bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analytical Performance of Glucose Monitoring Systems at Different Blood Glucose Ranges and Analysis of Outliers in a Clinical Setting
Authors: Hasslacher Christoph , Kulozik Felix , Platten Isabel 
Published: February 2014

Background: We investigated the analytical accuracy of 27 glucose monitoring systems (GMS) in a clinical setting, using the new ISO accuracy limits. In addition to measuring accuracy at blood glucose (BG) levels < 100 mg/dl and > 100 mg/dl, we also analyzed devices performance with respect to these criteria at 5 specific BG level ranges, making it possible to further differentiate between devices with regard to overall performance. Methods: Carbohydrate meals and insulin injections were used to induce an increase or decrease in BG levels in 37 insulin-dependent patients. Capillary blood samples were collected at 10-minute intervals, and BG levels determined simultaneously using GMS and a laboratory-based method. Results obtained via both methods were analyzed according to the new ISO criteria. Results: Only 12 of 27 devices tested met overall requirements of the new ISO accuracy limits. When accuracy was assessed at BG levels < 100 mg/dl and > 100 mg/dl, criteria were met by 14 and 13 devices, respectively. A more detailed analysis involving 5 different BG level ranges revealed that 13 (48.1%) devices met the required criteria at BG levels between 50 and 150 mg/dl, whereas 19 (70.3%) met these criteria at BG levels above 250 mg/dl. The overall frequency of outliers was low. Conclusions: The assessment of analytical accuracy of GMS at a number of BG level ranges made it possible to further differentiate between devices with regard to overall performance, a process that is of particular importance given the user-centered nature of the devices’ intended use.
Sports Hernia/Athletic Pubalgia
Authors: Larson Christopher M. 
Published: February 2014

Context: Sports hernia/athletic pubalgia has received increasing attention as a source of disability and time lost from athletics. Studies are limited, however, lacking consistent objective criteria for making the diagnosis and assessing outcomes. Evidence Acquisition: PubMed database through January 2013 and hand searches of the reference lists of pertinent articles. Study Design: Review article. Level of Evidence: Level 5. Results: Nonsurgical outcomes have not been well reported. Various surgical approaches have return-to–athletic activity rates of >80% regardless of the approach. The variety of procedures and lack of outcomes measures in these studies make it difficult to compare one surgical approach to another. There is increasing evidence that there is an association between range of motion–limiting hip disorders (femoroacetabular impingement) and sports hernia/athletic pubalgia in a subset of athletes. This has added increased complexity to the decision-making process regarding treatment. Conclusion: An association between femoroacetabular impingement and athletic pubalgia has been recognized, with better outcomes reported when both are managed concurrently or in a staged manner.
A Painful Finger as First Sign of a Malignancy
Authors: van Veenendaal Linde M. , de Klerk Gijs , Velde Detlef van der 
Published: February 2014

Introduction: Bone metastases are frequently seen in patients with malignancies, but only 0.007% to 0.3% of these metastases are located in the hand or foot. In 16%, the metastasis is the first manifestation of a malignancy. These acrometastases have a poor prognoses with a median survival of 6 months. Treatment is usually palliative and consists of radiation or amputation. Case Description: An 83-year-old woman was seen with pain and swelling of the right middle finger since 3 months. A radiograph of this finger showed a lytic lesion of the proximal phalanx. A metastasis, primary bone tumor, or osteomyelitis was considered. Because of a radically resected colon carcinoma in patient’s medical history, the carcinoembryonic antigen level was analyzed and proved to be elevated. Computed tomography scan of thorax and abdomen showed 2 (primary) pulmonary tumors with mesenteric metastases. Patient refrained from further analysis and treatment of these lung tumors. However, because of persistent pain the right middle finger was amputated. Pathological examination of the finger confirmed the diagnosis of an adenocarcinoma most likely to be a metastasis of lung cancer. Lung cancer is in most cases responsible for metastases in the hand. Conclusion: Acrometastasis may be the first manifestation of malignancy. Given the poor prognosis, early diagnosis is important to offer adequate treatment. Delay of appropriate treatment can adversely affect the quality of life in these often preterminal patients. This case report could contribute to a (more) rapid recognition of acrometastases as patients with acrometastases are often presented to specialists who do not frequently deal with cancer.
Mitochondrial metabolism contributes to oxidative stress and reveals therapeutic targets in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Jitschin Regina , Hofmann Andreas D. , Bruns Heiko , Gießl Andreas , Bricks Juliane , Berger Jana , Saul Domenica , Eckart Michael J. , Mackensen Andreas , Mougiakakos Dimitrios 
Published: February 2014

Key Points
Increased mitochondrial ROS production, adaptation to intrinsic oxidative stress, and mitochondrial biogenesis are interconnected in CLL. Targeting the respiratory chain and promoting mitochondrial ROS lead to selective cytotoxicity in CLL cells.
CALR exon 9 mutations are somatically acquired events in familial cases of essential thrombocythemia or primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Rumi Elisa , Harutyunyan Ashot S. , Pietra Daniela , Milosevic Jelena D. , Casetti Ilaria C. , Bellini Marta , Them Nicole C. C. , Cavalloni Chiara , Ferretti Virginia V. , Milanesi Chiara , Berg Tiina , Sant’Antonio Emanuela , Boveri Emanuela , Pascutto Cristiana , Astori Cesare , Kralovics Robert , Cazzola Mario 
Published: February 2014

Key Points
Somatic indels of CALR exon 9 are present in about 20% to 25% of sporadic patients with essential thrombocythemia or primary myelofibrosis. These mutations are found also in familial cases of essential thrombocythemia or primary myelofibrosis as somatically acquired events.
Somatic mutations in MYD88 and CXCR4 are determinants of clinical presentation and overall survival in Waldenström macroglobulinemia
Authors: Treon Steven P. , Cao Yang , Xu Lian , Yang Guang , Liu Xia , Hunter Zachary R. 
Published: February 2014

Key Points
Activating MYD88 as well as nonsense and frameshift WHIM-like CXCR4 somatic mutations are common in WM. CXCR4 NS mutations are present in aggressive cases including hyperviscosity syndrome, and MYD88 status is a determinant of survival.
An update on lung transplantation
Authors: Fuller Julia , Fisher Andrew J. 
Published: February 2014

Summary
Over the last 25 years, lung transplantation has developed into a well-established treatment option for selected patients with very advanced lung disease.
In 2010, over a 12-month period, more than 3500 new lung transplant procedures were reported to the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Registry [1]. In 2011, 1830 lung transplants were performed in the USA [2]. In 2012, 690 were performed in the �Eurotransplant� region [3] and a further 170 within the UK [4]. New transplant programmes are now being established around Europe, increasing access to this life saving intervention and benefitting from sharing experience with more established centres. Although worldwide activity has increased year on year over the last decade (fig. 1), demand has also increased meaning the significant shortage of suitable donor lungs accounts for an unacceptably high waiting list mortality rate in many countries.

Figure 1

The number of adult lung transplants reported to the ISHLT each year since 1985. Reproduced from [1] with permission from the publisher.

Clinical experience shared between transplant centres worldwide has helped refine the assessment process so that those added to a waiting list are those who are most likely to benefit. Furthermore, a meticulous approach to post-transplant management in the immediate post-operative period, in the early and long-term has contributed to continually improving long-term survival after lung transplantation.
Potential of hybrid V/P SPECT–low-dose CT in lung diagnostics
Authors: Bajc Marika 
Published: February 2014

SummaryVentilation/perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (V/P SPECT), is the scintigraphic technique of choice for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) and other conditions that affect lung function. In the study of ventilation, hydrophobic radioaerosol Technegas shows advantages over radiolabelled liquid aerosols because of its more even distribution and better peripheral penetration; this is very important in patients with COPD. Macro-aggregated human albumin is the imaging agent for perfusion scintigraphy. V/P SPECT is recommended as a one-day protocol and the whole study is conducted in 20 minutes under a gamma camera. An optimal combination of nuclide activities for ventilation and perfusion, general purpose collimators and a 64×64 imaging matrix yields an adequate sensitivity and ensures that radiation doses are kept very low. It is important that the patient remains in an unchanged supine position to allow reconstructed images of matching ventilation and perfusion slices in all projections as well as in rotating volume images. Probabilistic interpretation applied earlier for planar technique is replaced by a holistic interpretation strategy. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of nondiagnostic findings to less than 3%. To reduce costs and radiation exposure, pre-imaging assessment of clinical probability is recommended. PE is diagnosed when there is more than one subsegment showing a ventilation/perfusion mismatch conforming to an anatomic vascular lung unit. Apart from PE, other pathologies should be identified and reported,e.g. COPD, heart failure and pneumonia.Comparison of V/P SPECT with multidetector CT (MDCT) showed higher sensitivity for V/P SPECT, similar specificity and a similar number of nondiagnostic findings. The advantage of V/P SPECT is a 25-times lower absorbed radiation dose to the female breast and its applicability to all patients. The advantage of MDCT is its wider availability.Hybrid SPECT/CT imaging is a novel technique primarily developed to improve sensitivity and specificity of oncological diseases and it is not recommended as the primary tool for PE diagnosis in all patients with suspected PE. The application of SPECT/CT may be relevant in the case of COPD patients where small tumours may be identified as part of the diagnosis; in addition, it may help in the classification of COPD degree.AimsTo increase awareness of the importance of optimal V/P SPECT and familiarity with the procedure.To explain the value of the new holistic, as opposed to probabilistic, interpretation in the diagnosis of PE.To show how the quantification of ventilation/perfusion defects can be used to define patient-specific treatments.To understand the role of V/P SPECT scintigraphy in other cardiopulmonary diseases, in addition to PE.To outline the pros and cons of angio-CT and V/P SPECT in the diagnosis of PE.To introduce the role of V/P SPECT and low-dose CT hybrid system in patients with suspected PE.
Pulse oximetry in low-resource settings
Authors: Herbert Lara J. , Wilson Iain H. 
Published: February 2014

Educational aimsTo increase awareness about the issues of making pulse oximetry available in low-resource settingsTo increase awareness of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety checklist and how this has triggered the concept of Global Oximetry.To discuss the relevance of increasing availability of pulse oximetry to areas other than operating theatres (such as medical wards) in hospitals in low-resource settings.SummaryPulse oximetry is used to detect hypoxaemia. It is widely used in both the pre-hospital and hospital settings in developed countries and has become a basic standard of care. There are substantial differences in healthcare between developed and developing countries and it has been recorded that surgery is associated with a much higher number of complications and deaths occurring in resource-limited settings. To address this issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the Safe Surgery Saves Lives Programme in 2007. With this programme, the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist was launched. Included in this checklist is the step to ensure that a pulse oximeter is on the patient and functioning. WHO now has the Global Pulse Oximetry Project, an initiative to promote the use of pulse oximeters in every operating room in the world. The Lifebox project is a charity that aims to help the supply of pulse oximeters at low cost to anaesthesia providers in low-resource settings.Increasing availability of pulse oximetry in low-resource settings is relevant to all physicians because hypoxaemia is a common complication of many illnesses, particularly pneumonia. Pneumonia impacts developing countries disproportionately, and accounts for over 2 million deaths a year worldwide. Hypoxaemia is a recognised risk factor for death, correlates with disease severity and is difficult to detect clinically until cyanosis is present. Oximetry plays an essential role in early detection of hypoxaemia and in guiding oxygen therapy, which is often a scarce resource.
Complicated pneumonia in children
Authors: Pabary Rishi , Balfour-Lynn Ian M. 
Published: February 2014

Educational aimsTo understand the pathogenesis of complicated community-acquired pneumonia in childrenTo gain an understanding into the management of common complications of community-acquired pneumonia in childrenSummaryCommunity-acquired pneumonia is a common paediatric infection and, even with the introduction of pneumococcal andHaemophilusvaccinations, most children will experience at least one episode before adult life. Most cases are self-limiting but a small number of children will develop sequelae and require hospitalisation. This review focuses on the presentation and management of complications of community-acquired pneumonia in children.
Clinical audit to enhance safe practice of skilled birth attendants for the fetus with nuchal cord: evidence from a refugee and migrant cohort
Authors: Parr Megan , Dabu Colley Paw , Wai Nan San , Say Paw Si , Ner Ma , Tun Nay Win , Min Aye , Gilder Mary Ellen , Nosten François H , McGready Rose 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Current evidence for optimal management of fetal nuchal cord detected after the head has birthed supports techniques that avoid ligation of the umbilical cord circulation. Routine audit found frequent unsafe management of nuchal cord by skilled birth attendants (SBAs) in migrant and refugee birth centres on the Thai-Burmese border.

Method
The audit cycle was used to enhance safe practice by SBA for the fetus with nuchal cord. In the three birth centres the action phase of the audit cycle was initially carried out by the doctor responsible for the site. Six months later a registered midwife, present six days per week for three months in one birth facility, encouraged SBAs to facilitate birth with an intact umbilical circulation for nuchal cord. Rates of cord ligation before birth were recorded over a 24 month period (1-July-2011 to 30-June-2013) and in-depth interviews and a knowledge survey of the SBAs took place three months after the registered midwife departure.

Results
The proportion of births with nuchal cord ligation declined significantly over the four six monthly quarters from 15.9% (178/1123) before the action phase of the audit cycle; to 11.1% (107/966) during the action phase of the audit cycle with the doctors; to 2.4% (28/1182) with the registered midwife; to 0.9% (9/999) from three to nine months after the departure of the registered midwife, (p < 0.001, linear trend). Significant improvements in safe practice were observed at all three SMRU birth facilities. Knowledge of fetal nuchal cord amongst SBAs was sub-optimal and associated with fear and worry despite improved practice. The support of a registered midwife increased confidence of SBAs.

Conclusion
The audit cycle and registered midwife interprofessional learning for SBAs led to a significant improvement in safe practice for the fetus with nuchal cord. The authors would encourage this type of learning in organizations with birth facilities on the Thai-Burmese border and in other similar resource limited settings with SBAs.
MiR-378 is an independent prognostic factor and inhibits cell growth and invasion in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Guang-jun , Zhou He , Xiao Hua-xu , Li Yu , Zhou Tong 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participate in a variety of biologic processes, and dysregulation of miRNA is always associated with cancer development and progression. Aberrant expression of miR-378 has been found in some types of cancer. However, effects and potential mechanisms of miR-378 in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been explored.

Methods
Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to evaluate miR-378 levels in CRC cell lines and 84 pairs of CRC cancer and normal adjacent mucosa. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional regression analyses were utilized to determine the association of miR-378 expression with survival of patients. MTT and invasion assays were used to determine the role of miR-378 in regulation of CRC cancer cell growth and invasion, respectively. Tumor growth was assessed by subcutaneous inoculation of cells into BALB/c nude mice. Luciferase assay was performed to assess miR-378 binding to vimentin gene.

Results
In this study, we confirmed that miR-378 significantly down-regulated in CRC cancer tissues and cell lines. Moreover, patients with low miR-378 expression had significantly poorer overall survival, and miR-378 expression was an independent prognostic factor in CRC. Over-expression of miR-378 inhibited SW620 cell growth and invasion, and resulted in down-regulation of vimentin expression. However, miR-378 knock-down promoted these processes and enhanced the expression of vimentin. In addition, we further identified vimentin as the functional downstream target of miR-378 by directly targeting the 3′-UTR of vimentin.

Conclusions
In conclusion, miR-378 may function as a tumor suppressor and plays an important role in inhibiting tumor growth and invasion. Our present results implicate the potential effects of miR-378 on prognosis and treatment of CRC cancer.
Measurement equivalence and feasibility of the EORTC QLQ-PR25: paper-and-pencil versus touch-screen administration
Authors: Chang Yu-Jun , Chang Chih-Hung , Peng Chiao-Ling , Wu Hsi-Chin , Lin Hsueh-Chun , Wang Jong-Yi , Li Tsai-Chung , Yeh Yi-Chun , Liang Wen-Miin 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Objective
We assessed the measurement equivalence and feasibility of the paper-and-pencil and touch-screen modes of administration of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-PR25, a commonly used questionnaire to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with prostate cancer in Taiwan.

Methods
A cross-over design study was conducted in 99 prostate cancer patients at an urology outpatient clinic. Descriptive exact and global agreement percentages, intraclass correlation, and equivalence test based on minimal clinically important difference (MCID) approach were used to examine the equity of HRQOL scores between these two modes of administration. We also evaluated the feasibility of computerized assessment based on patients’ acceptability and preference. Additionally, we used Rasch rating scale model to assess differential item functioning (DIF) between the two modes of administration.

Results
The percentages of global agreement in all domains were greater than 85% in the EORTC QLQ-PR25. All results from equivalence tests were significant, except for Sexual functioning, indicating good equivalence. Only one item exhibited DIF between the two modes. Although nearly 80% of the study patients had no prior computer-use experience, the overall proportion of acceptance and preference for the touch-screen mode were quite high and there was no significant difference across age groups or between computer-use experience groups.

Conclusions
The study results showed that the data obtained from the modes of administration were equivalent. The touch-screen mode of administration can be a feasible and suitable alternative to the paper-and-pencil mode for assessment of patient-reported outcomes in patients with prostate cancer.
Production and identification of haploid dwarf male sterile wheat plants induced by corn inducer
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Ke , Lin Zhi-Shan , Du Li-Pu , Ma Hai-Li , Xiao Le-Le , Ye Xing-Guo 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundUsing the cross of wheat and maize is a very useful way to produce wheat haploid plants by chromosome elimination. Dwarf male sterile wheat (DMSW) and corn inducer are potential important germplasm for wheat breeding by recurrent selection and doubled haploid strategies. There is no report yet to achieve the haploid plants from DMSW induced by maize inbred line and especially the corn inducer.ResultsHaploid plants of DMSW were successfully obtained in this study induced by both maize pollens of inducer line and normal inbred line. The efficiencies for wheat embryos formation and plantlets production induced by the two corn lines had no significant difference. All the eleven haploid wheat plants derived from the male sterile material were identified by botanic appearance, cytology, cytogenetics, and molecular markers. They were all haploid based on their guard cell length of 42.78–42.90 μm compared with the diploid control of 71.52 μm, and their chromosome number of 21 compared with the diploid control of 42. In addition, according to anthers, plant height, and molecular markers, the haploid plants were divided into two types. Eight of them showed dwarf, having no anthers, and the special band ofRht10, and the other three plants displayed normal plant height, having anthers, and not containing the special band ofRht10, indicating that they were originated from theMS2/Rht10andms2/rht10female gametes, respectively.ConclusionsMS2/Rht10haploid plants were successfully obtained in this study by using corn inducer and inbred line, and will be employed as candidate materials for the potential cloning ofMS2dominant male gene.