bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Basic fibroblast growth factor shows prognostic impact on survival in operable non‐small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Hu Ming‐ming , Hu Ying , Gao Guang‐kuo , Han Yi , Shi Guang‐li , Li Bao‐lan 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe important role of angiogenesis displaying in tumor development and metastasis has been generally realized. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and endostatin (ES) are critical members of angiogenesis modulating the balance between pro‐angiogenenic and anti‐angiogenenic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the circulating level of these factors in serum and explore their prognostic significance in 96 operable non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.MethodsPre‐operational serum VEGF, bFGF, and ES were determined by commercially available enzyme‐link immunosorbent assay for 96 NSCLC patients and compared to a cohort of healthy controls (n = 51). Values were correlated with clinicopathological features and overall survival (OS).ResultsThe pretreatment serum levels of VEGF, bFGF and ES in NSCLC were significantly higher than in the healthy control (P < 0.001, P = 0.009 and P = 0.016, respectively). Univariate survival analysis showed that a high bFGF level correlated with shorter OS and remained an independent factor in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.918, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.061–3.464). In the squamous subtype, a high bFGF indicated a particularly poor prognosis (HR = 2.609, 95% CI, 1.188–5.729).ConclusionsbFGF is an independent predictor of poor survival in patients with NSCLC. For patients with high serum bFGF, aggressive antitumor treatments should be given after surgery. Approaches targeting the bFGF signaling pathway should be considered as potentially promising therapeutic strategies in NSCLC, especially for the squamous subtype.
Emergency Department Visits Related to Clostridium difficile Infection: Results From the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, 2006 Through 2010
Authors: Pant Chaitanya , Sferra Thomas J. , Olyaee Mojtaba , Gilroy Richard , Anderson Michael P. , Rastogi Amit , Pandya Prashant K. , Deshpande Abhishek 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to estimate emergency department (ED) visits for Clostridium difficile infection in the United States for the years 2006 through 2010.MethodsEstimates of ED visits for C. difficile infection were calculated in patients 18 years and older using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.ResultsDuring the calendar years 2006 through 2010, there were an estimated total of 491,406,018 ED visits. Of these, 462,160 ED visits were associated with a primary International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis of C. difficile. The C. difficile infection ED visit rate (visits/100,000 census population) increased from 34.1 in 2006 to 42.3 in 2010, an increase of 24% (p < 0.01). There was also a significant overall increased trend in the number of ED visits for C. difficile from 2006 through 2010 (p < 0.01). The highest ED visit rate for C. difficile was observed for patients 65 years and older (163.18 per 100,000), while the lowest visit rate was for patients aged 18 to 24 years (5.10 per 100,000). The greatest increase in C. difficile infection visits occurred in the age group 18 to 24 years.ConclusionsThese results indicate an increased trend of ED visits for C. difficile in the period 2006 through 2010 with an overall population‐adjusted increase of 24%. This represents important complementary data to previous studies reporting an increase in the rate of C. difficile infections in the U.S. hospitalized population.
You've Got Mail … and Need Follow‐up: The Effect and Patient Perception of E‐mail Follow‐up Reminders After Emergency Department Discharge
Authors: Sharp Brian , Singal Bonita , Pulia Michael , Fowler Jennifer , Simmons Stefanie 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe hypothesis was that a reminder about recommended primary care physician (PCP) follow‐up, sent via e‐mail to patients discharged from the emergency department (ED), would increase the proportion of patients who followed up with their PCPs within the recommended time frame. Patient receptiveness to e‐mail follow‐up reminders was also assessed.MethodsThis was a mixed methods clinical intervention study with subjects randomized either to receive the usual care discharge instructions only or to also receive a reminder e‐mail message the day after the ED visit. The reminder e‐mail contained the subject's PCP's name and address and the recommended PCP follow‐up time interval. A blinded review of outpatient PCP medical records was conducted to determine whether and when follow‐up occurred. Researchers attempted to contact patients with a telephone survey 2 weeks after their ED visits. The primary outcomes between groups were compared using chi‐square tests and relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThirty‐three percent of the intervention group and 32% of the control group followed‐up as recommended (RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.81 to 1.33); 52% of the intervention group and 48% of the control group followed‐up within 10 days of the recommended time (RR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.29). The 334 patients (57%) successfully contacted via telephone demonstrated a high interest in receiving future e‐mail reminders (75%), with the group that received e‐mail reminders more likely to want one in the future than those who did not receive e‐mail reminders (82.5% vs. 69.76%; p = 0.04).ConclusionsE‐mail reminders sent after ED visits did not improve patients' adherence to the recommended timing of primary care follow‐up contained in discharge instructions. Subjects in both the control and the intervention groups favorably viewed the concept of e‐mail reminders, suggesting that the value of e‐mail reminders after ED discharge may be in areas such as patient satisfaction that were not specifically targeted for measurement in this study.
Correlation between ethanol behavioral sensitization and midbrain dopamine neuron reactivity to ethanol
Authors: Didone Vincent , Masson Sébastien , Quoilin Caroline , Seutin Vincent , Quertemont Etienne 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRepeated ethanol injections lead to a sensitization of its stimulant effects in mice. Some recent results argue against a role for ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons in ethanol behavioral sensitization. The aim of the present study was to test whether in vivo ethanol locomotor sensitization correlates with changes in either basal‐ or ethanol‐evoked firing rates of dopamine neurons in vitro. Female Swiss mice were daily injected with 2.5 g/kg ethanol (or saline in the control group) for 7 days and their locomotor activity was recorded. At the end of the sensitization procedure, extracellular recordings were made from dopaminergic neurons in midbrain slices from these mice. Significantly higher spontaneous basal firing rates of dopamine neurons were recorded in ethanol‐sensitized mice relative to control mice, but without correlations with the behavioral effects. The superfusion of sulpiride, a dopamine D2 antagonist, induced a stronger increase of dopamine neuron firing rates in ethanol‐sensitized mice. This shows that the D2 feedback in dopamine neurons is preserved after chronic ethanol administration and argues against a reduced D2 feedback as an explanation for the increased dopamine neuron basal firing rates in ethanol‐sensitized mice. Finally, ethanol superfusion (10–100 mM) significantly increased the firing rates of dopamine neurons and this effect was of higher magnitude in ethanol‐sensitized mice. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between such a sensitization of dopamine neuron activity and ethanol behavioral sensitization. These results support the hypothesis that changes in brain dopamine neuron activity contribute to the behavioral sensitization of the stimulant effects of ethanol.
Tracking the evolution of drug abuse in China, 2003–10: a retrospective, self‐controlled study
Authors: Jia Zhongwei , Liu Zhiming , Chu Ping , McGoogan Jennifer M. , Cong Minchao , Shi Jie , Lu Lin 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimTo characterize trends in drug abuse in China before and after the 2005 initiation of the ‘People's War on Drugs’.DesignRetrospective self‐controlled study.SettingAnnual, nation‐wide surveillance from 2003 to 2010 of all registered drug users in China's National Surveillance System on Drug Abuse (NSSDA).ParticipantsA total of 1 184 124 drug users registered in NSSDA were involved in this study and were classified into three groups based on registered dates—pre‐war group (n = 230 278) registered 2003–04, phase I group (n = 518 651) registered 2005–07 and phase II group (n = 435 195) registered 2008–10.MeasurementsIndicators included proportions of:(i) new and relapsed drug users, (ii) heroin and synthetic drug users among new users, (iii) people aged 35 years or younger and (iv) women. Comparisons were made across groups using annual data to describe temporal trends.FindingsBetween 2003 and 2010 the proportion of heroin users decreased by 52.3% and synthetic drugs use increased 860.7% among new users, while a 12.8% decrease in the proportion of heroin users and a 918.8% increase in synthetic drug use in all users was detected. Compared with the pre‐war group, the proportion of relapsed users decreased 2.6% and 29.1% in the phase I and phase II groups, respectively, but a significant increase in the proportion of new users was found in phase I (OR = 1.24, CI = 1.15‐1.35, p < 0.0001), followed by an apparent decrease in phase II compared with phase I (OR = 0.75, CI = 0.70‐0.80, p < 0.0001). Similarly, the proportion of heroin users decreased 15.1 and 24.2% among new drug users in phase I and phase II in comparison with the pre‐war group.ConclusionThe decrease in proportions of drug users in China between 2003/4 and 2008/10 may suggest some positive influence of the ‘People's War on Drugs’, especially in the decreased proportion of relapsed users. In contrast, there was a rapid increase in new synthetic drug use over the same period.
Needle and syringe exchange programmes and prevalence of HIV infection among intravenous drug users in China
Authors: Luo Wei , Wu Zunyou , Poundstone Katharine , McGoogan Jennifer M. , Dong Willa , Pang Lin , Rou Keming , Wang Changhe , Cao Xiaobin 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimTo examine the association between needle and syringe exchange programme (NSEP) participation and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among intravenous drug users (IDUs) in China.DesignCross‐sectional survey study design.SettingSix counties with active NSEP were selected from each of the seven provinces with active NSEP sampled, resulting in a sample of 42 counties in China.ParticipantsSubjects were aged more than 18 years and had injected drugs in the past month before the survey, but were excluded if they were currently enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment in order to avoid mixed effects.MeasurementsHIV prevalence was the primary measure. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and P‐values were calculated to evaluate associations between HIV infection and NSEP participation.FindingsA total of 3494 IDUs were interviewed, of whom 1928 (55.2%) were NSEP attendees (meaning they had attended NSEP at least once in their life‐time). The unadjusted HIV prevalence was 13.9% among NSEP attendees and 16.5% among NSEP non‐attendees (meaning IDUs who had never used NSEP services). After adjusting for potential confounders and taking into account the variation between counties, NSEP non‐attendees were 1.67 times more likely to be HIV‐positive compared to NSEP attendees (OR = 1.67, CI = 1.19–2.32, P = 0.0031).ConclusionsParticipation in needle and syringe exchange programmes was associated with a substantially lower risk of HIV infection among intravenous drug users in China. Needle and syringe exchange programmes should be expanded to include those who are needle and syringe exchange programme non‐attendees.
Full‐term newborn after repeated ovarian tissue transplants in a patient treated for Ewing sarcoma by sterilizing pelvic irradiation and chemotherapy
Authors: Rodriguez‐Wallberg Kenny A. , Karlström Per‐Olof , Rezapour Masoumeh , Castellanos Enrique , Hreinsson Julius , Rasmussen Carsten , Sheikhi Mona , Ouvrier Bettina , Bozóky Béla , Olofsson Jan I. , Lundqvist Monalill , Hovatta Outi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe report the first successful transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian cortical tissue into heavily irradiated tissues in a patient who had received sterilizing pelvic radiotherapy (54 Gy) and 40 weeks of intensive high‐dose chemotherapy for the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma 14 years earlier. Repeated transplantation procedures were required to obtain fully functional follicular development. Enlargement of the transplants over time and increase of the size of the uterus were demonstrated on sequential ultrasonographic examinations. Eggs of good quality that could be fertilized in vitro were obtained only after a substantial incremental increase of the amount of ovarian tissue transplanted. Single embryo replacement resulted in a normal pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child by cesarean section at full‐term. No neonatal or maternal postoperative complications occurred. Women facing high‐dose pelvic radiotherapy should not be systematically excluded from fertility preservation options, as is currently the trend.
Can inter‐professional simulation training influence the frequency of blood transfusions after birth?
Authors: Egenberg Signe , Øian Pål , Bru Lars Edvin , Sautter Michael , Kristoffersen Gunn , Eggebø Torbjørn Moe 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether inter‐professional simulation training influenced the rate of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions after birth.DesignTwo cohorts were compared retrospectively using a pre–post design.SettingNorwegian university hospital with 4800 deliveries annually.PopulationWomen with estimated blood loss >500 mL within 24 h after birth in 2009 and 2011.MethodsIn 2010, all maternity staff attended a 6‐h, scenario‐based training on emergency obstetrics including postpartum hemorrhage, using a birthing simulator. The simulation focused on prevention, identification, and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage and on communication and leadership. Debrief immediately after the scenarios involved reflection and self‐assessment.Main outcome measuresThe frequency of women receiving RBC transfusions as a marker for blood loss. Secondary outcome was the frequency of surgical procedures in the management of postpartum hemorrhage.ResultsIn 2009, 111/534 (20.8%) women with estimated blood loss >500 mL after birth received RBC transfusions vs. 67/546 (12.3%) in 2011 (p < 0.01). The adjusted odds ratio for women receiving RBC transfusions in 2011 vs. 2009 was 0.53 (95% CI 0.38–0.74). Parity, oxytocin augmentation, duration of second stage, episiotomy, operative vaginal delivery, and sphincter injury were included in the final model. The odds ratio was stable in all combinations of possible confounders. We observed a significant reduction in the frequencies of curettage (p < 0.01) and uterine artery embolizations (p = 0.01).ConclusionWe found a significant reduction in RBC transfusions after birth, which might be associated with mandatory simulation training. A causal link cannot be documented because of complex interactions of several variables.
Contrast‐enhanced MRI in preoperative assessment of myometrial and cervical invasion, and lymph node metastasis: diagnostic value and error analysis in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Teng Fei , Zhang Yan‐Fang , Wang Ying‐Mei , Yu Jing , Lang Xu , Tian Wen‐Yan , Jiang Chang‐Xin , Xue Feng‐Xia 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the ability of contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to predict myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, and pelvic lymph node metastasis in endometrial carcinoma and to analyze factors that lead to errors in this identification.DesignA retrospective study.SettingUniversity general hospital.PopulationA total of 167 women diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma.MethodsAll patients received a preoperative contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scan. Histopathological findings were used as the definitive diagnosis.Main outcome measuresThe results were compared with histopathological findings, factors that make accurate assessment of myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, and pelvic lymph node metastasis difficult by contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were 90.9, 91.8, 91.6, 73.2 and 97.6%, respectively, for identifying deep myometrial invasion; 84.2, 96.0, 94.6, 72.7 and 97.9%, respectively, for identifying cervical invasion; and 45.0, 91.2, 85.6, 40.9 and 92.4%, respectively, for identifying pelvic lymph node metastasis. The main causes of error in contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were myomas, cornual lesions, deep myometrial invasion, large tumor size, non‐endometrioid tumor type, and lower tumor grade.ConclusionContrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging has a high accuracy and a low tendency to produce false‐negative predictive values. Gynecological oncologists should combine the imaging data and clinical information to make therapeutic decisions and avoid diagnostic errors.
Human legacies differentially organize functional and phylogenetic diversity of urban herbaceous plant communities at multiple spatial scales
Authors: Johnson Anna L. , Tauzer Erica C. , Swan Christopher M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractQuestionsPatterns of functional and phylogenetic homogenization of plant diversity at the scale of entire cities are well established. However, fewer studies have investigated how shifts in the composition of urban species pools may alter spatial variation in community assembly across patches within a city. We compared plant diversity both within and between vacant lots in a single urban neighborhood and asked: (1) how do heterogeneous human legacies of land use within vacant lots structure plant community diversity and composition and (2) what is the importance of human legacies for structuring community composition, relative to spatial and environmental variation?LocationUrban residential neighbourhood in Baltimore, MD, US (39°17′ N, 76°38′ W).MethodsWe surveyed herbaceous plant species identity and abundance in 24 unmanaged vacant lots. We constructed functional and phylogenetic diversity metrics from databases and the literature and compared taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity between sections of the lot where a residential building was once located (building footprint), and the area that was originally the garden or backyard (remnant garden). We term these different ‘human legacy’ groups. We partitioned variation in plant community composition between human legacy groups as well as across measured environmental and spatial gradients.ResultsWe report significant plant community compositional divergence between human legacy groups. Beta‐diversity, in particular, was significantly higher in remnant garden sections compared to building footprint sections for all metrics of biodiversity. Plant community compositional variation was primarily explained by differences in human legacies. We found no measurable effects of selected metrics of local environmental variation (abiotic soil characteristics) or environmental context (lot area, proximity to other vacant lots and tree canopy) on compositional variation. Geographic distance between sites, however, did interact with human legacy variation to structure phylogenetic composition.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that human land‐use legacies have complex but measurable effects on both the patterns and the processes by which species co‐existence is maintained across the urban landscape. Within a single habitat type (here, residential vacant lots), variation in legacies of land use may have a stronger plant community structuring effect than contemporary environmental variation.
The effect of tafamidis on the QTc interval in healthy subjects
Authors: Klamerus Karen J. , Watsky Eric , Moller Robert , Wang Ronnie , Riley Steve 
Published: December 2014

AimsThe transthyretin (TTR) stabilizer, tafamidis, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of TTR familial amyloid polyneuropathy (20 mg day−1). Tafamidis use in TTR cardiomyopathy led to the study of the potential effect of tafamidis on the QTc interval in healthy subjects.MethodsThis randomized, three treatment, three period, six sequence crossover study with placebo, a positive control (moxifloxacin 400 mg) and tafamidis (400 mg, to achieve a supra‐therapeutic Cmax of ~20 µg ml−1) was conducted in healthy volunteers at three clinical research units. Oral dosing in each of the three treatment periods was separated by a washout period of  ≥ 14 days. Serial triplicate 12‐lead electrocardiograms were performed. QTc intervals were derived using the Fridericia correction method. Safety and tolerability were assessed by physical examination, vital signs measurement, laboratory analyses and monitoring of adverse events (AEs).ResultsA total of 42 subjects completed the study. The upper limit of the two‐sided 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the difference in baseline‐adjusted QTcF between tafamidis 400 mg and placebo was <10 ms (non‐inferiority criterion) for all time points. The lower limit of the two‐sided 90% CI between moxifloxacin 400 mg and placebo exceeded 5 ms at the pre‐specified moxifloxacin tmax of 3 h post‐dose, confirming assay sensitivity. Cmax and AUC(0,24 h) for tafamidis were 20.36 µg ml−1 and 305.4 µg ml−1 h, respectively. There were no serious/severe AEs or treatment discontinuations due to AEs.ConclusionsThis thorough QTc study suggests that a supra‐therapeutic single 400 mg oral dose of tafamidis does not prolong the QTc interval and is well‐tolerated in healthy volunteers.
‘Partial’ competition of heterobivalent ligand binding may be mistaken for allosteric interactions: a comparison of different target interaction models
Authors: Vauquelin Georges , Hall David , Charlton Steven J 
Published: December 2014

Background and PurposeNon‐competitive drugs that confer allosteric modulation of orthosteric ligand binding are of increasing interest as therapeutic agents. Sought‐after advantages include a ceiling level to drug effect and greater receptor‐subtype selectivity. It is thus important to determine the mode of interaction of newly identified receptor ligands early in the drug discovery process and binding studies with labelled orthosteric ligands constitute a traditional approach for this. According to the general allosteric ternary complex model, allosteric ligands that exhibit negative cooperativity may generate distinctive ‘competition’ curves: they will not reach baseline levels and their nadir will increase in par with the orthosteric ligand concentration. This behaviour is often considered a key hallmark of allosteric interactions.Experimental ApproachThe present study is based on differential equation‐based simulations.Key ResultsThe differential equation‐based simulations revealed that the same ‘competition binding’ pattern was also obtained when a monovalent ligand binds to one of the target sites of a heterobivalent ligand, even if this process is exempt of allosteric interactions. This pattern was not strictly reciprocal when the binding of each of the ligands was recorded. The prominence of this phenomenon may vary from one heterobivalent ligand to another and we suggest that this phenomenon may take place with ligands that have been proposed to bind according to ‘two‐domain’ and ‘charnière’ models.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe present findings indicate a familiar experimental situation where bivalency may give rise to observations that could inadvertently be interpreted as allosteric binding. Yet, both mechanisms could be differentiated based on alternative experiments and structural considerations.