bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hemithoracic radiation therapy after extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma: Toxicity and outcomes at an Australian institution
Authors: Bece Andrej , Tin Mo Mo , Martin Darren , Lin Robert , McLean Jocelyn , McCaughan Brian 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIntroductionWe aim to report the outcome of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and adjuvant hemithoracic radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy at a single Australian institution.MethodBetween July 2004 and March 2013, 53 patients were referred for radiation treatment following EPP, of whom 49 were suitable for adjuvant treatment. Radiation treatment initially involved a 3D conformal, mixed electron/photon technique, delivering 45–50.4 Gy in 25–28 fractions (31 patients) and subsequently a nine‐field intensity‐modulated radiotherapy technique, delivering 50.4–54 Gy in 28–30 fractions (18 patients). Fifty‐five per cent of patients also received pre‐operative chemotherapy. We assessed toxicity, disease‐specific and overall survival in patients who commenced radiation treatment.ResultsForty‐one patients (84%) completed treatment as prescribed. Six patients stopped prematurely due to toxicity, and two with disease progression. Most patients discontinuing due to toxicity received over 90% of the prescribed dose. Common acute toxicities included nausea, fatigue, anorexia and dermatitis. Severe early toxicities were rare. Late toxicities were uncommon, with the exception of a persistent elevation in liver enzymes in those with right‐sided disease. Neither clinical hepatitis nor radiation pneumonitis was documented. With a median follow up of 18.7 months, median disease‐free and overall survival were 21.6 and 30.5 months, respectively, and 2‐year overall survival was 57.3%.ConclusionHemithoracic radiotherapy following EPP, although associated with significant early toxicity, is well tolerated. Most patients complete the prescribed treatment, and clinically significant late toxicities are rare.
Initial experience using the rigid forceps technique to remove wall‐embedded IVC filters
Authors: Avery Allan , Stephens Maximilian , Redmond Kendal , Harper John 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIntroductionSeverely tilted and embedded inferior vena cava (IVC) filters remain the most challenging IVC filters to remove. Heavy endothelialisation over the filter hook can prevent engagement with standard snare and cone recovery techniques. The rigid forceps technique offers a way to dissect the endothelial cap and reliably retrieve severely tilted and embedded filters. By developing this technique, failed IVC retrieval rates can be significantly reduced and the optimum safety profile offered by temporary filters can be achieved. We present our initial experience with the rigid forceps technique described by Stavropoulos et al. for removing wall‐embedded IVC filters.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical imaging and patient records of all patients who underwent a rigid forceps filter removal over a 22‐month period across two tertiary referral institutions.ResultsThe rigid forceps technique had a success rate of 85% (11/13) for IVC filter removals. All filters in the series showed evidence of filter tilt and embedding of the filter hook into the IVC wall. Average filter tilt from the Z‐axis was 19 degrees (range 8–56). Filters observed in the case study were either Bard G2X (n = 6) or Cook Celect (n = 7). Average filter dwell time was 421 days (range 47–1053). There were no major complications observed.ConclusionThe rigid forceps technique can be readily emulated and is a safe and effective technique to remove severely tilted and embedded IVC filters. The development of this technique across both institutions has increased the successful filter removal rate, with perceived benefits to the safety profile of our IVC filter programme.
Usefulness of positron emission tomography‐computed tomography in pre‐operative evaluation of intra‐thoracic esophageal cancer
Authors: Kim Jae Jun , Park Jae Kil , Moon Seok Whan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the study was to clarify the usefulness of positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (PET‐CT) for pre‐operative evaluation of intra‐thoracic esophageal cancer, especially in terms of regional lymph node status.MethodsMedical records of 93 consecutive cases from July 2007 to October 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent curative and complete esophagectomies for intra‐thoracic esophageal cancer. We compared pre‐operative maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) of esophageal tumors and regional lymph nodes (LN) with other variables (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of previous other primary cancer, gender, differentiation, and neoadjuvant therapy). In addition, the SUVmax of tumors and LNs were analyzed with pathologic findings.ResultsThere was no significant difference of each tumor and LN SUVmax according to factors including chronic lung disease, age, history of previous other cancer, differentiation, and gender. Pre‐operative evaluations by PET‐CT were not accurate (tumor sensitivity 76.4%, specificity 25%; LN sensitivity 45.2%, specificity 54.8%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that LN metastasis could not be appropriately diagnosed with SUVmax (P = 0.871). There was no difference in SUVmax between pathologically positive and negative LN subgroups. Tumor SUVmax correlated with the progression of esophageal cancer in patients without neoadjuvant therapy (P < 0.001). However, LN SUVmax had no correlation with overall pathologic stage. After neoadjuvant therapy, there were significant decreases in SUVmax in both pathologically positive and negative LN subgroups (P = 0.043, P = 0.008).Conclusion Surgery should not be withheld in N‐stage according to PET‐CT findings and carefully considered in conjunction with other conditions.
FSH regulates fat accumulation and redistribution in aging through the Gαi/Ca2+/CREB pathway
Authors: Liu Xin‐Mei , Chan Hsiao Chang , Ding Guo‐Lian , Cai Jie , Song Yang , Wang Ting‐Ting , Zhang Dan , Chen Hui , Yu Mei Kuen , Wu Yan‐Ting , Qu Fan , Liu Ye , Lu Yong‐Chao , Adashi Eli Y. , Sheng Jian‐Zhong , Huang He‐Feng 
Published: March 2015

SummaryIncreased fat mass and fat redistribution are commonly observed in aging populations worldwide. Although decreased circulating levels of sex hormones, androgens and oestrogens have been observed, the exact mechanism of fat accumulation and redistribution during aging remains obscure. In this study, the receptor of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), a gonadotropin that increases sharply and persistently with aging in both males and females, is functionally expressed in human and mouse fat tissues and adipocytes. Follicle‐stimulating hormone was found to promote lipid biosynthesis and lipid droplet formation; FSH could also alter the secretion of leptin and adiponectin, but not hyperplasia, in vitro and in vivo. The effects of FSH are mediated by FSH receptors coupled to the Gαi protein; as a result, Ca2+ influx is stimulated, cAMP‐response‐element‐binding protein is phosphorylated, and an array of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis is activated. The present findings depict the potential of FSH receptor‐mediated lipodystrophy of adipose tissues in aging. Our results also reveal the mechanism of fat accumulation and redistribution during aging of males and females.
The Australian asset‐pricing debate
Authors: Durand Robert B. , Limkriangkrai Manapon , Chai Daniel 
Published: March 2015

AbstractUtilising a comprehensive data set for Australian firms, we examine a range of competing asset‐pricing models, including the four‐ and five‐factor models where the equity‐risk premium is augmented by size, value, momentum and liquidity premia, and find that none of the models tested appears to adequately explain the cross section of Australian returns. A model accounting for Australia's integration with the US equity market appears to be the best of the competing models we study. Our argument that a model recognising Australia's integration with the USA is supported when we apply the portfolio and factor construction methodology suggested by Brailsford et al. (2012a,b).
Systematic review: noncoeliac gluten sensitivity
Authors: Molina‐Infante J. , Santolaria S. , Sanders D. S. , Fernández‐Bañares F. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryBackgroundNoncoeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a controversial emerging disorder. Despite reported symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten, NCGS remains a diagnosis based on the exclusion of coeliac disease, given the absence of reliable biomarkers.AimTo evaluate the prevalence, diagnostic exclusion of coeliac disease and the efficacy of a gluten‐free diet (GFD) for NCGS patients.MethodsA PubMed search was performed up to December 2014. According to consensus diagnostic criteria, NCGS was defined as self‐reported gluten intolerance, negative coeliac serology and absence of villous atrophy. Studies evaluating the impact of a GFD on patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were also included.ResultsPrevalence rates of NCGS (0.5–13%) differed widely. Seventeen studies, including 1561 patients (26 children), met the inclusion criteria for NCGS. HLA haplotypes could not be linked to histology [normal or lymphocytic enteritis (LE)] in 1123 NCGS patients. HLADQ2/DQ8 haplotypes were present in 44% of NCGS patients. After advanced diagnostic techniques in 189 NCGS patients combining LE and HLADQ2/DQ8 haplotypes, 39 (20%) were reclassified as coeliac disease. There was a higher than expected family history of coeliac disease and autoimmune disorders in NCGS patients. A GFD resulted in variable results for variable, but significantly improved stool frequency in HLADQ2 positive diarrhoea‐predominant IBS patients.ConclusionsPrevalence rates for NCGS are extremely variable. A subset of NCGS patients might belong in the so‐called ‘coeliac‐lite’ disease. The benefit of a GFD for NCGS patients is currently controversial. HLADQ2 positive diarrhoea‐type IBS patients might gain symptom improvement from a GFD.
Confirming the structure of negative beliefs about psychosis and bipolar disorder: A confirmatory factor analysis study of the Personal Beliefs about Experience Questionnaire and Personal Beliefs about Illness Questionnaire
Authors: Taylor Peter J. , Pyle Melissa , Schwannauer Matthias , Hutton Paul , Morrison Anthony 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesNegative beliefs about psychosis and other mental health difficulties may contribute to depression and distress in individuals with these experiences. The Personal Beliefs about Experience Questionnaire (PBEQ) and Personal Beliefs about Illness Questionnaire (PBIllQ) are two widely used measures of these beliefs. It is currently uncertain how the items on these measures map onto different underlying factors. This study therefore aimed to test the factor structure of these two measures.MethodsConfirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test three alternative, pre‐specified, factor structures for the PBIllQ and PBEQ in a sample of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n = 202) and a sample of individuals with experien‐ces of psychosis (n = 362). Associations with depressive symptoms were also examined.ResultA three‐factor structure was supported for both measures, which included Negative Expectations/Appraisals (NEA), Internal Shame/Defectiveness (ISD) and External Shame (ES) factors. The NEA and ISD subscales also had consistent independent associations with depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the PBIllQ and PBEQ may capture three distinct sets of negative beliefs in individuals with psychosis or bipolar disorder and that these beliefs may have important consequences for subsequent difficulties in these populations such as depression. Both measures may be helpful in supporting assessment and formulation in clinical practice and in evaluating belief change in intervention trials. However, when used in these settings, the three subscales identified in this study may be the most valid way of calculating scores on these measures.Practitioner points

Negative personal beliefs about the causes, meaning and consequences of psychosis and bipolar disorder are associated with greater distress and depression. Two related measures, the PBIllQ and PBEQ, have been developed to assess these beliefs.

Our analyses suggest that scores on these questionnaires are best broken down into three subscales which capture perceptions of internal shame or defectiveness, general negative appraisals and perceptions of external shame.

These subscales may capture key underlying sets of negative beliefs within individuals with psychosis or bipolar disorder, which in turn impact upon well‐being, such as being associated with greater depression.

These subscales can be used to aid assessment and formulation within clinical practice but may also provide a valuable means of assessing changes in negative beliefs following interventions.
Effects of mathematics computer games on special education students' multiplicative reasoning ability
Authors: Bakker Marjoke , van den Heuvel‐Panhuizen Marja , Robitzsch Alexander 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study examined the effects of a teacher‐delivered intervention with online mathematics mini‐games on special education students' multiplicative reasoning ability (multiplication and division). The games involved declarative, procedural, as well as conceptual knowledge of multiplicative relations, and were accompanied with teacher‐led lessons and class discussions. A pretest–posttest control‐group design was employed, with 81 students from five schools for special primary education (three experimental schools and two control schools). The intervention consisted of two 10‐week game periods in which a total of 16 mini‐games were offered as part of the regular educational program for multiplicative reasoning. The control group students played non‐multiplicative mini‐games; for multiplicative reasoning, they followed their regular educational program without mini‐games. In both groups, students' multiplicative reasoning ability significantly increased. Regarding declarative knowledge of multiplication facts, learning outcomes were significantly higher in the experimental group as compared with the control group. This finding indicates the usefulness of mini‐games for enhancing special education students' mathematics fact knowledge. Learning outcomes on a test measuring procedural and conceptual knowledge of multiplicative reasoning did not differ between experimental and control group. For these learning outcomes, then, the mini‐games intervention did not have added value but can still be considered a “safe” alternative approach.
Effective learning and retention of braille letter tactile discrimination skills in children with developmental dyslexia
Authors: Hayek Maisam , Dorfberger Shoshi , Karni Avi 
Published: March 2015

AbstractChildren with developmental dyslexia (DD) may differ from typical readers in aspects other than reading. The notion of a general deficit in the ability to acquire and retain procedural (‘how to’) knowledge as long‐term procedural memory has been proposed. Here, we compared the ability of elementary school children, with and without reading difficulties (DD, typical readers), to improve their tactile discrimination with practice and tested the children's ability to retain the gains. Forty 10–11‐year‐olds practiced the tactile discrimination of four braille letters, presented as pairs, while blindfolded. In a trial, participants were asked to report whether the target stimuli were identical or different from each other. The structured training session consisted of six blocks of 16 trials each. Performance was re‐tested at 24 hours and two weeks post‐training. Both groups improved in speed and in accuracy. In session 1, children with DD started as significantly less accurate and were slower than the typical readers but showed rapid learning and successfully closed the gap. Only two children with DD failed to benefit from training and were not included in subsequent data analyses. At 24 hours post‐training both groups showed effective retention of the gains in speed and accuracy. Importantly, children with DD were able to retain the gains in speed and accuracy, over a two‐week interval as effectively as typical readers. Thus, children with DD were as effective in the acquisition and retention of tactile discrimination of braille letters as typical readers of the same age. The results do not support the notion of a general procedural learning disability in DD.
Cross‐linguistic interactions influence reading development in bilinguals: a comparison between early balanced French‐Basque and Spanish‐Basque bilingual children
Authors: Lallier Marie , Acha Joana , Carreiras Manuel 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study investigates whether orthographic consistency and transparency of languages have an impact on the development of reading strategies and reading sub‐skills (i.e. phonemic awareness and visual attention span) in bilingual children. We evaluated 21 French (opaque)‐Basque (transparent) bilingual children and 21 Spanish (transparent)‐Basque (transparent) bilingual children at Grade 2, and 16 additional children of each group at Grade 5. All of them were assessed in their common language (i.e. Basque) on tasks measuring word and pseudoword reading, phonemic awareness and visual attention span skills. The Spanish speaking groups showed better Basque pseudoword reading and better phonemic awareness abilities than their French speaking peers, but only in the most difficult conditions of the tasks. However, on the visual attention span task, the French‐Basque bilinguals showed the most efficient visual processing strategies to perform the task. Therefore, learning to read in an additional language affected differently Basque literacy skills, depending on whether this additional orthography was opaque (e.g. French) or transparent (e.g. Spanish). Moreover, we showed that the most noteworthy effects of Spanish and French orthographic transparency on Basque performance were related to the size of the phonological and visual grain used to perform the tasks.
Two Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysms with Fistula to the Left Ventricle: Preliminary Diagnosis by Echocardiography
Authors: Li Yuman , Xie Mingxing , Wang Xinfang , Lv Qing , Yang YaLi , He Lin 
Published: March 2015

Mini‐AbstractCoronary artery fistula with two giant coronary artery aneurysms is a very rare condition. In this study, we report a patient with right coronary artery to left ventricle fistula with two giant coronary artery aneurysms. The patient was treated successfully by closure of the fistula and the orifice of the RCA, and coronary artery bypass grafting.
Movement patterns of Brook Trout in a restored coastal stream system in southern Massachusetts
Authors: Snook Erin L. , Letcher Benjamin H. , Dubreuil Todd L. , Zydlewski Joseph , O'Donnell Matthew J. , Whiteley Andrew R. , Hurley Stephen T. , Danylchuk Andy J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractCoastal Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations are found from northern Canada to New England. The extent of anadromy generally decreases with latitude, but the ecology and movements of more southern populations are poorly understood. We conducted a 33‐month acoustic telemetry study of Brook Trout in Red Brook, MA, and adjacent Buttermilk Bay (marine system) using 16 fixed acoustic receivers and surgically implanting acoustic transmitters in 84 individuals. Tagged Brook Trout used the stream, estuary (50% of individuals) and bay (10% of individuals). Movements into full sea water were brief when occurring. GAMM models revealed that transitions between habitat areas occurred most often in spring and fall. Environmental data suggest that use of the saline environment is limited by summer temperatures in the bay. Movements may also be related to moon phase. Compared to more northern coastal populations of Brook Trout, the Red Brook population appears to be less anadromous overall, yet the estuarine segment of the system may have considerable ecological importance as a food resource.
Colletotrichum acutatum associated with Dryocosmus kuriphilus galls on Castanea sativa
Authors: Gaffuri F. , Maresi G. , Pedrazzoli F. , Longa C. M. O. , Boriani M. , Molinari M. , Tantardini A. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThe occurrence of Colletotrichum acutatum J. H. Simmonds in necrotized galls of Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu in chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) stands is reported for the first time in Italy. Morphological and biomolecular analyses confirmed the isolation of the fungus. No damage by the fungus has been observed.
cis‐cyclopropylamines as mechanism‐based inhibitors of monoamine oxidases
Authors: Malcomson Thomas , Yelekci Kemal , Borrello Maria Teresa , Ganesan A. , Semina Elena , De Kimpe Norbert , Mangelinckx Sven , Ramsay Rona R. 
Published: March 2015

Cyclopropylamines, inhibitors of monoamine oxidases (MAO) and lysine‐specific demethylase (LSD1), provide a useful structural scaffold for the design of mechanism‐based inhibitors for treatment of depression and cancer. For new compounds with the less common cis relationship and with an alkoxy substituent at the 2‐position of the cyclopropyl ring, the apparent affinity determined from docking experiments revealed little difference between the enantiomers. Using the racemate, kinetic parameters for the reversible and irreversible inhibition of MAO were determined. No inhibition of LSD1 was observed. For reversible inhibition, most compounds gave high IC50 values with MAO A, but sub‐micromolar values with MAO B. After pre‐incubation of the cyclopropylamine with the enzyme, the inhibition was irreversible for both MAO A and MAO B, and the activity was not restored by dilution. Spectral changes during inactivation of MAO A included bleaching at 456 nm and an increased absorbance at 400 nm, consistent with flavin modification. These derivatives are MAO B‐selective irreversible inhibitors that do not show inhibition of LSD1. The best inhibitor was cis‐N‐benzyl‐2‐methoxycyclopropylamine, with an IC50 of 5 nm for MAO B and 170 nm for MAO A after 30 min pre‐incubation. This cis‐cyclopropylamine is over 20‐fold more effective than tranylcypromine, so may be studied as a lead for selective inhibitors of MAO B that do not inhibit LSD1.