bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient-Reported Outcomes and Survivorship in Radiation Oncology: Overcoming the Cons
Authors: Siddiqui Farzan , Liu Arthur K. , Watkins-Bruner Deborah , Movsas Benjamin 
Published: August 2014

Purpose Although patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have become a key component of clinical oncology trials, many challenges exist regarding their optimal application. The goal of this article is to methodically review these barriers and suggest strategies to overcome them. This review will primarily focus on radiation oncology examples, will address issues regarding the “why, how, and what” of PROs, and will provide strategies for difficult problems such as methods for reducing missing data. This review will also address cancer survivorship because it closely relates to PROs. Methods Key articles focusing on PROs, quality of life, and survivorship issues in oncology trials are highlighted, with an emphasis on radiation oncology clinical trials. Publications and Web sites of various governmental and regulatory agencies are also reviewed. Results The study of PROs in clinical oncology trials has become well established. There are guidelines provided by organizations such as the US Food and Drug Administration that clearly indicate the importance of and methodology for studying PROs. Clinical trials in oncology have repeatedly demonstrated the value of studying PROs and suggested ways to overcome some of the key challenges. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) has led some of these efforts, and their contributions are highlighted. The current state of cancer survivorship guidelines is also discussed. Conclusion The study of PROs presents significant benefits in understanding and treating toxicities and enhancing quality of life; however, challenges remain. Strategies are presented to overcome these hurdles, which will ultimately improve cancer survivorship.
Serial changes in serum procalcitonin, interleukin 6, and C-reactive protein levels according to non-specific surgical stimulation
Authors: Jun Kyung Ran , Lee Jeong Neo , Song Sae Am , Oh Seung Hwan , Lee Ja Young , Shin Jeong Hwan , Kim Hye Ran 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate useful perioperative monitoring markers by comparing serial levels of serum procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in routine surgical circumstances.In 285 surgeries of 277 patients, blood samples were obtained serially, at least three times per patient: within 48 h before surgery, 0–6 h after surgery (post-OP1), >6–28 h after surgery (post-OP2), and/or later (post-OP3). PCT, IL-6, and CRP were measured. Their demographic, operative, laboratory, and clinical data were collected retrospectively.The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (n=39) and sepsis (n=11) groups showed higher post-operative values than the non-SIRS group (n=233). Their maximum significant median levels were 8.96 vs. 0.21 μg/L for post-OP2 PCT, 743.1 vs. 85.8 ng/L for post-OP1 IL-6, and 103.4 vs. 49.0 mg/L for post-OP2 CRP. Among non-SIRS patients, 12 patients developed undesirable post-operative events, including secondary surgery and death. The highest area under receiver operator characteristic curves was 0.92 at post-OP1 PCT (cut-off, 0.1 μg/L; sensitivity, 91.7%; specificity, 78.7%), and the next highest was 0.84 at post-OP1 IL-6 (cut-off, 359 ng/L; sensitivity, 66.7%; specificity, 91.9%). All biomarkers were increased by non-specific surgical stimuli; however, post-OP1/post-OP2 PCT were <1.0 μg/L (90th percentile) except major abdominal surgeries.Post-OP1 PCT measurement may be useful as a post-operative monitoring marker for the following reasons: pre-operative values less than the cut-off regardless of pre-operative state (age, malignancy, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class); minimal influence from surgical stimulus; and prediction of post-operative undesirable events.
Aberrant hypermethylation of CTNNA1 gene is associated with higher IPSS risk in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Qian Jun , Chen Xing-xing , Qian Wei , Yang Jing , Wen Xiang-mei , Ma Ji-chun , Deng Zhao-qun , Qian Zhen , Zhang Ying-ying , Lin Jiang 
Published: August 2014

Abstract: We investigated the methylation status ofAberrant hypermethylation ofOur data confirm that aberrant
Development and validation of a HPLC-UV method for the quantification of antiepileptic drugs in dried plasma spots
Authors: Baldelli Sara , Cattaneo Dario , Giodini Luciana , Baietto Lorena , Di Perri Giovanni , D’Avolio Antonio , Clementi Emilio 
Published: August 2014

AbstractTherapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antiepileptic drugs is widely used in clinical practice to optimise therapy, but it is limited by technical problems and cost considerations. The aim of the present study was: 1) to validate a chromatographic method for the concomitant determination of levetiracetam, lamotrigine, ethosuximide, felbamate, rufinamide, zonisamide and monohydroxycarbamazepine; 2) to develop it for dried plasma spot (DPS) assessing its reliability against the classical determination from plasma; and 3) test its clinical application.Extraction of plasma samples and DPS was done by simple precipitation. Chromatographic analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. After validation, both methods were applied for the quantification of plasma samples from patients on antiepileptic therapy.Mean inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision were <15% for all compounds both in plasma and in DPS samples. DPS samples were considered stable under tested conditions. Measurements between plasma and DPS samples appeared related (p<0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed accordance in lamotrigine values with mean overestimation of concentration for DPS sample of 2.8%. Also for monohydroxycarbamazepine data the agreement was acceptable (mean overestimation of 9.2%). For levetiracetam mean difference was 7.6%, while for ethosuximide mean percentage difference was 20.6%.The developed methods simplify TDM of antiepileptic drugs. This is particularly relevant for the method on dried spot sample devices because it facilitates further sample handling, stability and shipments making the management of therapies in epileptic patients easier also in hospitals devoid of a dedicated laboratory.
Determination of quality control limits for serological infectious disease testing using historical data
Authors: Dimech Wayne , Vincini Giuseppe , Karakaltsas Marina 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAn effective quality control (QC) program requires the establishment of control limits within which the results of the QC sample is expected to fall. Traditionally, the mean plus/minus two standard deviations calculated for a set of QC sample results is used to establish control limits. Allowable total error (TEa) and Westgard rules aid in interpreting QC sample results. Westgard rules assume QC sample results are normally distributed and TEa assumes commutability between the QC sample and patient results. None of these paradigms apply to infectious disease testing.Results from the NRL’s QC program were extracted and sorted into assay/QC lot number-specific data. Control limits for selected QC samples used to monitor 64 commonly used serological assays were calculated and validated using the within- and between-QC lot variance of data from each of the assay/QC combinations.No assay/QC combination had more than 10% of results less than the lower control limit or greater than the upper control limit. Of the 423 assay/QC lot combinations, 14 (3.3%) had more than 5% of results less than the lower limit and 48 (11.3%) had more than 5% of results greater than the upper limit calculated for that assay/QC combination.The control limits, established by this novel method, are based on more than a decade of QC test results from >300 laboratories from 30 countries and provides users of the NRL QC program evidence-based control limits that can be applied in isolation or in conjunction with more traditional methods for establishing control limits.
Could molecular assessment of calcium metabolism be a useful tool to early screen patients at risk for pre-eclampsia complicated pregnancy? Proposal and rationale
Authors: Gizzo Salvatore , Noventa Marco , Di Gangi Stefania , Saccardi Carlo , Cosmi Erich , Nardelli Giovanni Battista , Plebani Mario 
Published: August 2014

AbstractOne of the most frequent causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity is represented by hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Women at high risk must be subjected to a more intensive antenatal surveillance and prophylactic treatments. Many genetic risk factors, clinical features and biomarkers have been proposed but none of these seems able to prevent pre-eclampsia onset. English literature review of manuscripts focused on calcium intake and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was performed. We performed a critical analysis of evidences about maternal calcium metabolism pattern in pregnancy analyzing all possible bias affecting studies. Calcium supplementation seems to give beneficial effects on women with low calcium intake. Some evidence reported that calcium supplementation may drastically reduce the percentage of pre-eclampsia onset consequently improving the neonatal outcome. Starting from this evidence, it is intuitive that investigations on maternal calcium metabolism pattern in first trimester of pregnancy could represent a low cost, large scale tool to screen pregnant women and to identify those at increased risk of pre-eclampsia onset. We propose a biochemical screening of maternal calcium metabolism pattern in first trimester of pregnancy to discriminate patients who potentially may benefit from calcium supplementation. In a second step we propose to randomly allocate the sub-cohort of patients with calcium metabolism disorders in a treatment group (calcium supplementation) or in a control group (placebo) to define if calcium supplementation may represent a dietary mean to reduce pre-eclampsia onset and to improve pregnancy outcome.
Perceived social support and parental education as determinants of adolescents’ physical activity and eating behaviour: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Glozah Franklin N. , Pevalin David J. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Purpose: To examine the role of perceived social support and parental education on physical activity and eating behaviour of Ghanaian adolescents.
Methods: Seven hundred and seventy Senior High School students (504 boys and 266 girls) between the ages of 14–21 years participated by completing questionnaires on perceived social support, physical activity and eating behaviour. The highest education attained by either parent or guardian was also obtained. Multivariate analysis of covariance was the main statistical test used to analyse the data.
Results: The results showed significant gender differences in physical activity and eating behaviour combined, with boys more likely to engage in physical activity than girls, and girls also more likely to engage in healthy eating behaviour than boys, albeit the effect was not statistically significant. While perceived social support had a significant positive effect on eating behaviour and physical activity, parental education had a significant effect only on eating behaviour but not physical activity.
Conclusion: Perceived social support from family coupled with parental education provides more opportunities for adolescents to engage in healthy eating behaviour. Also, parents’ educational attainment alone does not necessarily guarantee that adolescents will engage in physical activity; providing the needed social support and conducive home environment is more likely to induce physical activity behaviours. Finally, physical activity and eating behaviour should not be construed as alternative health behaviours as suggested by gender differentials in these health behaviours.
Congruence in reported frequency of parent-adolescent sexual health communication: A study from Mexico
Authors: Atienzo Erika E. , Ortiz-Panozo Eduardo , Campero Lourdes 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Background: Most studies on parent-adolescent sexual health communication come from developed countries and are based on either parents’ or children’s reports. In developing countries, there is little evidence about the agreement among reports of all parties involved in parent-adolescent sexual health communication.
Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the congruence (agreement) between adolescents and their parents about how frequently they discuss on selected sexual health topics.
Subjects: A total of 1606 parent-adolescent dyads of adolescents attending the first year in public high schools and their parents, in Morelos, Mexico were sampled in this study.
Methods: The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that included the frequency of parent-adolescent communication about eight sexual health topics. An ordinal logistic threshold model was used to estimate intra-class correlation coefficients within parent-adolescent dyads (as a measure of congruence) and to test if thresholds were equal between parents and adolescents.
Results: Congruence in reported frequency of parent-adolescent sexual health communication ranged from 0.205 (menstruation) to 0.307 (condoms) for mother-adolescent dyads, and from 0.103 (ejaculation) to 0.380 (condoms) for father-adolescent dyads. The thresholds (i.e., the cutoff points that define the categories in the observed ordinal variable) differed between parents and adolescents for each of the sexual health topics explored (p<0.05 for father-adolescent dyads and p<0.001 for mother-adolescent dyads).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a low congruence between parents’ and adolescents’ reports on parent-adolescent sexual health communication. This might be due to interpretation of frequency and intensity of sexual health communication which differs between parents and adolescents.
Atrial fibrillation in a healthy adolescent after heavy smoking of contraband cigarettes
Authors: Ozyilmaz Isa , Ozyilmaz Sinem , Tosun Oyku , Tola Hasan Tahsin , Saygi Murat , Ergul Yakup 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The use of contraband cigarettes is a serious public health problem. We present a case of atrial fibrillation in a healthy adolescent suspected to be caused by smoking contraband cigarettes. A 15-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department experiencing syncope and palpitations. He was a cigarette smoker, but he had never smoked any illicit tobacco products before. He had finished a pack of counterfeit cigarettes (20 pieces) in 1.5 h. His electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response and irregular RR intervals. The patient had no history of alcohol use, surgery, palpitations, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, or any infectious diseases. His atrial fibrillation was converted to a normal sinus rhythm after the cardioversion treatment. Our patient was discharged from the pediatric cardiology service and advised to quit smoking cigarettes, strictly warning against illicit tobacco products. In conclusion, intensive smoking of counterfeit cigarettes may lead to occurrences of atrial fibrillation.
Esterification of Free Fatty Acids in Crude Palm Oil Using Sulfated Cobalt–Tin Mixed Oxide Catalysts
Authors: Nuithitikul Kamchai , Hasin Worrapat 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
In this study, sulfated tin oxide was modified with cobalt oxide resulting in sulfated cobalt–tin mixed oxide (SO42–/Co2O3–SnO2). For the first time, the catalytic activity of SO42–/Co2O3–SnO2 for the esterification reaction of free fatty acids (FFA) in crude palm oil to produce methyl esters has been investigated. The effects of amount of Co and calcination temperature were studied. The properties of SO42–/Co2O3–SnO2 were determined with N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and potentiometric titration. The esterification was carried out in a stirred-tank reactor equipped with a reflux condenser. The reaction conditions (methanol/oil ratio, catalyst size, catalyst loading and reaction time) were optimized. The results confirm that SO42–/Co2O3–SnO2 is a promising catalyst in the production of methyl esters from FFA in crude palm oil. The addition of Co improved the reusability of sulfated tin oxide.
A Two-Phase CFD Modeling Approach to Investigate the Flow Characteristics in Radial Flow Moving-Bed Reactors
Authors: Xiao Fang-Zhi , Luo Zheng-Hong 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Based on a complete CFD Eulerian–Eulerian two-fluid approach, a comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) two-phase reactor model was suggested to describe the flow behavior in radial flow moving-bed reactors (RFMBRs). A porous media model was incorporated into the reactor model in order to describe the flow resistance provided by the porous walls of the center and annular pipes. Compared with these previous reactor models, the reactor model considers the solid-phase movement instead of immobilization, which benefits for predicting the formation of cavity practically. The simulation results are agreement with the published experimental data. By employing the verified model, the flow field parameters in the reactors such as pressure drop and flow velocity were obtained. Besides, the simulations were then carried out to investigate the effect of the bed voidage on the flow behavior and to understand the phenomenon of cavity in the RFMBRs. The simulation results showed that both the centripetal and the centrifugal flow configurations have the inhomogeneous flow distribution and the phenomenon of cavity. Furthermore, the inhomogeneous distribution increases with the increase of the bed voidage, whereas the phenomenon of cavity is more obvious with the increase of gas inlet velocity. As a whole, this work provided a realistic modeling and a useful approach for the understanding of RFMBRs.
Absolute Performance of AUSGeoid09 in Mountainous Regions
Authors: Sussanna Vittorio , Janssen Volker , Gibbings Peter 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe Australian Height Datum (AHD) is the current national vertical datum for Australia, and AUSGeoid09 is the latest quasigeoid model used to compute (normal-orthometric)AHDheights fromGlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) derived ellipsoidal heights. While previous studies have evaluated the AUSGeoid09 model across Australia, such studies have not focused on mountainous regions in particular. This paper investigates the performance of AUSGeoid09 in an absolute sense in the Mid Hunter and Snowy Mountains regions of New South Wales. Absolute (i.e. single point) comparisons were undertaken between AUSGeoid09-derived heights and published AHD heights. The performance of AUSGeoid09 was evaluated relative to its predecessor AUSGeoid98. In both study areas, an overall improvement is evident when applying AUSGeoid09 to compute AHD heights in an absolute sense. In the MidHunter, AUSGeoid09 provided a substantial improvement over its predecessor, clearly demonstrating the benefits of its new geometric component on GNSS-derived AHD height determination. In the Snowy Mountains, moderate improvement over AUSGeoid98 was evident. However, a slope was detected for AUSGeoid09 residuals, and it appears that the geometric component may have overcompensated for sea surface topography in this area. While this appraisal of AUSGeoid09 performance in mountainous regions is encouraging, it has been shown that some discrepancies still remain between AUSGeoid09-derived heights and AHD. Eventually, a new vertical datum will be necessary to ensure homogeneity across Australia.
Thyrotoxic, hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) in adolescents
Authors: Al-Zubeidi Hiba , Demeterco Carla , Jones Kenneth Lee 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPeriodic paralysis associated with hyperthyroidism and hypokalemia is an uncommon disorder reported primarily in Asian males and rarely in children. We report three Hispanic adolescent males who were seen with Graves’ disease (GD) and THPP.The method used was chart review.Two of these boys presented with episodes of paralysis and were diagnosed with GD. The third was initially seen with hyperthyroidism and developed weakness and paralysis when his disease progressed because of therapeutic noncompliance. Hypokalemia was documented in two of the three patients with the third not seen during paralysis. Intravenous KTHPP is considered uncommon except in Asian males and rare in childhood and adolescence. Its occurrence in these three Hispanic boys suggests that it may occur more frequently in the young and in the USA than has been suspected, especially with the changing national demographics. We believe that our experience should raise the awareness of THPP among pediatric care providers.
Skin advanced glycation endproducts are elevated at onset of type 1 diabetes in youth
Authors: Báez Eileen A. , Shah Shreepal , Felipe Dania , Maynard John , Lefevre Suzanne , Chalew Stuart A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractTo compare skin advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in children at onset of type 1 diabetes with children without diabetes.Skin AGEs (sAGEs) were estimated by measurement of skin intrinsic fluorescence (SIF) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (NewD; n=47, F=45%, M=55%, Age=10±3.7) and in youth without diabetes (NoD; n=112, F=53%, M=47%, Age=10.4±4.8). HCOSIF at 405 nm and 420 nm excitation were higher (p=0.03) in NewD children compared to NoD. HCODespite the short duration of untreated diabetes, sAGEs were higher in children with NewD compared to children with NoD. Further study will be needed to determine whether early accumulation of sAGEs is associated with higher risk for development and progression of complications.
Prepregnancy maternal obesity and fetal-perinatal death in a Mediterranean country
Authors: Papachatzi Eleni , Papadopoulos Vassilis , Dimitriou Gabriel , Paparrodopoulos Spyros , Papadimitriou-Olivgeris Mattheos , Vantarakis Apostolos 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Objective: Pre- or early-pregnancy obesity carries significant health implications. This retrospective cohort study investigates the association between pre- or early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the risk of fetal and neonatal death in pregnancies implicated by obesity in a Mediterranean country.

Study design: Data on pregnancies delivered during 2003–2008 at a University hospital was linked to data from regional registry. Logistic regression models were used to determine the odds ratios of a spontaneous fetal death and perinatal death among overweight, obese, and morbid obese women.

Results: Independent predictors of fetal death were maternal prepregnancy BMI over 25, maternal age, maternal co-morbidities, and maternal residence in an island. Perinatal mortality was independently correlated to neonatal birthweight, maternal age, maternal residence in towns and villages, and maternal BMI over 40. Overall, maternal residence in an island, maternal autoimmune disease, and maternal prepregnancy BMI (over 25) were independent risk factors predicting offspring death (both intrauterine and perinatal).

Conclusions: Maternal obesity is correlated to offspring’s mortality during fetal and/or perinatal period. This is one of the very few studies in a Mediterranean country. This study underlines the need for public health interventions to prevent obesity in young women.
Gestural reduction, lexical frequency, and sound change: A study of post-vocalic /l/
Authors: Lin Susan , Beddor Patrice Speeter , Coetzee Andries W. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe magnitude of anterior and dorsal constrictions for laterals in /(C)(C)VlC/ words produced by eight American English speakers was measured using ultrasound imaging. The results replicate previous findings that laterals have weaker anterior constrictions when followed by labial or velar consonants than when followed by alveolar consonants. The main novel finding is that, in words with /VlC