bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is the data-defined length for short time from diagnosis to death that is associated with a low rate of palliative care enrolment for persons with colorectal cancer?
Authors: Roach Sheri , Steenbeek Audrey , Abdolell Mohamed , Urquhart Robin , Johnston Grace 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivePrior research has demonstrated that people who die shortly after receiving a cancer diagnosis are at increased risk for not being referred to palliative care. No previous studies have empirically derived the length of time between diagnosis and death associated with increased risk. The objective of this study was to identify the length of time between diagnosis and death associated with increased risk for non-enrolment in a palliative care programme.MethodsBinary recursive partitioning was employed to derive the cut-point for the number of days from colorectal cancer diagnosis to death predictive of a high risk for non-enrolment in a palliative care programme in two health districts in Nova Scotia, Canada. The study included all adults (≥20 years) who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the two districts between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2005 and who died between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2008 (n=894).ResultsIndividuals who died within 18.5 days following diagnosis were at highest risk for non-enrolment in palliative care. Of the 60 adults who died in <18.5 days, 16.7% were enrolled in a palliative care programme; of the 835 adults who died ≥18.5 days after diagnosis, 65.9% were enrolled.ConclusionsThis data-driven approach may be used to define the short diagnosis-to-death time frame at which individuals are at increased risk for non-enrolment in palliative care programmes. This approach allows researchers to further investigate and compare empirically-derived cut-points that identify those who die quickly and are at risk of not receiving palliative care.
Renal denervation and blood pressure reduction in resistant hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kwok Chun Shing , Loke Yoon K , Pradhan Shiva , Keavney Bernard , El-Omar Magdi , Mamas Mamas A 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies that evaluated the use of catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation compared to a control group and reported blood pressure results at follow-up. Data was extracted from relevant studies and pooled estimates for blood pressure were determined using the inverse variance method for meta-analysis with mean difference.ResultsWe identified 12 studies (three randomised controlled trials (n=688), eight prospective observational studies (n=478) and one observational study with matched controls (n=310)). Data from SYMPLICITY HTN-3, the only high-quality blinded randomised control trial suggests that there is no significant difference in change in systolic (−2.30 95% CI −6.90 to 2.30 mm Hg) or diastolic (−1.96 95% CI −4.98 to 1.06 mm Hg) blood pressure at 6 months. The pooled data from two unblinded trials of lower quality showed significant reduction in change in systolic (−27.36 95% CI −37.08 to −24.61 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (−9.62 95% CI −14.51 to −4.72 mm Hg). In terms of safety, SYMPLICITY HTN-3 found no significant differences between treatment and control group in terms of death, myocardial infarction, new onset renal disease, stroke and hypertensive emergencies.ConclusionsIn conclusion, while poor quality unblinded studies provide evidence that renal denervation using catheter-based systems is effective in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in resistant hypertension, the largest randomised controlled trial to date (SYMPLICITY HTN-3) failed to demonstrate any benefit.
Trends in left ventricular assist device use and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries, 2004–2011
Authors: Lampropulos Julianna F , Kim Nancy , Wang Yun , Desai Mayur M , Barreto-Filho José Augusto S , Dodson John A , Dries Daniel L , Mangi Abeel A , Krumholz Harlan M 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo characterise the trends in the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation rates and outcomes between 2004 and 2011 in the Medicare population. Since the approval of the HeartMate II in 2008, the use of LVADs has steadily climbed. Given the increase in LVAD use, issues around discharge disposition, post-implant hospitalisations and costs require further understanding.MethodsWe examined LVAD implantation rates and short-term and long-term outcomes among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries hospitalised for LVAD implantation. We also conducted analyses among survivors 1-year post-discharge to examine rehospitalisation rates. Lastly, we reported Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) payments for both index hospitalisation and rehospitalisations 1 year post-discharge.ResultsA total of 2152 LVAD implantations were performed with numbers increasing from 107 in 2004 to 612 in 2011. The 30-day mortality rate decreased from 52% to 9%, and 1-year mortality rate decreased from 69% to 31%. We observed no change in overall length of stay, but post-procedure length of stay increased. We also found an increase in home discharge dispositions from 26% to 53%. Between 2004 and 2010, the rehospitalisation rate increased and the number of hospital days decreased. The adjusted CMS payment for the index hospitalisation increased from $188 789 to $225 697 over time but decreased for rehospitalisation from $60 647 to $53 630.ConclusionsLVAD implantations increased over time. We found decreasing 30-day and 1-year mortality rates and increasing home discharge disposition. The proportion of patients rehospitalised among 1-year survivors remained high with increasing index hospitalisation cost, but decreasing post-implantation costs over time.
Adverse events associated with chloramphenicol use in dogs: a retrospective study (2007–2013)
Authors: Short J. , Zabel S. , Cook C. , Schmeitzel L. 
Published: August 2014

Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic that has been increasingly utilised since the emergence of methicillin‐resistant staphylococcal infections. Due to toxicities in humans, use of the drug has been limited. In dogs, gastrointestinal signs are common adverse events described, and bone marrow suppression is possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adverse events associated with chloramphenicol in dogs seen by one specialty practice from January 2007 through June 2013. The database was searched for all dogs prescribed chloramphenicol during the time period. Dosage, length of treatment, age and body weight of the dogs were recorded as well as any adverse events that occurred during treatment. A total of 105 cases were evaluated. Thirty‐nine dogs experienced at least one adverse event while on the medication. The most commonly noted were gastrointestinal signs and hindlimb weakness. The mean body weight for dogs with hindlimb weakness was 35.3 kg, which was significant. Resolution was documented in 54 per cent of cases when the drug was discontinued. Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius on bacterial culture was listed as the reason for chloramphenicol use in 76 per cent of the cases. Based on this information, further prospective studies are recommended to evaluate the reproducibility of this report.
Mixing for invertible dynamical systems with infinite measure
Authors: Melbourne Ian 
Published: August 2014

In a recent paper, Melbourne and Terhesiu [Operator renewal theory and mixing rates for dynamical systems with infinite measure, Invent. Math.189 (2012) 61–110] obtained results on mixing and mixing rates for a large class of noninvertible maps preserving an infinite ergodic invariant measure. Here, we are concerned with extending these results to the invertible setting. Mixing is established for a large class of infinite measure invertible maps. Assuming additional structure, in particular exponential contraction along stable manifolds, it is possible to obtain good results on mixing rates and higher order asymptotics.
Why interaction between metrics should be considered in the development of software quality models
Authors: Goyal Rinkaj , Chandra Pravin , Singh Yogesh 
Published: August 2014

This study examines the need to consider interactions between the measurements (metrics) of different quality factors in the development of software quality models. Though the correlation between metrics has been explored to a considerable depth in the development of these models, consideration of interactions between predictors is comparatively new in software engineering. This preliminary study is supported by statistically-proven results, differentiating interactions with correlation analysis.
The issues raised here will assist analysts to improve empirical analyses by incorporating interactions in software quality model development, where amalgamating effects between different characteristics or subcharacteristics are observed.
Nontrivial Solutions of a Fully Fourth-Order Periodic Boundary Value Problem
Authors: Li Haitong , Pei Minghe , Wang Libo 
Published: August 2014

We investigate the solvability of a fully fourth-order periodic boundary value problem of the formx(4)=f(t,x,x′,x′′,x′′′),  x(i)(0)=x(i)(T),   i=0,1,2,3,wheref:[0,T]×R4→Rsatisfies Carathéodory conditions. By using the coincidence degree theory, the existence of nontrivial solutions is obtained. Meanwhile, as applications, some examples are given to illustrate our results.
FDA Approval Summary: Vemurafenib for Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma with the BRAFV600E Mutation
Authors: Kim Geoffrey , McKee Amy E. , Ning Yang-Min , Hazarika Maitreyee , Theoret Marc , Johnson John R. , Xu Qiang Casey , Tang Shenghui , Sridhara Rajeshwari , Jiang Xiaoping , He Kun , Roscoe Donna , McGuinn W. David , Helms Whitney S. , Russell Anne Marie , Miksinski Sarah Pope , Zirkelbach Jeanne Fourie , Earp Justin , Liu Qi , Ibrahim Amna , Justice Robert , Pazdur Richard 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
On August 17, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vemurafenib tablets (Zelboraf, Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc.) for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with the BRAFV600E mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. The cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.) was approved concurrently. An international, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial in 675 previously untreated patients with BRAFV600E mutation–positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma allocated 337 patients to receive vemurafenib, 960 mg orally twice daily, and 338 patients to receive dacarbazine, 1,000 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks. Overall survival was significantly improved in patients receiving vemurafenib [HR, 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.33–0.59; P &lt; 0.0001]. Progression-free survival was also significantly improved in patients receiving vemurafenib (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.20–0.33; P &lt; 0.0001). Overall response rates were 48.4% and 5.5% in the vemurafenib and dacarbazine arms, respectively. The most common adverse reactions (≥30%) in patients treated with vemurafenib were arthralgia, rash, alopecia, fatigue, photosensitivity reaction, and nausea. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas or keratoacanthomas were detected in approximately 24% of patients treated with vemurafenib. Other adverse reactions included hypersensitivity, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, uveitis, QT prolongation, and liver enzyme laboratory abnormalities. Clin Cancer Res; 20(19); 4994–5000. ©2014 AACR.
Somatic ERCC2 Mutations Correlate with Cisplatin Sensitivity in Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Van Allen Eliezer M. , Mouw Kent W. , Kim Philip , Iyer Gopa , Wagle Nikhil , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat , Zhu Cong , Ostrovnaya Irina , Kryukov Gregory V. , O'Connor Kevin W. , Sfakianos John , Garcia-Grossman Ilana , Kim Jaegil , Guancial Elizabeth A. , Bambury Richard , Bahl Samira , Gupta Namrata , Farlow Deborah , Qu Angela , Signoretti Sabina , Barletta Justine A. , Reuter Victor , Boehm Jesse , Lawrence Michael , Getz Gad , Kantoff Philip , Bochner Bernard H. , Choueiri Toni K. , Bajorin Dean F. , Solit David B. , Gabriel Stacey , D'Andrea Alan , Garraway Levi A. , Rosenberg Jonathan E. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma. Pathologic downstaging to pT0/pTis after neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy is associated with improved survival, although molecular determinants of cisplatin response are incompletely understood. We performed whole-exome sequencing on pretreatment tumor and germline DNA from 50 patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma who received neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by cystectomy (25 pT0/pTis “responders,” 25 pT2+ “nonresponders”) to identify somatic mutations that occurred preferentially in responders. ERCC2, a nucleotide excision repair gene, was the only significantly mutated gene enriched in the cisplatin responders compared with nonresponders (q &lt; 0.01). Expression of representative ERCC2 mutants in an ERCC2-deficient cell line failed to rescue cisplatin and UV sensitivity compared with wild-type ERCC2. The lack of normal ERCC2 function may contribute to cisplatin sensitivity in urothelial cancer, and somatic ERCC2 mutation status may inform cisplatin-containing regimen usage in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma.
Significance: Somatic ERCC2 mutations correlate with complete response to cisplatin-based chemosensitivity in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma, and clinically identified mutations lead to cisplatin sensitivity in vitro. Nucleotide excision repair pathway defects may drive exceptional response to conventional chemotherapy. Cancer Discov; 4(10); 1140–53. ©2014 AACR.
See related commentary by Turchi et al., p. 1118
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1103
Association of Glycemic Control With Mortality in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Sharma Praneet K. , Agarwal Shikhar , Ellis Stephen G. , Goel Sachin S. , Cho Leslie , Tuzcu E. Murat , Lincoff A. Michael , Kapadia Samir R. 
Published: August 2014

Background—
Diabetes mellitus adversely affects outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The association of baseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention with long-term mortality is unknown.

Methods and Results—

Consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention between 1998 and 2008 were identified from our institutional database. Characteristics and outcomes of patients were compared based on HbA1c categories (≤7%, 7.1%–8.0%, 8.1%–9.0%, 9.1%–10.0%, and >10.0%). Among 3008 patients, 1321 had HbA1c ≤7%, 782 with HbA1c 7.1% to 8.0%, 401 with HbA1c 8.1% to 9.0%, 229 with HbA1c 9.1% to 10.0%, and 275 with HbA1c >10%. Compared with low HbA1c (≤7%), those with highest HbA1c (>10%) were younger (56.5 versus 67.5 years), had higher total cholesterol (188 versus 157 mg/dL), more insulin use (54% versus 26%), and presented more often with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (10.9% versus 5.6%). Those with lower HbA1c (≤7%) more often had other comorbidities (more hypertension [90.4% versus 82.5%] and chronic renal failure [14.4% versus 7.6%]). On multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling, survival analysis demonstrated a trend toward higher mortality with higher HbA1c. Compared with the reference group of patients with HbA1c ≤7%, patients with HbA1c >10% had a significantly higher mortality on follow-up (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.52 [1.17–1.99];
P
=0.002). This difference was primarily seen among noninsulin users; however, insulin users had no significant differences in mortality among HbA1c categories.

Conclusions—
Patients with diabetes mellitus who were not on insulin and had poor glycemic control (HbA1c >10%) had significantly higher long-term mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention as compared with those with well-controlled diabetes mellitus, evidenced by HbA1c ≤7%. Insulin users, however, had similar rates of mortality among different HbA1c categories.
Trial Occlusion to Assess the Risk of Persistent Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension After Closure of a Large Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Adolescents and Adults With Elevated Pulmonary Artery Pressure
Authors: Zhang Duan-zhen , Zhu Xian-yang , Lv Bei , Cui Chun-sheng , Han Xiu-min , Sheng Xiao-tang , Wang Qi-guang , Zhang Po 
Published: August 2014

Background—
No method is available to predict whether patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) will show persistent postprocedural PAH (PP-PAH) after PDA closure. This study evaluated the usefulness of trial occlusion for predicting PP-PAH after transcatheter PDA closure in patients with severe PAH.

Methods and Results—
Trial occlusion was performed in 137 patients (age ≥12 years) with PDA and severe PAH. All patients undergoing trial occlusion had a mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥45 mm Hg, pulmonary:systemic flow (Qp/Qs) ratio >1.5, and pulmonary:systemic resistance (Rp/Rs) ratio <0.7. A total of 135 patients (98%) showing stable hemodynamics during occlusion trial underwent successful device closure. Linear correlation analysis revealed weak or moderate relationships between the baseline and post-trial pulmonary artery pressures and pulmonary:systemic pressure (Pp/Ps) ratios. Patients were followed up for 1 to 10 years (median: 5 years). PP-PAH (systolic pulmonary artery pressure >50 mm Hg by Doppler echocardiography) was detected in 17 patients (13%), who displayed no significant differences in sex and age compared with patients without PP-PAH. According to discriminant analysis, the strongest discriminators between patients with and without PP-PAH were the baseline left ventricular end-diastolic volume and the baseline and post-trial systolic Pp/Ps ratios. In particular, a post-trial systolic Pp/Ps ratio >0.5 correctly classified 100% of the PP-PAH and non-PAH patients.

Conclusions—
Trial occlusion is a feasible method to predict PP-PAH in patients with PDA and severe PAH. A post-trial systolic Pp/Ps ratio >0.5 indicates a high risk of PP-PAH occurrence after device closure.
Open Transapical Approach to Transcatheter Paravalvular Leakage Closure
Authors: Nijenhuis Vincent J. , Swaans Martin J. , Post Martijn C. , Heijmen Robin H. , de Kroon Thomas L. , ten Berg Jurrien M. 
Published: August 2014

Background—
Significant prosthetic paravalvular leakage (PVL) could have serious clinical consequences and impairs survival. Reoperation is associated with a high mortality rate, and transcatheter closure is a new treatment modality for high-risk patients. The goal of this study was to determine safety and midterm clinical efficacy of transcatheter PVL closure using an open transapical approach.

Methods and Results—

All consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter PVL closure in our center were prospectively enrolled. Pre- and postprocedural quality of life and 6-minute walk test were ascertained. All outcomes were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 consensus document. In total, 37 consecutive patients (mean age 67±12 years, 65% male, logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation 27±17%, Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 7±4%) with severe symptomatic PVL in mitral (81%) or aortic (19%) position underwent transcatheter PVL closure. Procedure success was 86%. Early safety at 30 days (ie, event-free survival) was 84%. The 1-year survival rate was 66%. New York Heart Association functional class and quality of life significantly improved. Clinical efficacy (ie, survival free of stroke, rehospitalization, New York Heart Association 3/4, and device-related dysfunction) was 49% at 3 months and 31% at 1 year. Moderate to severe residual PVL was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–12.1;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—
The open transapical approach to PVL closure in high-risk patients has a high procedural success rate with an acceptable risk of adverse outcomes. This is the first study to prove an increased functional capacity and quality of life after transapical PVL closure. Residual PVL is associated with 1-year mortality.
In-Hospital Switching Between Clopidogrel and Prasugrel Among Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Bagai Akshay , Wang Yongfei , Wang Tracy Y. , Curtis Jeptha P. , Gurm Hitinder S. , Shah Binita , Cheema Asim N. , Peterson Eric D. , Saucedo Jorge F. , Granger Christopher B. , Roe Matthew T. , Bhatt Deepak L. , McNamara Robert L. , Alexander Karen P. 
Published: August 2014

Background—
Although randomized clinical trials have compared clopidogrel with higher potency ADP receptor inhibitors (ADPris) among patients with myocardial infarction, little is known about the frequency and factors associated with switching between ADPris in clinical practice.

Methods and Results—
We studied 47 040 patients with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, who received either clopidogrel or prasugrel within 24 hours of admission at 361 US hospitals from July 2009 to June 2011 using the merged Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry–Get With the Guidelines and CathPCI Registry database. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to determine factors independently associated with in-hospital ADPri switching. Among 40 531 patients treated initially in-hospital with clopidogrel, 2125 (5.2%) were discharged on prasugrel; this frequency steadily increased from 0% to 7% during the study period. Among 6509 patients treated initially in-hospital with prasugrel, 751 (11.5%) were discharged on clopidogrel. The frequency of this switch increased from 6% to 18% during the first 2 quarters of the study period and decreased to 9% by the end. Switching clopidogrel to prasugrel was associated with high-risk angiographic characteristics (thrombotic, long, and bifurcating lesions), reinfarction in-hospital, and private health insurance coverage. Older age, previous cerebrovascular event, in-hospital coronary artery bypass grafting, in-hospital bleeding, and warfarin use at discharge were associated with switching prasugrel to clopidogrel.

Conclusions—
Clopidogrel and prasugrel are not uncommonly switched in-hospital in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. In contemporary US practice, in addition to risk for bleeding and recurrent ischemic events, medical drug coverage is a major determinant of ADPri selection.