bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality-of-Life assessment in malignant pleural effusion treated with indwelling pleural catheter: A prospective study
Authors: Lorenzo María-José , Modesto Manuel , Pérez Javier , Bollo Elena , Cordovilla Rosa , Muñoz Manuel , Pérez-Fidalgo José A , Cases Enrique 
Published: February 2014

Background: Malignant pleural effusion is a clinical problem that impairs Quality of Life in patients with advanced malignancies. An indwelling pleural catheter is an alternative treatment to palliate some of the symptoms. Aim: To evaluate the Quality of Life of outpatients with malignant pleural effusion who were treated with an indwelling pleural catheter. Questionnaire compliance, catheter patency time, and survival were analyzed. Design: A multicenter observational study was conducted across five hospitals in Spain. Quality of Life was assessed at three different time points (before catheter placement and at 30 and 60 days post-placement) using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire QLQ-C30. For lung cancer patients, the QLQ-LC13 was also used. Participants: Patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion treated with an indwelling pleural catheter. Results: A total of 51 outpatients completed the baseline QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Of these, 28 completed the questionnaire at 30 days. Of these 28 patients, 13 completed the questionnaire at 60 days. Scores showed a significant improvement in symptoms scales at 30 days ( p = 0.03). Global health status and functional scales showed a non-significant trend to improvement at 30 and 60 days. A total of 27 lung cancer patients completed the QLQ-LC13 questionnaire. Items assessing dyspnea showed a significant improvement following catheter placement ( p = 0.002). Conclusion: Indwelling pleural catheter is useful for palliative management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion in that it benefits Quality of Life in outpatients with advanced malignancies. In lung cancer patients, scores indicated that indwelling pleural catheter also provides significant relief of dyspnea.
Is the diagnostic yield of myocardial stress perfusion MRI impaired by three-vessel coronary artery disease?
Authors: Klumpp Bernhard , Miller S , Seeger A , May AE , Gawaz MP , Claussen CD , Kramer U 
Published: February 2014

Background Three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) comes along with globally reduced myocardial perfusion potentially restricting the demarcation of regional hypoperfusion in stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose To evaluate whether stress perfusion cardiac MRI is capable of detecting myocardial hypoperfusion in patients with 3-vessel CAD reliably. Material and Methods Two hundred and five patients with symptoms of CAD were included. The examination protocol comprised imaging of myocardial perfusion at stress (0.14 mg/kg/min adenosine for 4 min) using a 2D saturation recovery gradient echo sequence after administration of gadobutrol (0.1 mmol/kg body weight). Perfusion sequences were assessed qualitatively by two experienced observers. Coronary angiography served as standard of reference. Results Sensitivity and specificity for hemodynamically relevant stenoses in patients with 0-, 1-, 2-, 3-vessel coronary artery disease were 100%/91%, 91%/73%, 90%/71%, 92%/64%; positive/negative predictive value, 67%/100%, 91%/73%, 83%/81%, 93%/58%; diagnostic accuracy, 93%/87%/83%/87%, respectively. The negative predictive value in patients with 3-vessel CAD was lower than in patients with 0- and 2-vessel CAD and the specificity lower than in patients with no CAD whereas the positive predictive value was higher than in patients with no CAD. The other proportions did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion The diagnostic value of stress perfusion cardiac MRI in patients with 3-vessel CAD is comparable to results in patients with 1- or 2-vessel CAD. In the rare event that stress perfusion images do not depict regional hypoperfusion in patients with severe 3-vessel CAD, myocardial ischemia could be identified by reduced semi-quantitative perfusion parameters.
Fresh Start
Authors: Weaver Robert D. , Campbell Derek 
Published: February 2014

Objectives: A meta-analysis was conducted in order to generate more understanding regarding the efficacy of aftercare programs in reducing the recidivism rates of juvenile offenders reentering their communities following a period of custody. Method: 30 eligible primary studies were obtained through a systematic literature review and were coded. Recidivism was the outcome variable and 11 moderating variables were grouped according to either a sample, treatment, methodological, or study characteristic. A summary effect size was computed while moderator analyses and meta-regression were also conducted. Results: The summary effect size of aftercare programs was non-significant but subgroup univariate and multivariate analyses yielded significant treatment effects for samples of youth who averaged over 16.5 years of age and whose predominant index offense was violent. Well-implemented aftercare programs also yielded substantial treatment effects. Conclusion: The findings suggest that under specific conditions aftercare can reduce recidivism rates for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Analyzing the Scientific Evolution of Social Work Using Science Mapping
Authors: Martínez Ma Angeles , Cobo Manuel Jesús , Herrera Manuel , Herrera-Viedma Enrique 
Published: February 2014

Objectives: This article reports the first science mapping analysis of the social work field, which shows its conceptual structure and scientific evolution. Methods: Science Mapping Analysis Software Tool, a bibliometric science mapping tool based on co-word analysis and h-index, is applied using a sample of 18,794 research articles published from 1930 to 2012 in 25 main social work journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports of the Web of Science. Results: Published research social work field concentrated in eight main thematic areas: children, social services, health care, violence, women, HIV/AIDS, social workers, and education. HIV/AIDS and violence have recently attracted the interest of the social word scientific community, while the rest are classical thematic areas that still attract the interest and efforts of the researchers. Conclusion: This conceptual and empirical analysis shows how research themes have evolved in social work.
The relationship between complete blood count parameters and Fontaine’s Stages in patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Demirtas Sinan , Karahan Oguz , Yazici Suleyman , Guclu Orkut , Caliskan Ahmet , Yavuz Celal , Kucuker Aslihan , Mavitas Binali 
Published: February 2014

Objective The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether blood count parameters differ according to the stages of Fontaine’s classification and to investigate the relationship between hemogram parameters and the severity of the disease. Method Eighty-two peripheral arterial disease patients were examined prospectively. Patients were classified according to the Fontaine classification system. Fifty newly diagnosed patients were included in the study. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume, and red blood cell distribution width values were recorded. Results Mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio values were found to be 3.31 ± 1.1% in Stage I, 3.11 ± 1.3% in Stage II, and 3.48 ± 1.1% in Stage III ( p > 0.05). Mean platelet volume values were found to be 7.8 ± 0.6 fl (Stage I), 8.2 ± 1.0 fl (Stage II), and 9.0 ± 0.9 fl (Stage III) ( p < 0.05). Red blood cell distribution width values were found to be 13.6 ± 1.0% in Stage I, 14.8 ± 1.7% in Stage II, and 15.4 ± 2.3% in Stage III, being significantly different among all three stages ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Both red blood cell distribution width and mean platelet volume are found to be associated with the severity of atherosclerotic disease in patients with peripheral arterial disease. This finding hypothesizes that complete blood counting parameters may serve as a beneficial and cost-effective method for monitoring atherosclerotic peripheral disease.
Open Reconstruction of Complex Proximal Metadiaphyseal Fragility Fractures of the Humerus
Authors: James Isaac B. , Farrell Dana J. , Evans Andrew R. , Siska Peter A. , Tarkin Ivan S. 
Published: February 2014

Purpose: A proactive surgical and rehabilitation protocol was implemented to manage humeral fractures involving both the proximal end and shaft in an older patient population. Primary treatment goals were early return to function and reliable fracture union with minimal complications. Methods: From 2008 to 2012, 21 such operations were performed; 18 were considered “fragility” fractures based on mechanism, patient age, and evidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Open reduction and internal fixation ( ORIF) was employed using direct reduction and fixation with a long periarticular locking plate. Physiotherapy was commenced 2 weeks postoperatively. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to assess functional outcome at a time point greater than 1 year postoperative. Results: The study group consisted primarily of elderly females (83% with a median age of 69 years) whom sustained complex metadiaphyseal proximal humeral fractures after simple mechanical fall (78%). Uneventful union occurred in all cases. Local complications included 1 case of partial radial nerve palsy, which had resolved completely by 1 year. No cases of infection were identified. Long-term return to functionality was evident with a median DASH score of 12 (mean = 21, standard deviation = 20, n = 13). Seventy five percent of patients reported minimal or no pain (question [Q] 24), and 75% achieved return of overhead function (Q6, 12, and 15). Conclusion: Treatment of complex metadiaphyseal fragility fractures with anatomic reduction, fixed angle plating, and early physiotherapy returns the older patient to optimized functionality with minimal risk of complication. The DASH outcomes are equivalent to ORIF of isolated proximal humerus fractures and clinically indistinguishable from the general population.
On locally contractive fuzzy set-valued mappings
Authors: Ahmad Jamshaid , Azam Akbar , Romaguera Salvador 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
We prove the existence of common fuzzy fixed points for a sequence of locally contractive fuzzy mappings satisfying generalized Banach type contraction conditions in a complete metric space by using iterations. Our main result generalizes and unifies several well-known fixed-point theorems for multivalued maps. Illustrative examples are also given.

MSC:46S40, 47H10, 54H25.
Should we educate about the risks of medication overuse headache?
Authors: Lai James TF , Dereix John DC , Ganepola Ravi P , Nightingale Peter G , Markey Kiera A , Aveyard Paul N , Sinclair Alexandra J 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is caused by the regular use of medications to treat headache. There has been a lack of research into awareness of MOH. We distributed an electronic survey to undergraduate students and their contacts via social networking sites. Analgesic use, awareness of MOH, perceived change in behaviour following educational intervention about the risks of MOH and preferred terminology for MOH was evaluated.

Findings
485 respondents completed the questionnaire (41% having received healthcare training). 77% were unaware of the possibility of MOH resulting from regular analgesic use for headache. Following education about MOH, 80% stated they would reduce analgesic consumption or seek medical advice. 83% indicated that over the counter analgesia should carry a warning of MOH. The preferred terminology for MOH was painkiller-induced headache.

Conclusions
This study highlights the lack of awareness of MOH. Improved education about MOH and informative packaging of analgesics, highlighting the risks in preferred lay terminology (i.e. painkiller-induced headache), may reduce this iatrogenic morbidity and warrants further evaluation.
Prediction and classification of ncRNAs using structural information
Authors: Panwar Bharat , Arora Amit , Raghava Gajendra PS 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Evidence is accumulating that non-coding transcripts, previously thought to be functionally inert, play important roles in various cellular activities. High throughput techniques like next generation sequencing have resulted in the generation of vast amounts of sequence data. It is therefore desirable, not only to discriminate coding and non-coding transcripts, but also to assign the noncoding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts into respective classes (families). Although there are several algorithms available for this task, their classification performance remains a major concern. Acknowledging the crucial role that non-coding transcripts play in cellular processes, it is required to develop algorithms that are able to precisely classify ncRNA transcripts.

Results
In this study, we initially develop prediction tools to discriminate coding or non-coding transcripts and thereafter classify ncRNAs into respective classes. In comparison to the existing methods that employed multiple features, our SVM-based method by using a single feature (tri-nucleotide composition), achieved MCC of 0.98. Knowing that the structure of a ncRNA transcript could provide insights into its biological function, we use graph properties of predicted ncRNA structures to classify the transcripts into 18 different non-coding RNA classes. We developed classification models using a variety of algorithms (BayeNet, NaiveBayes, MultilayerPerceptron, IBk, libSVM, SMO and RandomForest) and observed that model based on RandomForest performed better than other models. As compared to the GraPPLE study, the sensitivity (of 13 classes) and specificity (of 14 classes) was higher. Moreover, the overall sensitivity of 0.43 outperforms the sensitivity of GraPPLE (0.33) whereas the overall MCC measure of 0.40 (in contrast to MCC of 0.29 of GraPPLE) was significantly higher for our method. This clearly demonstrates that our models are more accurate than existing models.

Conclusions
This work conclusively demonstrates that a simple feature, tri-nucleotide composition, is sufficient to discriminate between coding and non-coding RNA sequences. Similarly, graph properties based feature set along with RandomForest algorithm are most suitable to classify different ncRNA classes. We have also developed an online and standalone tool-- RNAcon (http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/rnacon).
Is in vitro fertilization associated with preeclampsia? A propensity score matched study
Authors: Watanabe Noriyoshi , Fujiwara Takeo , Suzuki Tomo , Jwa Seung Chik , Taniguchi Kosuke , Yamanobe Yuji , Kozuka Kazuto , Sago Haruhiko 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Although an increased risk of preeclampsia in pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been reported, it remains unknown whether IVF is associated with preeclampsia. In the present study, we sought to investigate whether IVF is associated with preeclampsia in pregnant women using propensity score matching analysis.

Methods
This study included 3,084 pregnant women who visited the National Center for Child Health and Development before 20 weeks of gestation without hypertension or renal disease and delivered a singleton after 22 weeks of gestation between 2009 and 2011. Of the 3084 patients, 474 (15.4%) conceived by IVF (IVF group) and 2,610 (84.6%) conceived without IVF (non-IVF group). The propensity score for receiving IVF was estimated using multiple logistic regression with 27 maternal and paternal variables. This model yielded a c-statistic of 0.852, indicating a strong ability to differentiate between those conceiving with and without IVF. The association between IVF and onset of preeclampsia was assessed by the propensity matched sample (pair of N = 474).

Results
There were 46 preeclampsia cases (1.5%) in the total study population, with a higher proportion of cases in the IVF group (15 cases, 3.2%) than the non-IVF group (31 cases, 1.2%). Before propensity score matching, the IVF group was 2.72 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.46-5.08) times more likely to have preeclampsia when unadjusted, and 2.32 (95% CI: 1.08-4.99) times more likely to have preeclampsia when adjusted for maternal and paternal variables by logistic regression. After propensity score matching, the IVF group did not show a significantly greater association with preeclampsia compared to the non-IVF group (odds ratio: 2.50, 95% CI: 0.49-12.89), although point estimates showed a positive direction.

Conclusions
Propensity score matching analysis revealed that the association between IVF and preeclampsia became weaker than when conventional adjustments are made in multivariate logistic regression analysis, suggesting that the association between IVF and preeclampsia might be confounded by residual unmeasured factors.
Differences in sociodemographic, drug use and health characteristics between never, former and current injecting, problematic hard-drug users in the Netherlands
Authors: Havinga Petra , van der Velden Claudia , de Gee Anouk , van der Poel Agnes 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Injecting drug users are at increased risk for harmful effects compared to non-injecting drug users. Some studies have focused on differences in characteristics between these two groups (e.g., housing, overall health). However, no study has investigated the specific Dutch situation which in the last years has seen a decrease in homelessness among problematic hard-drug users and an increasing focus on physical health in low-threshold addiction care. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in sociodemographic, drug use and health characteristics between never-injecting (NIDUs), former-injecting (FIDUs) and current-injecting drug users (IDUs) and describe injecting practices.

Methods
A total of 202 problematic hard-drug users (NIDU = 64; FIDU = 76; IDU = 62) were recruited from 22 low-threshold care facilities, including drug consumption rooms, methadone maintenance treatment, heroin-assisted therapy, day shelter and/or night shelter, supported housing and day activity centres. Data were collected on-site through structured face-to-face interviews.

Results
Results indicate that IDUs represented a separate group of problematic hard-drug users, with distinct sociodemographic and drug use characteristics. Overall, IDUs appeared to be the group with least favourable characteristics (unstable housing/homelessness, illegal activities, polydrug use) and NIDUs appeared to have the most favourable characteristics (stable housing, help with debts, less polydrug use). The FIDU group lies somewhere in between. The three groups did not differ significantly in terms of health. Regarding injecting practices, results showed that majority of IDUs had injected drugs for over 10 years and IDUs injected heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and/or methadone in the past 6 months. Sharing syringes was not common. A quarter reported public injecting.

Conclusions
Unstable housing and homelessness are related to (former) injecting drug use, and stable housing is related to never-injecting drug use. Our study suggests that the number of ‘new’ IDUs is low. However, public injecting among IDUs is not uncommon and is associated with unstable housing. This emphasizes the potential of housing projects as a component of harm reduction measures. Therefore, prevention of (risks associated with) injecting drug use and supported housing programmes for problematic hard-drug users deserve the continuous attention of policymakers and professionals in low-threshold addiction care.
A strong convergence theorem for equilibrium problems and split feasibility problems in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Tang Jinfang , Chang Shih-sen , Yuan Fei 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The main purpose of this paper is to introduce an iterative algorithm for equilibrium problems and split feasibility problems in Hilbert spaces. Under suitable conditions we prove that the sequence converges strongly to a common element of the set of solutions of equilibrium problems and the set of solutions of split feasibility problems. Our result extends and improves the corresponding results of some others.

MSC:90C25, 90C30, 47J25, 47H09.
Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of nano - and microparticulate copper oxide: role of solubility and intracellular bioavailability
Authors: Semisch Annetta , Ohle Julia , Witt Barbara , Hartwig Andrea 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Nano- or microscale copper oxide particles (CuO NP, CuO MP) are increasingly applied as catalysts or antimicrobial additives. This increases the risk of adverse health effects, since copper ions are cytotoxic under overload conditions.

Methods
The extra- and intracellular bioavailability of CuO NP and CuO MP were explored. In addition, different endpoints related to cytotoxicity as well as direct and indirect genotoxicity of the copper oxides and copper chloride (CuCl2) were compared.

Results
Comprehensively characterized CuO NP and CuO MP were analysed regarding their copper ion release in model fluids. In all media investigated, CuO NP released far more copper ions than CuO MP, with most pronounced dissolution in artificial lysosomal fluid. CuO NP and CuCl2 caused a pronounced and dose dependent decrease of colony forming ability (CFA) in A549 and HeLa S3 cells, whereas CuO MP exerted no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 50 μg/mL. Cell death induced by CuO NP was at least in part due to apoptosis, as determined by subdiploid DNA as well as via translocation of the apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) into the cell nucleus. Similarly, only CuO NP induced significant amounts of DNA strand breaks in HeLa S3 cells, whereas all three compounds elevated the level of H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks. Finally, all copper compounds diminished the H2O2-induced poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, catalysed predominantly by poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1); here, again, CuO NP exerted the strongest effect. Copper derived from CuO NP, CuO MP and CuCl2 accumulated in the soluble cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of A549 cells, yielding similar concentrations in the cytoplasm but highest concentrations in the nucleus in case of CuO NP.

Conclusions
The results support the high cytotoxicity of CuO NP and CuCl2 and the missing cytotoxicity of CuO MP under the conditions applied. For these differences in cytotoxicity, extracellular copper ion levels due to dissolution of particles as well as differences in physicochemical properties of the particles like surface area may be of major relevance. Regarding direct and indirect genotoxicity, especially the high copper content in the cell nucleus derived after cell treatment with CuO NP appears to be decisive.