bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting 5‐ and 10‐Year Survival in Older Women with Early‐Stage Breast Cancer: Self‐Rated Health and Walking Ability
Authors: Eng Jessica A. , Clough‐Gorr Kerri , Cabral Howard J. , Silliman Rebecca A. 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivesTo determine life expectancy for older women with breast cancer.DesignProspective longitudinal study with 10 years of follow‐up data.SettingHospitals or collaborating tumor registries in four geographic regions (Los Angeles, California; Minnesota; North Carolina; Rhode Island).ParticipantsWomen aged 65 and older at time of breast cancer diagnosis with Stage I to IIIA disease with measures of self‐rated health (SRH) and walking ability at baseline (N = 615; 17% aged ≥80, 52% Stage I, 58% with ≥2 comorbidities).MeasurementsBaseline SRH, baseline self‐reported walking ability, all‐cause and breast cancer–specific estimated probability of 5‐ and 10‐year survival.ResultsAt the time of breast cancer diagnosis, 39% of women reported poor SRH, and 28% reported limited ability to walk several blocks. The all‐cause survival curves appear to separate after approximately 3 years, and the difference in survival probability between those with low SRH and limited walking ability and those with high SRH and no walking ability limitation was significant (0.708 vs 0.855 at 5 years, P ≤ .001; 0.300 vs 0.648 at 10 years, P < .001). There were no differences between the groups in breast cancer–specific survival at 5 and 10 years (P = .66 at 5 years, P = .16 at 10 years).ConclusionThe combination of low SRH and limited ability to walk several blocks at diagnosis is an important predictor of worse all‐cause survival at 5 and 10 years. These self‐report measures easily assessed in clinical practice may be an effective strategy to improve treatment decision‐making in older adults with cancer.
Pain Management in Nursing Home Residents with Cancer
Authors: Pimentel Camilla B. , Briesacher Becky A. , Gurwitz Jerry H. , Rosen Allison B. , Pimentel Marc T. , Lapane Kate L. 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivesTo assess improvements in pain management of nursing home (NH) residents with cancer since the implementation of pain management quality indicators.DesignCross‐sectional.SettingOne thousand three hundred eighty‐two U.S. NHs (N = 1,382).ParticipantsNewly admitted, Medicare‐eligible NH residents with cancer (N = 8,094).MeasurementsNationwide data on NH resident health from Minimum Data Set 2.0 linked to all‐payer pharmacy dispensing records (February 2006–June 2007) were used to determine prevalence of pain, including frequency and intensity, and receipt of nonopioid and opioid analgesics. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate resident‐level correlates of pain and binomial logistic regression to identify correlates of untreated pain.ResultsMore than 65% of NH residents with cancer had any pain (28.3% daily, 37.3% <daily), 13.5% of whom had severe and 61.3% had moderate pain. Women; residents admitted from acute care or who were bedfast; and those with compromised activities of daily living, depressed mood, an indwelling catheter, or a terminal prognosis were more likely to have pain. More than 17% of residents in daily pain (95% confidence interval (CI) = 16.0–19.1%) received no analgesics, including 11.7% with daily severe pain (95% CI = 8.9–14.5%) and 16.9% with daily moderate pain (95% CI = 15.1–18.8%). Treatment was negatively associated with age of 85 and older (adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.55–0.81 vs aged 65–74), cognitive impairment (aOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.61–0.82), presence of feeding tube (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60–0.99), and restraints (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.31–0.82).ConclusionUntreated pain is still common in NH residents with cancer and persists despite pain management quality indicators.
Depression, Vascular Factors, and Risk of Dementia in Primary Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Köhler Sebastian , Buntinx Frank , Palmer Katie , van den Akker Marjan 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivesTo study the interaction between and timing effects of depression and vascular disorders on dementia risk.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingPrimary care practices in the south of the Netherlands.ParticipantsIndividuals in primary care aged 50 to 100 followed for 13 years (N = 35,791).MeasurementsMedical diagnoses of incident depression, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, and dementia were extracted from a research database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to test whether incident depression predicted dementia and its putative interactions with vascular factors.ResultsIn total, 1,680 participants developed dementia. Individuals with depression (n = 978) had a higher risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.56–2.64). Depression exerted most effect in participants with incident stroke (HR = 5.29, 95% CI = 2.52–11.14) or newly diagnosed hypertension (HR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.54–6.20).ConclusionDepression in later life increases the risk of dementia. The effect is particularly high in individuals with depression and vascular disorders. Targeting late‐onset depression in individuals with vascular disorders might lower dementia risk by preventing cerebrovascular changes.
Barriers to food intake in acute care hospitals: a report of the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force
Authors: Keller H. , Allard J. , Vesnaver E. , Laporte M. , Gramlich L. , Bernier P. , Davidson B. , Duerksen D. , Jeejeebhoy K. , Payette H. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundPoor food intake is common in acute care patients and can exacerbate or develop into malnutrition, influencing both recovery and outcome. Yet, research on barriers and how they can be alleviated is lacking. The present study aimed to (i) describe the prevalence of food intake barriers in diverse hospitals and (ii) determine whether patient, care or hospital characteristics are associated with the experience of these barriers.MethodsPatients (n = 890; 87%) completed a validated questionnaire on barriers to food intake, including perceptions of food quality, just before their discharge from a medical or surgical unit in each of 18 hospitals across Canada. Scores were created for barrier domains. Associations between these barriers and selected patient characteristics collected at admission or throughout the hospital stay and site characteristics were determined using bivariate analyses.ResultsCommon barriers were being interrupted at meals (41.8%), not being given food when a meal was missed (69.2%), not wanting ordered food (58%), loss of appetite (63.9%) and feeling too sick (42.7%) or tired (41.1%) to eat. Younger patients were more likely (P < 0.0001) to report being disturbed at meals (44.6%) than older patients (33.9%) and missing a meal for tests (39.0% versus 31.0%, P < 0.05). Patients who were malnourished, women, those with more comorbidity, and those who ate <50% of the meal reported several barriers across domains.ConclusionsThe present study confirms that barriers to food intake are common in acute care hospitals. This analysis also identifies that specific patient subgroups are more likely to experience food intake barriers. Because self‐reported low food intake in hospital was associated with several barriers, it is relevant to consider assessing, intervening and monitoring barriers to food intake during the hospital stay.
Cholesterol regulates multiple forms of vesicle endocytosis at a mammalian central synapse
Authors: Yue Hai‐Yuan , Xu Jianhua 
Published: April 2015

AbstractEndocytosis in synapses sustains neurotransmission by recycling vesicle membrane and maintaining the homeostasis of synaptic membrane. A role of membrane cholesterol in synaptic endocytosis remains controversial because of conflicting observations, technical limitations in previous studies, and potential interference from non‐specific effects after cholesterol manipulation. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether cholesterol participates in distinct forms of endocytosis that function under different activity levels. In this study, applying the whole‐cell membrane capacitance measurement to monitor endocytosis in real time at the rat calyx of Held terminals, we found that disrupting cholesterol with dialysis of cholesterol oxidase or methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin impaired three different forms of endocytosis, including slow endocytosis, rapid endocytosis, and endocytosis of the retrievable membrane that exists at the surface before stimulation. The effects were observed when disruption of cholesterol was mild enough not to change Ca2+ channel current or vesicle exocytosis, indicative of stringent cholesterol requirement in synaptic endocytosis. Extracting cholesterol with high concentrations of methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin reduced exocytosis, mainly by decreasing the readily releasable pool and the vesicle replenishment after readily releasable pool depletion. Our study suggests that cholesterol is an important, universal regulator in multiple forms of vesicle endocytosis at mammalian central synapses.
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By monitoring endocytosis with whole‐cell membrane capacitance measurement, this study demonstrated that acute disruption of cholesterol with cholesterol oxidase or methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin impaired slow clathrin‐mediated endocytosis, rapid endocytosis, and endocytosis of pre‐existing retrievable membrane at a large mammalian nerve terminal, the calyx of Held. This data suggest a universal cholesterol requirement in distinct pathways of synaptic vesicle endocytosis.
Health needs of older Aboriginal people in Taiwan: a community‐based assessment using a multidimensional instrument
Authors: Lee Ling‐Ling , Lin Shu‐Huan , Philp Ian 
Published: April 2015

Aims and objectivesTo explore the health needs of older Aboriginal people, using a multidimensional instrument. The gender differences related to their health needs were also addressed.BackgroundHealth status and life expectancy between Aborigines and non‐Aborigines have been shown to differ. The investigation of the health needs of Aboriginal people is however scarce, particularly among the older adult population. There is a need to address unmet health needs and improve information on the health needs assessment of the older Aboriginal population.DesignA cross‐sectional design was used.MethodsAboriginal people aged 65 and over were randomly sampled to take part in the present study. A multidimensional instrument consisting of eight domains and three cross‐domain categories was used to assess their health needs.ResultsA group of older Aboriginal people was recruited (n = 90, mean age = 73·5). The top three identified needs were ‘mental health and well‐being’, ‘staying healthy’ and ‘social participation’. The female participants had statistically significant higher scores for the ‘mental health and well‐being’, ‘getting around’ domains and in the ‘risk of falls’ than the male ones. A regression model demonstrated that the health need of ‘looking after oneself’ was associated with all cross‐domain categories of health need, which are ‘independence’, ‘risk of breakdown in care’ and ‘risk of falls’.ConclusionsThe present study has revealed major health needs among older Aboriginal people and found that older female Aborigines have more health needs than older male Aborigines. Further study to identify effective approaches to address these needs among this group is warranted.Relevance to clinical practiceThe findings can be used to identify effective approaches to addressing health needs among older Aboriginal people with a consideration of gender. Only then can resources be allocated and prioritised in a culturally sensitive and gender‐specific manner nationally and globally.
Predictors of levels of functioning among Chinese people with severe mental illness: a 12‐month prospective cohort study
Authors: Chien Wai‐Tong , Lam Claire K K , Ng Bacon F L 
Published: April 2015

Aim and objectivesThe aim of the study was to identify the predictors of functioning in Chinese people with serious mental illness.BackgroundMental healthcare services for people suffering from serious mental illness are delivered to not only minimise their psychiatric symptoms but also enhance their levels of functioning in the community. Yet, there is insufficient research directed towards the associated or predictive factors that may influence different aspects of functioning, particularly in terms of patients' psychosocial variables.DesignA longitudinal, prospective cohort study design was adopted.MethodsA clustered random sample of 395 of 611 outpatients with serious mental illness completed the same set of questionnaires at baseline and at 12 months. Changes in patients' functioning as measured by self‐maintenance, social functioning and community living skills were recorded over 12 months. Potential relationships between their level of functioning and symptom severity, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, perceived negative familial response, negative self‐stigma towards mental illness, re‐hospitalisation rate and socio‐demographic characteristics were investigated.ResultsMost participants reported moderate to moderately high levels of overall functioning, self‐efficacy, self‐stigma and perceived negative familial response at baseline and there were significant observed correlations between these variables. Results of multiple regression models indicated that while symptom severity predicted functioning in patients with psychotic and affective disorders, a negatively perceived familial response only predicted negative changes in social functioning of the patients with psychotic disorders (β = −0·25). In addition, improvements in self‐efficacy (β = 0·23) and reduction in self‐stigma (β = −0·15) positively predicted changes in the community living skills of patients with affective disorders.ConclusionThe findings indicate the significance of psychiatric patients' symptom management and factors such as self‐efficacy and self‐stigma to predict their functioning over a 12‐month follow‐up.Relevance to clinical practiceMental healthcare services should consider giving priority to self‐stigma reduction and empowerment to manage illness especially in this population of patients and their families, thus effectively enhancing their self‐care ability to cope with their illness and/or difficult life situations.
MACRO‐FINANCE LINKAGES
Authors: Morley James 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn this survey, I review the academic and policy‐oriented literature on the linkages between financial markets and the rest of the economy. First, I summarize the leading economic theories for why the financial sector can influence the macroeconomy. Second, I consider empirical research on spillovers from the financial sector to the rest of the economy, as well as across financial markets in different countries. Third, I discuss key monetary policy debates regarding the appropriate response of central banks to financial conditions. Finally, I conclude with an overview of the major gaps in the existing literature.
Transcranial direct current stimulation and exercises for treatment of chronic temporomandibular disorders: a blind randomised‐controlled trial
Authors: Oliveira L. B. , Lopes T. S. , Soares C. , Maluf R. , Goes B. T. , Sá K. N. , Baptista A. F. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryTo evaluate the effect of adding transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to exercises for chronic pain, dysfunction and quality of life in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Participants were selected based on the RDC/TMD criteria and assessed for pain intensity, pressure pain threshold over temporomandibular joint and cervical muscles and quality of life. After initial assessment, all individuals underwent a 4‐week protocol of exercises and manual therapy, together with active or sham primary motor cortex tDCS. Stimulation was delivered through sponge electrodes, with 2 mA amplitude, for 20 min daily, over the first 5 days of the trial. A total of 32 subjects (mean age 24·7 ± 6·8 years) participated in the evaluations and treatment protocol. Mean pain intensity pre‐treatment was 5·5 ± 1·4 for active tDCS group, and 6·3 ± 1·2 for sham tDCS. Both groups showed a decrease in pain intensity scores during the trial period (time factor – F4·5,137·5 = 28·7, P < 0·001; group factor – F1·0,30·0 = 7·7, P < 0·05). However, there were no differences between the groups regarding change in pain intensity (time*group interaction – F4·5,137·5 = 1·5, P = 0·137). This result remained the same after 5 months (t‐test t = 0·29, P > 0·05). Pressure pain thresholds decrease and improvement in quality of life were also noticeable in both groups, but again without significant differences between them. Absolute benefit increase was 37·5% (CI 95%: −15·9% to 90·9%), and number needed to treat was 2·66. This study suggests that there is no additional benefit in adding tDCS to exercises for the treatment of chronic TMD in young adults.
An inverse association of Helicobacter pylori infection with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Meng Xue , Wang Qiuxu , He Caiyun , Chen Moye , Liu Jingwei , Liu Weixian , Yuan Yuan 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundFew studies have focused on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and oral diseases. In this study, we explored the correlation between H. pylori infection and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).MethodsA total of 68 patients with OSCC and 104 age‐ and sex‐ matched healthy control subjects were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The H. pylori immunoglobin (Ig) G antibodies in serum were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to assess the status of H. pylori infection of our study sample. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also employed using H. pylori genus‐specific 16S rRNA primers in fasting blood, and OSCC specimens were analyzed by histochemical stain of each enrolled subject. The strength of correlation between H. pylori and the development of OSCC was estimated by Spearman's correlation coefficient.ResultsAccording to the three methods for detecting prevalence of H. pylori infection in the patients with OSCC, it was statistically lower than that in the healthy controls (35.3% vs. 54.8%, P = 0.012). An inverse correlation was observed between H. pylori infection and OSCC development (Spearman's correlation coefficient = −0.191, P = 0.012). In stratification analysis, we also found a statistical association between H. pylori infection and OSCC in the subpopulation with age ≥60 years (P = 0.037).ConclusionOur findings suggested that H. pylori infection may be negatively related to OSCC. A reverse association of H. pylori infection with OSCC risk in the subpopulation with age ≥60 years was also found.
The positive correlation of the CCL2‐CCR2 axis with the disease activity may indicate the fundamental role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus
Authors: Yin Jingfang , Yang Xi , Zeng Qi , Yang Linglan , Cheng Bin , Tao Xiaoan 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundThe important roles of CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 had been reported in a series of inflammatory disorders. However, few studies investigated the potential role of CCL2/CCR2 axis in oral lichen planus (OLP). Therefore, this study aimed to detect the expression of CCL2 and CCR2 in OLP lesions and compare their changes before and after treatment.MethodsCCL2 and CCR2 expression was investigated using immunohistochemical staining and real‐time RT‐PCR in 32 patients with OLP and eight controls. Moreover, changes in their expression after treatment with triamcinolone acetonide were assessed in lesions from three patients.ResultsCCL2+ and CCR2+ cells were few in the controls and remarkably increased in the epithelial and subepithelial layers of lesions (n = 32, all P < 0.001). However, the densities of CCL2+ and CCR2+ cells were not significantly different between reticular (n = 12) and erythematous⁄erosive lesions (n = 20), although they significantly decreased after treatment (627.7 ± 108.2 vs. 258.3 ± 148.3, P = 0.017; 1034.7 ± 74.6 vs. 648 ± 77.6, P = 0.003, respectively). CCL2+/CCR2+ cell numbers were positively correlated with disease activity (correlation coefficient, 0.588; P < 0.001; correlation coefficient, 0.409; P = 0.02, respectively).ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that the CCL2‐CCR2 axis was involved in the pathogenesis of OLP and was positively correlated with disease activity.
Aflatoxin levels in chronic hepatitis B patients with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in Balıkesir, Turkey
Authors: Aydın M. , Aydın S. , Bacanlı M. , Başaran N. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryAflatoxins, the secondary metabolites produced by species of naturally occurring Aspergilli, are commonly found in food such as cereals, dried fruits and juice, wine, beer and spices. They are hepatotoxic and are well known human carcinogens based on evidence from human studies. Aflatoxins are an environmental risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic hepatitis B‐infected patients are at increased risk of cirrhosis, hepatic failure and liver cancer. This study was designed to determine the serum aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) and aflatoxin G2 (AFG2) concentrations using high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in hepatitis B‐infected patients with or without cirrhosis and liver cancer, alongside healthy controls in Balıkesir, Turkey. The mean AFB1 and total AF levels in patients without liver cancer and cirrhosis were significantly higher than healthy controls. The mean AFB1 and total AF levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B and HCC were significantly higher than infected patients with or without cirrhosis. These results suggest that patients with chronic hepatitis B who are exposed to AFs are at increased risk for developing HCC, which might be prevented by reducing consumption of contaminated foods.
From olivine to ringwoodite: a TEM study of a complex process
Authors: Pittarello Lidia , Ji Gang , Yamaguchi Akira , Schryvers Dominique , Debaille Vinciane , Claeys Philippe 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe study of shock metamorphism of olivine might help to constrain impact events in the history of meteorites. Although shock features in olivine are well known, so far, there are processes that are not yet completely understood. In shock veins, olivine clasts with a complex structure, with a ringwoodite rim and a dense network of lamellae of unidentified nature in the core, have been reported in the literature. A highly shocked (S5‐6), L6 meteorite, Asuka 09584, which was recently collected in Antarctica by a Belgian–Japanese joint expedition, contains this type of shocked olivine clasts and has been, therefore, selected for detailed investigations of these features by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Petrographic, geochemical, and crystallographic studies showed that the rim of these shocked clasts consists of an aggregate of nanocrystals of ringwoodite, with lower Mg/Fe ratio than the unshocked olivine. The clast's core consists of an aggregate of iso‐oriented grains of olivine and wadsleyite, with higher Mg/Fe ratio than the unshocked olivine. This aggregate is crosscut by veinlets of nanocrystals of olivine, with extremely low Mg/Fe ratio. The formation of the ringwoodite rim is likely due to solid‐state, diffusion‐controlled, transformation from olivine under high‐temperature conditions. The aggregate of iso‐oriented olivine and wadsleyite crystals is interpreted to have formed also by a solid‐state process, likely by coherent intracrystalline nucleation. Following the compression, shock release is believed to have caused opening of cracks and fractures in olivine and formation of olivine melt, which has lately crystallized under postshock equilibrium pressure conditions as olivine.