bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The European Association for Palliative Care basic dataset to describe a palliative care cancer population: Results from an international Delphi process
Authors: Sigurdardottir Katrin R , Kaasa Stein , Rosland Jan H , Bausewein Claudia , Radbruch Lukas , Haugen Dagny F ,   on behalf of PRISMA
Published: February 2014

Background: One of the barriers identified in palliative care research is the lack of common criteria to describe the population. Aim: The aim of this Delphi process was to obtain consensus on a basic set of core variables to describe or classify a palliative care cancer population. Design and setting: This was a five-step international Delphi exercise. A total of 117 experts were invited to participate. Based on a literature review and analyses of existing minimum datasets for national databases, a list of 18 proposed variables was presented in the first Delphi round. The two first rounds focused on which variables to include, and several new variables were proposed. The three last Delphi rounds focused on how the agreed variables should be recorded. Consensus was defined as at least 70% agreement. Results: A total of 64 experts from 30 countries participated. High consensus was reached on 31 variables, divided between a ‘patient form’ – date of birth, gender, living situation, education, ethnicity and 12 symptoms – and a ‘health-care personnel form’ – patient’s date of birth, principal diagnosis, date of the principal diagnosis, stage of the cancer disease, site of metastases, present anticancer treatment, main additional diagnoses, stage of the additional diagnoses, medication, weight loss, performance status, cognitive impairment, place of care and provision of care. It was more difficult to agree upon how to record the variables, but consensus was reached on all except ethnicity, vomiting and weight loss. Conclusion: Consensus was reached on a set of core variables and how they should be recorded.
Behavioral changes of zebrafish according to cisplatin-induced toxicity of the balance system
Authors: Kim MJ , Choi J , Kim N , Han GC 
Published: February 2014

Background and objectives: Zebrafish are commonly used as experimental animals in otolaryngology studies. However, the behavioral characteristics of these fish are not well known, especially those related to the vestibular system. The goal of this study was to evaluate behavioral changes in zebrafish due to toxicity in the balance system. Materials and methods: Zebrafish were exposed to 1000 μM cisplatin for 6 h. We, then, periodically monitored swimming depth, total swimming distance, peak swimming velocity, and mean swimming velocity of the fish for approximately 21 days. Results: Total swimming distance ( p < 0.0001), peak swimming velocity ( p = 0.0063), and mean swimming velocity ( p < 0.0001) in the cisplatin-administered group were significantly decreased when compared with control fish. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that cisplatin can alter the locomotion behavior of zebrafish.
A correlation study of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society Score and the Oxford Shoulder Score with the use of regression analysis to predict one score from the other in patients undergoing reverse shoulder joint arthroplasty for cuff tear arthropathy
Authors: Hapuarachchi Kamal S , Poon Peter C 
Published: February 2014

Background More than 30 different scoring systems are available for evaluating outcomes of shoulder surgery. Unfortunately, given the multitude of scoring systems, there is no objective method to compare results between studies when different scoring systems are utilized. Methods We compared the American Shoulder and Elbow Society score (ASES) and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) in patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty for cuff tear arthropathy. Twenty-nine patients had the ASES and OSS recorded pre-operatively, and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. The paired scores were assessed for their degree of correlation and sensitivity to change over time. Linear regression analysis was used to formulate a regression equation to predict one score from the other. Results The ASES and OSS correlated well with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.91 ( p < 0.0001, n = 87). Both scores were sensitive to change. Regression analysis yielded a formula to predict the ASES from the OSS and vice versa with good accuracy ( r2 = 0.83, F1,85 = 422.6, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Where good correlation exists, regression formulae can be used to accurately predict one score from the other in a specific population that it has been validated for. This can be of benefit when objectively comparing outcomes between studies using these two scoring systems.
The Association of Glucose Variability and Home Discharge Among Survivors of Critical Illness Managed With a Computerized Decision-Support Tool for Glycemic Control
Authors: Oud Lavi , Spellman Craig 
Published: February 2014

Background: In–intensive care unit (ICU) glucose variability (GV) is associated with increased mortality. However, the impact of GV on hospital survivors’ morbidity and associated changes in destination at time of hospital discharge are unknown. Methods: We studied a retrospective patient cohort in a medical/surgical ICU, requiring insulin infusion, using computer-guided insulin dosing software. Standard deviation (GluSD) and coefficient of variation (GluCV) were used as GV measures. We examined rates of home discharge (H) in the whole cohort and selected subgroups across GV quartiles, between patients with and without H, determinants of H, and determinants of GV and its association with patients’ ICU length of stay (LOS). Results: A total of 351 patients met study criteria. The association of GV and H varied among examined subgroups. H increased with GV quartile (GluSD; P = .004). GV was higher in patients with H than non-H (GluSD 36.1 vs 30.0 mg/dl, respectively; P = .002). Increased GV was not a predictor of reduced H on multivariate analysis. GV was inversely associated with patients’ ICU LOS in all examined subgroups. Increased number of hypoglycemic events and time to attain target glycemia were independent predictors of reduced H. Conclusions: GV was not associated with adverse impact on H in the present cohort, and its prognostic impact should be considered in the context of ICU LOS of examined patient populations. Further studies are needed to examine the morbidity effects of GV and other glycemia-related measures among hospital survivors of critical illness across varying ICU populations, glycemic control approaches, and glycemic targets.
Changes in Insulin Requirements From the Onset of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Until Optimization of Glycemic Control
Authors: Chico Ana , Tundidor Diana , Jordana Lluis , Saigi Ignasi , Maria Miguel A. , Corcoy Rosa , Leiva A. de 
Published: February 2014

Aims: The aim was to evaluate changes in insulin requirements from onset of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) until glucose optimization in type 1 diabetes and to determine patient characteristics to be considered when CSII is implemented. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 74 type 1 diabetic patients over a follow-up of 5 months after starting CSII. Patients without a decrease in HbA1c levels at the end of follow-up were excluded. We compared total daily doses (TDD), basal/bolus distribution, basal diurnal/nocturnal proportion, number of basal segments, and HbA1c levels in relation to sex, age, body mass index (BMI), diabetes duration, and indication for CSII. Results: At follow-up, HbA1c decreased by 0.75%, TDD decreased by 18%, basal rate was 60% of TDD, and diurnal basal rate was 60% of total basal rate. Insulin requirements were higher in males and in obese patients. Female patients and patients with longer diabetes duration showed a higher percentage of basal insulin. The number of basal segments was 4.9 ± 2.9. Basal requirements were higher in the second half of the nocturnal period. The dawn phenomenon was more relevant in men. Improvements in glycemic control were more marked in younger patients, in patients with higher HbA1c, in patients using more basal segments, and in patients initiating CSII for glucose control before pregnancy. Conclusions: Sex, diabetes duration, and BMI should be considered when initiating CSII. Our findings may help clinicians in clinical decision making regarding CSII therapy.
The novel arylindolylmaleimide PDA-66 displays pronounced antiproliferative effects in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells
Authors: Kretzschmar Christin , Roolf Catrin , Langhammer Tina-Susann , Sekora Anett , Pews-Davtyan Anahit , Beller Matthias , Frech Moritz J , Eisenlöffel Christian , Rolfs Arndt , Junghanss Christian 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Prognosis of adult patients suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is still unsatisfactory. Targeted therapy via inhibition of deregulated signaling pathways appears to be a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of ALL. Herein, we evaluated the influence of a novel arylindolylmaleimide (PDA-66), a potential GSK3β inhibitor, on several ALL cell lines.

Methods
ALL cell lines (SEM, RS4;11, Jurkat and MOLT4) were exposed to different concentrations of PDA-66. Subsequently, proliferation, metabolic activity, apoptosis and necrosis, cell cycle distribution and protein expression of Wnt and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were analyzed at different time points.

Results
PDA-66 inhibited the proliferation of ALL cells significantly by reduction of metabolic activity. The 72 h IC50 values ranged between 0.41 to 1.28 μM PDA-66. Additionally, caspase activated induction of apoptosis could be detected in the analyzed cell lines. PDA-66 influenced the cell cycle distribution of ALL cell lines differently. While RS4;11 and MOLT4 cells were found to be arrested in G2 phase, SEM cells showed an increased cell cycle in G0/1 phase.

Conclusion
PDA-66 displays significant antileukemic activity in ALL cells and classifies as candidate for further evaluation as a potential drug in targeted therapy of ALL.
A qualitative study of factors affecting mental health amongst low-income working mothers in Bangalore, India
Authors: Travasso Sandra Mary , Rajaraman Divya , Heymann Sally Jody 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Low-income urban working mothers face many challenges in their domestic, environmental, and working conditions that may affect their mental health. In India, a high prevalence of mental health disorders has been recorded in young women, but there has been little research to examine the factors that affect their mental health at home and work.

Methods
Through a primarily qualitative approach, we studied the relationship between work, caring for family, spousal support, stress relief strategies and mental health amongst forty eight low-income working mothers residing in urban slums across Bangalore, India. Participants were construction workers, domestic workers, factory workers and fruit and vegetable street vendors. Qualitative data analysis themes included state of mental health, factors that affected mental health positively or negatively, manifestations and consequences of stress and depression, and stress mitigators.

Results
Even in our small sample of women, we found evidence of extreme depression, including suicidal ideation and attempted suicide. Women who have an alcoholic and/or abusive husband, experience intimate partner violence, are raising children with special needs, and lack adequate support for child care appear to be more susceptible to severe and prolonged periods of depression and suicide attempts. Factors that pointed towards reduced anxiety and depression were social support from family, friends and colleagues and fulfilment from work.

Conclusion
This qualitative study raises concerns that low-income working mothers in urban areas in India are at high risk for depression, and identifies common factors that create and mitigate stress in this population group. We discuss implications of the findings for supporting the mental health of urban working women in the Indian context. The development of the national mental health policy in India and its subsequent implementation should draw on existing research documenting factors associated with negative mental health amongst specific population groups in order to ensure greater impact.
Systematic review of surgical treatment techniques for adult and pediatric patients with pectus excavatum
Authors: Johnson William Rainey , Fedor David , Singhal Sunil 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
This compares outcome measures of current pectus excavatum (PEx) treatments, namely the Nuss and Ravitch procedures, in pediatric and adult patients. Original investigations that stratified PEx patients based on current treatment and age (pediatric = 0–21; adult 17–99) were considered for inclusion. Outcome measures were: operation duration, analgesia duration, blood loss, length of stay (LOS), outcome ratings, complications, and percentage requiring reoperations. Adult implant patients (18.8%) had higher reoperation rates than adult Nuss or Ravitch patients (5.3% and 3.3% respectively). Adult Nuss patients had longer LOS (7.3 days), more strut/bar displacement (6.1%), and more epidural analgesia (3 days) than adult Ravitch patients (2.9 days, 0%, 0 days). Excluding pectus bar and strut displacements, pediatric and adult Nuss patients tended to have higher complication rates (pediatric - 38%; adult - 21%) compared to pediatric and adult Ravitch patients (12.5%; 8%). Pediatric Ravitch patients clearly had more strut displacements than adult Ravitch patients (0% and 6.4% respectively). These results suggest significantly better results in common PEx surgical repair techniques (i.e. Nuss and Ravitch) than uncommon techniques (i.e. Implants and Robicsek). The results suggest slightly better outcomes in pediatric Nuss procedure patients as compared with all other groups. We recommend that symptomatic pediatric patients with uncomplicated PEx receive the Nuss procedure. We suggest that adult patients receive the Nuss or Ravitch procedure, even though the long-term complication rates of the adult Nuss procedure require more investigation.
A comparative analysis of risk stratification tools for emergency department patients with chest pain
Authors: Burkett Ellen , Marwick Thomas , Thom Ogilvie , Kelly Anne-Maree 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Appropriate disposition of emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain is dependent on clinical evaluation of risk. A number of chest pain risk stratification tools have been proposed. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive performance for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) using risk assessment tools from the National Heart Foundation of Australia (HFA), the Goldman risk score and the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score (TIMI RS).

Methods
This prospective observational study evaluated ED patients aged ≥30 years with non-traumatic chest pain for which no definitive non-ischemic cause was found. Data collected included demographic and clinical information, investigation findings and occurrence of MACE by 30 days. The outcome of interest was the comparative predictive performance of the risk tools for MACE at 30 days, as analyzed by receiver operator curves (ROC).

Results
Two hundred eighty-one patients were studied; the rate of MACE was 14.1%. Area under the curve (AUC) of the HFA, TIMI RS and Goldman tools for the endpoint of MACE was 0.54, 0.71 and 0.67, respectively, with the difference between the tools in predictive ability for MACE being highly significant [chi2 (3) = 67.21, N = 276, p < 0.0001].

Conclusion
The TIMI RS and Goldman tools performed better than the HFA in this undifferentiated ED chest pain population, but selection of cutoffs balancing sensitivity and specificity was problematic. There is an urgent need for validated risk stratification tools specific for the ED chest pain population.
Structural basis of stereospecific reduction by quinuclidinone reductase
Authors: Takeshita Daijiro , Kataoka Michihiko , Miyakawa Takuya , Miyazono Ken-ichi , Kumashiro Shoko , Nagai Takahiro , Urano Nobuyuki , Uzura Atsuko , Nagata Koji , Shimizu Sakayu , Tanokura Masaru 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Chiral molecule (R)-3-quinuclidinol, a valuable compound for the production of various pharmaceuticals, is efficiently synthesized from 3-quinuclidinone by using NADPH-dependent 3-quinuclidinone reductase (RrQR) from Rhodotorula rubra. Here, we report the crystal structure of RrQR and the structure-based mutational analysis. The enzyme forms a tetramer, in which the core of each protomer exhibits the α/β Rossmann fold and contains one molecule of NADPH, whereas the characteristic substructures of a small lobe and a variable loop are localized around the substrate-binding site. Modeling and mutation analyses of the catalytic site indicated that the hydrophobicity of two residues, I167 and F212, determines the substrate-binding orientation as well as the substrate-binding affinity. Our results revealed that the characteristic substrate-binding pocket composed of hydrophobic amino acid residues ensures substrate docking for the stereospecific reaction of RrQR in spite of its loose interaction with the substrate.
Serum nitrated nucleosome levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Croca Sara , Bassett Paul , Pericleous Charis , Alber Karim Fouad , Latchman David , Isenberg David , Giles Ian , Rahman Anisur , Ioannou Yiannis 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Circulating nucleosomes released from apoptotic cells are important in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both nucleosomes and anti-nucleosome antibodies are deposited in inflamed tissues in patients with SLE. Active inflammation promotes nitration of tyrosine residues on serum proteins. Our hypothesis was that levels of nitrated nucleosomes would be elevated in patients with SLE and could be associated with disease activity. We therefore carried out a retrospective longitudinal study to investigate factors affecting levels of nitrated nucleosomes (NN) in patients with SLE.

Methods
A novel serum ELISA was developed to measure serum NN and modified to measure serum nitrated albumin (NA). Levels of both NN and NA were measured in 397 samples from 49 patients with SLE followed through periods of disease flare and remission for a mean of 89 months. Anti-nucleosome antibody (anti-nuc) levels were measured in the same samples. The effects of 24 different clinical, demographic and serological variables on NN, NA and anti-nuc levels were assessed by univariable and multivariable analysis.

Results
Patients with SLE had higher mean NN than healthy controls or patients with other autoimmune rheumatic diseases (P =0.01). Serum samples from 18 out of 49 (36.7%) of SLE patients were never positive for NN. This group of 18 patients was characterized by lower anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA), disease activity and use of immunosuppressants. In the remaining 63.3%, NN levels were variable. High NN was significantly associated with anti-Sm antibodies, vasculitis, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine and age at diagnosis. NN levels were raised in neuropsychiatric flares. NN levels did not completely parallel NA results, thus providing additional information over measuring nitration status alone. NN levels were not associated with anti-nuc levels.

Conclusions
NN are raised in a subset of patients with SLE, particularly those who are anti-Sm positive. Elevated NN may be a marker of vascular activation and neuropsychiatric flares in these patients.
The Haagerup property for locally compact quantum groups
Authors: Daws Matthew , Fima Pierre , Skalski Adam , White Stuart 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

The Haagerup property for locally compact groups is generalised to the context of locally compact quantum groups, with several equivalent characterisations in terms of the unitary representations and positive-definite functions established. In particular it is shown that a locally compact quantum group 𝔾 has the Haagerup property if and only if its mixing representations are dense in the space of all unitary representations. For discrete 𝔾 we characterise the Haagerup property by the existence of a symmetric proper conditionally negative functional on the dual quantum group

𝔾
^

$\hat{\mathbb {G}}$

; by the existence of a real proper cocycle on 𝔾, and further, if 𝔾 is also unimodular we show that the Haagerup property is a von Neumann property of 𝔾. This extends results of Akemann, Walter, Bekka, Cherix, Valette, and Jolissaint to the quantum setting
and provides a connection to the recent work of Brannan. We use these characterisations to show that the Haagerup property is preserved under free products of discrete quantum groups.
Catholic Social Teaching and American Politics: How Can a Church Contribute to Civic Dialogue in a Liberal Democracy?
Authors: Manuel Paul Christopher 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis article examines how the Catholic Church has sought over the past 30 years to participate meaningfully in political life and civic dialogue in the US – a nation constitutionally predicated on a strict separation of church and state, but which accommodates compromises, and a society historically hostile to its minority Catholic population.
Microstructure, Mechanical and Electrical Properties of CuO Doped 8YSZ
Authors: Aktaş Bülent 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe effect of the addition of a small amount of CuO on the microstructure, hardness, fracture toughness and electrical conductivity properties of 8YSZ were investigated using 8 mol% yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia (8YSZ). The addition of 1 wt% CuO to 8YSZ powders were doped using a colloidal process. Undoped and CuO doped 8YSZ specimens were pressureless sintered at 1400 °C for 10 h. The grain size measurement results showed that the presence of CuO as a intergranular second phase at the grain boundaries of the 8YSZ gave rise to a decrease in the grain size. The fracture toughness values for undoped and 1 wt% CuO-doped 8YSZ specimens were obtained as 1.79 and 2.20 MPa.m1/2, respectively. The decrease in the grain size of the 8YSZ with CuO addition caused an increase in the fracture toughness. The electrical conductivity of the undoped and 1 wt% CuO-doped 8YSZ specimens was measured using a frequency response analyzer in the frequency range of 100 mHz–13 MHz and at the temperature range of 300–800 °C. The electrical conductivity results showed that there was a decrease in the grain interior, and specific grain boundary conductivity, with the addition of a small amount of CuO to 8YSZ. The presence of a second phase layer with high resistance at the grain boundaries of the 8YSZ caused a decrease in the specific grain boundary conductivity.
Harmonic Penetration Method for Radial Distribution Networks
Authors: Archundia-Aranda I. , Mota-Palomino R. O. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
This work presents a method for calculating harmonic voltages and currents in radial distribution networks. The proposed method is an extension of the backward/forward sweep method for load flow studies in distribution systems and as such preserves its good convergence characteristics besides of not requiring of any network matrix. The method was tested on an eight-node one-phase radial test feeder and results were similar to those that were obtained by the well-known current injection method. Also it was tested on a 2000-node network, showing this way that this is a more suitable method for large three-phase radial distribution networks.