bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological effect of dose distortion by fiducial markers in spot‐scanning proton therapy with a limited number of fields: A simulation study
Authors: Matsuura Taeko , Maeda Kenichiro , Sutherland Kenneth , Takayanagi Taisuke , Shimizu Shinichi , Takao Seishin , Miyamoto Naoki , Nihongi Hideaki , Toramatsu Chie , Nagamine Yoshihiko , Fujimoto Rintaro , Suzuki Ryusuke , Ishikawa Masayori , Umegaki Kikuo , Shirato Hiroki 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:In accurate proton spot‐scanning therapy, continuous target tracking by fluoroscopic x ray during irradiation is beneficial not only for respiratory moving tumors of lung and liver but also for relatively stationary tumors of prostate. Implanted gold markers have been used with great effect for positioning the target volume by a fluoroscopy, especially for the cases of liver and prostate with the targets surrounded by water‐equivalent tissues. However, recent studies have revealed that gold markers can cause a significant underdose in proton therapy. This paper focuses on prostate cancer and explores the possibility that multiple‐field irradiation improves the underdose effect by markers on tumor‐control probability (TCP).Methods:A Monte Carlo simulation was performed to evaluate the dose distortion effect. A spherical gold marker was placed at several characteristic points in a water phantom. The markers were with two different diameters of 2 and 1.5 mm, both visible on fluoroscopy. Three beam arrangements of single‐field uniform dose (SFUD) were examined: one lateral field, two opposite lateral fields, and three fields (two opposite lateral fields + anterior field). The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was set to 1.1 and a dose of 74 Gy (RBE) was delivered to the target of a typical prostate size in 37 fractions. The ratios of TCP to that without the marker (TCPr) were compared with the parameters of the marker sizes, number of fields, and marker positions. To take into account the dependence of biological parameters in TCP model, α/β values of 1.5, 3, and 10 Gy (RBE) were considered.Results:It was found that the marker of 1.5 mm diameter does not affect the TCPs with all α/β values when two or more fields are used. On the other hand, if the marker diameter is 2 mm, more than two irradiation fields are required to suppress the decrease in TCP from TCPr by less than 3%. This is especially true when multiple (two or three) markers are used for alignment of a patient.Conclusions:It is recommended that 1.5‐mm markers be used to avoid the reduction of TCP as well as to spare the surrounding critical organs, as long as the markers are visible on x‐ray fluoroscopy. When 2‐mm markers are implanted, more than two fields should be used and the markers should not be placed close to the distal edge of any of the beams.
Radiation therapy effects on white matter fiber tracts of the limbic circuit
Authors: Nazem‐Zadeh Mohammad‐Reza , Chapman Christopher H. , Lawrence Theodore L. , Tsien Christina I. , Cao Yue 
Published: August 2012

Purpose: To segment fiber tracts in the limbic circuit and to assess their sensitivity to radiation therapy (RT).Methods:Twelve patients with brain metastases who had received fractionated whole brain radiation therapy to 30 Gy or 37.5 Gy were included in the study. Diffusion weighted images were acquired pre‐RT, at the end of RT, and 1‐month post‐RT. The fornix, corpus callosum, and cingulum were extracted from diffusion weighted images by combining fiber tracking and segmentation methods based upon characteristics of the fiber bundles. Cingulum was segmented by a seed‐based tractography, fornix by a region of interests (ROI)‐based tractography, and corpus callosum by a level‐set segmentation algorithm. The radiation‐induced longitudinal changes of diffusion indices of the structures were evaluated.Results:Significant decreases were observed in the fractional anisotropy of the posterior part of the cingulum, fornix, and corpus callosum from pre‐RT to end of RT by –14.0%, –12.5%, and –5.2%, respectively (p < 0.001), and from pre‐RT to 1‐month post‐RT by –11.9%, –12.8%, and –6.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Moreover, significant increases were observed in the mean diffusivity of the corpus callosum and the posterior part of the cingulum from pre‐RT to end of RT by 6.8% and 6.5%, respectively, and from pre‐RT to 1‐month post‐RT by 8.5% and 6.3%, respectively. The increase in the radial diffusivity primarily contributed to the significant decrease in the fractional anisotropy, indicating that demyelination is the predominant radiation effect on the white matter structures.Conclusions:Our findings indicate that the fornix and the posterior part of the cingulum are significantly susceptible to radiation damage. We have developed robust computer‐aided semiautomatic segmentation and fiber tracking tools to facilitate the ROI delineation of critical structures, which is important for assessment of radiation damage in a longitudinal fashion.
Coding OSICS sports injury diagnoses in epidemiological studies: does the background of the coder matter?
Authors: Finch Caroline F , Orchard John W , Twomey Dara M , Saad Saleem Muhammad , Ekegren Christina L , Lloyd David G , Elliott Bruce C 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo compare Orchard Sports Injury Classification System (OSICS-10) sports medicine diagnoses assigned by a clinical and non-clinical coder.DesignAssessment of intercoder agreement.SettingCommunity Australian football.Participants1082 standardised injury surveillance records.Main outcome measurementsDirect comparison of the four-character hierarchical OSICS-10 codes assigned by two independent coders (a sports physician and an epidemiologist). Adjudication by a third coder (biomechanist).ResultsThe coders agreed on the first character 95% of the time and on the first two characters 86% of the time. They assigned the same four-digit OSICS-10 code for only 46% of the 1082 injuries. The majority of disagreements occurred for the third character; 85% were because one coder assigned a non-specific ‘X’ code. The sports physician code was deemed correct in 53% of cases and the epidemiologist in 44%. Reasons for disagreement included the physician not using all of the collected information and the epidemiologist lacking specific anatomical knowledge.ConclusionsSports injury research requires accurate identification and classification of specific injuries and this study found an overall high level of agreement in coding according to OSICS-10. The fact that the majority of the disagreements occurred for the third OSICS character highlights the fact that increasing complexity and diagnostic specificity in injury coding can result in a loss of reliability and demands a high level of anatomical knowledge. Injury report form details need to reflect this level of complexity and data management teams need to include a broad range of expertise.
Twenty-four-hour effects of bimatoprost 0.01% monotherapy on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure
Authors: Tung Jonathan D , Tafreshi Ali , Weinreb Robert N , Slight J Rigby , Medeiros Felipe A , Liu John H K 
Published: August 2012

ObjectivesTo investigate the 24 h effects of bimatoprost 0.01% monotherapy on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP).DesignProspective, open-label experimental study.SettingSingle tertiary ophthalmic clinic.ParticipantsSixteen patients with diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (ages, 49–77 years).InterventionsBaseline data of 24 h IOP in untreated patients were collected in a sleep laboratory. Measurements of IOP were taken using a pneumatonometer every 2 h in the sitting and supine body positions during the 16 h diurnal/wake period and in the supine position during the 8 h nocturnal/sleep period. After baseline measurements were taken, patients were treated with bimatoprost 0.01% one time per day at bedtime for 4 weeks, and then 24 h IOP data were collected under the same laboratory conditions.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDiurnal and nocturnal IOP and OPP means under bimatoprost 0.01% treatment were compared with baseline.ResultsThe diurnal and nocturnal IOP means were significantly lower under the bimatoprost 0.01% treatment than baseline in both the sitting and supine positions. The diurnal and nocturnal OPP means were significantly higher under treatment than baseline in both the sitting and supine positions.ConclusionBimatoprost 0.01% monotherapy significantly lowered IOP and increased OPP during the 24 h period.
Can patients really make an informed choice? An evaluation of the availability of online information about consultant surgeons in the United Kingdom
Authors: Radha Sarkhell Saadi , Caplan Nick , St Clair Gibson Alan , Shenouda Michael , Konan Sujith , Kader Deiary 
Published: August 2012

ObjectivesThe National Health Service (NHS) ‘Choose and Book’ online scheme, which allows patients to select the location and time of hospital appointments, has now been extended to include the option for patients to select a specific consultant to carry out any necessary treatment. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is sufficient online information about consultants or consultant-led teams for patients to make an informed choice regarding a specific consultant.DesignA web-based analysis of the availability of information.SettingNorth of England.ParticipantsTwo hundred websites of orthopaedic surgeons.Main outcome measuresThe websites were analysed using a bespoke template that took into account recommendations of the 2010 UK Government white paper. Each website was scored in relation to the availability of specific content relating to each surgeon.ResultsThe majority of websites detailed authorship information (73.2%), level of professional qualification (98.5%) and area of general (73.7%) and specialist (93.3%) interest. However, approximately 50% of websites provided no information in relation to update cycle, involvement in teaching or research and patient satisfaction. Only five (2.6%) of the websites presented death rates, and none indicated morbidity rates.ConclusionsFor patients to be able to make informed choices about their healthcare, surgeons need to ensure that sufficient information is available online, according to the identified limitations of the websites investigated in this study.
Friends are equally important to men and women, but family matters more for men's well-being
Authors: Cable Noriko , Bartley Mel , Chandola Tarani , Sacker Amanda 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundPeople with larger social networks are known to have better well-being; however, little is known about (1) the association with socio-demographic factors that may predict the size and composition of social networks and (2) whether the association with well-being is independent of pre-existing psychological health or socio-demographic factors.MethodsThe authors used information collected from 3169 men and 3512 women who were born in Great Britain in 1958. First, age on leaving full-time education, partnership and employment status at age 42 were used to predict the size and composition of cohort members' social networks at age 45 using ordered logistic regression. Second, using multiple linear regression, the associations between social network size by composition (relatives and friends) and psychological well-being at age 50 were assessed, adjusting for socio-demographic factors and psychological health at age 42.ResultsNot having a partner and staying in full-time education after age 16 was associated with a smaller kinship network in adults. Having a smaller friendship network at age 45 was associated with poorer psychological well-being among adults at age 50, over and above socio-demographic factors and previous psychological health. Additionally, having a smaller kinship network was associated with poorer psychological well-being among men.ConclusionsHaving a well-integrated friendship network is a source of psychological well-being among middle-aged adults, while kinship networks appear to be more important for men's well-being than for women's. These relationships are independent of education, material status and prior psychological health.
Effectiveness of gentamicin for gonorrhoea treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dowell Deborah , Kirkcaldy Robert D 
Published: August 2012

ObjectivesThe development of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents has limited treatment options for gonorrhoea. The potential emergence of cephalosporin resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeaeand cephalosporin allergy in some patients make it necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of other available antimicrobial agents. Gentamicin is widely available in the USA and is used for gonorrhoea treatment in several countries. We conducted a systematic review of the medical literature to assess the effectiveness of gentamicin for treatment of uncomplicated urogenital gonococcal infections.MethodsTwo reviewers assessed relevant articles and independently selected studies that met prespecified selection criteria (including systematic enrolment and assignment to treatment and culture-confirmed diagnosis and outcome). Summary measures for selected studies were pooled using inverse variance-weighted averages with fixed effects. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2, which estimates proportion (0–100%) of variability attributable to heterogeneity between studies. Pooled percentage with negative follow-up culture was compared with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for selection of recommended therapy (lower 95% CI of efficacy ≥95%).ResultsTwenty-nine potentially relevant studies were identified; three met inclusion criteria. Two studies used 240 mg intramuscular gentamicin and one used 280 mg. Percentages with negative culture after single-dose treatment were 90.7% (n=86), 91.4% (n=220) and 95.0% (n=40). Pooled percentage with negative culture after single-dose treatment was 91.5% (95% CI 88.1% to 94.0%, I2=0%).ConclusionsGentamicin does not meet current CDC criteria for recommended treatment of gonorrhoea. However, if cephalosporin resistance emerges, gentamicin may be a useful alternative agent. Evaluation of additional regimens, including combination therapy, is warranted.
Changes in prevalence of progressive feline leukaemia virus infection in cats with lymphoma in Germany
Authors: Meichner K. , Kruse D.B. , Hirschberger J. , Hartmann K. 
Published: August 2012

Progressive infection with feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is considered one of the major risk factors for development of feline lymphoma. The aim of this study was to compare cats with lymphoma between 1980 and 1994 (first period) and between 1995 and 2009 (second period) concerning FeLV antigenaemia and age distribution. In addition, differences between FeLV antigen‐positive and antigen‐negative cats with lymphoma regarding patients' characteristics, tumour location and outcome were evaluated. There was a significant decrease in the percentage of lymphoma cases associated with progressive FeLV infection from the first (59 per cent) to the second (13 per cent) observation period. FeLV antigen‐positive cats were significantly younger (median 3.7 v 11.3 years), and had significantly shorter response duration (median 25 days v 472 days) with therapy. In the cats of the second period, gastrointestinal and extranodal lymphomas were the most common anatomical sites, and the majority of those cats were FeLV antigen‐negative. Thus, other aetiologies than progressive FeLV infection must have a greater impact on cancerogenesis among affected cats with lymphoma to date.
Morphological and germination response variability in seeds of wild yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.) accessions from northwest Spain
Authors: Pérez-García Félix , Varela Federico , González-Benito M. Elena 
Published: August 2012

Gentiana lutea L. (yellow gentian, Gentianaceae) is an important medicinal plant under protection as endangered species in most European countries. The aim of this work was to evaluate variation in seed mass, seed water content, and seed germination among 56 wild accessions of G. lutea. The effect of gibberellic acid (GA3), putrescine, moist chilling, and level of ripeness of seeds on subsequent germination was also investigated. Seeds of G. lutea showed physiological dormancy (final germination percentages ranged from 0% to 11%, depending on the accession) and GA3 enhanced seed germination drastically in all the accessions. The highest germination (99%) of GA3-treated seeds was reached at 15 °C. Final germination percentage and germination rate (as expressed by mean germination time), as well as seed mass and seed water content, varied significantly among accessions. In general, 1 year moist chilling did not significantly enhance G. lutea seed germination. For most accessions, no significant differences were found between fully ripe seeds and less ripe seeds for seed water content, seed mass, and seed germination. Applications of GA3 were always most effective than those of putrescine for increasing seed germination.
Fidelity and diagnostic species concepts in vegetation classification in the Rocky Mountains, northern Utah, USA
Authors: Kusbach Antonín , Long James N. , Van Miegroet Helga , Shultz Leila M. 
Published: August 2012

The concepts of diagnostic species and fidelity have been used frequently in European phytosociology but rarely in North American vegetation classification. We developed a classification of the vegetation of a mountainous area of northern Utah and compared the diagnostic species approach with the indicator-species approach of habitat type classification sensu Daubenmire prevailing in the U.S. Interior West. A total of 157 forest and nonforested plots were described by vascular plants and basic environmental factors. Clustering with RandomForest classification and ordination reduced the original number of plots to 26 meaningful vegetation units. Of these 26 units, 22 were strong, having four or more faithful species. Four units were weak, having less than three faithful species. We identified species diagnostic of particular vegetation units that are potentially useful for recognition of these units in the field. We proposed vegetation types at the level of vegetation alliances and associations, and correlated them with environmental factors. We found our vegetation units to be more strongly associated with the underlying environment than major habitat types sensu Daubenmire. Our approach to classification has the potential to directly link vegetation with the physical environment and could be the basis for a substantial improvement of vegetation classification in the central Rocky Mountains.
New records ofDrosera tokaiensissubsp.hyugaensis(Droseraceae) from Kochi Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Hayakawa Hiroshi , Hamachi Hidenori , Ogawa Kohei , Minaniya Yukio , Yokoyama Jun , Arakawa Ryo , Fukuda Tatsuya 
Published: August 2012

Drosera tokaiensis subsp. hyugaensis (3x), a hybrid between Drosera spatulata (4x) and Drosera rotundifolia (2x), was found in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Results of PCR–RFLP analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear DNA showed that the hybrid individuals had the combined patterns of both parental species. Moreover, the chloroplast DNA of all hybrid individuals was identical to that of D. spatulata, suggesting that the hybrids were generated as a result of the transfer of pollen grains from D. rotundifolia to D. spatulata. Drosera tokaiensis subsp. hyugaensis was reported from Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures only. Drosera tokaiensis subsp. tokaiensis (6x), which is an allopolyploid species of D. tokaiensis subsp. hyugaensis, grows mainly in the Tokai and Kinki districts and is not distributed with D. tokaiensis subsp. hyugaensis in Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. These findings indicate that the hybridization between D. spatulata and D. rotundifolia occurred independently and repeatedly in various areas of Japan.
New Cortinarius species from conifer-dominated forests of North America and Europe
Authors: Niskanen Tuula , Liimatainen Kare , Kytövuori Ilkka , Ammirati Joseph F. 
Published: August 2012

Five new Cortinarius species with medium to large basidiomata are described based on morphological and molecular data. Three of them, Cortinarius aavae , Cortinarius brunneocalcarius , and Cortinarius grosmorneënsis , belong to subgenus Telamonia and one, Cortinarius subfloccopus , to clade /Fulvescentes. The relationship of the fifth species, Cortinarius brunneotinctus , was not solved but it resembles species of clade /Anomali. Cortinarius brunneocalcarius and C. aavae do not have close relatives within the subgenus Telamonia; whereas, C. grosmorneënsis belongs to section Brunnei. Cortinarius grosmorneënsis is only known from eastern Canada, but the other four species have a wide distribution: C. brunneocalcarius and C. subfloccopus occur in North America and Europe, and C. brunneotinctus and C. aavae in western and eastern North America. The descriptions of the novel species are presented and comparison to similar species provided.
Early marine growth of juvenile Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in relation to juvenile pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and sockeye salmon abundance
Authors: McKinnell Skip , Reichardt Maxine 
Published: August 2012

Mortality of salmon in the ocean is considered to be greatest during the first few months and that its magnitude is an inverse of growth. First year marine growth (M1) in two Fraser River sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) populations was positively correlated, reflecting a shared oceanic experience as postsmolts. M1 declined abruptly in both populations after 1977, corresponding to a well-documented change in climate. The reduction in average M1 was not accompanied by a detectable reduction in average survival. In both populations, M1 was significantly greater in even years when juvenile pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ) are abundant in the Strait of Georgia, suggesting that interspecific competition there has little effect on M1. All correlations of M1 with regional pink salmon or sockeye salmon abundances, lagged to align ocean entry years, were negative, but few (pink) or none (sockeye) were statistically significant. The negative correlations were due to the long-term changes (pink salmon abundance increasing, sockeye M1 smaller). Odd year dominance of juvenile pink salmon in northern British Columbia, Canada, is persistent and corresponds with the biennial pattern of M1 variation in Fraser River sockeye salmon and may be the source of the significant odd–even year line effect on M1.
High microcystin concentrations occur only at low nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios in nutrient-rich Canadian lakes
Authors: Orihel Diane M. , Bird David F. , Brylinsky Michael , Chen Huirong , Donald Derek B. , Huang Dorothy Y. , Giani Alessandra , Kinniburgh David , Kling Hedy , Kotak Brian G. , Leavitt Peter R. , Nielsen Charlene C. , Reedyk Sharon , Rooney Rebecca C. , Watson Sue B. , Zurawell Ron W. , Vinebrooke Rolf D. 
Published: August 2012

Although the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin has been detected in Canadian fresh waters, little is known about its prevalence on a national scale. Here, we report for the first time on microcystin in 246 water bodies across Canada based on 3474 analyses. Over the last 10 years, microcystins were detected in every province, often exceeding maximum guidelines for potable and recreational water quality. Microcystins were virtually absent from unproductive systems and were increasingly common in nutrient-rich waters. The probable risk of microcystin concentrations exceeding water quality guidelines was greatest when the ratio of nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) was low and rapidly decreased at higher N:P ratios. Maximum concentrations of microcystins occurred in hypereutrophic lakes at mass ratios of N:P below 23. Our models may prove to be useful screening tools for identifying potentially toxic “hotspots” or “hot times” of unacceptable microcystin levels. A future scientific challenge will be to determine whether there is any causal link between N:P ratios and microcystin concentrations, as this may have important implications for the management of eutrophied lakes and reservoirs.