bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low expression of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 is associated with poor prognosis in chemotherapy‐naïve pT2 gallbladder adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Espinoza Jaime A , García Patricia , Bizama Carolina , Leal José L , Riquelme Ismael , Weber Helga , Macanas Patricia , Aguayo Gloria , Viñuela Eduardo , Roa Juan C , Nervi Bruno 
Published: August 2015

AimsEquilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) is the major transporter of the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine, the current therapy for advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC). ENT1 expression has been proposed as a predictive marker for gemcitabine‐treated pancreatic cancer patients. The aim of study was to explore the value of ENT1 measurement in chemotherapy‐naïve patients with advanced GBC.Materials and resultsImmunohistochemistry for ENT1 was performed on 214 GBC samples from patients who had never undergone co‐adjuvant or neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy. Advanced GBC cases were divided into groups with low or high ENT1 expression. Kaplan–Meier tests were used for survival analyses. The Cox regression method was used to assess the association of ENT1 expression with overall survival (OS). Low ENT1 expression was associated with younger patient age (P = 0.03) and moderate‐to‐poor histological differentiation (P = 0.01). pT2 patients with low ENT1 expression had shorter median survival (17.3 versus 28.7 months) and lower OS (17.3% versus 33.3%, P < 0.05) than patients with high ENT1 expression. Low ENT1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.036).ConclusionsENT1 is a prognostic marker for pT2 GBC patients. Additional studies are needed to determine whether ENT1 has predictive value for gemcitabine response in GBC.
Subcutaneous mycoses in coastal Karnataka in south India
Authors: Bhat Ramesh M. , Monteiro Rochelle C. , Bala Nandakishore , Dandakeri Sukumar , Martis Jacintha , Kamath Ganesh H. , Kambil Srinath M. , Asha Vadakayil Ramay 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundSubcutaneous mycoses are chronic, localized infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue which occur following traumatic implantation of the etiological agent. The causative organisms are soil saprophytes of regional epidemiology with varying ability to adapt to the tissue environment and elicit disease.ObjectivesThis study was conducted to evaluate the various types of subcutaneous mycoses, including actinomycotic mycetomas, in south coastal Karnataka, India.MethodsBetween January 2005 and January 2013, a total of 25 patients were diagnosed with subcutaneous mycoses based on a detailed clinical history and presentation, histopathology, and culture of organisms.ResultsChromoblastomycosis was the infection most commonly seen (n = 16 patients, 64%), followed by mycetoma (n = 4, 16%), sporotrichosis (n = 4, 16%), and rhinoentomophthoromycosis (n = 1, 4%). The extremities were the most common site of involvement, with the lower limb being most affected (64%). Males were more commonly afflicted (64%) than females (36%). Most patients were agricultural workers, although preceding trauma was noted in only three patients. The majority of patients responded well to therapy and were disease‐free on follow‐up.ConclusionsSubcutaneous mycoses are a rare group of disorders. Chromoblastomycosis is the most frequent subcutaneous fungal infection in south India. Morphologically, chromomoblastomycoses present as verrucous, ulcerative, nodular, or eczematous lesions. Clinical diagnosis is important as culture is often negative. The incidence of infection is higher among rubber tappers. It is important to clinically differentiate chromoblastomycosis from tuberculosis verrucosa cutis. Most of the subcutaneous mycoses respond well to treatment, with the exception of rhinoentomophthoromycosis, which is a rare form of deep mycosis with associated mutilation. Eumycetomas are not observed in this part of India.
Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in coexistence with leprosy
Authors: Patrao Ninon A.R. , Bhat Ramesh M. , Dandekeri Sukumar , Kambil Srinath M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCutaneous leishmaniasis and leprosy are diseases both caused by intracellular pathogens that represent a major health predicament even today. Both these diseases have some characteristics in common, such as the involvement of mucocutaneous tissue, a course with a chronic granulomatous response, a broad clinical spectrum in relation to the host's immunity, and they often affect the poor population in tropical countries. Co‐infection of the two diseases, although known to occur, is rarely encountered and reported. Even though new cases of leprosy are diagnosed in the region of coastal Karnataka of India, cutaneous leishmaniasis is rarely reported. We hereby describe a patient who presented with concurrent leprosy and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Association of CYP2C19, CYP3A5 and GPIIb/IIIa gene polymorphisms with Aspirin and Clopidogrel Resistance in a cohort of Indian patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Arya V. , Mahajan P. , Saraf A. , Mohanty A. , Sawhney J. P. S. , Bhargava M. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryIntroductionDual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin is the current standard of care in the management of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The variability in response to these antiplatelet agents may be due to the underlying genetic diversity. This study was designed to determine the resistance to aspirin and clopidogrel in Indian patients and to look for correlation, if any, with selected polymorphisms.MethodsPlatelet function testing by light transmission aggregometry was performed on 72 patients with CAD/ACS who were stable on dual antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel 75 mg OD and aspirin 150 mg OD) along with 72 controls. Aspirin resistance was considered as mean platelet aggregation ≥70% with 10 μm ADP and ≥20% with 0.75 mm arachidonic acid. Clopidogrel resistance was defined as <10% decrease from the baseline in platelet aggregation in response to ADP 10 μm and semi‐response as <30% decrease from the baseline. Polymorphisms CYP2C19*2, *3, CYP3A5*3 and PLA1/A2 were genotyped.ResultsWe found 51.4% patients with inadequate response to clopidogrel (1.4% resistant and 50% semi‐responders) and 5.5% patients semi‐responders to aspirin, none being completely resistant. The genotype and allele frequencies of CYP2C19*2 and PLA1/A2 gene polymorphisms were significantly different between clopidogrel semi‐responders and responders. Carriers of CYP2C19*2 and CYP3A5*3 showed diminished inhibition of platelet aggregation. No significant correlation was found between coronary events, type of coronary intervention with clopidogrel nonresponsiveness.ConclusionUnlike aspirin, a high proportion of partial responders to clopidogrel were identified. In an interim analysis on 72 Indian patients, a significant association was found between CYP2C19*2 and PLA1/A2 in clopidogrel semi‐responders.
Remittances and Energy Consumption: Evidence from Morocco
Authors: Akçay Selçuk , Demirtaş Gökhan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe main purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the co‐integration and causal relationship between international remittances and energy consumption in the context of Morocco. Previous empirical studies associated remittances with various macroeconomic and social variables. To our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the causality between remittances and energy consumption in Morocco. The study finds a long‐run equilibrium relationship between remittances and energy consumption. The results indicate that remittances influence energy consumption directly both in the short run and long run, and influence energy consumption indirectly through industrialization and economic growth in the long run.
Convertible Debt: Financing Decisions and Voluntary Conversion under Ambiguity
Authors: Agliardi Elettra , Agliardi Rossella , Spanjers Willem 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis paper integrates ambiguity into a contingent claim model for convertible debt. We study how convertible debt valuation is affected by the ambiguity biases of equity holders and debt holders and provide sensitivity analysis of the bond value to changes in attitude toward ambiguity, firm and bond parameters. Our results, which are summarized into five main predictions, are consistent with recent empirical evidence and offer a possible interpretation of some corporate finance puzzles.
Emotional Intelligence and Nurse Recruitment: Rasch and confirmatory factor analysis of the trait emotional intelligence questionnaire short form
Authors: Snowden Austyn , Watson Roger , Stenhouse Rosie , Hale Claire 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimTo examine the construct validity of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form.BackgroundEmotional intelligence involves the identification and regulation of our own emotions and the emotions of others. It is therefore a potentially useful construct in the investigation of recruitment and retention in nursing and many questionnaires have been constructed to measure it.DesignSecondary analysis of existing dataset of responses to Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form using concurrent application of Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.MethodFirst year undergraduate nursing and computing students completed Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire‐Short Form in September 2013. Responses were analysed by synthesising results of Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsParticipants (N = 938) completed Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form. Rasch analysis showed the majority of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire‐Short Form items made a unique contribution to the latent trait of emotional intelligence. Five items did not fit the model and differential item functioning (gender) accounted for this misfit. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a four‐factor structure consisting of: self‐confidence, empathy, uncertainty and social connection. All five misfitting items from the Rasch analysis belonged to the ‘social connection’ factor.ConclusionsThe concurrent use of Rasch and factor analysis allowed for novel interpretation of Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form. Much of the response variation in Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form can be accounted for by the social connection factor. Implications for practice are discussed.
Developing immunological methods for detecting Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus and extra small virus using a recombinant protein preparation
Authors: Wang C‐S , Chang C‐Y , Wen C‐M 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMacrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) have been identified as the causative agents for white tail disease (WTD) of M. rosenbergii. In this study, the gene sequences encoding MrNV and XSV capsid proteins were separately ligated into the pGEX‐4T‐3 expression vector and transformed into Escherichia coli. After induction, glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST)‐tagged MrNV and XSV fusion proteins were obtained with molecular masses of 68 and 43 kDa, respectively. Specific polyclonal antibodies for MrNV and XSV against viral recombinant proteins and infected prawn tissues were verified using Western blotting. According to immunodot blot assay results, the detection sensitivities of antibodies were approximately 5 ng μL−1 for both recombinant proteins GST‐MrNV and GST‐XSV. In additional, MrNV and XSV were detected at dilution levels of 1:2560 and 1:640 in the infected prawn tissues, respectively. No cross‐reactions with white spot syndrome virus or grouper nervous necrosis virus were observed using immunodot blot assays. MrNV and XSV in infected muscle tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry. Although the detection limit of the immunodot blot assay was lower than that of nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, these polyclonal antibodies can be useful for confirming MrNV and XSV infections in field tests.
Cross‐sectional relationships between dietary fat intake and serum cholesterol fatty acids in a Swedish cohort of 60‐year‐old men and women
Authors: Laguzzi F. , Alsharari Z. , Risérus U. , Vikström M. , Sjögren P. , Gigante B. , Hellénius M.‐L. , Cederholm T. , Bottai M. , de Faire U. , Leander K. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to describe the relationship between self‐reported dietary intake and serum cholesterol fatty acids (FAs) in a Swedish population of 60‐year‐old men and women.MethodsCross‐sectional data collected in 1997–1998 from 4232 individuals residing in Stockholm County were used. Five diet scores were created to reflect the intake of saturated fats in general, as well as fats from dairy, fish, processed meat and vegetable oils and margarines. Gas chromatography was used to assess 13 FAs in serum cholesterol esters. The association between each diet score and specific FAs was assessed by percentile differences (PD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile of each FA across levels of diet scores using quantile regression.ResultsFish intake was associated with high proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). For each point increase in fish score, the 50th PD in EPA and DHA was 32.78% (95% CI = 29.22% to 36.35%) and 10.63% (95% CI = 9.52% to 11.74%), respectively. Vegetable fat intake was associated with a high proportion of linoleic acid and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a low proportion of total saturated fatty acids (SFA). The intake of saturated fats in general and dairy fat was slightly associated with specific SFA, although the intake of fat from meat was not.ConclusionsIn the present study population, using a rather simple dietary assessment method, the intake of fish and vegetable fats was clearly associated with serum PUFA, whereas foods rich in saturated fats in general showed a weak relationship with serum SFA. Our results may contribute to increased knowledge about underlying biology in diet–cardiovascular disease associations.
Structure and content components of self‐management interventions that improve health‐related quality of life in people with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and meta‐regression
Authors: Tu Wenjing , Xu Guihua , Du Shizheng 
Published: August 2015

Aims and objectivesThe purpose of this review was to identify and categorise the components of the content and structure of effective self‐management interventions for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.BackgroundInflammatory bowel diseases are chronic gastrointestinal disorders impacting health‐related quality of life. Although the efficacy of self‐management interventions has been demonstrated in previous studies, the most effective components of the content and structure of these interventions remain unknown.DesignA systematic review, meta‐analysis and meta‐regression of randomised controlled trials was used.MethodsA systematic search of six electronic databases, including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, was conducted. Content analysis was used to categorise the components of the content and structure of effective self‐management interventions for inflammatory bowel disease. Clinically important and statistically significant beneficial effects on health‐related quality of life were explored, by comparing the association between effect sizes and various components of self‐management interventions such as the presence or absence of specific content and different delivery methods.ResultsFifteen randomised controlled trials were included in this review. Distance or remote self‐management interventions demonstrated a larger effect size. However, there is no evidence for a positive effect associated with specific content component of self‐management interventions in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease in general.ConclusionsThe results showed that self‐management interventions have positive effects on health‐related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and distance or remote self‐management programmes had better outcomes than other types of interventions.Relevance to clinical practiceThis review provides useful information to clinician and researchers when determining components of effective self‐management programmes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. More high‐quality randomised controlled trials are needed to test the results.
Survival outcomes of supportive care versus dialysis therapies for elderly patients with end‐stage kidney disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Foote Celine , Kotwal Sradha , Gallagher Martin , Cass Alan , Brown Mark , Jardine Meg 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimElderly people comprise a large and growing proportion of the global dialysis population. Regional differences in rates of dialysis in the elderly suggest multiple factors influence treatment decision‐making including beliefs about the relative benefits and harms of dialysis and supportive (non‐dialysis) care. We therefore systematically reviewed the literature reporting survival of elderly patients treated with either treatment pathway.MethodsSystematic review and meta‐analysis of cohort studies or randomized controlled trials identified in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials published before July 2014. Survival by treatment modality was calculated. Subgroup analyses by study design, study size, patient age and cohort era were conducted.ResultsEighty‐nine studies published between 1976 and 2014 reported on 294 921 elderly end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. There was a paucity of data for supportive care (724 patients or 0.2% of the total patients) and supportive care studies were susceptible to lead‐time bias. One‐year survival for elderly patients treated with undifferentiated dialysis was 73.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 66.3–79.7%), 78.4% (95% CI 75.2–81.6) for haemodialysis and 77.9% (95% CI 73.8–81.9) for peritoneal dialysis. Supportive care patients had a 1‐year survival of 70.6% (95% CI 63.3–78.0%). Residual heterogeneity remained within individual treatment modalities despite subgroup analyses.ConclusionsWhile the available literature demonstrates a broadly similar 1‐year survival in elderly ESKD patients, it does not allow a confident estimate of the relative survival benefits of dialysis or supportive care. This uncertainty needs urgent attendance by further prospective data, which avoid bias and allow comparisons of quality of life and survival.
On the validity of the 13C‐acetate breath test for comparing gastric emptying of different liquid test meals: a validation study using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Bluemel S. , Menne D. , Fried M. , Schwizer W. , Steingoetter A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground13C‐acetate breath testing (BT) is applied to assess and compare gastric emptying of liquid meals. Gastric half‐emptying times (t50) from BT show offsets compared to t50 values from γ‐scintigraphy and ultrasonography. Linear transformations have been proposed to correct these offsets. This investigation critically validates the BT for the assessment of liquid gastric emptying by using simultaneously recorded meal and total gastric content volume emptying data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsData were collected during a recently published double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over MRI gastric emptying study of three 13C‐labeled enteral formulas differing in protein sources (PMID: 24699556). Breath testing‐derived t50 was computed with the analysis methods commonly applied in gastric emptying research, i.e., the exponential‐beta function and the Wagner–Nelson (WN) method, respectively.Key ResultsBreath testing t50 values from exponential‐beta function and WN method showed a positive and negative offset to MRI data, respectively. Linear regression detected low concordance between MRI and both BT methods revealing meal specific and emptying rate‐dependent offsets. The WN method showed worse agreement and correlation with MRI emptying data. Breath testing rather reflected meal volume than total gastric content volume emptying.Conclusions & InferencesThis validation study indicates that the 13C‐acetate breath test may not be applied to compare gastric emptying of arbitrary liquid meals without prior validation by imaging methods. t50 values from BT are biased by (i) the properties of the meal and (ii) the selected method used for 13CO2 exhalation analysis. No linear transformation common for all meals was applicable to correct the offsets between BT and MRI.
Management of pediatric renal tumor: Past and future trials of the Japan Wilms Tumor Study Group
Authors: Oue Takaharu , Fukuzawa Masahiro , Koshinaga Tsugumichi , Okita Hajime , Nozaki Miwako , Chin Motoki , Kaneko Yasuhiko , Tanaka Yukichi , Haruta Masayuki , Tsuchiya Kunihiko , Kuwajima Shigeko , Takimoto Tetsuya 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe Japan Wilms Tumor Study group (JWiTS) was founded in 1996 to improve outcomes for children with renal tumor in Japan, and a nationwide multicenter cooperative study was initiated thereafter. JWiTS‐1 (1996–2005) was analyzed, and JWiTS‐2 (2005–2014) is now under analysis; the following problems have been identified and used to decide future study protocol: (i) there has been a decline in survival rate for patients with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (RTK) and new treatment strategies are required; (ii) the survival rate for bilateral Wilms tumors (BWT) has improved, but results for renal preservation are unsatisfactory; (iii) the prognosis of stage IV favorable nephroblastoma is very good, suggesting that the current protocols provide overtreatment, particularly for patients with lung metastasis; and (iv) no effective biological risk factors exist for predicting the outcome of Wilms tumor, and a study of the genetic changes of these tumors is necessary to determine biological markers for use in risk classification. To solve these issues, the development of a new risk classification of pediatric renal tumors is required. In addition, different study protocols should be developed according to the risk‐based classification of the patients. Further, a new study protocol for BWT began in 2015, and new study protocols are being prepared for RTK, and for Wilms tumor with lung metastasis. In addition, an analysis of biological markers with regard to risk classification is to be performed. Furthermore, to create new protocols for patients with rare renal tumors, international collaboration with Children's Oncology Group and International Society of Pediatric Oncology is necessary.