bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Psychosocial Interventions for Cognitive Dysfunction in Cancer Patients Who Have Received Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hines Sonia , Ramis Mary‐Anne , Pike Shannon , Chang Anne M. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundChemotherapy‐related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) refers to problems with memory, attention span, or concentration, experienced by patients with cancer who have had chemotherapy. CRCD can have a significant negative effect on a patient's quality of life. The exact cause of CRCD is unknown but is presumed to be multifactorial.ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions designed to treat CRCD.MethodsParticipants of interest to the review were over 18 years of age, diagnosed with cancer, and receiving chemotherapy or had received chemotherapy in the past. Interventions of interest were methods to improve cognitive function. Included study designs were randomized controlled trials, quasi‐experimental trials, and quantitative observational studies. The primary outcome of interest was level of cognitive function. A three‐step search strategy was utilized to identify studies published from 1985 to 2011 from a wide range of databases. Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review methods were used but findings were analyzed using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 5.1 program. Weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated from the continuous data.ResultsSearching identified 3,109 potentially relevant articles and 120 full‐text articles were retrieved. Two further papers were sourced from reference lists of retrieved articles. From 122 papers, six were suitable for critical appraisal and six were included in the analysis. Meta‐analysis was conducted on two cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) trials for the outcome of inability to concentrate. Significant effect was seen for one CBT intervention at 20 weeks (p = .004). Significant effect from CBT on quality of life was seen at 6‐month follow‐up (p < .05).ConclusionsDespite some evidence of an effect, there is insufficient evidence at this stage to strongly recommend any of the interventions to assist in decreasing the effects of CRCD, except in terms of improving quality of life.
Rational functions with maximal radius of absolute monotonicity
Authors: Lóczi Lajos , Ketcheson David I. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe study the radius of absolute monotonicity $R$ of rational functions with numerator and denominator of degree $s$ that approximate the exponential function to order $p$. Such functions arise in the application of implicit $s$-stage, order $p$ Runge–Kutta methods for initial value problems, and the radius of absolute monotonicity governs the numerical preservation of properties like positivity and maximum-norm contractivity. We construct a function with $p=2$ and $R>2s$, disproving a conjecture of van de Griend and Kraaijevanger. We determine the maximum attainable radius for functions in several one-parameter families of rational functions. Moreover, we prove earlier conjectured optimal radii in some families with two or three parameters via uniqueness arguments for systems of polynomial inequalities. Our results also prove the optimality of some strong stability preserving implicit and singly diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta methods. Whereas previous results in this area were primarily numerical, we give all constants as exact algebraic numbers.
Antileishmanial, Toxicity, and Phytochemical Evaluation of Medicinal Plants Collected from Pakistan
Authors: Shah Naseer Ali , Khan Muhammad Rashid , Nadhman Akhtar 
Published: May 2014

Leishmaniasis is an important parasitic problem and is in focus for development of new drugs all over the world. Objective of the present study was to evaluate phytochemical, toxicity, and antileishmanial potential ofJurinea dolomiaea,Asparagus gracilis,Sida cordata,andStellaria mediacollected from different areas of Pakistan. Dry powder of plants was extracted with crude methanol and fractionated withn-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate,n-butanol, and water solvents in escalating polarity order. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of different class of compounds, that is, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, phlobatannins, flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins, was tested. Its appearance was observed varying with polarity of solvent used for fractionation. Antileishmanial activity was performed againstLeishmania tropicaKWH23 promastigote. Potent antileishmanial activity was observed forJ. dolomiaeamethanol extract (IC50=10.9±1.1 μg/mL) in comparison to other plant extracts. However,J. dolomiaea“ethyl acetate fraction” was more active (IC50=5.3±0.2 μg/mL) againstLeishmania tropicaKWH23 among all plant fractions as well as standard Glucantime drug (6.0±0.1 μg/mL). All the plants extract and its derived fraction exhibited toxicity in safety range (LC50 >100) in brine shrimp toxicity evaluation assay.
Parameter Dependence of Positive Solutions for Second-Order Singular Neumann Boundary Value Problems with Impulsive Effects
Authors: Zhang Xuemei 
Published: May 2014

The author considers the Neumann boundary value problem-y′′t+Myt=λωtft,yt, t∈J,   t≠tk,  -Δy′|t=tk=λIktk,ytk,   k=1,2,…,m,  y′(0)=y′(1)=0and establishes the dependence results of the solution on the parameterλ, which cover equations without impulsive effects and are compared with some recent results by Nieto and O’Regan.
The Epidemic of Inadequate Biventricular Pacing in Patients With Persistent or Permanent Atrial Fibrillation and Its Association With Mortality
Authors: Ousdigian Kevin T. , Borek P. Peter , Koehler Jodi L. , Heywood J. Thomas , Ziegler Paul D. , Wilkoff Bruce L. 
Published: May 2014

Background—
We classified patients’ atrial fibrillation (AF), assessed its impact on biventricular pacing (BIVP%), and determined whether AF classification or BIVP% independently correlate with mortality in cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator patients.

Methods and Results—

Cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator patients were classified as permanent (daily mean AF burden ≥23 hours), persistent (≥7 consecutive days of AF ≥23 hours/d), paroxysmal (≥1 day with AF ≥6 hours), or no/little AF (all others) using device-detected AF during the 6 months postimplant. We evaluated subsequent all-cause mortality using a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression. Among 54 019 patients (age, 70±11 years; 73% male; follow-up, 2.3±1.2 years), 8% of patients each had permanent (N=4449), persistent (N=4237), and paroxysmal AF (N=4219). A high proportion of patients with permanent (69%) and persistent (62%) AF did not achieve high BIVP (>98%). Relative to no/little AF, patients with AF had increased mortality after adjusting for age, sex, BIVP, and shocks (permanent: hazard ratio=1.28 [1.19–1.38];
P
<0.001; persistent: hazard ratio=1.51 [1.41–1.61];
P
<0.001). Relative to patients with BIVP >98%, patients with reduced BIVP had increased mortality after adjusting for age, sex, AF, and shocks (90%–98%: hazard ratio=1.20 [1.15–1.26];
P
<0.001; <90%: hazard ratio=1.32 [1.23–1.41];
P
<0.001). High BIVP% was associated with the greatest mortality improvement in permanent AF among the AF classifications.

Conclusions—
High BIVP% was not achieved in two thirds of 8686 patients with persistent or permanent AF, and these patients had an increased risk of death. A shift toward more aggressive rate control and more pacing may be necessary in patients with AF to maximize the benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy.
A New Index for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26°N
Authors: Duchez A. , Hirschi J. J.-M. , Cunningham S. A. , Blaker A. T. , Bryden H. L. , de Cuevas B. , Atkinson C. P. , McCarthy G. D. , Frajka-Williams E. , Rayner D. , Smeed D. , Mizielinski M. S. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) has received considerable attention, motivated by its major role in the global climate system. Observations of AMOC strength at 26°N made by the Rapid Climate Change (RAPID) array provide the best current estimate of the state of the AMOC. The period 2004–11 when RAPID AMOC is available is too short to assess decadal variability of the AMOC. This modeling study introduces a new AMOC index (called AMOCSV) at 26°N that combines the Florida Straits transport, the Ekman transport, and the southward geostrophic Sverdrup transport. The main hypothesis in this study is that the upper midocean geostrophic transport calculated using the RAPID array is also wind-driven and can be approximated by the geostrophic Sverdrup transport at interannual and longer time scales. This index is expected to reflect variations in the AMOC at interannual to decadal time scales. This estimate of the surface branch of the AMOC can be constructed as long as reliable measurements are available for the Gulf Stream and for wind stress. To test the reliability of the AMOCSV on interannual and longer time scales, two different numerical simulations are used: a forced and a coupled simulation. Using these simulations the AMOCSV captures a substantial fraction of the AMOC variability and is in good agreement with the AMOC transport at 26°N on both interannual and decadal time scales. These results indicate that it might be possible to extend the observation-based AMOC at 26°N back to the 1980s.
How Much Have Variations in the Meridional Overturning Circulation Contributed to Sea Surface Temperature Trends since 1850? A Study with the EC-Earth Global Climate Model
Authors: Schmith Torben , Yang Shuting , Gleeson Emily , Semmler Tido 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The surface of the world’s oceans has been warming since the beginning of industrialization. In addition to this, multidecadal sea surface temperature (SST) variations of internal origin exist. Evidence suggests that the North Atlantic Ocean exhibits the strongest multidecadal SST variations and that these variations are connected to the overturning circulation.
This work investigates the extent to which these internal multidecadal variations have contributed to enhancing or diminishing the trend induced by the external radiative forcing, globally and in the North Atlantic. A model study is carried out wherein the analyses of a long control simulation with constant radiative forcing at preindustrial level and of an ensemble of simulations with historical forcing from 1850 until 2005 are combined. First, it is noted that global SST trends calculated from the different historical simulations are similar, while there is a large disagreement between the North Atlantic SST trends. Then the control simulation is analyzed, where a relationship between SST anomalies and anomalies in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) for multidecadal and longer time scales is identified. This relationship enables the extraction of the AMOC-related SST variability from each individual member of the ensemble of historical simulations and then the calculation of the SST trends with the AMOC-related variability excluded. For the global SST trends this causes only a little difference while SST trends with AMOC-related variability excluded for the North Atlantic show closer agreement than with the AMOC-related variability included. From this it is concluded that AMOC variability has contributed significantly to North Atlantic SST trends since the mid nineteenth century.
Influences of the Antarctic Ozone Hole on Southern Hemispheric Summer Climate Change
Authors: Bandoro Justin , Solomon Susan , Donohoe Aaron , Thompson David W. J. , Santer Benjamin D. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Over the past three decades, Antarctic surface climate has undergone pronounced changes. Many of these changes have been linked to stratospheric ozone depletion. Here linkages between Antarctic ozone loss, the accompanying circulation changes, and summertime Southern Hemisphere (SH) midlatitude surface temperatures are explored. Long-term surface climate changes associated with ozone-driven changes in the southern annular mode (SAM) at SH midlatitudes in summer are not annular in appearance owing to differences in regional circulation and precipitation impacts. Both station and reanalysis data indicate a trend toward cooler summer temperatures over southeast and south-central Australia and inland areas of the southern tip of Africa. It is also found that since the onset of the ozone hole, there have been significant shifts in the distributions of both the seasonal mean and daily maximum summertime temperatures in the SH midlatitude regions between high and low ozone years. Unusually hot summer extremes are associated with anomalously high ozone in the previous November, including the recent very hot austral summer of 2012/13. If the relationship found in the past three decades continues to hold, the level of late springtime ozone over Antarctica has the potential to be part of a useful predictor set for the following summer’s conditions. The results herein suggest that skillful predictions may be feasible for both the mean seasonal temperature and the frequency of extreme hot events in some SH midlatitude regions of Australia, Africa, and South America.
Diabatic Heating and Cooling Rates Derived from In Situ Microphysics Measurements: A Case Study of a Wintertime U.K. Cold Front
Authors: Dearden C. , Connolly P. J. , Lloyd G. , Crosier J. , Bower K. N. , Choularton T. W. , Vaughan G. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn situ measurements associated with the passage of a kata cold front over the United Kingdom on 29 November 2011 are used to initialize a Lagrangian parcel model for the purpose of calculating rates of diabatic heating and cooling associated with the phase changes of water within the cloud system. The parcel model calculations are performed with both bin-resolved and bulk treatments of microphysical processes. The in situ data from this case study reveal droplet number concentrations up to 100 cm−3, with planar ice crystals detected at cloud top, as well as columnar crystals produced by rime splinter ejection within the prefrontal warm sector. The results show that in terms of magnitude, the most significant rates of diabatic heating and cooling are produced by condensation growth of liquid water within the convective updrafts at the leading edge of the front. The peak temperature tendencies associated with condensation are typically found to be at least an order of magnitude larger than those associated with the ice phase, although the cooling effect from sublimation and melting occurs over a wide region. The parcel model framework is used in conjunction with the observations to assess the suitability of existing bulk microphysical treatments, of the kind used in operational weather forecast models. It is found that the assumption of spherical ice crystals (with diameters equal to the maximum dimension of those sampled), along with the use of negative exponential functions to describe ice particle size distributions, can lead to an overestimation of local diabatic heating and cooling rates by a factor of 2 or more.
Complementary Approaches to Improving Glucose Control—Insulin and Incretins
Authors: Meece Jerry D. , Pearson Teresa L. , Siminerio Linda M. 
Published: May 2014

Purpose The use of insulin and incretin-based therapies together has recently emerged as a new therapeutic option for patients with type 2 diabetes. This approach can be used across the continuum of diabetes and is supported by clinical trial evidence. To illustrate how these data may apply to clinical care, this supplement uses patient case studies to provide clinical context for diabetes educators. Relevant medical literature was searched and cited. Search terms included insulin, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, hypoglycemia, and weight gain. Conclusion Insulin remains the most potent glucose-lowering agent available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but has limitations, primarily of hypoglycemia and secondarily of weight gain. The addition of incretin-based therapies complements the glucose-lowering potential of basal insulin, without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, potentially allowing for lower doses of insulin and without increasing weight gain (DPP-4 inhibitors) or possibly with weight loss (GLP-1 receptor agonists). Incretin-based therapies offer advantages over prandial insulin to address postprandial hyperglycemia.
Results from RCTs in Sclerotherapy: European Guidelines for Sclerotherapy in Chronic Venous Disorders*
Authors: Pannier F , Rabe E ,   for the Guideline Group
Published: May 2014

Aim Sclerotherapy is the targeted chemical ablation of varicose veins by intravenous injection of a liquid or foamed sclerosing drug. The treated veins may be intradermal, subcutaneous, and/or transfascial as well as superficial and deep in venous malformations. The aim of this guideline is to give evidence-based recommendations for liquid and foam sclerotherapy. Methods This guideline was drafted on behalf of 23 European Phlebological Societies during a Guideline Conference on 7th–10th May 2012 in Mainz. The conference was organized by the German Society of Phlebology. Results This guideline focuses on the two sclerosing drugs which are licensed in the majority of the European countries, Polidocanol (POL) and Sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS). Other sclerosants are not discussed in detail. In this paper the results from recent RCTs in sclerotherapy are reviewed.
Biology of chronic wounds and new treatment strategies
Authors: Montfrans Catherine van , Stok Myrte , Geerkens Maud 
Published: May 2014

Impaired wound healing is the result of the interplay between patient-related factors, wound-related factors, skill and knowledge of the healthcare professional and resources and treatment-related factors. The study of wound-related factors learns us that healing is a very complex biologic process. Both ‘seed’ (differentiated and stem cells) and ‘soil’ (e.g. cytokines/chemokines, growth factors, matrix components) are essential for effective wound healing. Tissue engineering for chronic wounds has the potential to improve healing by providing an ‘ideal’ combination of cells and their local microenviroment. In this contribution we discuss new treatment strategies to improve wound-related factors by biomaterials, skin substitutes and stem cell-based therapies.
Hemodynamic changes in iliofemoral disease
Authors: Kurstjens RLM , de Wolf MAF , de Graaf R , Wittens CHA 
Published: May 2014

Background Iliofemoral venous obstruction, caused by post-thrombotic disease, can be treated by percutaneous angioplasty and additional stenting with good results. However, no hemodynamic parameter determining the need for treatment has been defined. This article describes the preliminary results of a study investigating the pressure changes occurring in post-thrombotic deep venous obstruction. Methodology Four patients with post-thrombotic deep venous obstruction of the iliofemoral tract were identified. Intravenous pressure was pre-operatively measured in the common femoral vein and in a dorsal foot vein bilaterally. During these pressure measurements patients were asked to walk on a treadmill with a speed of 3.2 km/h and a zero per cent slope, with the slope increasing two per cent every two minutes. Results Four patients (two male, two female) with age varying from 23 to 40 were identified. In two patients, disease extended below the femoral confluence. Pressure in the dorsal foot vein was not notably different between the affected and the control side. Pressure in the common femoral vein was markedly higher in post-thrombotic limbs compared to the control limb, with ambulatory pressure increasing more in post-thrombotic limbs. Conclusions These preliminary results are highly illustrative for the hemodynamic effect of iliofemoral deep venous obstruction due to post-thrombotic disease, even though sample size is admittedly limited. Furthermore, these results suggest that pressure measurements of the common femoral vein, and not the dorsal foot vein, might be able to identify a significant outflow obstruction due to post-thrombotic disease, though further inclusion of patients is necessary.
Compression therapy of leg ulcers with PAOD
Authors: Ladwig Andrea , Haase Hermann , Bichel Jens , Schuren Jan , Jünger Michael 
Published: May 2014

Objectives: To assess the clinical safety of a new short-stretch 2-layer compression system (3Mtm Cobantm 2 Lite) in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). This system combines a low resting pressure with a high working pressure. Methods: A pilot study was performed in 15 subjects with moderate PAOD, i.e. an ABPI of 0.5-0.8. Co-existing chronic venous insufficiency or leg ulcer was not mandatory. All subjects received the compression system which was reapplied at each study visit (days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14). The safety parameters were: sub-bandage pressure immediately after application, pressure-related skin damage, hypoxia-related pain, and adverse events. A product comfort questionnaire was completed at the last visit. Results: The average sub-bandage pressure of 30 mmHg defined by the protocol was achieved. No pressure-related skin damage or hypoxia-related pain was found. The reported adverse device effects were as expected for compression therapies, including dry skin and pruritus. The product comfort questionnaire completed by the subjects showed a good tolerability profile. Conclusion: The short-stretch 2-layer compression system (3Mtm Cobantm 2 Lite) was safe and well tolerated in subjects with moderate PAOD.
Hypomelanosis of Ito presenting with pediatric orthopedic issues: a case report
Authors: Trägårdh Malene , Thomsen Christine Rohr , Thorninger Rikke , Møller-Madsen Bjarne 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIntroductionHypomelanosis of Ito was originally described as a purely cutaneous disease. Extracutaneous manifestations were described later, forming a neurocutaneous syndrome including skeletal, muscular, ocular and central nervous system symptoms.Hypomelanosis of Ito is characterized by a depigmentation along the lines of Blaschko on the trunk and extremities in certain patterns.The aim of this article was to report another case and give an overview of the related orthopedic symptoms that have been previously described. It was also our wish to contribute with recommendations for consideration with regard to bandages on eczematous rashes, especially on clubfeet.Case presentationA one-and-a-half-month-old boy of Caucasian background born with talipes equinovarus, or clubfoot, on his right foot presented with an eczematous rash after surgical correction and plaster bandaging.ConclusionsIt is the appearance of hypopigmentation, either alone or in combination with a congenital malformation, particularly central nervous system or musculoskeletal anomalies, which should form the basis of a presumptive diagnosis. This should then lead to further investigations and should always include skin biopsies and a test for chromosomal mosaicism.We report the case of a boy with a clinical picture consisting of a depigmented skin pattern, mental retardation, pes cavus, talipes equinovarus, clinodactyly, eczema, inverted cilia of the eye, strabismus, reduced hearing, ventral hernia, glomerulonephritis, missing testicles, leg length discrepancy with scoliosis, back pain and a syrinx.It is perhaps impossible to make any conclusions about extracutaneous symptoms. However, some symptoms such as retardation, cramps and seizures, delayed development and hypotonia cannot be ignored.Because of the possibility of creating an undesirable and long postoperative period with complications, it is very important to have this diagnosis in mind when deciding to do surgery or not if there are signs of dermatological problems before surgery. In this case, it could also be good clinical practice to test the patient’s reaction to plaster or other bandages.