bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Review of high‐dose intravenous vitamin C as an anticancer agent
Authors: Wilson Michelle K , Baguley Bruce C , Wall Clare , Jameson Michael B , Findlay Michael P 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn the 1970s, Pauling and Cameron reported increased survival of patients with advanced cancer treated with high‐dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C (L‐ascorbate, ascorbic acid). These studies were criticized for their retrospective nature and lack of standardization of key prognostic factors including performance status. Subsequently, several well‐designed randomized controlled trials failed to demonstrate a significant survival benefit, although these trials used high‐dose oral vitamin C. Marked differences are now recognized in the pharmacokinetics of vitamin C with oral and IV administration, opening the issue of therapeutic efficacy to question. In vitro evidence suggests that vitamin C functions at low concentrations as an antioxidant but may have pro‐oxidant activity at high concentrations. The mechanism of its pro‐oxidant action is not fully understood, and both intra‐ and extracellular mechanisms that generate hydrogen peroxide have been proposed. It remains to be proven whether vitamin C‐induced reactive oxygen species occur in vivo and, if so, whether this will translate to a clinical benefit. Current clinical evidence for a therapeutic effect of high‐dose IV vitamin C is ambiguous, being based on case series. The interpretation and validation of these studies is hindered by limited correlation of plasma vitamin C concentrations with response. The methodology exists to determine if there is a role for high‐dose IV vitamin C in the treatment of cancer, but the limited understanding of its pharmacodynamic properties makes this challenging. Currently, the use of high‐dose IV vitamin C cannot be recommended outside of a clinical trial.
Updated Japanese growth references for infants and preschool children, based on historical, ethnic and environmental characteristics
Authors: Kato Noriko , Takimoto Hidemi , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Yokoya Susumu , Tanaka Toshiaki , Tada Hiroshi 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo provide updated growth references for Japanese children from birth to 6 years of age, for use in both growth monitoring and child care.MethodsWe analysed data from two national representative surveys that provided cross‐sectional data on 3000 areas in the 2005 national census and longitudinal data from 136 hospitals. Growth references for length/height, weight, head circumference and chest circumference were constructed using the lambda‐mu‐sigma (LMS) method, with estimates of the L, M and S parameters. These updated values were then compared with growth references published by the World Health Organization.ResultsThe 3rd, 50th and 97th smoothed percentile values of length/height, weight, head circumference and chest circumference for boys and girls from birth to 6 years are presented. The comparisons show some large differences in median measurements between the charts.ConclusionOur growth references are based on a current, nationally representative sample of Japanese children. The results provide deep insight into child growth from a historical, ethnic and environmental point of view.
Inhaled corticosteroid use during childhood may reduce volumetric bone mineral density in the radius at school age
Authors: Sidoroff Virpi , Rikkonen Toni , Hyvärinen Mari , Kröger Liisa , Kröger Heikki , Korppi Matti 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimCorticosteroids have harmful dose‐dependent effects on bone metabolism and growth. This study used a new method for volumetric measurements to evaluate the association between inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for asthma and bone mineral density (BMD) in school‐aged children.MethodsWe evaluated children hospitalised for wheezing at the age of <24 months at 12.3 years (median). Volumetric BMD (vBMD) was measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) from the distal tibia and radius in 82 children. Data on ICSs used were collected from hospital records and parent interviews. Cumulative doses and the duration of ICS therapy were calculated.ResultsGirls had higher total and cortical vBMD in the tibia than boys. Pubertal children had higher total and cortical vBMD in the radius than prepubertal children. Higher cumulative doses of ICSs were associated with lower total (r = −0.175, adjusted p = 0.016), cortical (r = −0.138, adjusted p = 0.016) and trabecular (r = −0.156, adjusted p = 0.039) vBMD in the radius, but not in the tibia. Age, weight or the cumulative dose of systemic corticosteroids had no significant associations with vBMD.ConclusionAlthough correlations between cumulative ICS doses and vBMD were weak, ICS use during childhood may reduce BMD in the radius at school age.
Deciding what to research: an overview of a participatory workshop
Authors: Northway Ruth , Hurley Karen , O'Connor Chris , Thomas Helen , Howarth Joyce , Langley Emma , Bale Sue 
Published: February 2014

Accessible summary

People with learning disabilities are involved in doing research more and more.

A lot of papers have been written about this.

These papers sometimes do not say whether people with learning disabilities decided what should be researched.

This paper talks about how a group of people with learning disabilities and professionals worked together to decide what research they should do in their area.

SummaryWhile recent years have seen an increase in the number of participatory and inclusive research studies being undertaken where people with learning disabilities are active members of the research team, little has been published about how teams decide what to research. This paper aims to fill this gap by discussing how in one area of Wales a participatory workshop was held to try and identify priority areas for research. By sharing our experiences, we hope that other people will be encouraged to try similar approaches. First, however, this activity is set in the context of wider debates concerning participatory research.
Predicting malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions through demographics and pleural fluid analysis of patients
Authors: Valdés Luis , San‐José Esther , Ferreiro Lucía , Golpe Antonio , González‐Barcala Francisco‐Javier , Toubes María E. , Rodríguez‐Álvarez María X. , Álvarez‐Dobaño José M. , Rodríguez‐Núñez Nuria , Rábade Carlos , Gude Francisco 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIntroductionThe differential diagnosis of malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion is frequently difficult.ObjectivesThe aim of our study is to determine the discrimination value of demographic parameters and different biological markers in pleural fluid.MethodsIn pleural fluid obtained from 106 patients with tuberculous, 250 with malignant and 218 with miscellaneous pleural effusion, clinical and analytical parameters were analysed, applying polytomous regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsThe three groups could be differentiated using the measured markers. Age, tumour necrosing factor‐alpha, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), adenosine deaminase (ADA), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significant predictors for discriminating tuberculous from malignant pleural effusions; nucleated cells, lymphocytes, cholesterol, LDH, ADA, CRP, CEA and CA15.3 distinguish between malignant and miscellaneous pleural effusions. The ROC areas (95% confidence interval) were, 0.973 (0.953, 0.992) for tuberculous, 0.922 (0.900, 0.943) for miscellaneous, and 0.927 (0.907, 0.948) for malignant pleural effusion. The polytomous model correctly classified a significantly high proportion of patients with tuberculosis (85.8%) and cancer (81.6%). The incorrect classification rate was 17.8%, which increased to 19.5% in the correction using bootstrap.ConclusionsThe results obtained to estimate the probability of tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion confirm that this model achieves a high diagnostic accuracy. This model should be applied to determine which patients with a pleural effusion of unknown origin would not benefit from further invasive procedures.
Electromagnetic navigation‐guided TBNA vs conventional TBNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy
Authors: Diken Özlem E. , Karnak Demet , Çiledağ Aydın , Ceyhan Koray , Atasoy Çetin , Akyar Serdar , Kayacan Oya 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectivesConventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C‐TBNA) is a safe method for the diagnosis of hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MLN). However, diagnostic yield of this technique varies considerably. Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is a new technology to increase the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy for the peripheral lung lesions and MLN. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the diagnostic and sampling success of ENB‐guided TBNA (ENB‐TBNA) in comparison with C‐TBNA while dealing with MLN.MethodsConsecutive patients with MLN were randomized into two groups – C‐TBNA and ENB‐TBNA – using a computer‐based number shuffling system to avoid recruitment bias. Procedures were performed in usual fashion, published previously.ResultsNinety‐four cases (M/F: 45/49) with a total of 145 stations of MLN were enrolled in the study. In 44 patients, 81 stations were sampled by ENB‐TBNA, and in 50 patients 64 stations by C‐TBNA. The mean size of MLN in study subjects was 17.56 ± 6.25 mm. The sampling success was significantly higher in ENB‐TBNA group (82.7%) compared with C‐TBNA group (51.6%) (P < 0.005). Defined by histopathological result, the diagnostic yield in ENB‐TBNA was 72.8%, and 42.2% with C‐TBNA (P < 0.005). For subcarinal localization, sampling or diagnostic success was higher in ENB‐TBNA than that of C‐TBNA (P < 0.05). Based on the size of the MLN ≤15 mm or >15 mm, the sampling success of ENB‐TBNA was also significantly higher than C‐TBNA in both subgroups (P < 0.005 and P < 0.005, respectively). No serious complication was observed.ConclusionIn this study comparing ENB‐TBNA and C‐TBNA, the sampling and diagnostic success of ENB‐TBNA was found to be superior while dealing with MLN, in all categories studied.
Is Inequality all about the Tails?: The Palma Measure of Income Inequality
Authors: Cobham Alex , Sumner Andy 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The rich are different from us; so are the very poor. But in most countries most of us are in the middle. That leads to problems when you try to measure inequality. Alex Cobham and Andy Sumner have come up with a better way to show that some countries are more equal than others.
Decreased density of CD3+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes during gastric cancer progression
Authors: Arigami Takaaki , Uenosono Yoshikazu , Ishigami Sumiya , Matsushita Daisuke , Hirahara Tetsushi , Yanagita Shigehiro , Okumura Hiroshi , Uchikado Yasuto , Nakajo Akihiro , Kijima Yuko , Natsugoe Shoji 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackground and AimTumor cells escape host immunosurveillance and thus produce an advantageous environment for tumor progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a principal role in the immune response to tumors. However, little is understood about numerical alterations in CD3+ TILs during tumor progression in patients with gastric cancer. The present study examines the density of CD3+ TILs to elucidate their clinical significance in gastric cancer.MethodsThe numbers of CD3+ TILs in 120 resected specimens from patients with gastric cancer and 27 endoscopic resected specimens from patients with gastric adenoma were immunohistochemically assessed using a CD3 polyclonal antibody.ResultsThe mean number of CD3+ TILs (± SD) in the patients with gastric cancer and adenoma was 87.5 ± 59.8 and 379.6 ± 128.1, respectively. Significantly more CD3+ TILs were found in specimens from patients with gastric adenoma than with gastric cancer (P < 0.0001). The numbers of CD3+ TILs significantly correlated with depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and stage (P = 0.022, P = 0.0004, and P = 0.011, respectively). The 5‐year survival rate was significantly poorer for patients with fewer CD3+ TILs (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis selected the density of CD3+ TILs as an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.034).ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that the density of CD3+ TILs decreases during tumor progression. The density of CD3+ TILs is an immunological predictor of lymph node metastasis and disease outcome in patients with gastric cancer.
Role of lamivudine with transarterial chemoembolization in the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xu Xiaojing , Huang Peixin , Tian Hui , Chen Yi , Ge Ningling , Tang Wengquing , Yang Biwei , Xia Jinglin 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThe purpose of the present study was to determine whether lamivudine in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) could reduce hepatitis B virus (HBV) activation and improve the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsFrom July 2008 to October 2011, a total of 181 consecutive HBV‐related HCC patients undergoing TACE were randomized to two groups (92: lamivudine, 89: control). Follow up was every 3 months. Primary and secondary end‐points were time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS), respectively, both of which were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier technique and summarized by the hazard ratio.ResultsThe level of HBV‐DNA became undetectable in 42 (45.6%) patients in the lamivudine group, compared with 10 (11.2%) in the control group (P < 0.001). The median TTP was 8.2 months in lamivudine group and 4.3 months in control group (P = 0.005), and lamivudine therapy was an independent protective factor related to TTP (P = 0.006). Moreover, 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year survival rates were 83%, 69%, and 58% in lamivudine group and 60%, 48%, and 48% in control group, respectively (P = 0.002). With multivariate Cox regression model, lamivudine therapy (P = 0.002) and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) level (P = 0.003) were two independent predictors for OS.ConclusionLamivudine therapy could reduce HBV activation and improve survival of HCC patients treated with TACE. Lamivudine therapy and AFP level are two independent factors affecting OS.
Low expression of glucocorticoid receptor α in oral lichen planus correlates with activation of nuclear factor κB: a preliminary study
Authors: Lin Xue‐cai , Sun Hong‐ying , Zhen Yue‐xiang , Zhang Hui , Shi Hang , Wang Xia‐xia 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundEmerging evidence indicates that the interaction between glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) and nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) is a key pathogenetic cross talk in the autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the GRα expression in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and investigate its correlation with NF‐κB in OLP.MethodsWe compared the expression of GRα and NF‐κB in oral biopsy specimens from patients with OLP (n = 32) against normal controls (n = 12) and investigated the correlation between the expression of GRα and NF‐κB in OLP.ResultsImmunohistochemistry showed that GRα mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes of basal and spinosum layer of OLP. Both real‐time quantitative PCR and Western blots revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of GRα were decreased compared with normal controls (both P < 0.001). Conversely, those levels of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) were increased compared with normal controls (both P < 0.001). Importantly, a significant inverse correlation between the GRα and NF‐κB was found (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings demonstrated that low expression of GRα in OLP correlates with activation of NF‐κB, which indicates that the cross talk between GRα and NF‐κB in OLP may become a new therapeutic target and represent a new approach to explore the pathogenesis of OLP.
Parental Punishment and Peer Victimization as Developmental Precursors to Physical Dating Violence Involvement Among Girls
Authors: Hipwell Alison E. , Stepp Stephanie D. , Xiong Shuangyan , Keenan Kate , Blokland Arjan , Loeber Rolf 
Published: February 2014

The current study examined harsh punishment and peer victimization as developmental precursors to girls' involvement in physical dating violence (PDV) and the putative mediating effect of rejection sensitivity. The sample comprised 475 African‐American and European‐American participants of the longitudinal Pittsburgh Girls Study who were dating at age 17. About 10% of girls reported significant perpetration or victimization of physical aggression in the relationship. Results showed that initial level and escalation in harsh punishment (between 10 and 13 years) and escalation in peer victimization (10–15 years) predicted PDV involvement, but this relationship was not mediated by rejection sensitivity. The results highlight the need to consider the impact of early experience of different forms of aggression on girls' risk of PDV involvement.
Risk of burnout among early career mental health professionals
Authors: Volpe U. , Luciano M. , Palumbo C. , Sampogna G. , Del Vecchio V. , Fiorillo A. 
Published: February 2014

Accessible summary
Burnout is a stress‐related syndrome that often affects mental health professionals (MHPs) and may have serious consequences on personal well‐being as well as on the quality of provided psychiatric care.
Established literature shows a high risk to develop burnout among MHPs. Few data are available on the incidence and on the clinical implications of the burnout syndrome in the early phases of MHP professional career.
We confirmed the presence of burnout among early career MHPs: early career psychiatrists showed a lower sense of personal accomplishment, while non‐medical MHPs tended to have more depersonalization and suffered from higher levels of depression.
Specific programmes to identify the presence of the burnout syndrome and to cope with it should be taught within mental health training curricula.
AbstractBurnout is a stress‐related syndrome that often affects professionals working in emotionally loaded and highly interpersonal environments. Mental health professionals (MHPs) are long known to be at high risk to develop the burnout syndrome, but this has rarely been investigated in professionals in an early phase of career. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of the burnout syndrome and of depressive symptoms among early career psychiatrists and ‘non‐medical’ MHPs. One hundred MHPs (including 50 psychiatrists and 50 non‐medical MHPs) were screened for the presence of burnout and depression, with the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory – revised, respectively. The relationships of burnout with socio‐demographical and professional characteristics were also explored. We confirmed the presence of burnout among both groups of early career MHPs, but psychiatrists had a significantly higher degree of emotional exhaustion and a lower sense of personal accomplishment, while non‐medical MHPs adopted more frequently depersonalization as a coping strategy and had higher scores for depression, which is associated with higher level of burnout. The risk of developing burnout should be properly addressed in training curricula and strategies to overcome it should be systematically taught, in order to promote personal well‐being and efficient team work in mental health settings.
Critical Realism, Dialectics, and Qualitative Research Methods
Authors: Roberts John Michael 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCritical realism has been an important advance in social science methodology because it develops a qualitative theory of causality which avoids some of the pitfalls of empiricist theories of causality. But while there has been ample work exploring the relationship between critical realism and qualitative research methods there has been noticeably less work exploring the relationship between dialectical critical realism and qualitative research methods. This seems strange especially since the founder of the philosophy of critical realism, Roy Bhaskar, employs and develops a range of dialectical concepts in his later work in order to extend the main tenets of critical realism. The aim of this paper is to draw on Bhaskar's later work, as well as Marxism, to reorient a critical realist methodology towards a dialectical approach for qualitative research. In particular, the paper demonstrates how dialectical critical realism can begin to provide answers to three common criticisms made against original critical realist methodology: that the qualitative theory of causal powers and structures developed by critical realists is problematic; that critical realist methodology contains values which prove damaging to empirical research; and that critical realists often have difficulties in researching everyday qualitative dilemmas that people face in their daily lives.
Effect of Mixed Strain Starter Culture on Rheological Properties of Wheat Dough and Quality of Steamed Bread
Authors: Li Zhijian , Li Haifeng , Deng Cui , Liu Changhong 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn this study, a mixed strain (MS) starter culture was prepared by fed batch fermentation method and its effect on wheat dough and steamed bread quality was investigated. The MS had higher leavening ability and more viable yeast counts than traditional mixed strain (TMS) starter culture made by static fermentation method. A slight decrease was observed in the extensibility of dough fermented by yeast, TMS and MS as resting time increased. The extensibility leavened by MS was higher than that by yeast but similar to TMS during the overall fermenting process. No significant differences could be observed between the resistance to extension of dough fermented by MS and yeast at all three tested times. The specific volume of the steamed bread prepared by MS was higher than that made by TMS, and MS significantly increased the sensory score of steamed bread when compared with yeast.Practical ApplicationsMixed strain (MS) starter culture was prepared by rice wine fed batch fermentation method and had higher leavening ability than TMS starter culture. Application of MS in steamed bread making could improve dough and steamed bread properties on specific volume and sensory quality. The research provided useful information for production of steamed bread.
Role of IFN‐λs,IFN‐λs related genes and the DEPDC5 gene in Hepatitis B virus‐related liver disease
Authors: Ma N. , Zhang X. , Yu F. , Gao P. , Fan Q. , Liu L. , Liu D. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryRecent studies have associated genetic variation near the interleukin 28B (IL28B/IFN‐λ3) gene with natural clearance of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and a common variant in the DEP domain containing 5 (DEPDC5) locus on chromosome 22 has been shown to affect susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japanese individuals with chronic HCV infection. This study was conducted to determine whether polymorphisms near or in interferon‐lambda (IFN‐λs) genes and their receptor genes such as interleukin 28 receptor, alpha (IL28RA) and interleukin 10 receptor, beta (IL10RB) as well as p21_activated kinases 4 (PAK4) and iron/zinc purple acid phosphatase‐like protein (PAPL), which are locate upstream of IFN‐λs, and lastly the DEPDC5 gene are associated with hepatitis B virus‐related liver disease in Han Chinese. The study subjects included 507 normal healthy controls, 350 individuals with natural clearance of HBV and 792 HBV‐infected patients. The patients were categorized into 157 inactive carriers (Case I), 216 active carriers (Case II), 111 cirrhotics (Case III) and 308 HCC patients (Case IV) subgroups. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using the Matrix‐assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation mass spectrometric (MALDI‐TOF MS) SNP genotyping assay. Rs423058 upstream of PAPL, rs2834167 in IL10RB and rs1012068 in DEPDC5 were associated with chronic HBV status, HBV natural clearance and the presence of HCC (P = 0.0004–0.024), respectively. PAPL, IL10RB and DEPDC5 polymorphisms have an impact on progression of HBV‐related liver disease. However, IFN‐λs genes as a tool to differentiate between different clinical courses of HBV infection were not useful in the Han Chinese population.