher in cases (n=185; 64.9±13.8 years; 67.0% male) compared with controls (n=405; 64.9±11.0 years; 64.7% male) (34.6% versus 26.9%,
P
=0.06). Lateral fragmentation was significantly more frequent in cases (8.1% versus 2.5%;
P
<0. 01), with non‐significant differences in anterior and inferior territories. Fragmentation in multiple territories (≥2) was also more likely to be observed in cases (9.7% versus 4.9%,
P
=0.02). In multivariable analysis with consideration of established
SCD
risk factors, lateral fragmentation was significantly associated with
SCD
(
OR
2.84; 95%
CI
1.01 to 8.02;
P
=0.05).

Conclusion

QRS
fragmentation, especially in the lateral territory is a potential risk marker for
SCD
independent of the ejection fraction, among obese/overweight subjects in the general population.
Modernity and Its Doubles: Uncanny Spaces of Postwar Japan
Authors: Adriasola Ignacio 
Published: March 2015

Screening the Japanese Gothic Actress M stands on a platform placed on the desks in a large auditorium, surrounded by students who stare despondently at her. She turns, seeking the camera over her shoulder; she pushes her white dress down as a fan makes it swell and rise above her knees. Dwarfed by the auditorium's heavy pointed arches, Actress M's pale, overexposed figure flickers like a photographic ghost. She has become Marilyn Monroe.
Use of nasal fentanyl for cancer pain: A pharmacoepidemiological study
Authors: Fredheim Olav Magnus S , Mahic Milada , Skurtveit Svetlana , Borchgrevink Petter C 
Published: March 2015

Background: Breakthrough pain affects 40%–90% of patients with cancer pain. Nasal fentanyl is one of the recommended treatments, particularly if the breakthrough pain is of rapid onset. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of use of nasal fentanyl, to study which strong opioids have been used prior to nasal fentanyl and to examine which opioids are used concomitantly with nasal fentanyl. Design: Longitudinal cohort study based on death cohorts defined according to year of death. Setting/participants: The study is based on data from the complete national Norwegian Prescription Database. The study population included all persons in Norway who died in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 and who had received nasal fentanyl with reimbursement for palliative treatment. Results: Of those who died from cancer in 2010, 2011 and 2012, 611 persons (2%) received dispensed prescriptions of nasal fentanyl. Two-thirds had received other short-acting strong opioids before nasal fentanyl. One quarter did not receive a long-acting opioid concomitantly with nasal fentanyl, but 68% of these received only one dispensed prescription of nasal fentanyl. Of those who received a long-acting opioid together with nasal fentanyl, transdermal fentanyl was the most common drug (65%). One-third received another short-acting opioid concomitantly with nasal fentanyl. Conclusion: The use of nasal fentanyl was surprisingly low. There is a need for clinical research addressing the use of nasal fentanyl without a long-acting opioid for background pain and the use of nasal fentanyl together with another short-acting opioid.
Perspectives on the role of the speech and language therapist in palliative care: An international survey
Authors: O’Reilly Aoife C , Walshe Margaret 
Published: March 2015

Background: Speech and language therapists can improve the quality of life of people receiving palliative care through the management of communication and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). However, their role in this domain is poorly defined and little is understood about the current international professional practice in this field. Aims: To examine how speech and language therapists perceive their role in the delivery of palliative care to clients, to discover current international speech and language therapist practices and to explore the similarities and differences in speech and language therapists’ practice in palliative care internationally. This will inform professional clinical guidelines and practice in this area. Design: Anonymous, non-experimental, cross-sectional survey design. Participants: Speech and language therapists working with adult and paediatric palliative care populations in Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand where the speech and language therapist profession is well established. Method: Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants internationally using gatekeepers. An online survey was disseminated using Survey Monkey ( http://www.surveymonkey.com ). Results: A total of 322 speech and language therapists responded to the survey. Speech and language therapist practices in palliative care were similar across continents. Current speech and language therapist practices along with barriers and facilitators to practice were identified. The need for a speech and language therapist professional position paper on this topic was emphasised by respondents. Conclusion: Internationally, speech and language therapists believe they have a role in palliative care. The speech and language therapist respondents highlighted that this area of practice is under-resourced, under-acknowledged and poorly developed. They highlighted the need for additional research as well as specialist training and education for speech and language therapists and other multidisciplinary team members in the area of palliative care.