bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for stage I-II natural killer/T-cell lymphoma nasal type: dosimetric and clinical results
Authors: Shen Qianwen , Ma Xuejun , Hu Weigang , Chen Lanfei , Huang Juan , Guo Ye 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
This study was to compare radiotherapy treatment planning and treatment outcomes following three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in stage I-II natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma.

Methods
The cases of 94 patients with stage I-II NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type in the upper aerodigestive tract who treated between May 2005 and Dec 2008 were reviewed. These patients received radiotherapy with or without induction chemotherapy. Definitive radiotherapy was conducted using 3DCRT in 47 patients and IMRT in the other 47 patients with a regional field and a total dose of 50 Gy. Dosimetric pmeters of radiation treatment plans, local control probability (LCP), overall survival (OS), and toxicities were analyzed and compared between 3DCRT and IMRT.

Results
From the dosimetric analysis, IMRT demonstrated significantly better dose coverage and homogeneity than 3DCRT. However, after a median follow-up of 46 months, IMRT was not associated with improvements in 4y-OS (80.9% for 3DCRT vs. 82.7% for IMRT, p=0.87) or 4y-LCP (86.3% for 3DCRT vs. 88.9% for IMR p=0.85). Of the 18 patients who received cervical lymph node irradiation, those in the IMRT group received a lower mean parotid dose. Furthermore, at-risk organs were strictly kept within the safe dose range in both groups, and no severe late toxicity was observed.

Conclusions
IMRT provided better dose coverage than 3DCRT, although it failed to provide LCP and OS benefits. Definitive radiotherapy with a regional field and a total dose of 50 Gy is efficient and safe for NK/T-cell lymphoma using either IMRT or 3DCRT. However, IMRT may have the potential to reduce parotid gland hypofunction following cervical irradiation.
Deficits in Physical Function Among Young Childhood Cancer Survivors
Authors: Hoffman Megan C. , Mulrooney Daniel A. , Steinberger Julia , Lee Jill , Baker K. Scott , Ness Kirsten K. 
Published: June 2013

Purpose Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at risk for physical disability. The aim of this investigation was to characterize and compare physical performance among CCSs and a group of siblings age < 18 years and determine if diagnosis, treatment, and physical activity levels were associated with lower performance scores. Methods CCSs ≥ 5 years from diagnosis and a sibling comparison group were recruited and evaluated for strength, mobility, and fitness. Physical performance measures were compared in regression models between survivors and siblings by diagnosis and among survivors by treatment exposures and physical activity levels. Results CCSs (n = 183; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 13.5 ± 2.5 years; 53% male) scored lower than siblings (n = 147; mean age ± SD, 13.4 ± 2.4 years; 50% male) on lower-extremity strength testing, the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and the 6-minute walk (6MW) test, despite reporting similar levels and types of habitual physical activity. The lowest scores were prevalent among survivors of CNS tumors and bone and soft tissue sarcomas on strength testing (score ± SD: CNS tumors, 76.5 ± 4.7; sarcoma 67.1 ± 7.2 v siblings, 87.3 ± 2.4 Newton-meters quadricep strength at 90° per second; P = .04 and .01, respectively) and among CNS tumor survivors on the TUG (score ± SD: 5.1 ± 0.1 v siblings, 4.4 ± 0.1 seconds; P < .001) and 6MW tests (score ± SD: 533.3 ± 15.6 v siblings, 594.1 ± 8.3 m; P < .001). Conclusion CCSs may have underlying physiologic deficits that interfere with function that cannot be completely overcome by participation in regular physical activity. These survivors may need referral for specialized exercise interventions in addition to usual counseling to remain physically active.
Endovenous Laser Application
Authors: Hemmerich M. , Pongratz T. , Siegrist K. , Brons J. , Linden S. , Meier R. , Schmedt C.-G. , Sroka R. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryIntroduction: Endovenous laser ablation is becoming a common procedure in clinical routine. Although technical improvements and certain laser parameters are available there is demand to improve the situation by developing feedback-systems, thus getting online information for the clinical outcome and preventing for under- and over-treatment.Methods: By means of Monte Carlo simulation the potential of detecting signals due to heat induced shrinkage of the vessel was investigated. Remission spectra of native and coagulated vein tissue were compared to identify potential parameters for signalling the physiological change of the tissue due to the heating process. A miniaturized temperature sensor was developed for intraluminal measurements during laser energy application.Results: Monte Carlo simulation shows that the detection of remitted light from the vessels wall is possible for small vessel calibres of less than 6 mm in diameter. Remission spectra of native compared to coagulated vein tissue differ. While native tissue relates more to the content of deoxy-hemoglobin, the spectra of coagulated tissue relates more to the oxy-hemoglobin state. Based on the principle of temperature dependent fluorescence emission a miniaturized sensor was developed which can be used in the light field of radial emitting fibres.Conclusion: Several optical changes for online-monitoring of signals during endovenous laser ablation showed potential to serve as feedback mechanism. Up to now, only the measurement of the endoluminal temperature could be realized. Further investigations are needed to find suitable technical realization to prevent for under- or overheating during endovenous laser ablation.
Klinische Studien zu neuen direkten oralen Antikoagulanzien
Authors: Weiss C. , Marx S. , Zolfaghari S. , Harenberg J. 
Published: June 2013

ZusammenfassungUm die Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit neuer direkter oraler Antikoagulanzien (DOAK) zu vergleichen, müssten idealerweise eine direkte Gegenüberstellung der Substanzen in klinischen Studien durchgeführt werden. Auf Grund des logistischen und finanziellen Aufwandes wird dies aber in absehbarer Zeit nicht geschehen. Indirekte Vergleiche, auch Netzwerkanalysen (NMA) genannt, lassen sich mit den vorliegenden Studien zwischen den DOAKs vornehmen. In der postoperativen Phase nach Knie- und Hüftgelenkersatz und bei Patienten mit Vorhofflimmern sind derzeit diese Vergleich möglich. Indirekte Vergleiche sind jedoch auch mit Einschränkungen behaftet.Diese Arbeit gibt eine Übersicht der aktuell vorliegenden NMAs und versucht, deren Ergebnisse mit der Pharmakologie der DOAKs und den methodischen Problemen von NMAs zu beleuchten.
Immersed spheres of finite total curvature into manifolds
Authors: Mondino Andrea , Rivière Tristan 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
We prove that a sequence of possibly branched, weak immersions of the 2-sphere 𝕊2 into an arbitrary compact
Riemannian manifold

(

M
m

,
h
)

${(M^m,h)}$

with uniformly bounded area and uniformly bounded L2
-norm of the second fundamental form either collapse
to a point or weakly converges as current, modulo extraction of a subsequence, to a Lipschitz mapping of 𝕊2
and whose image is made of a connected union of finitely many, possibly branched, weak immersions of 𝕊2 with finite total curvature. We prove moreover that if the sequence belongs to a class γ of

π
2

(

M
m

)

${\pi _2(M^m)}$

, the limiting Lipschitz mapping of 𝕊2 realizes this class as well.
The impact of hyperandrogenism in female obesity and cardiometabolic diseases associated with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Barber Thomas M. , Vojtechova Petra , Franks Stephen 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition characterized by reproductive and hyperandrogenic features and is often associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Overall, women with PCOS have a substantially greater prevalence of metabolic syndrome than women from the general population. Furthermore, PCOS per se (independent of its frequent association with obesity) often confers cardiometabolic risk (including insulin resistance), and its concurrence with obesity often represents a metabolic “double-whammy” from the adverse effects of PCOS and obesity. The introduction of the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for PCOS in 2003 has broadened the scope of this condition. The Rotterdam diagnostic criteria have also introduced two new phenotypic subgroups (including normoandrogenemic women with PCOS) that have provided novel insights into a potential role for hyperandrogenism in the development of adverse cardiometabolic risk in women with PCOS. Based on evidence from cross-sectional and interventional studies, hyperandrogenism, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk in women appear to be linked through complex and multidirectional pathways. Furthermore, data from obese women without a formal diagnosis of PCOS also suggest that these interrelationships often exist in female obesity per se (in milder forms than occurs in PCOS). Data from female-to-male transsexuals are particularly informative because these show direct effects of hyperandrogenism (induced through exogenous use of androgenic therapies) on fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk in women. A challenge for the future will be to disentangle and improve our understanding of this complex pathogenic web, thereby facilitating novel and targeted therapies for the hyperandrogenic and adverse cardiometabolic manifestations of PCOS.
Metal oxide and bimetallic nanoparticles in ionic liquids: synthesis and application in multiphase catalysis
Authors: Prechtl Martin H.G. , Campbell Paul S. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIonic liquids (ILs) are well established as solvents and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in general. The physicochemical properties of ILs and the supramolecular organization in the liquid state are capable of directing the growth of transition metal NPs generated in situ and to subsequently protect and stabilize them. Until now, many different NPs have been successfully synthesized within these media; however, the synthesis of metal oxide and bimetallic alloy or core-shell NPs in ILs is still relatively rare. Herein, we summarize the current state-of-the-art of the synthetic methods for these materials and their application in the broad field of catalysis, including multiphase systems, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, functionalization, as well as defunctionalization reactions.
Variation in Definitions of Urinary Tract Infections in Spina Bifida Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Madden-Fuentes Ramiro Jose , McNamara Erin Rebekah , Lloyd Jessica Catherine , Wiener John Samuel , Routh Jonathan Charles , Seed Patrick Casey , Ross Sherry Sedberry 
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVE:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common source of morbidity among children with spina bifida (SB) and are a frequently reported outcome in studies of this patient population. However, the criteria for a diagnosis of UTI are often not stated. We evaluated the literature on SB patients for the criteria that authors use to define parameters in reporting UTI outcomes.

METHODS:
Embase and Medline were queried with the medical subject heading terms “spinal dysraphism,” “myelomeningocele,” “infection,” and “urinary tract infection.” A second search with the exploded term “spina bifida” and “urinary tract infection” was performed. Original research studies reporting a UTI outcome in SB patients were included and evaluated by 2 independent reviewers for the presence of a UTI definition and diagnostic criteria.

RESULTS:
We identified 872 publications, of which 124 met inclusion criteria. Forty-five of 124 (36.3%) studies reporting UTI as an outcome provided a definition of UTI. Of 124 studies, 28 (22.6%) were published in pediatric journals and 69 (55.6%) in urology journals. A definition of UTI was provided in 11 (39.3%) and 26 (37.7%) studies, respectively. “Fever, culture, and symptoms” defined a UTI in 17 of 45 studies. Journal category and presence of UTI definitions did not correlate (P = .71).

CONCLUSIONS:
Explicit definitions for UTI are heterogeneous and infrequently applied in studies of SB patients, limiting study reliability and estimates of true UTI rates in this population. Future studies will benefit from the development and application of a standard definition for UTI in this population.
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children Aged 1 to 18 Years
Authors: Wald Ellen R. , Applegate Kimberly E. , Bordley Clay , Darrow David H. , Glode Mary P. , Marcy S. Michael , Nelson Carrie E. , Rosenfeld Richard M. , Shaikh Nader , Smith Michael J. , Williams Paul V. , Weinberg Stuart T. 
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVE:To update the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline regarding the diagnosis and management of acute bacterial sinusitis in children and adolescents.METHODS:Analysis of the medical literature published since the last version of the guideline (2001).RESULTS:The diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is made when a child with an acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI) presents with (1) persistent illness (nasal discharge [of any quality] or daytime cough or both lasting more than 10 days without improvement), (2) a worsening course (worsening or new onset of nasal discharge, daytime cough, or fever after initial improvement), or (3) severe onset (concurrent fever [temperature ≥39°C/102.2°F] and purulent nasal discharge for at least 3 consecutive days). Clinicians should not obtain imaging studies of any kind to distinguish acute bacterial sinusitis from viral URI, because they do not contribute to the diagnosis; however, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the paranasal sinuses should be obtained whenever a child is suspected of having orbital or central nervous system complications. The clinician should prescribe antibiotic therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis in children with severe onset or worsening course. The clinician should either prescribe antibiotic therapy or offer additional observation for 3 days to children with persistent illness. Amoxicillin with or without clavulanate is the first-line treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis. Clinicians should reassess initial management if there is either a caregiver report of worsening (progression of initial signs/symptoms or appearance of new signs/symptoms) or failure to improve within 72 hours of initial management. If the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is confirmed in a child with worsening symptoms or failure to improve, then clinicians may change the antibiotic therapy for the child initially managed with antibiotic or initiate antibiotic treatment of the child initially managed with observation.CONCLUSIONS:Changes in this revision include the addition of a clinical presentation designated as “worsening course,” an option to treat immediately or observe children with persistent symptoms for 3 days before treating, and a review of evidence indicating that imaging is not necessary in children with uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusitis.
Office-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON ADOLESCENCE, Levine David A. , Braverman Paula K. , Adelman William P. , Breuner Cora C. , Levine David A. , Marcell Arik V. , Murray Pamela J. , O’Brien Rebecca F. 
Published: June 2013

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed April 2021.
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its last statement on homosexuality and adolescents in 2004. Although most lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are quite resilient and emerge from adolescence as healthy adults, the effects of homophobia and heterosexism can contribute to health disparities in mental health with higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation, higher rates of substance abuse, and more sexually transmitted and HIV infections. Pediatricians should have offices that are teen-friendly and welcoming to sexual minority youth. Obtaining a comprehensive, confidential, developmentally appropriate adolescent psychosocial history allows for the discovery of strengths and assets as well as risks. Referrals for mental health or substance abuse may be warranted. Sexually active LGBTQ youth should have sexually transmitted infection/HIV testing according to recommendations of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on sexual behaviors. With appropriate assistance and care, sexual minority youth should live healthy, productive lives while transitioning through adolescence and young adulthood.
Light Management Using Periodic Textures for Enhancing Photocurrent and Conversion Efficiency in Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Sai Hitoshi , Matsui Takuya , Bidiville Adrien , Koida Takashi , Yoshida Yuji , Saito Kimihiko , Kondo Michio 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTPeriodically textured back reflectors with hexagonal dimple arrays are applied to thin-film microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) solar cells for enhancing light trapping. The period and aspect ratio of the honeycomb textures have a big impact on the photovoltaic performance. When the textures have a moderate aspect ratio, the optimum period for obtaining a high short circuit current density (JSC) is found to be equal to or slightly larger than the cell thickness. If the cell thickness exceeds the texture period, the cell surface tends to be flattened and texture-induced defects are generated, which constrain the improvement in JSC. Based on these findings, we have fabricated optimized μc-Si:H cells achieving a high active-area efficiency exceeding 11% and a JSC of 30 mA/cm2.
Improvement of seed layer smoothness for epitaxial growth on porous silicon
Authors: Martini R. , Sivaramakrishnan Radhakrishnan H. , Depauw V. , Van Nieuwenhuysen K. , Gordon I. , Gonzalez M. , Poortmans J. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTIn the last decades many techniques have been proposed to manufacture thin (<50µm) silicon solar cells. The main issues in manufacturing thin solar cells are the unavailability of a reliable method to produce thin silicon foils with contained material losses (kerf-losses) and the difficulties in handling and processing such fragile foils. A way to solve both issues is to grow an epitaxial foil on top of a weak sintered porous silicon layer. The porous silicon layer is formed by electrochemical etching on a thick silicon substrate and then annealed to close the top surface. This surface is employed as seed layer for the epitaxial growth of a silicon layer which can be partially processed while attached on the substrate that provides mechanical support. Afterward, the foil can be bonded on glass, detached and further processed at module level. The efficiency of the final solar cell will depend on the quality of the epitaxial layer which, in turn, depends on the seed layer smoothness.Several parameters can be adjusted to change the morphology and, hence, the properties of the porous layer, both in the porous silicon formation and the succeeding thermal treatment. This work focuses on the effect of the parameters that control the porous silicon formation on the structure of the porous silicon layer after annealing and, more specifically, on the roughness of the top surface. The reported analysis shows how the roughness of the seed layer can be reduced to improve the quality of the epitaxial growth.
A Vertical PN Junction Utilizing the Impurity Photovoltaic Effect for the Enhancement of Ultra-thin Film Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Paez D. J. , Huante-Ceron E. , Knights A. P. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTWe report a preliminary study on the influence of indium doping on ultra-thin film silicon solar cells. The design of the cell reported here is such that it should elucidate the impact of the indium dopant, which is concentrated in the thin film. Indium, a deep level in silicon (0.157 eV above the valence band), acts as a p-type dopant and a sensitizer. Absorption through sub-bandgap transitions is expected based on the previously reported Impurity PhotoVoltaic (IPV) Effect [1]. It is proposed that the implementation of a novel vertical PN junction configuration together with the IPV effect enhances the efficiency of ultra-thin solar cells. The most efficient cell fabricated to date, in our research group, has a conversion efficiency of 4.3 % (active silicon thickness of 2.5 μm), a short-circuit current density of 14.9 mA/cm2 and an open-circuit voltage of 0.51 V under 1 sun illumination. The cell has not been optimized with any type of light trapping technique and 11.24 % of the cell surface is covered by the metal contacts. Numerical simulation indicates that for the geometry used, the maximum efficiency that may be expected is 9.8 % (compared to the 4.3 % measured).
Osteoprotegerin Is an Independent Predictor of Vascular Events in Finnish Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Gordin Daniel , Soro-Paavonen Aino , Thomas Merlin C. , Harjutsalo Valma , Saraheimo Markku , Bjerre Mette , Forsblom Carol , Flyvbjerg Allan , Groop Per-Henrik ,   on behalf of the FinnDiane Study Group
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVE
Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is involved in the process of vascular calcification. We investigated whether OPG is associated with the development and progression of diabetes complications in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Serum OPG was measured in 1,939 adults with T1D participating in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study. Patients with end-stage renal disease (dialysis or transplantation) at baseline were excluded from analysis. Data on cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality during follow-up were verified from hospital discharge registries (ICD codes) and the Finnish National Death Registry, respectively. The follow-up time was 10.4 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD) years.

RESULTS
Only patients with macroalbuminuria and/or renal impairment had elevated OPG concentrations, when compared with participants without overt kidney disease. Patients with retinopathy or CV disease also had higher OPG concentrations, but this was attributable to their higher frequency of chronic kidney disease. OPG predicted an incident CV event (hazard ratio 1.21 [95% CI 1.01–1.45]; P = 0.035) and peripheral vascular disease/amputation events (1.46 [1.13–1.88]; P = 0.004) during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS
We showed that serum OPG is an independent predictor of CV complications. OPG may be directly involved in extraosseous calcification, resulting in stiffening of the arteries and subsequent vascular insufficiency in patients with T1D.
Limnological record inferred from diatoms in sediments of Lake Skaliska (north-eastern Poland)
Authors: Sienkiewicz Elwira 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT
Subfossil diatoms analysis was employed to reconstruct past environmental changes in Lake Skaliska. This lake, presently a palaeolake, is located on a wide plain called the Skaliska Basin (northern part of Mazury Lake District, north-eastern Poland). Changes in terrestrial vegetation suggest that the initial phase of the lake was in the early Holocene. In the sediments a total of 176 diatom species belonging to 35 genera were identified. The majority of diatoms are alkaliphilous and alkalibiontic, occurring mainly in meso-eutrophic water. Diatom flora development suggests that the best conditions for diatom growth prevailed throughout the Boreal and in the early Atlantic, a suggestion supported by the increased frequency of planktonic diatoms living in nutrient-rich water. A water pH reconstruction (DIpH) based on diatoms points to alkalinity during the lake’s existence. Since roughly the mid-Atlantic the lake was shallowing, and at the beginning of the Subboreal peat sedimentation led to complete overgrowth of the lake.