bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Transmission Dynamics ofStreptococcus pneumoniaefrom Strain Prevalence Data
Authors: Numminen Elina , Cheng Lu , Gyllenberg Mats , Corander Jukka 
Published: July 2013

AbstractSummaryStreptococcus pneumoniaeis a typical commensal bacterium causing severe diseases. Its prevalence is high among young children attending day care units, due to lower levels of acquired immunity and a high rate of infectious contacts between the attendees. Understanding the population dynamics of different strains ofS.pneumoniaeis necessary, for example, for making successful predictions of changes in the composition of the strain community under intervention policies. Here we analyze data on the strains ofS. pneumoniaecarried in attendees of day care units in the metropolitan area of Oslo, Norway. We introduce a variant of approximate Bayesian computation methods, which is suitable for estimating the parameters governing the transmission dynamics in a setting where small local populations of hosts are subject to epidemics of different pathogenic strains due to infections independently acquired from the community. We find evidence for strong between‐strain competition, as the acquisition of other strains in the already colonized hosts is estimated to have a relative rate of 0.09 (95% credibility interval [0.06, 0.14]). We also predict the frequency and size distributions for epidemics within the day care unit, as well as other epidemiologically relevant features. The assumption of ecological neutrality between the strains is observed to be compatible with the data. Model validation checks and the consistency of our results with previous research support the validity of our conclusions.
The utility of prostate‐specific antigen in the management of advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Crawford E. David , Bennett Charles L. , Andriole Gerald L. , Garnick Marc B. , Petrylak Daniel P. 
Published: July 2013

To review current prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) metrics used in monitoring treatment of advanced prostate cancer, with a specific focus on castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) therapies.
Explore what is known about the correlation between PSA and androgen levels as well as underlying reasons for persistent PSA expression and serum elevation in CRPC, and outline suggestions for use of PSA in managing patients with advanced prostate cancer.
A comprehensive search of the PubMed database for English language articles through April 2012 was performed using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords or terms, alone or in combination: ‘prostate cancer’; ‘prostate cancer treatment’; ‘prostate cancer outcomes’; ‘prostate‐specific antigen’; ‘androgen receptor’; ‘advanced prostate cancer’; ‘castration‐resistant prostate cancer’; ‘biomarkers’.
Bibliographies of relevant articles were searched for additional references.
Relevant medical society and regulatory agency web sites from the USA and Europe were accessed for issued guidance on PSA use.
PSA doubling time (PSADT) is a useful metric for determining which patients should be considered for androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) after failing local treatment or for second‐line therapies after failing ADT. However, it is not a validated surrogate for survival and no therapy has received regulatory approval based upon PSADT characteristics.
PSA nadir and time‐to‐nadir have been identified as possible prognostic markers for patients receiving ADT.
There is no universally accepted definition for PSA progression, nor is PSA progression a regulatory‐approved surrogate for clinical progression in drug approval trials.
PSA responses to second‐line therapies can vary and are not considered by regulatory agencies as valid surrogates for clinical endpoints, so they must be assessed in the context of each individual therapy and trial design.
PSA expression in CRPC is often a reflection of persistent androgen receptor activity.
While we can provide guidance for use of PSA monitoring in managing patients with advanced prostate cancer based on the data at hand, there is an urgent need for prospective analyses of refined PSA metrics in conjunction with newer prostate cancer biomarkers in clinical trials to provide stronger evidence for their roles as surrogate endpoints.
SABRE 1 (Surgery Against Brachytherapy – a Randomised Evaluation): feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of brachytherapy vs radical prostatectomy in low–intermediate risk clinically localised prostate cancer
Authors: Eccles Bryony K. , Cross William , Rosario Derek J. , Doble Andrew , Parker Chris , Logue John , Little Louisa , Stanton Louise , Bottomley David 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To determine the feasibility of a phase III randomised controlled trial of brachytherapy vs radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with low–intermediate risk localised prostate cancer.
Patients and Methods
This parallel, two‐group, multicentre, randomised controlled feasibility trial enrolled men with histologically confirmed localised, low‐risk prostate cancer and good performance status from five UK hospitals.
Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) by remote computer allocation to receive a decision aid (DA) DVD or standard information (control group), followed by a second randomisation (1:1) to brachytherapy or RP.
There was no ‘blinding’ of staff or patients.
Primary outcome was feasibility: a recruitment rate of six patients per centre over the last 6 months of recruitment would deem a phase III trial feasible.
Results
Between May 2009 and May 2011, 30 patients were randomised (15 in the DA group and 15 in the control group), and four continued to the second treatment randomisation (one from the DA group and three from the control group).
One patient was allocated and received brachytherapy and three RP.
SABRE 1 closed early due to poor recruitment. All patients were analysed.
Screening logbook analysis showed that the main reasons for declining trial entry were a wish to choose treatment or opting for active monitoring.
Results from the DA questionnaire (completed by 10 men) showed that four of the men ‘felt surgery and radiotherapy had been proven in a high quality trial’ and seven felt ‘they should make their treatment decision while knowing their doctors opinion’.
Conclusion
Recruitment to a RP vs brachytherapy trial in localised prostate cancer was not feasible by the use of this two‐step randomisation using a DA and previous trials in early prostate cancer have had similar difficulties in recruitment, with only a few achieving their accrual target.
The best treatment method for treating low‐risk prostate cancer is still unproven in a head‐to‐head trial and the increasing number of options will make choices correspondingly more difficulty without good quality comparative research.
More sophisticated techniques for recruitment may be more successful in future trials in this patient population.
Salvage focal and salvage total cryoablation for locally recurrent prostate cancer after primary radiation therapy
Authors: de Castro Abreu Andre Luis , Bahn Duke , Leslie Scott , Shoji Sunao , Silverman Paul , Desai Mihir M. , Gill Inderbir S. , Ukimura Osamu 
Published: July 2013

Objectives
To present the oncological and functional outcomes of salvage focal (SFC) and salvage total (STC) cryoablation for recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) after failed primary radiotherapy.
Patients and Methods
From March 2003 to August 2010, 50 men with biopsy‐proven unilateral (n = 25) or bilateral (n = 25) radio‐recurrent PCa underwent SFC or STC, respectively.
Patients were assessed after treatment by prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing, transrectal ultrasonography, biopsy and questionnaires. Biochemical failure (BF) was defined using the Phoenix criteria (PSA nadir + 2 mg/mL).
Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed.
Results
The median pre‐cryoablation PSA level and Gleason score were, respectively, 2.8 ng/mL and 7 for SFC, and 3.9 ng/mL and 7 for STC. The median follow‐up was 31 and 53 months (P = 0.004) for SFC and STC, respectively.
Oncological outcomes were as follows: no patient died; one patient who underwent STC developed bone metastases; eight patients who underwent SFC and three who underwent STC had BF and the 5‐year BF‐free survival rates were 54 and 86%, respectively. In those patients without BF, the mean PSA decreased by 86% for SFC and 90% for STC within the first year and remained stable.
Functional outcomes were as follows: new onset urinary incontinence occurred in three (13%) patients in the STC group, whereas no patient in the SFC group developed incontinence (P = 0.10); Two of seven patients in the SFC group retained postoperative potency, but none of the four potent patients in the STC group recovered potency postoperatively (P = 0.48); one (4%) patient in the STC group developed a recto‐urethral fistula, but none occurred in the SFC group (P = 0.48).
Conclusions
SFC and STC are feasible and safe with acceptable mid‐term oncological outcomes. For carefully selected patients, SFC is an option that could be associated with lower treatment‐related morbidity compared with STC.
Although longer follow‐up and more patient numbers are needed, our initial oncological and functional outcomes of SFC and STC are encouraging.
Micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy (microperc) vs retrograde intrarenal surgery for the management of small renal calculi: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sabnis Ravindra B. , Ganesamoni Raguram , Doshi Amit , Ganpule Arvind P. , Jagtap Jitendra , Desai Mahesh R. 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To compare micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy (microperc) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the management of renal calculi <1.5 cm with regard to stone clearance rates and surgical characteristics, complications and postoperative recovery.
Patients and Methods
Seventy patients presenting with renal calculi <1.5 cm were equally randomized to a microperc or a RIRS group between February 2011 and August 2012 in this randomized controlled trial. Randomization was based on centralized computer‐generated numbers. Patients and authors assessing the outcomes were not blinded to the procedure.
Microperc was performed using a 4.85‐F (16‐gauge) needle with a 272‐μm laser fibre. RIRS was performed using a uretero‐renoscope.
Variables studied were stone clearance rates, operating time, need for JJ stenting, intra‐operative and postoperative complications (according to the Clavien–Dindo classification system), surgeon discomfort score, postoperative pain score, analgesic requirement and hospital stay.
Stone clearance was assessed using ultrasonography and X‐ray plain abdominal film of kidney, ureter and bladder at 3 months.
Results
There were 35 patients in each group. All the patients were included in the final analysis.
The stone clearance rates in the microperc and RIRS groups were similar (97.1 vs 94.1%, P = 1.0). The mean [sd] operating time was similar between the groups (51.6 [18.5] vs 47.1 [17.5], P = 0.295). JJ stenting was required in a lower proportion of patients in the microperc group (20 vs 62.8%, P < 0.001). Intra‐operative complications were a minor pelvic perforation in one patient and transient haematuria in two patients, all in the microperc group. One patient in each group required conversion to miniperc.
One patient in the microperc group needed RIRS for small residual calculi 1 day after surgery. The decrease in haemoglobin was greater in the microperc group (0.96 vs 0.56 g/dL, P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative fever (Clavien I) was similar in the two groups (8.6 vs 11.4%, P = 1.0). None of the patients in the study required blood transfusion.
The mean [sd] postoperative pain score at 24 h was slightly higher in the microperc group (1.9 [1.2] vs 1.6 [0.8], P = 0.045). The mean [sd] analgesic requirement was higher in the microperc group (90 [72] vs 40 [41] mg tramadol, P < 0.001). The mean [sd] hospital stay was similar in the two groups (57 [22] vs 48 [18] h, P = 0.08).
Conclusions
Microperc is a safe and effective alternative to RIRS for the management of small renal calculi and has similar stone clearance and complication rates when compared to RIRS.
Microperc is associated with higher haemoglobin loss, increased pain and higher analgesic requirements, while RIRS is associated with a higher requirement for JJ stenting.
Effect of Tree‐Fall Gaps on Fruit‐Feeding Nymphalid Butterfly Assemblages in a Peruvian Rain Forest
Authors: Pardonnet Sylvia , Beck Harald , Milberg Per , Bergman Karl‐Olof 
Published: July 2013

AbstractOne of the main natural disturbances that affects the structure of rain forests is treefalls, frequently resulting in gaps. Tree‐fall gaps can bring drastic changes in environmental conditions compared with the undisturbed understory. We investigated the effect of tree‐fall gaps on fruit‐feeding butterfly (Nymphalidae) species assemblages in an undisturbed lowland rain forest in southeastern Peru. We used fruit‐baited traps suspended 2 m above ground in 15 tree‐fall gaps ranging in area from 100 to 1000 m2 and in adjacent undisturbed understory. Our data support the hypothesis that tree‐fall gap and understory habitats are utilized by different butterfly species assemblages. There were morphological differences between gap and understory species, where the understory species had a larger wing area to thoracic volume. Vegetation structure and composition were important factors affecting the butterfly assemblages. Most of the butterfly species showed an avoidance of vines and a strong association with the presence of trees and shrubs in gaps. There were also differences among gap assemblages that increased with gap size. Some of the species that were associated with gaps have been considered as canopy species. Other gap species in the present study, however, are known to feed on fruits and/or use host plants mainly, or only, occurring in gaps, implicating that the gap assemblage is a mix of canopy species and those unique to gaps. This indicates that, in an undisturbed Amazon forest, tree‐fall gaps may contribute to maintain species diversity by creating a mosaic of specific habitats and resources that favors different butterfly assemblages.
Thyroglobulin as early prognostic marker to predict remission at 18–24 months in differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: González Cintia , Aulinas Anna , Colom Cristina , Tundidor Diana , Mendoza Lilian , Corcoy Rosa , Mato Eugenia , Alcántara Valeria , Urgell Rull Eulalia , de Leiva Alberto 
Published: July 2013

SummaryIntroductionThyroglobulin (Tg), the most common marker to determine remission of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), can take 18 months or longer to be undetectable. We hypothesized that Tg stimulated after surgery and immediately before radioiodine treatment (baseline‐stimulated Tg) could be a good predictor of remission at 18–24 months. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of baseline‐stimulated Tg as early prognostic marker of DTC.Patients and methodsRetrospective study of 133 patients with DTC from 1998 to 2010 (age at diagnosis 47·4 ± 16·8, follow‐up 5·09 ± 3·2 years). Initial subset analysis was performed after excluding patients with positive TgAb, who were later included in the second. Baseline‐stimulated Tg was divided into tertiles. Multivariate logistic regression analysis included baseline Tg and other known prognostic markers and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to identify the best cut‐off level of baseline Tg were performed.ResultsBaseline‐stimulated Tg in the highest tertile was the only predictive variable of persistence of disease at 18–24 months in the initial analysis (OR 45·3, P < 0·01). In the second analysis, the predictive variables were baseline‐stimulated Tg (OR 39·6, P < 0·001), presence of TgAb (OR 23·4, P < 0·005) and uptake outside of the thyroid bed post‐treatment whole body scan (WBS; OR 5·3, P < 0·05) were predictive of persistence of disease. The ROC curve showed that baseline‐stimulated Tg below 8·55 μg/l identified 95% of disease‐free patients at 18–24 months after initial treatment.ConclusionsBaseline‐stimulated Tg is a good predictor of remission of disease at 18–24 months after initial treatment and could be a useful marker to stratify risk immediately after surgery.
Shame and guilt in child protection social work: new interpretations and opportunities for practice
Authors: Gibson Matthew 
Published: July 2013

AbstractShame is an underexplored and misunderstood emotion. It can be described as an acute awareness of one's flawed and unworthy self. It is the primary social emotion and one of our most intimate feelings developed within the context of our family of origin, which can have a devastating effect on an individual and their relationships. Social workers are routinely faced with issues of shame as an intrinsic consequence of the matters with which social work deals and also as a result of how both families and workers experience the child protection process. This paper outlines the research on shame and guilt to argue for a re‐evaluation of the key challenges faced by child protection social workers. It is argued that shame experienced by parents and carers potentially plays a significant role in these challenges, while it may be argued that ‘guilt’ has had a bad press and may potentially play an important role in the successes. An argument is made for a shame‐reducing child protection social work practice with some key themes for practitioners to consider in their attempt to improve the accuracy of assessments and intervention.
Long‐term follow‐up of simultaneous guided bone regeneration using native and cross‐linked collagen membranes over 6 years
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Hegewald Andrea , Sahm Narja , Becker Jürgen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the impact of a cross‐linked‐ (VN) collagen membrane on the long‐term stability of peri‐implant health over 6 years.Material and methodsVestibular dehiscence‐type defects at titanium implants (19 patients, 19 implants) were augmented using a natural bone mineral and randomly allocated to either VN or a native collagen membrane (CM) and left to heal in a submerged position for 4 months. Clinical parameters (i.e. Bleeding on Probing‐BOP, probing pocket depth‐PD, mucosal recession‐MR) were recorded at 4 and 6 years after prosthesis installation.ResultsAt 4 and 6 years, both VN and CM revealed comparable mean BOP, PD and MR values at both vestibular and oral aspects. Changes in these parameters from 4 to 6 years were minimal (vestibular aspect‐VN: −3.3 ± 48.2%, −0.1 ± 0.5 mm, −0.1 ± 0.3 mm; CM: −1.8 ± 33.7%, 0.0 ± 0.4 mm, −0.1 ± 0.7 mm) and not significantly different between groups. At 6 years, the incidence of mucositis and peri‐implantitis was comparable in both groups (VN: 60.0% and 20.0%; CM: 33.3% and 33.3%).ConclusionIn conclusion, the present follow‐up observation failed to identify any beneficial impact of VN over CM on peri‐implant health at 4 and 6 years.
Substantial Neuroprotection Against K+ Deprivation‐Induced Apoptosis in Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons by Novel Dimer Bis(propyl)‐Cognitin Via the Activation of VEGFR‐2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hu Sheng‐Quan , Cui Wei , Xu Da‐Ping , Mak Shing‐Hung , Tang Jing , Choi Chung‐Lit , Pang Yuan‐Ping , Han Yi‐Fan 
Published: July 2013

SummaryBackgroundNeuronal loss via apoptosis in CNS is the fundamental mechanism underlying various neurodegenerative diseases. Compounds with antiapoptotic property might have therapeutic effects for these diseases. In this study, bis(propyl)‐cognitin (B3C), a novel dimer that possesses anti‐AChE and anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor activities, was investigated for its neuroprotective effect on K+ deprivation‐induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs).MethodsCerebellar granule neurons were switched to K+ deprived medium with or without B3C. 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium assay, fluorescein diacetate (FDA)/propidium iodide (PI) staining, Hoechst staining, and DNA laddering assays were applied to detect cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Additionally, the expression of p‐VEGFR‐2, p‐Akt, p‐glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), and p‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) was examined in CGNs.ResultsSwitching CGNs to K+ deprived medium resulted in remarkable apoptosis, which could be substantially blocked by B3C treatment (IC50, 0.37 μM). Moreover, a rapid decrease in p‐Tyr1054‐VEGFR‐2 was observed after the switch. B3C significantly reversed the inhibition of p‐Tyr1054‐VEGFR‐2 as well as Akt and ERK pathways. VEGFR‐2 inhibitor PTK787/ZK222584, as well as PI3‐K inhibitor LY294002 and MEK inhibitor PD98059, each abolished the neuroprotective effect of B3C.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that B3C blocks K+ deprivation‐induced apoptosis in CGNs through regulating VEGFR‐2/Akt/GSK3β and VEGFR‐2/ERK signaling pathways, providing a molecular insight into the therapeutic potential of B3C for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Echocardiographic Estimation of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Utility of Right Heart Doppler Measurements
Authors: Xie Yu , Burke Benita M. , Kopelnik Alex , Auger William , Daniels Lori B. , Madani Michael M. , Poch David S. , Kim Nick H. , Blanchard Daniel G. 
Published: July 2013

The ratio of tricuspid regurgitation velocity divided by the velocity‐time integral of right ventricular outflow tract pulsed‐wave Doppler tracing (TRV/VTIRVOT) has been used to estimate pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). However, this method has not been validated in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We assessed the utility of TRV/VTIRVOT in patients with CTEPH and PVR from 2 to 20 WU. All had right heart catheterization (RHC) within 2 days of echocardiography. TRV/VTIRVOT was calculated and RHC‐derived pressures, PVR, and cardiac outputs were recorded. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was 47 ± 12 mmHg, cardiac output: 4.2 ± 1.1 L/min, PVR: 9 ± 4 WU, right atrial pressure: 12 ± 6 mmHg. Mean VTIRVOT was 13 ± 5 cm; mean TRV was 4.2 ± 0.8 m/s, mean tricuspid regurgitation severity was 2.5 ± 0.8 (1 = trace, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe). Regression analysis demonstrated a correlation between RHC PVR and TRV/VTIRVOT: PVR = 19.4 × (TRV/VTIRVOT) + 2.4 (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). However, Bland–Altman analysis found a poor degree of agreement between echo‐derived PVR and RHC PVR. We also studied 28 patients with non‐CTEPH pulmonary hypertension. Similar analysis revealed a regression equation of PVR = 20.1 × (TRV/VTIRVOT) + 0.3 (r = 0.57, P < 0.01). Conclusion: TRV/VTIRVOT is only marginally useful for estimating PVR in CTEPH (r = 0.74). Moreover, the regression equation in CTEPH differs significantly from previous studies in pulmonary hypertension. Reasons for this may include the markedly elevated PVR levels in this population and specific effects on VTIRVOT from CTEPH.
Keeping mitochondria in shape: a matter of life and death
Authors: Scorrano Luca 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundMitochondria are dynamic organelles that participate in energy conversion, metabolism, signaling and apoptosis. To fulfill their multiple tasks, mitochondria come in varied morphologies and ultrastructures resulting from the equilibrium between fusion and fission, Furthermore, they are in close contact with the endoplasmic reticulum generating an essential interface in cell physiology and death.Materials and MethodsIn this review we will discuss the impact of our findings on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial morphology and tethering to the endoplasmic reticulum on cell death.Results and ConclusionsThe work reviewed here supports a key role for mitochondrial dynamics in cell life and death and in disease.