bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medicine's perception of reality – a split picture: critical reflections on apparent anomalies within the biomedical theory of science
Authors: Kirkengen Anna Luise , Ekeland Tor‐Johan , Getz Linn , Hetlevik Irene , Schei Edvin , Ulvestad Elling , Vetlesen Arne Johan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEscalating costs, increasing multi‐morbidity, medically unexplained health problems, complex risk, poly‐pharmacy and antibiotic resistance can be regarded as artefacts of the traditional knowledge production in Western medicine, arising from its particular worldview. Our paper presents a historically grounded critical analysis of this view. The materialistic shift of Enlightenment philosophy, separating subjectivity from bodily matter, became normative for modern medicine and yielded astonishing results. The traditional dichotomies of mind/body and subjective/objective are, however, incompatible with modern biological theory. Medical knowledge ignores central tenets of human existence, notably the physiological impact of subjective experience, relationships, history and sociocultural contexts. Biomedicine will not succeed in resolving today's poorly understood health problems by doing ‘more of the same’. We must acknowledge that health, sickness and bodily functioning are interwoven with human meaning‐production, fundamentally personal and biographical. This implies that the biomedical framework, although having engendered ‘success stories’ like the era of antibiotics, needs to be radically revised.
Review of the Mechanism of Tooth Whitening
Authors: Kwon So Ran , Wertz Philip W. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPurposeThis review integrated the current literature on diffusion of whitening agents, their interactions with stain molecules, and changes to the surface, with the aim of establishing a better understanding of the mechanism underlying tooth whitening.Materials and MethodsAn electronic PubMed database search, with combinations of the following terms was performed: Tooth Bleaching, Tooth Bleaching Agent, Hydrogen Peroxide, Pharmacokinetics, Tooth Permeability, Oxidation‐Reduction, Tooth Demineralization, and Color.ResultsTooth whitening is a dynamic process that involves diffusion of the whitening material to interact with stain molecules and also involves micromorphologic alterations on the surface and changes within the tooth that affect its optical properties. The interaction seems not to be limited to stain molecules, but rather an affinity‐based interaction process that also accompanies effects on sound enamel and dentin structures.ConclusionsThis review underlines that supervision by dental health professionals as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs is critical to achieving a successful and safe whitening outcome.Clinical SignificanceThe mechanism that underlies tooth whitening with the use of peroxide‐based materials is a complex phenomenon encompassing diffusion, interaction, and surfaces changes within the tooth. Therefore, supervision by dental health professionals as recommended by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs is imperative to achieve a successful and safe whitening outcome.
Survival of patients with gastric lymphoma in Germany and in the United States
Authors: Castro Felipe A , Jansen Lina , Krilaviciute Agne , Katalinic Alexander , Pulte Dianne , Sirri Eunice , Ressing Meike , Holleczek Bernd , Luttmann Sabine , Brenner Hermann ,   GEKID Cancer Survival Working Group
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground and AimThis study aims to examine survival for gastric lymphomas and its main subtypes, mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT), and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), in Germany and in the United States.MethodsData for patients diagnosed in 1997–2010 were used from 10 population‐based German cancer registries and compared to the data from the US Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 13 registries database. Patients age 15–74 diagnosed with gastric lymphomas were included in the analysis. Period analysis and modeled period analysis were used to estimate 5‐year and 10‐year relative survival (RS) in 2002–2010 and survival trends from 2002–2004 to 2008–2010.ResultsOverall, the database included 1534 and 2688 patients diagnosed with gastric lymphoma in 1997–2010 in Germany and in the United States, respectively. Survival was substantially higher for MALT (5‐year and 10‐year RS: 89.0% and 80.9% in Germany, 93.8% and 86.8% in the United States) than for DLBCL (67.5% and 59.2% in Germany, and 65.3% and 54.7% in the United States) in 2002–2010. Survival was slightly higher among female patients and decreased by age for gastric lymphomas combined and its main subtypes. A slight, nonsignificant, increase in the 5‐year RS for gastric lymphomas combined was observed in Germany and the United States, with increases in 5‐year RS between 2002–2004 and 2008–2010 from 77.1% to 81.0% and from 77.3% to 82.0%, respectively. Five‐year RS of MALT exceeded 90% in 2008–2010 in both countries.ConclusionsFive‐year RS of MALT meanwhile exceeds 90% in both Germany and the United States, but DLBCL has remained below 70% in both countries.
Impact of acute kidney injury on prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bucsics Theresa , Mandorfer Mattias , Schwabl Philipp , Bota Simona , Sieghart Wolfgang , Ferlitsch Arnulf , Trauner Michael , Peck‐Radosavljevic Markus , Reiberger Thomas 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground and AimAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients with liver cirrhosis, and its impact on the clinical course is increasingly recognized. Diagnostic classification systems for AKI in cirrhosis have been suggested. The prognostic significance of the respective AKI stages remains to be evaluated in decompensated cirrhosis with ascites.MethodsData of consecutive patients with cirrhosis and ascites undergoing paracentesis at a tertiary care center were analyzed. AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or by ≥ 50% within 7 days after paracentesis, and classified according to (i) revised Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria and (ii) modified AKI criteria for cirrhosis (C‐AKI). In contrast to AKIN, C‐AKI stage A discriminates prognosis based on an absolute creatinine cut‐off at < 1.5 mg/dL versus C‐AKI stage B at ≥ 1.5 mg/dL.ResultsThe final study cohort included 239 patients. Median transplant‐free survival was 768 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 331–1205 days) without AKI, 198 (0–446) in AKI‐1, 91 (0–225) in AKI‐2, 19 (0–40) and in AKI‐3, whereas it was 89 (20–158) days in C‐AKI‐A, 384 (0–1063) in C‐AKI‐B, and 22 (7–776) in C‐AKI‐C. Mild AKI was already associated with significantly increased 30‐day mortality (AKI‐1:26.4%, C‐AKI‐A:33.3%) as compared with patients without AKI (14.3%), even when serum creatinine remained within normal range (< 1.2 mg/dL) we observed a significant 30‐day mortality.ConclusionAKIN criteria—considering small increases in serum creatinine rather than absolute thresholds—seem to be more accurate for estimating prognosis of AKI after paracentesis than C‐AKI criteria. Even patients developing AKI‐1 with “normal” serum creatinine are at increased risk for mortality.
Relationship and interaction between serum sodium concentration and portal hemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Maruyama Hitoshi , Kondo Takayuki , Kiyono Soichiro , Sekimoto Tadashi , Takahashi Masanori , Okugawa Hidehiro , Yokosuka Osamu 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground and AimTo examine the relationship between hyponatremia and portal hemodynamics and their effect on the prognosis of cirrhosis.MethodsPortal hemodynamic parameters measured by Doppler ultrasound and serum sodium concentrations were examined in 153 cirrhosis patients (mean age 62.2 ± 12.0 years; median observation period, 34.1 m).ResultsStudy participants included 16 patients with hyponatremia (Na < 135 mEq/L), who showed a significantly greater frequency of possessing a splenorenal shunt (SRS; P = 0.0068), and 137 patients without hyponatremia. Serum sodium concentrations were significantly lower in patients with SRS than in those without (P = 0.0193). An increased prothrombin time‐international normalized ratio was a significant predictive factor for developing hyponatremia a year later (8/96; Hazard ratio 14.415; P = 0.028). The cumulative survival rate was significantly lower in patients with hyponatremia (46.7% at 1 and 3 years) than in those without (91.8% at 1 year, 76.8% at 3 years; P < 0.001). The cumulative survival rate was significantly lower in patients who had developed hyponatremia after 1 year (100% at 1 year, 62.5% at 3 years) than those who had not (100% at 1 year, 89.0% at 3 years; P < 0.001). The cumulative survival rate was significantly worse in patients with both hyponatremia and SRS (20% at 1 year).ConclusionsThere was a close linkage between the serum sodium concentration and portal hemodynamic abnormality, presence of SRS, and their interaction may negatively influence the prognoses in cirrhosis.
Changes in cytokine profile may predict therapeutic efficacy of infliximab in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Sato Shoko , Chiba Toshimi , Nakamura Shotaro , Matsumoto Takayuki 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground and AimInfliximab is an established therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this study was to examine various serum cytokine levels and to identify possible markers predictive of therapeutic efficacy of infliximab for UC patients.MethodsTwenty‐one patients with moderately active UC were given intravenous infliximab (5 mg/kg) at 0, 2, and 6 weeks as induction therapy. The serum levels of 17 cytokines were determined using a Bio‐Plex suspension array system before and 8 weeks after induction therapy. Partial Mayo score (PMS) and serum C‐reactive protein levels were used for the determination of clinical activities at 0 and 8 weeks after the treatment. The overall therapeutic effect was determined at 26 weeks according to the PMS.ResultsThe median value of the PMS decreased significantly 8 weeks after the treatment (from 6 to 1.5, P < 0.05). However, C‐reactive protein levels did not change significantly. Levels of serum interleukin (IL)‐8 (P < 0.05) and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β (P < 0.005) significantly decreased 8 weeks after the induction. Serum levels of the other 15 cytokines did not change significantly. At 26 weeks, 13 of 20 patients (65%) were responders while 7 patients were non‐responders. Levels of serum IL‐6 at 8 weeks were significantly lower in responders than in non‐responders (P < 0.05).ConclusionsSerum IL‐8 and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β seem to be sensitive markers for UC patients treated with infliximab, while IL‐6 at 8 weeks after induction therapy may be predictive of subsequent response to infliximab.
p53 gene therapy‐based transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Shen Ai , Liu Shihong , Yu Weiqian , Deng Hejun , Li Qingdong 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground and AimTransarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used for treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy still needs to be improved. Recombinant adenovirus p53 (rAd‐p53) injection is a gene therapeutic agent that could improve the prognosis of HCC patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rAd‐p53‐based TACE for treating unresectable HCC.MethodsProspective analysis of patients who received rAd‐p53‐based TACE or TACE alone in Chongqing Cancer Institute from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012. The primary endpoint is overall survival. The secondary endpoints were progression‐free survival, response rate, and safety.ResultsOne hundred two patients were enrolled in this study. Forty‐nine patients received the rAd‐p53‐based TACE, and 53 patients received TACE alone. The rAd‐p53‐based TACE treatment strategy improved the overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.58, 95% confidence interval: 0.35–0.96, P = 0.035), progression‐free survival (hazard ratio: 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.37–0.97, P = 0.037), response rate (P = 0.047) compared with TACE monotherapy. The rAd‐p53‐based TACE treatment group caused more occurrences of fever than with TACE alone (P = 0.01). However, symptomatic treatment may solve this problem.ConclusionsrAd‐p53‐based TACE treatment strategy is effective and safe for treating unresectable HCC. Large‐scale randomized clinical trials are needed to verify these results.
Metallothionein as a clonable tag for protein localization by electron microscopy of cells
Authors: MORPHEW M.K. , O'TOOLE E.T. , PAGE C.L. , PAGRATIS M. , MEEHL J. , GIDDINGS T. , GARDNER J.M. , ACKERSON C. , JASPERSEN S.L. , WINEY M. , HOENGER A. , MCINTOSH J.R. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryA benign, clonable tag for the localization of proteins by electron microscopy of cells would be valuable, especially if it provided labelling with high signal‐to‐noise ratio and good spatial resolution. Here we explore the use of metallothionein as such a localization marker. We have achieved good success with desmin labelled in vitro and with a component of the yeast spindle pole body labelled in cells. Heavy metals added after fixation and embedding or during the process of freeze‐substitution fixation provide readily visible signals with no concern that the heavy atoms are affecting the behaviour of the protein in its physiological environment. However, our methods did not work with protein components of the nuclear pore complex, suggesting that this approach is not yet universally applicable. We provide a full description of our optimal labelling conditions and other conditions tried, hoping that our work will allow others to label their own proteins of interest and/or improve on the methods we have defined.
Assessing the performance of four different categories of histological criteria in brain tumours grading by means of a computer‐aided diagnosis image analysis system
Authors: KOSTOPOULOS S. , KONSTANDINOU C. , SIDIROPOULOS K. , RAVAZOULA P. , KALATZIS I. , ASVESTAS P. , CAVOURAS D. , GLOTSOS D. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryBrain tumours are considered one of the most lethal and difficult to treat forms of cancer, with unknown aetiology and lack of any realistic screening. In this study, we examine, whether the combination of descriptive criteria, used by expert histopathologists in assessing histologic tissue samples, and quantitative image analysis features may improve the diagnostic accuracy of brain tumour grading. Data comprised 61 cases of brain cancers (astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, meningiomas) collected from the archives of the University Hospital of Patras, Greece. Incorporating physician's descriptive criteria and image analysis's quantitative features into a discriminant function, a computer‐aided diagnosis system was designed for discriminating low‐grade from high‐grade brain tumours. Physician's descriptive features, when solely used in the system, proved of high discrimination accuracy (93.4%). When verbal descriptive features were combined with quantitative image analysis features in the system, discrimination accuracy improved to 98.4%. The generalization of the proposed system to unseen data converged to an overall prediction accuracy of 86.7% ± 5.4%. Considering that histological grading affects treatment selection and diagnostic errors may be notable in clinical practice, the utilization of the proposed system may safeguard against diagnostic misinterpretations in every day clinical practice.
Evidence for Changes in Numbers of Synaptic Inputs onto KNDy and GnRH Neurones during the Preovulatory LH Surge in the Ewe
Authors: Merkley C. M. , Coolen L. M. , Goodman R. L. , Lehman M. N. 
Published: May 2015

Kisspeptin neurones located in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and preoptic area (POA) are critical mediators of gonadal steroid feedback onto gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones. ARC kisspeptin cells that co‐localise neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin (Dyn), are collectively referred to as KNDy (Kisspeptin/NKB/Dyn) neurones, and have been shown in mice to also co‐express the vesicular glutamate transporter, vGlut2, an established glutamatergic marker. The ARC in rodents has long been known as a site of hormone‐induced neuroplasticity, and changes in synaptic inputs to ARC neurones in rodents occur over the oestrous cycle. Based on this evidence, the the present study aimed to examine possible changes across the ovine oestrous cycle in synaptic inputs onto kisspeptin cells in the ARC (KNDy) and POA, and inputs onto GnRH neurones. Gonadal‐intact breeding season ewes were perfused using 4% paraformaldehyde during either the luteal or follicular phase of the oestrous cycle, with the latter group killed at the time of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge. Hypothalamic sections were processed for triple‐label immunodetection of kisspeptin/vGlut2/synaptophysin or kisspeptin/vGlut2/GnRH. The total numbers of synaptophysin‐ and vGlut2‐positive inputs to ARC KNDy neurones were significantly increased at the time of the LH surge compared to the luteal phase; because these did not contain kisspeptin, they do not arise from KNDy neurones. By contrast to the ARC, the total number of synaptophysin‐positive inputs onto POA kisspeptin neurones did not differ between luteal phase and surge animals. The total number of kisspeptin and vGlut2 inputs onto GnRH neurones in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) was also increased during the LH surge, and could be attributed to an increase in the number of KNDy (double‐labelled kisspeptin + vGlut2) inputs. Taken together, these results provide novel evidence of synaptic plasticity at the level of inputs onto KNDy and GnRH neurones during the ovine oestrous cycle. Such changes may contribute to the generation of the preovulatory GnRH/LH surge.
LOCATIONAL SIGNALING AND AGGLOMERATION
Authors: Berliant Marcus , Yu Chia‐Ming 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTAgglomeration can be caused by asymmetric information and a locational signaling effect: The location choice of workers signals their productivity to potential employers. The cost of a signal is the cost of housing at that location. When workers' marginal willingness to pay for housing is negatively correlated with their productivity, only the core‐periphery (partially stratified) equilibria are stable. When workers' marginal willingness to pay for housing and their productivity are positively correlated, there is no core‐periphery equilibrium. The urban wage premium is explained when there is a core‐periphery equilibrium. Furthermore, location can at best be an approximate rather than a precise sieve for high‐skill workers.
The Effect of Orally Administered Ranitidine and Once‐Daily or Twice‐Daily Orally Administered Omeprazole on Intragastric pH in Cats
Authors: Šutalo S. , Ruetten M. , Hartnack S. , Reusch C.E. , Kook P. H. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundGastric acid suppressants frequently are used in cats with acid‐related gastric disorders. However, it is not known if these drugs effectively increase intragastric pH in cats.ObjectivesTo examine the effects of PO administered ranitidine and omeprazole on intragastric pH in cats and to compare the efficacy of once‐daily versus twice‐daily dosage regimens for omeprazole.AnimalsEight domestic shorthair cats.MethodsUsing a randomized 4‐way cross‐over design, cats were given enteric‐coated omeprazole granules (1.1–1.3 mg/kg q24h and q12h), ranitidine (1.5–2.3 mg/kg q12h), and placebo. Intragastric pH was monitored continuously for 96 hours using the Bravo™ system, starting on day 4 of treatment, followed by a median washout period of 12 days. Mean percentage of time pH was ≥3 and ≥4 was compared among groups using repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsMean ± SD percentage of time intragastric pH was ≥3 and ≥4 was 67.0 ± 24.0% and 54.6 ± 26.4% for twice‐daily omeprazole, 24.4 ± 22.8% and 16.8 ± 19.3% for once‐daily omeprazole, 16.5 ± 9.0% and 9.6 ± 5.9% for ranitidine, and 9.4 ± 8.0% and 7.0 ± 6.6% for placebo administration. Twice‐daily omeprazole treatment significantly increased intragastric pH, whereas pH after once‐daily omeprazole and ranitidine treatments did not differ from that of placebo‐treated cats.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceOnly twice‐daily PO administered omeprazole significantly suppressed gastric acidity in healthy cats, whereas once‐daily omeprazole and standard dosages of ranitidine were not effective acid suppressants in cats.
Sulfur in presolar silicon carbide grains from asymptotic giant branch stars
Authors: Hoppe Peter , Lodders Katharina , Fujiya Wataru 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe studied 14 presolar SiC mainstream grains for C‐, Si‐, and S‐isotopic compositions and S elemental abundances. Ten grains have low levels of S contamination and CI chondrite‐normalized S/Si ratios between 2 × 10−5 and 2 × 10−4. All grains have S‐isotopic compositions compatible within 2σ of solar values. Their mean S isotope composition deviates from solar by at most a few percent, and is consistent with values observed for the carbon star IRC+10216, believed to be a representative source star of the grains, and the interstellar medium. The isotopic data are also consistent with stellar model predictions of low‐mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. In a δ33S versus δ34S plot the data fit along a line with a slope of 1.8 ± 0.7, suggesting imprints from galactic chemical evolution. The observed S abundances are lower than expected from equilibrium condensation of CaS in solid solution with SiC under pressure and temperature conditions inferred from the abundances of more refractory elements in SiC. Calcium to S abundance ratios are generally above unity, contrary to expectations for stoichiometric CaS solution in the grains, possibly due to condensation of CaC2 into SiC. We observed a correlation between Mg and S abundances suggesting solid solution of MgS in SiC. The low abundances of S in mainstream grains support the view that the significantly higher abundances of excess 32S found in some Type AB SiC grains are the result of in situ decay of radioactive 32Si from born‐again AGB stars that condensed into AB grains.