bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspiration pneumonia after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Xu Beibei , Boero Isabel J. , Hwang Lindsay , Le Quynh‐Thu , Moiseenko Vitali , Sanghvi Parag R. , Cohen Ezra E. W. , Mell Loren K. , Murphy James D. 
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUNDAspiration pneumonia represents an under‐reported complication of chemoradiotherapy in patient with head and neck cancer. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and mortality of aspiration pneumonia in a large cohort of patients with head and neck cancer who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy.METHODSPatients who had head and neck cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2009 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare database. Aspiration pneumonia was identified from Medicare billing claims. The cumulative incidence, risk factors, and survival after aspiration pneumonia were estimated and compared with a noncancer population.RESULTSOf 3513 patients with head and neck cancer, 801 developed aspiration pneumonia at a median of 5 months after initiating treatment. The 1‐year and 5‐year cumulative incidence of aspiration pneumonia was 15.8% and 23.8%, respectively, for patients with head and neck cancer and 3.6% and 8.7%, respectively, for noncancer controls. Among the patients with cancer, multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors (P < .05) for aspiration pneumonia, including hypopharyngeal and nasopharyngeal tumors, male gender, older age, increased comorbidity, no surgery before radiation, and care received at a teaching hospital. Among the patients with cancer who experienced aspiration pneumonia, 674 (84%) were hospitalized; and, of these, 301 (45%) were admitted to an intensive care unit. The 30‐day mortality rate after hospitalization for aspiration pneumonia was 32.5%. Aspiration pneumonia was associated with a 42% increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.42; P < .001) after controlling for confounders.CONCLUSIONSThe current results indicated that nearly 25% of elderly patients will develop aspiration pneumonia within 5 years after receiving chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer. A better understanding of mitigating factors will help identify patients who are at risk for this potentially lethal complication. Cancer 2015;121:1303–1311. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Performance of digital screening mammography among older women in the United States
Authors: Henderson Louise M. , O'Meara Ellen S. , Braithwaite Dejana , Onega Tracy ,   for the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUNDAlthough healthy women aged 65 years have a life expectancy of 20 years, there is a paucity of data on the performance of digital screening mammography among these women. The authors examined the performance and outcomes of digital screening mammography among a national group of women aged ≥65 years.METHODSFrom Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium data for the years 2005 to 2011, the authors included 296,496 full‐field digital screening mammograms among 133,042 women ages ≥65 years without a history of breast cancer. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV1), recall rates, and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated across the spectrum of age and breast density. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare mammography accuracy, cancer‐detection rates (CDRs), and tumor characteristics by age and breast density.RESULTSMultivariate analyses revealed a significant decrease in the recall rate with age (P for linear trend [Ptrend] < .001) and significant increases in specificity, PPV1, and CDR with age (Ptrend < .001, Ptrend < .001, and Ptrend = .01, respectively). Sensitivity did not vary significantly with age. Among women with cancer, the proportion with invasive disease increased with age from 76% at ages 65 to 74 years to 81% at ages ≥80 years. There was a higher proportion of late stage cancers and positive lymph nodes among women ages 65 to 74 years compared with women in the older age groups.CONCLUSIONSThe specificity, PPV1, recall rate, and CDR of digital screening mammography improved with increased age. In addition, as age increased, the proportion of women with invasive versus ductal carcinoma in situ rose, whereas the proportion of women with positive lymph nodes decreased. Cancer 2015;121:1379–1386. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Clinical and pathological predictors of estimated GFR decline in patients with type 2 diabetes and overt proteinuric diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Mise Koki , Hoshino Junichi , Ueno Toshiharu , Hazue Ryo , Sumida Keiichi , Hiramatsu Rikako , Hasegawa Eiko , Yamanouchi Masayuki , Hayami Noriko , Suwabe Tatsuya , Sawa Naoki , Fujii Takeshi , Hara Shigeko , Ohashi Kenichi , Takaichi Kenmei , Ubara Yoshifumi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of clinical and pathological parameters on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline has not been investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes and overt proteinuric biopsy‐proven diabetic nephropathy.MethodsAmong 198 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent renal biopsy and were confirmed to have pure diabetic nephropathy according to the recent classification, 128 patients with overt proteinuria were enrolled. Receiver operating characteristic, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analyses were performed using models adjusted for various clinical and pathological covariates to determine the best predictors of rapid eGFR decline [defined as >14.9%/year (median eGFR decline)].ResultsA model that incorporated proteinuria showed the largest area under the curve (AUC) among clinical models, which suggested that proteinuria was the best clinical predictor. Although a model incorporating interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) score did not display a significantly larger AUC than the model with proteinuria (0.843 vs 0.812, respectively, p = 0.47), a model with both IFTA score and proteinuria had a significantly larger AUC than the model with proteinuria alone (0.875 vs 0.812, respectively, p = 0.014). Similarly, the addition of IFTA score resulted in a significantly greater net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement than the model with proteinuria alone [NRI: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.43–1.13; p < 0.001), IDI: 0.13 (95% CI: 0.07–0.19; p < 0.001)].ConclusionsOur results suggest that not only proteinuria but also tubulointerstitial lesions should be assessed to predict rapid eGFR decline in patients with type 2 diabetes who have overt proteinuria and biopsy‐proven diabetic nephropathy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic analysis shows low levels of hybridization between African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) and domestic cats (F. s. catus) in South Africa
Authors: Le Roux Johannes J. , Foxcroft Llewellyn C. , Herbst Marna , MacFadyen Sandra 
Published: December 2014

AbstractHybridization between domestic and wild animals is a major concern for biodiversity conservation, and as habitats become increasingly fragmented, conserving biodiversity at all levels, including genetic, becomes increasingly important. Except for tropical forests and true deserts, African wildcats occur across the African continent; however, almost no work has been carried out to assess its genetic status and extent of hybridization with domestic cats. For example, in South Africa it has been argued that the long‐term viability of maintaining pure wildcat populations lies in large protected areas only, isolated from human populations. Two of the largest protected areas in Africa, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier and Kruger National Parks, as well as the size of South Africa and range of landscape uses, provide a model situation to assess how habitat fragmentation and heterogeneity influences the genetic purity of African wildcats. Using population genetic and home range data, we examined the genetic purity of African wildcats and their suspected hybrids across South Africa, including areas within and outside of protected areas. Overall, we found African wildcat populations to be genetically relatively pure, but instances of hybridization and a significant relationship between the genetic distinctiveness (purity) of wildcats and human population pressure were evident. The genetically purest African wildcats were found in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, while samples from around Kruger National Park showed cause for concern, especially combined with the substantial human population density along the park's boundary. While African wildcat populations in South Africa generally appear to be genetically pure, with low levels of hybridization, our genetic data do suggest that protected areas may play an important role in maintaining genetic purity by reducing the likelihood of contact with domestic cats. We suggest that approaches such as corridors between protected areas are unlikely to remain effective for wildcat conservation, as the proximity to human settlements around these areas is projected to increase the wild/domestic animal interface. Thus, large, isolated protected areas will become increasingly important for wildcat conservation and efforts need to be made to prevent introduction of domestic cats into these areas.
Novel fatty acid esters of apocynin oxime exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant activities
Authors: Sammaiah Arukali , Kaki Shiva Shanker , Manoj Gorantla N. V. T. Sai , Poornachandra Y. , Kumar C. Ganesh , Prasad R. B. N. 
Published: December 2014

Apocynin (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy acetophenone), a well known phytochemical, was converted to its oxime and further esterified with fatty acids of different chain lengths (C4‐C18) to obtain the oxime esters in about 80% yields. The structures of the oxime esters were confirmed using NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. The prepared oxime esters of fatty acids and apocynin were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. It was observed that the oxime ester of undecenoic acid was the most active apocynin oxime ester that exhibited both antibacterial and antifungal activities. From a mechanistic perspective, it was found that the oxime ester of undecenoic acid acted as an ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor, confirming its antifungal property. All the compounds exhibited moderate antioxidant activity based on different assays such as DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide free radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.Practical application: The fatty oxime ester could be promising as novel antifungal agent, in view of the increasing resistance of pathogenic fungi to antifungal agents.Oxime esters of apocynin.
Synthesis of a Phenazine‐Based 1,2,3‐Triazole from Naturally Occurring Naphthoquinone Designed as a Probe for Cd2+ Ions
Authors: Jardim Guilherme A. M. , Calado Hállen D. R. , Cury Luiz A. , da Silva Júnior Eufrânio N. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe synthesis of a phenazine‐based 1,2,3‐triazole luminescent probe was successfully accomplished from the available natural product lapachol, which was easily extracted from the heartwood of Tabebuia sp. (Tecoma). Photophysics and fluorescence studies were conducted by using the probe in the presence of metal ions (Cd2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Hg2+, Mg2+, Na+, Ni2+, Ag+, Pb2+, Zr2+, and Zn2+ as their chloride salts with the exceptions of silver and lead that were used as acetates). The probe was able to detect Cd2+ ions in H2O/CH3CN (8.5:1.5 v/v) medium. Studies performed with the sensor in a solution of cadmium chloride resulted in a green color after ultraviolet excitation, but for most metals blue color was observed, which could be detected by the naked eye. This is the first report of a lapachol, an accessible naphthoquinoidal compound, having been used to prepare a probe to detect the heavy metal cadmium.
Future Costs, Fixed Healthcare Budgets, and the Decision Rules of Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: van Baal Pieter , Meltzer David , Brouwer Werner 
Published: December 2014

AbstractLife‐saving medical technologies result in additional demand for health care due to increased life expectancy. However, most economic evaluations do not include all medical costs that may result from this additional demand in health care and include only future costs of related illnesses. Although there has been much debate regarding the question to which extent future costs should be included from a societal perspective, the appropriate role of future medical costs in the widely adopted but more narrow healthcare perspective has been neglected. Using a theoretical model, we demonstrate that optimal decision rules for cost‐effectiveness analyses assuming fixed healthcare budgets dictate that future costs of both related and unrelated medical care should be included. Practical relevance of including the costs of future unrelated medical care is illustrated using the example of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Our findings suggest that guidelines should prescribe inclusion of these costs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explorative study on quality of life in relation to salivary secretion rate in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy
Authors: Almståhl Annica , Alstad Torgny , Fagerberg‐Mohlin Bodil , Carlén Anette , Finizia Caterina 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundRadiotherapy (RT) to the head and neck region often results in oral complications. In this explorative study, the pretreatment and posttreatment (6 months and 12 months) quality of life (QOL) was analyzed for patients with head and neck cancer. The associations between QOL and salivary secretion rates were analyzed.MethodsIn 29 patients (19 men and 10 women; mean age, 59 ± 8 years), the stimulated whole salivary secretion and buccal minor gland secretion were measured. The patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Core 30‐questions (EORTC‐QLQ‐C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Core 30 Head and Neck 35‐questions (EORTC‐QLQ‐C30‐H&N35) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ResultsOne year after the completion of RT, patients with hyposalivation (≤0.7 mL/min) reported clinically meaningful, but not statistically significant differences, in cognitive functioning, insomnia, swallowing, social eating, dry mouth, sticky saliva, and use of painkillers. Statistically significant differences were found for emotional functioning, sticky saliva, and dyspnea (p < .05). Thirty‐three percent of them had a HADS score suggesting anxiety problems, compared with 8% for those with whole stimulated salivary secretion rates >0.7 mL/min.ConclusionRT in the head and neck region, also using intensity‐modulated RT, is associated with many aspects of life, such as cognitive functioning, insomnia, dry mouth, and sticky saliva, especially for those with hyposalivation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 782–791, 2016
Nanostructured Ti‐Zr‐Pd‐Si‐(Nb) bulk metallic composites: Novel biocompatible materials with superior mechanical strength and elastic recovery
Authors: Hynowska A. , Blanquer A. , Pellicer E. , Fornell J. , Suriñach S. , Baró M. D. , Gebert A. , Calin M. , Eckert J. , Nogués C. , Ibáñez E. , Barrios L. , Sort J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe microstructure, mechanical behaviour, and biocompatibility (cell culture, morphology, and cell adhesion) of nanostructured Ti45Zr15Pd35‐xSi5Nbx with x = 0, 5 (at. %) alloys, synthesized by arc melting and subsequent Cu mould suction casting, in the form of rods with 3 mm in diameter, are investigated. Both Ti‐Zr‐Pd‐Si‐(Nb) materials show a multi‐phase (composite‐like) microstructure. The main phase is cubic β‐Ti phase (Im3m) but hexagonal α‐Ti (P63/mmc), cubic TiPd (Pm3m), cubic PdZr (Fm3m), and hexagonal (Ti, Zr)5Si3 (P63/mmc) phases are also present. Nanoindentation experiments show that the Ti45Zr15Pd30Si5Nb5 sample exhibits lower Young's modulus than Ti45Zr15Pd35Si5. Conversely, Ti45Zr15Pd35Si5 is mechanically harder. Actually, both alloys exhibit larger values of hardness when compared with commercial Ti‐40Nb, (HTi‐Zr‐Pd‐Si ≈ 14 GPa, HTi‐Zr‐Pd‐Si‐Nb ≈ 10 GPa and HTi‐40Nb ≈ 2.7 GPa). Concerning the biological behaviour, preliminary results of cell viability performed on several Ti‐Zr‐Pd‐Si‐(Nb) discs indicate that the number of live cells is superior to 94% in both cases. The studied Ti‐Zr‐Pd‐Si‐(Nb) bulk metallic system is thus interesting for biomedical applications because of the outstanding mechanical properties (relatively low Young's modulus combined with large hardness), together with the excellent biocompatibility. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1569–1579, 2015.
miR‐155 Regulates Glioma Cells Invasion and Chemosensitivity by p38 Isforms In Vitro
Authors: Liu Qiang , Zou Ran , Zhou Rouxi , Gong Chaofan , Wang Zhifei , Cai Tao , Tan Chaochao , Fang Jiasheng 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe critical role of microRNAs in cancer development has been extensively described. miRNAs are both specific markers and putative therapy targets. miR‐155 has been identified to be an oncomiRNA and is highly expressed in several solid cancers, including glioblastoma. In this study, we found that miR‐155 is a good potential therapy target. Knockdown of miR‐155 sensitizes glioma cells to the chemotherapy of temozolomide (TMZ) by targeting the p38 isoforms mitogen‐activated protein kinase 13 [MAPK13, also known as p38 MAPKδ or stress‐activated protein kinase 4 (SAPK4)] and MAPK14 (also known as p38 MAPKα). As tumor suppressor genes, MAPK13 and MAPK14 play important roles in lowering the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing cell apoptosis, and slowing the progression of cancer. Knockdown of miR‐155 enhanced the anticancer effect of TMZ on glioma by targeting the MAPK13 and MAPK14‐mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis, but did not affect the secretion of MMP2 and MMP9. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1213–1221, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bupivacaine in combination with fentanyl or sufentanil in epidural/intrathecal analgesia for labor: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Huixia , Gao Chengjie 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis study is to compare the effectiveness of combinational use of bupivacaine with fentanyl (BUPI‐FEN) and sufentanil (BUPI‐SUF) in epidural/intrathecal analgesia for labor. Electronic databases were searched for relevant research papers published between 1985 and 2014. Meta‐analyses of mean differences or odds ratios were performed and statistical heterogeneity between the studies tested by I2 index. Ten studies recruiting a total of 728 women in labor were selected. Concentrations of the anesthetics used as mean ± sd were bupivacaine 0.115 ± 0.056%, fentanyl 0.0007 ± 0.001%, and sufentanil 0.00017 ± 0.00022%. Duration of analgesia was not significantly different between BUPI‐SUF and BUPI‐FEN administered mothers (mean difference [95%CI] of −33.55 [−74.94, 7.83] minutes; P = .11) under random effects. The onset of analgesia was also not significantly different between both groups (mean difference [95%CI] of −0.61 [−1.38, 0.16] minutes; P = .12). The number of neonates with Apgar score < 7 was significantly lower in BUPI‐FEN group (odd ratio [95%CI] of 0.31 [0.10, 0.95]; P < .05). Pruritus incidence was similar. In conclusion, BUPI‐FEN combination exhibits significantly better tolerability at an approximate ratio of 6 FEN:1 SUF, albeit, both fentanyl and sufentanil in combination with bupivacaine provide similar analgesic properties via the epidural or intrathecal routes for labor pain relief.
Validity of the Contextual Competence Scale for Engineering Students
Authors: Ro Hyun Kyoung , Merson Dan , Lattuca Lisa R. , Terenzini Patrick T. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundEngineering educators and practitioners increasingly value contextual competence. A psychometrically sound, practical, and useful scale for assessing undergraduate engineering students' contextual competence is needed.Purpose/HypothesisThis article provides comprehensive evidence of the content, structural, discriminant, and criterion‐related validity of the contextual competence scale.Design/MethodThis study used student, alumni, and faculty survey data from a nationally representative sample of 120 U.S. engineering programs from 31 four‐year institutions. Validity evidence was obtained by expert review of questions, a pilot test, factor analyses, and several analyses utilizingt‐tests, correlations, and regression.ResultsExperts constructed the questions used in the scale (content validity). Those questions combined to measure a single concept (structural validity), the scale reliably measures (Cronbach's alpha = .91) that concept, and it focuses on contextual competence instead of other student outcomes (discriminant validity). The contextual competence scale varies according to students' characteristics and curricular experiences as well as similarities and differences in student and alumni levels of contextual competence in the same programs and institutions (criterion‐related validity). Finally, the scale may be a more accurate measure of contextual competence than faculty members' perceptions of students' ability.ConclusionsThe contextual competence scale allows engineering programs to meet ABET and other self‐study requirements or do large‐scale research with relative ease and little expense. The process described in this article can be used by other researchers in engineering education for their scale development efforts.
Motivational and Self‐Regulated Learning Profiles of Students Taking a Foundational Engineering Course
Authors: Nelson Katherine G. , Shell Duane F. , Husman Jenefer , Fishman Evan J. , Soh Leen‐Kiat 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundTechnical, nonengineering required courses taken at the onset of an engineering degree provide students a foundation for engineering coursework. Students who perform poorly in these foundational courses, even in those tailored to engineering, typically have limited success in engineering. A profile approach may explain why these courses are obstacles for engineering students. This approach examines the interaction among motivation and self‐regulation constructs.Purpose (Hypothesis)This project sought to determine what motivational and self‐regulated learning profiles engineering students adopt in foundational courses. We hypothesized that engineering students would adopt profiles associated with maladaptive motivational beliefs and self‐regulated learning behaviors. The effects of profile adoption on learning and differences associated with student major, minor, and gender were analyzed.Design/MethodFive hundred and thirty‐eight students, 332 of them engineering majors, were surveyed on motivation and self‐regulation variables. Data were analyzed from a learner‐centered profile approach using cluster analysis.ResultsWe obtained a five‐cluster learning profile solution. Approximately 83% of engineering students enrolled in an engineering‐tailored foundational computer science course adopted maladaptive profiles. These students learned less than those who adopted adaptive learning profiles. Profile adoption depended on whether a student was considering a major or minor in computer science or not.ConclusionsFindings indicate the motivational and self‐regulated learning profiles that engineering students adopt in foundational courses, why they do so, and what profile adoption means for learning. Our findings can guide instructors in providing motivational beliefs and self‐regulated learning scaffolds in the classroom.