bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of advanced lung cancer patients diagnosed following emergency admission
Authors: Fujimoto Daichi , Shimizu Ryoko , Morimoto Takeshi , Kato Ryoji , Sato Yuki , Kogo Mariko , Ito Jiro , Teraoka Shunsuke , Otoshi Takehiro , Nagata Kazuma , Nakagawa Atsushi , Otsuka Kojiro , Katakami Nobuyuki , Tomii Keisuke 
Published: October 2014

Data on prognosis and predictors of overall survival in advanced lung cancer patients diagnosed following emergency admission (DFEA) are currently lacking.We retrospectively analysed data from 771 patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer between April 2004 and April 2012.Of the 771 patients, 103 (13%) were DFEA. DFEA was not an independent predictor of overall survival by multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, whereas good performance status (PS), epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation, stage IIIB, adenocarcinoma and chemotherapy were independent predictors of overall survival (hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.36 (0.29–0.44), p<0.001; 0.49 (0.38–0.63), p<0.001; 0.64 (0.51–0.80), p<0.001; 0.81 (0.67–0.99), p=0.044; and 0.40 (0.31–0.52), p<0.001, respectively). Good PS just prior to opting for chemotherapy, but not at emergency admission, was a good independent predictor of overall survival in DFEA patients (hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.26 (0.12–0.55); p<0.001).DFEA is relatively common. DFEA and PS at emergency admission were not independent predictors of overall survival, but good PS just prior to opting for chemotherapy was an independent predictor of longer overall survival. Efforts to improve patient PS after admission should be considered vital in such circumstances.
Non-anthropogenic dust exposure and asthma medication purchase in children
Authors: Yitshak-Sade Maayan , Novack Victor , Katra Itzhak , Gorodischer Rafael , Tal Asher , Novack Lena 
Published: October 2014

Air pollution has been shown to increase frequency of asthma attacks, as usually measured by hospitalisation rates. We hypothesise that purchase of asthma reliever medications will reflect a broader association between the environmental exposure and asthma exacerbations.In a time series analysis, we estimated the association of dust storms with mild asthma manifestations, as indicated by medication purchases, during 2005–2011. We compared our results with the estimation of the association of dust storms with hospitalisations due to asthma and asthma-like symptoms.We detected 289 dust storms characterised by high levels of particulate matter <10 μm in diameter. We identified 42 920 children with asthma, wheezing or asthma-like symptoms, of whom 2418 were hospitalised. We observed a higher risk of asthma medication purchase on the day of a mild dust storm (relative risk 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.10). The next peak in drug purchases was 3 days later and was more pronounced among Bedouin-Arab children. Stratified analyses showed higher risks for hospitalisation among Bedouin-Arab children; especially among children living in temporary houses (relative risk 1.33, 95% CI 1.04–1.71).We observed an increased risk of asthma medication purchase associated with mild dust storms. The risk observed for hospitalisation was more pronounced among the rural Bedouin-Arab population.
A multicentre study of air pollution exposure and childhood asthma prevalence: the ESCAPE project
Authors: Mölter Anna , Simpson Angela , Berdel Dietrich , Brunekreef Bert , Custovic Adnan , Cyrys Josef , de Jongste Johan , de Vocht Frank , Fuertes Elaine , Gehring Ulrike , Gruzieva Olena , Heinrich Joachim , Hoek Gerard , Hoffmann Barbara , Klümper Claudia , Korek Michal , Kuhlbusch Thomas A.J. , Lindley Sarah , Postma Dirkje , Tischer Christina , Wijga Alet , Pershagen Göran , Agius Raymond 
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of six traffic-related air pollution metrics (nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM10), PM2.5, coarse particulate matter and PM2.5absorbance) on childhood asthma and wheeze prevalence in five European birth cohorts: MAAS (England, UK), BAMSE (Sweden), PIAMA (the Netherlands), GINI and LISA (both Germany, divided into north and south areas).Land-use regression models were developed for each study area and used to estimate outdoor air pollution exposure at the home address of each child. Information on asthma and current wheeze prevalence at the ages of 4–5 and 8–10 years was collected using validated questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the association between pollutant exposure and asthma within each cohort. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to combine effect estimates from individual cohorts.The meta-analyses showed no significant association between asthma prevalence and air pollution exposure (e.g.adjusted OR (95%CI) for asthma at age 8–10 years and exposure at the birth address (n=10377): 1.10 (0.81–1.49) per 10 μg·m-3nitrogen dioxide; 0.88 (0.63–1.24) per 10 μg·m-3PM10; 1.23 (0.78–1.95) per 5 μg·m-3PM2.5). This result was consistently found in initial crude models, adjusted models and further sensitivity analyses.This study found no significant association between air pollution exposure and childhood asthma prevalence in five European birth cohorts.
Asthma, airflow limitation and mortality risk in the general population
Authors: Huang Shuang , Vasquez Monica M. , Halonen Marilyn , Martinez Fernando D. , Guerra Stefano 
Published: October 2014

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease co-exist in a significant proportion of patients. Whether asthma increases mortality risk among subjects with airflow limitation remains controversial.We used data from 2121 adult participants in the population-based Tucson Epidemiological Study of Airway Obstructive Disease cohort. At enrolment (1972–1973), participants completed questionnaires and lung function tests. Participants were categorised into four groups based on the combination of airflow limitation (AL; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%) and physician-confirmed asthma at baseline. Vital status as of January 2011 was assessed through the National Death Index. Cox proportional hazards models were used to test differences in mortality risk across the four airflow limitation/asthma groups.In multivariate Cox models, the AL+/asthma+ group had a 114% increased mortality risk during follow-up compared with the AL-/asthma- group (adjusted HR 2.14; 95% CI 1.64–2.79). The corresponding hazard ratios were 1.09 (95% CI 0.89–1.34) and 1.34 (95% CI 1.14–1.57) for the AL-/asthma+ and AL+/asthma- groups, respectively. Among subjects with airflow limitation, asthma was associated with increased mortality risk (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.17–2.12). However, this increased risk was substantially reduced and no longer significant after further adjustment for baseline FEV1levels. Similar results were obtained when airflow limitation was defined as FEV1/FVC less than the lower limit of normal.In a population-based cohort, subjects with concomitant airflow limitation and asthma had an increased risk of dying, which was mainly related to their baseline lung function deficits.
Ageing and the border between health and disease
Authors: MacNee William , Rabinovich Roberto A. , Choudhury Gourab 
Published: October 2014

Ageing is associated with a progressive degeneration of the tissues, which has a negative impact on the structure and function of vital organs and is among the most important known risk factors for most chronic diseases. Since the proportion of the world’s population aged >60 years will double in the next four decades, this will be accompanied by an increased incidence of chronic age-related diseases that will place a huge burden on healthcare resources.There is increasing evidence that many chronic inflammatory diseases represent an acceleration of the ageing process. Chronic pulmonary diseases represents an important component of the increasingly prevalent multiple chronic debilitating diseases, which are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly. The lungs age and it has been suggested that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition of accelerated lung ageing and that ageing may provide a mechanistic link between COPD and many of its extrapulmonary effects and comorbidities. In this article we will describe the physiological changes and mechanisms of ageing, with particular focus on the pulmonary effects of ageing and how these may be relevant to the development of COPD and its major extrapulmonary manifestations.
Speed of remission in elderly patients with depression: Electroconvulsive therapyv. medication
Authors: Spaans Harm-Pieter , Sienaert Pascal , Bouckaert Filip , van den Berg Julia F. , Verwijk Esmée , Kho King H. , Stek Max L. , Kok Rob M. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundSevere depression can be a life-threatening disorder, especially in elderly patients. A fast-acting treatment is crucial for this group. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may work faster than medication.AimsTo compare the speed of remission using ECTv.medication in elderly in-patients.MethodThe speed of remission in in-patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of major depression (baseline MADRS score $20) was compared between 47 participants (mean age 74.0 years, s.d. = 7.4) from an ECT randomised controlled trial (RCT) and 81 participants (mean age 72.2 years, s.d. = 7.6) from a medication RCT (nortriptylinev.venlafaxine).ResultsMean time to remission was 3.1 weeks (s.d. = 1.1) for the ECT group and 4.0 weeks (s.d. = 1.0) for the medication group; the adjusted hazard ratio for remission within 5 weeks (ECTv.medication) was 3.4 (95% CI 1.9–6.2).ConclusionsConsidering the substantially higher speed of remission, ECT deserves a more prominent position in the treatment of elderly patients with severe depression.
Medial Prefrontal Cortical Estradiol Rapidly Alters Memory System Bias in Female Rats: Ultrastructural Analysis Reveals Membrane-Associated Estrogen Receptors as Potential Mediators
Authors: Almey Anne , Cannell Elizabeth , Bertram Kyla , Filardo Edward , Milner Teresa A. , Brake Wayne G. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
High plasma levels of estradiol (E2) are associated with use of a place memory system over a response memory system. We examined whether infusing estradiol into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or anterior cingulate cortex (AC) could affect memory system bias in female rats. We also examined the ultrastructural distribution of estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ERβ, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) in the mPFC of female rats as a mechanism for the behavioral effects of E2 in the mPFC. Each rat was infused bilaterally with either E2 (0.13 μg) or vehicle into the mPFC or AC. The majority of E2 mPFC rats used place memory. In contrast, the majority of mPFC vehicle rats and AC E2 or vehicle rats used response memory. These data show that mPFC E2 rapidly biases females to use place memory. Electron microscopic analysis demonstrated that ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 are localized in the mPFC, almost exclusively at extranuclear sites. This is the first time that GPER1 has been localized to the mPFC of rats and the first time that ERα and ERβ have been described at extranuclear sites in the rat mPFC. The majority of receptors were observed on axons and axon terminals, suggesting that estrogens alter presynaptic transmission in the mPFC. This provides a mechanism via which ERs could rapidly alter transmission in the mPFC to alter PFC-dependent behaviors, such as memory system bias. The discrete nature of immunolabeling for these membrane-associated ERs may explain the discrepancy in previous light microscopy studies.
Potential sources of intra-population variation in painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) hatchling overwintering strategy
Authors: Riley Julia L. , Tattersall Glenn J. , Litzgus Jacqueline D. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractMany temperate animals spend half their lives in a non-active, overwintering state, and multiple adaptations have evolved to enable winter survival. One notable vertebrate model is Chrysemys picta whose hatchlings display dichotomous overwintering strategies: some hatchlings spend their first winter aquatically after nest emergence in fall, while others overwinter terrestrially within their natal nest with subsequent spring emergence. Occurrence of these strategies varies among populations and temporally within populations; however, factors that determine the strategy employed by a nest in nature are unknown. We examined potential factors that influence intra-population variation in C. picta hatchling overwintering strategy over two winters in Algonquin Park, Ontario. We found that environmental factors may be a trigger for hatchling overwintering strategy: fall-emerging nests were sloped towards the water and were surrounded by a relatively higher percentage of bare ground compared to spring-emerging nests. Fall-emerging hatchlings were also relatively smaller. Overwintering strategy was not associated with clutch oviposition sequence, or mammalian or avian predation attempts. Instead, fall emergence from the nest was associated with the direct mortality threat of predation by Sarcophagid fly larvae. Body condition and righting response, measured as proxies of hatchling fitness, did not differ between overwintering strategies. Costs and benefits of overwintering aquatically versus terrestrially in hatchling C. picta are largely unknown, and have the potential to affect population dynamics. Understanding winter survival has great implications for turtle ecology, thus we emphasize future research areas on dichotomous overwintering strategies in temperate hatchling turtles.
Teaching an old jaw new tricks: Diet-induced plasticity in a model organism, from weaning to adulthood
Authors: Scott Jeremiah E. , McAbee Kevin R. , Eastman Meghan M. , Ravosa Matthew 
Published: October 2014

AbstractMany organisms exhibit a decrease in the ability to modify their phenotypes in response to shifts in environmental conditions as they mature. Such age-dependent plasticity has important implications in a variety of evolutionary and ecological contexts, particularly with respect to understanding adaptive responses to heterogeneous environments. In this study we used experimental diet manipulation to examine the life-history trajectory of plasticity in the feeding complex of a model organism, the white rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We demonstrate that, contrary to expectations derived from previous cross-sectional studies of skeletal plasticity, the jaws of weanlings and young adults exhibit similar increases in relative bone cross-sectional areas in response to the introduction of mechanically challenging foods into their diets. Furthermore, we present evidence that sensitivity to loading patterns persists well into adulthood in some regions of the masticatory apparatus in rabbits, indicating that there is an extended window of opportunity to respond to changes in dietary properties during an animal's life span. We conclude that certain aspects of the facial skeleton of rabbits, and perhaps mammals in general, are sensitive to environmental stimuli long after skeletal maturity is achieved, highlighting the importance of plasticity as a source of adaptive variation at later life-history stages.
Developmental variation in sound production in water and air in the blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus
Authors: Ghahramani Zachary N. , Mohajer Yasha , Fine Michael L. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus Lesueur, the largest catfish in North America, produces pectoral stridulation sounds (distress calls) when attacked and held. They have both fish and bird predators, and the frequency spectrum of their sounds is better matched to hearing of birds than to that of unspecialized fish predators with low frequency hearing. It is unclear whether their sounds evolved to function in air or water. We categorized the calls and how they change with fish size in air and water and compared developmental changes in call parameters with stridulation motions captured with a high-speed camera. Stridulation sounds consist of a variable series of pulses produced during abduction of the pectoral spine. Pulses are caused by quick rapid spine rotations (jerks) of the pectoral spine that do not change with fish size although larger individuals generate longer, higher amplitude pulses with lower peak frequencies. There are longer pauses between jerks, and therefore fewer jerks and fewer pulses in larger fish that take longer to abduct their spines and therefore produce a longer series of pulses per abduction sweep. Sounds couple more effectively to water (1400 times greater pressure in Pascals at 1m), are more sharply tuned and have lower peak frequencies than in air. Blue catfish stridulation sounds appear to be specialized to produce under-water signals although most of the sound spectrum includes frequencies matched to catfish hearing but largely above the hearing range of unspecialized fishes.
Bargaining Ability and Competitive Advantage: Empirical Evidence from Medical Devices
Authors: Grennan Matthew 
Published: October 2014

In markets where buyers and suppliers negotiate, supplier costs, buyer willingness to pay, and competition determine only a range of potential prices, leaving the final price dependent on other factors (e.g., negotiating skill), which I call bargaining ability. I use a model of buyer demand and buyer–supplier bargaining, combined with detailed data on prices and quantities at the buyer–supplier relationship level, to estimate firm-bargaining abilities in the context of the coronary stent industry where different hospitals (buyers) pay different prices for the exact same product from the same supplier. I estimate that (1) variation in bargaining abilities explains 79% of this price variation, (2) bargaining ability has a large firm-specific component, and (3) changes in the distribution of bargaining abilities over time suggest learning as an important channel influencing bargaining ability. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2006 . This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Yield Optimization of Display Advertising with Ad Exchange
Authors: Balseiro Santiago R. , Feldman Jon , Mirrokni Vahab , Muthukrishnan S. 
Published: October 2014

It is clear from the growing role of ad exchanges in the real-time sale of advertising slots that Web publishers are considering a new alternative to their more traditional reservation-based ad contracts. To make this choice, the publisher must trade off, in real-time, the short-term revenue from ad exchange with the long-term benefits of delivering good spots to the reservation ads. In this paper we formalize this combined optimization problem as a multiobjective stochastic control problem and derive an efficient policy for online ad allocation in settings with general joint distribution over placement quality and exchange prices. We prove the asymptotic optimality of this policy in terms of any arbitrary trade-off between the quality of delivered reservation ads and revenue from the exchange, and we show that our policy approximates any Pareto-optimal point on the quality-versus-revenue curve. Experimental results on data derived from real publisher inventory confirm that there are significant benefits for publishers if they jointly optimize over both channels. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2017 . This paper was accepted by Dimitris Bertsimas, optimization.
Comparison of three different immunoassays in the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Vianello Fabrizio , Sambado Luisa , Scarparo Pamela , Lombardi Annamaria , Bernardi Daniela , Plebani Mario , Fabris Fabrizio 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHeparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is caused by platelet activating antibodies that recognize platelet factor 4/heparin (PF4/H) complexes. Laboratory testing plays a key role in the diagnosis of HIT. As functional assays are unfeasible for most clinical laboratories, antigen binding assays are commonly used in routine testing. However, their low specificity leads to overdiagnosis of HIT. Therefore, it is advisable to improve screening tests in this setting.Blood samples from 114 patients in whom HIT was suspected were investigated using a chemiluminescence test (HemosILTwenty-nine (25.4%) out of 114 subjects with suspected HIT had a positive HIPA test. None of patients with a 4Ts score <4 were positive at HIPA. HemosILThe HemosIL
Religious Continuity and Change in Parthian Mesopotamia: A Note on the Survival of Babylonian Traditions
Authors: Dirven Lucinda 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDuring the period of Arsacid domination, Mesopotamia was characterized by an extraordinarily varied religious landscape. Religion in Arsacid Mesopotamia has not received much attention so far and an all-encompassing study dealing with religious continuity and change in the region is still lacking. For most Assyriologists, religion in the Parthian period is quite different from the preceding periods. Graeco-Roman historians have not shown a great interest in the period either. In short, the study of religion in Parthian Mesopotamia is still split up in diverse cultural and linguistic traditions that are the result of the academic training of the researchers. A profound study of religion in Mesopotamia during this period has to break free from these traditional confines and study the various religious traditions in their social, cultural, and religious context, with a keen eye for religious interaction and diversity on a local level.In present-day research, the focus is on continuity of Babylonian culture and religion. In the first part of this article, I shall argue that the case for continuity has been overstated of late. In fact, change was equally important and this change set in as early as the Achaemenid period. In the second part I shall argue that Babylonian culture was never confined to temples and cuneiform and that the Babylonian deities always had led a life outside their traditional homes as well.
‘You need help as usual, do you?’: Joking and swearing for collegiality in a Swedish workplace
Authors: Nelson Marie 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper draws on the KINSA project (The Communicative Situation of Immigrants at Swedish Workplaces), which aimed to identify communicative factors that have a positive impact on the integration of second language speakers in the workplace and in their immediate work team. The focus here is on humour and swearing as strategies for doing collegiality and for building and maintaining good relations between co-workers. The article presents data from five second language speakers, permanently employed industrial or office workers in a major Swedish company. Theoretically and methodologically, the paper has its basis in discourse analysis, interactional sociolinguistics and the ethnography of communication. By means of fieldwork, a large body of empirical data was collected, comprising detailed field notes, audio and video recordings of naturally occurring talk, and texts processed and produced by participants. The analysis of the data shows that metalinguistic and metacultural awareness and performance of relational communicative acts among the participants appear to have helped to facilitate and consolidate integration in the workplace and the immediate work team. To foster good relations at work, the five participants make strategic use of jokes, compliments, narratives, swearing and greetings. In this article the use of jokes and swearing is highlighted. It closes by making a case for future research in the area of integration in the workplace through relational communication, especially among second language speakers.