bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic review of intervention design and delivery in pragmatic and explanatory surgical randomized clinical trials
Authors: Blencowe N S , Boddy A P , Harris A , Hanna T , Whiting P , Cook J A , Blazeby J M 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Background
Surgical interventions are complex, with multiple components that require consideration in trial reporting. This review examines the reporting of details of surgical interventions in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) within the context of explanatory and pragmatic study designs.

Methods
Systematic searches identified RCTs of surgical interventions published in 2010 and 2011. Included studies were categorized as predominantly explanatory or pragmatic. The extent of intervention details in the reports were compared with the CONSORT statement for reporting trials of non-pharmacological treatments (CONSORT-NPT). CONSORT-NPT recommends reporting the descriptions of surgical interventions, whether they were standardized and adhered to (items 4a, 4b and 4c). Reporting of the context of intervention delivery (items 3 and 15) and operator expertise (item 15) were assessed.

Results
Of 4541 abstracts and 131 full-text articles, 80 were included (of which 39 were classified as predominantly pragmatic), reporting 160 interventions. Descriptions of 129 interventions (80·6 per cent) were provided. Standardization was mentioned for 47 (29·4 per cent) of the 160 interventions, and 22 articles (28 per cent) reported measurement of adherence to at least one aspect of the intervention. Seventy-one papers (89 per cent) provided some information about context. For one-third of interventions (55, 34·4 per cent), some data were provided regarding the expertise of personnel involved. Reporting standards were similar in trials classified as pragmatic or explanatory.

Conclusion
The lack of detail in trial reports about surgical interventions creates difficulties in understanding which operations were actually evaluated. Methods for designing and reporting surgical interventions in RCTs, contributing to the quality of the overall study design, are required. This should allow better implementation of trial results into practice.
Long-term morbidity after multivisceral resection for retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Callegaro D , Miceli R , Brunelli C , Colombo C , Sanfilippo R , Radaelli S , Casali P G , Caraceni A , Gronchi A , Fiore M 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundMore than 60 per cent of patients treated surgically for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma survive for at least 5 years. Extended surgical resection has been proposed for primary disease, but long-term morbidity data are lacking. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the long-term morbidity of patients undergoing surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma.MethodsPatients operated on between January 2002 and December 2011 were eligible for the study. Long-term morbidity was evaluated based on a semistructured clinical interview. Lower limb function was assessed by means of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), a self-report questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 (low functioning) to 80 (high functioning). Pain was investigated by means of the Brief Pain Inventory – Short Form, with pain intensity scores reported on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).ResultsSome 243 patients underwent surgery, and 101 of 160 patients who were alive at the time of the investigation responded to the study invitation letter. Finally, 95 patients were enrolled in the study. Sensory impairment of the limbs was reported in 72 patients (76 per cent). The median LEFS score was 60 (i.q.r. 43–73). Mean scores for the pain intensity items varied from 1·23 to 2·68. In multivariable analysis, there was no difference in median levels of creatinine at survey between patients who did or did not undergo nephrectomy (difference between median values 13 (95 per cent c.i. −4 to 30) µmol/l; P = 0·170).ConclusionSevere chronic pain and lower limb motor impairment after multivisceral resection for retroperitoneal sarcomas are rare. Long-term renal function is not significantly impaired when nephrectomy is performed.
Impact of a fast-track surgery programme for pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Williamsson C , Karlsson N , Sturesson C , Lindell G , Andersson R , Tingstedt B 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Background
Fast-track (FT) programmes are multimodal, evidence-based approaches to optimize patient outcome after surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, clinical outcome and patients' experience of a FT programme after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in a high-volume institution in Sweden.

Methods
Consecutive patients undergoing PD were studied before and after implementation of the FT programme. FT changes included earlier mobilization, standardized removal of the nasogastric tube and drain, and earlier start of oral intake. Patient experience was evaluated with European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PAN26 questionnaires 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.

Results
Between 2011 and 2014, 100 consecutive patients undergoing PD were studied, of whom 50 received standard care (controls), followed by 50 patients treated after implementation of the FT programme. The nasogastric tube was removed significantly earlier in the FT group, and these patients were able fully to tolerate fluids and solid food sooner after PD. Delayed gastric emptying was significantly reduced in the FT group (26 versus 48 per cent; P = 0·030). Overall morbidity remained unchanged and there were no deaths in either group. Postoperative length of hospital stay was reduced from 14 to 10 days and hospital costs were decreased significantly. Health-related quality-of-life questionnaires showed similar patterns of change, with no significant difference between groups before or after surgery.

Conclusion
The FT programme after PD was safe. Delayed gastric emptying, hospital stay and hospital costs were all reduced significantly. Although patients were discharged 4 days earlier in the FT group, this did not influence health-related quality of life compared with standard care.
Triimidosulfonates as Acute Bite‐Angle Chelates: Slow Relaxation of the Magnetization in Zero Field and Hysteresis Loop of a CoII Complex
Authors: Carl Elena , Demeshko Serhiy , Meyer Franc , Stalke Dietmar 
Published: June 2015

AbstractStarting from a polyimido sulfonate the four‐coordinate, N,N′‐chelated CoII complex [Co{(NtBu)3SMe}2] (1) was synthesized, and its molecular structure was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. The acute N‐Co‐N bite angle imposed by the N,N′‐chelating ligand (NtBu)3SMe− leads to pronounced C2v distortion of the tetrahedral coordination environment and thus to high anisotropy of the CoII ion (D≈−58 cm−1), favorable for single‐molecule‐magnet (SMM) properties. Magnetic measurements revealed a high barrier to spin reversal (Ueff=75 cm−1) that gives rise to the observation of slow relaxation of the magnetization in zero field and a hysteresis loop at 2 K for this unique complex.
Mononuclear Polypyridylruthenium(II) Complexes with High Membrane Permeability in Gram‐Negative Bacteria—in particular Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gorle Anil K. , Feterl Marshall , Warner Jeffrey M. , Primrose Sebastian , Constantinoiu Constantin C. , Keene F. Richard , Collins J. Grant 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRuthenium(II) complexes containing the tetradentate ligand bis[4(4′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl)]‐1,n‐alkane (“bbn”; n=10 and 12) have been synthesised and their geometric isomers separated. All [Ru(phen)(bbn)]2+ (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) complexes exhibited excellent activity against Gram‐positive bacteria, but only the cis‐α‐[Ru(phen)(bb12)]2+ species showed good activity against Gram‐negative species. In particular, the cis‐α‐[Ru(phen)(bb12)]2+ complex was two to four times more active than the cis‐β‐[Ru(phen)(bb12)]2+ complex against the Gram‐negative strains. The cis‐α‐ and cis‐β‐[Ru(phen)(bb12)]2+ complexes readily accumulated in the bacteria but, significantly, showed the highest level of uptake in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, the accumulation of the cis‐α‐ and cis‐β‐[Ru(phen)(bb12)]2+ complexes in P. aeruginosa was considerably greater than in Escherichia coli. The uptake of the cis‐α‐[Ru(phen)(bb12)]2+ complex into live P. aeruginosa was confirmed by using fluorescence microscopy. The water/octanol partition coefficients (log P) were determined to gain understanding of the relative cellular uptake. The cis‐α‐ and cis‐β‐[Ru(phen)(bbn)]2+ complexes exhibited relatively strong binding to DNA (Kb≈106 M−1), but no significant difference between the geometric isomers was observed.
Steric Enhancement of the Chemiluminescence of Luminols
Authors: Griesbeck Axel G. , Díaz‐Miara Yrene , Fichtler Robert , Jacobi von Wangelin Axel , Pérez‐Ruiz Raúl , Sampedro Diego 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA surprising 20‐fold increase in chemiluminescence efficiency was observed for dialkyl luminol derivatives in comparison with the parent compound. This effect could be a direct consequence of steric gearing which facilitates the transition from the intermediate endoperoxide to the electronically excited phthalate. Mechanistic aspects of this process have been supported by computational calculations (CASPT2//CASSCF).
Optimized Finite‐Difference Operator Based on Chebyshev Auto‐Convolution Combined Window Function
Authors: Zhi‐Yang WANG , Hong LIU , Xiang‐De TANG , Yang WANG 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe finite‐difference method has been widely utilized in seismic wave numerical modeling, seismic imaging, and full waveform inversion; the accuracy of finite‐difference numerical solution directly affects the result of seismic imaging and inversion. We can truncate spatial convolutional counterpart of the pseudo‐spectral method to get finite‐difference operators using truncated windows, and the properties of truncated windows in their amplitude responses play a major role in finite‐difference approximation. In specific, the accuracy of finite‐difference approximation can be determined by the properties of main lobe and side lobe in the amplitude response of window functions, narrower main lobe and larger attenuation of side lobe bring higher accuracy of finite‐difference approximation, and significantly suppress numerical dispersion. According to it, we propose an optimized method based on Chebyshev auto‐convolution combined window function which has narrow main lobe and large attenuation of side lobe. Through adjusting three parameters of the Chebyshev auto‐convolution combined window function, we visually and more intuitively control the properties of main lobe and side lobe to adjust the accuracy of finite‐difference approximation. The optimized explicit finite‐difference operator increases the accurate wave number coverage range and reduces the volatility of accuracy error, which indicates that the accuracy of low‐order operators can reach that of high‐order operators. In respect of economics, it effectively reduces the computational cost and improves the computational efficiency.
Combined intensity‐modulated radiotherapy plus raster‐scanned carbon ion boost for advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck results in superior locoregional control and overall survival
Authors: Jensen Alexandra D. , Nikoghosyan Anna V. , Poulakis Melanie , Höss Angelika , Haberer Thomas , Jäkel Oliver , Münter Marc W. , Schulz‐Ertner Daniela , Huber Peter E. , Debus Jürgen 
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUNDLocal control in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck remains a challenge because of the relative radioresistance of these tumors. This prospective carbon ion pilot project was designed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus carbon ion (C12) boost (C12 therapy). The authors present the first analysis of long‐term outcomes of raster‐scanned C12 therapy compared with modern photon techniques.METHODSPatients with inoperable or subtotally resected ACC received C12 therapy within the pilot project. Whenever C12 was not available, patients were offered IMRT or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT). Patients received either C12 therapy at a C12 dose of 3 Gray equivalents (GyE) per fraction up to 18 GyE followed by 54 Gray (Gy) of IMRT or IMRT up to a median total dose of 66 Gy. Toxicity was evaluated according to version 3 of the Common Toxicity Terminology for Adverse Events. Locoregional control (LC), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method.RESULTSFifty‐eight patients received C12 therapy, and 37 received photons (IMRT or FSRT). The median follow‐up was 74 months in the C12 group and 63 months in the photon group. Overall, 90% of patients in the C12 group and 94% of those in the photon group had T4 tumors; and the most common disease sites were paranasal sinus, parotid with skull base invasion, and nasopharynx. LC, PFS, and OS at 5 years were significantly higher in the C12 group (59.6%, 48.4%, 76.5%, respectively) compared with the photon group (39.9%, 27%, and 58.7%, respectively). There was no significant difference between patients who had subtotally resected and inoperable ACC.CONCLUSIONSC12 therapy resulted in superior LC, PFS, and OS without a significant difference between patients with inoperable and partially resected ACC. Extensive and morbid resections in patients with advanced ACC may need to be reconsidered. The most common site of locoregional recurrence remains in field, and further C12 dose escalation should be evaluated. Cancer 2015;121:3001–3009. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Elimination of cost‐sharing and receipt of screening for colorectal and breast cancer
Authors: Fedewa Stacey A. , Goodman Michael , Flanders W. Dana , Han Xuesong , Smith Robert A. , M. Ward Elizabeth , Doubeni Chyke A. , Sauer Ann Goding , Jemal Ahmedin 
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUNDThe aim of the cost‐sharing provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to reduce financial barriers for preventive services, including screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) among privately and Medicare‐insured individuals. Whether the provision has affected CRC and BC screening prevalence is unknown. The current study investigated whether CRC and BC screening prevalence among privately and Medicare‐insured adults by socioeconomic status (SES) changed before and after the ACA.METHODSData obtained from the National Health Interview Survey pertaining to privately and Medicare‐insured adults from 2008 (before the ACA) and 2013 (after the ACA) were used. There were 15,786 adults aged 50 to 75 years in the CRC screening analysis and 14,530 women aged ≥40 years in the BC screening analysis. Changes in guideline‐recommended screening between 2008 and 2013 by SES were expressed as the prevalence difference (PD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) adjusted for demographics, insurance, income, education, body mass index, and having a usual provider.RESULTSOverall, CRC screening prevalence increased from 57.3% to 61.2% between 2008 and 2013 (P<.001). Adjusted CRC screening prevalence during the corresponding period increased in low‐income (PD, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.8 to 10.2), least‐educated (PD, 7.2; 95% CI, 0.9 to 13.5), and Medicare‐insured (PD, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.7 to 10.7) individuals, but not in high‐income, most‐educated, and privately insured respondents. BC screening remained unchanged overall (70.5% in 2008 vs 70.2% in 2013) and in the low SES groups.CONCLUSIONSIncreases in CRC screening prevalence between 2008 and 2013 were confined to respondents with low SES. These findings may in part reflect the ACA's removal of financial barriers. Cancer 2015;121:3272–3280. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
In Situ Detection of Particle Aggregation on Electrode Surfaces
Authors: Ngamchuea Kamonwad , Tschulik Kristina , Eloul Shaltiel , Compton Richard G. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPartially blocked electrodes (PBEs) are important; many applications use non‐conductive nanoparticles (NPs) to introduce new electrode functionalities. As aggregation is a problem in NP immobilization, developing an in situ method to detect aggregation is vital to characterise such modified electrodes. We present chronoamperometry as a method for detection of NP surface aggregation and semi‐quantitative sizing of the formed aggregates, based on the diffusion limited current measured at PBEs as compared with the values calculated numerically for different blocking feature sizes. In contrast to voltammetry, no approximations on electrode kinetics are needed, making chronoamperometry a more general and reliable method. Sizing is shown for two modification methods. Upon drop casting, significant aggregation is observed, while it is minimized in electrophoretic NP deposition. The aggregate sizes determined are in semi‐quantitative agreement with ex situ microscopic analysis of the PBEs.
Influence of Aromatic Residues on the Material Characteristics of Aβ Amyloid Protofibrils at the Atomic Scale
Authors: Chang Hyun Joon , Baek Inchul , Lee Myeongsang , Na Sungsoo 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAmyloid fibrils, which cause a number of degenerative diseases, are insoluble under physiological conditions and are supported by native contacts. Recently, the effects of the aromatic residues on the Aβ amyloid protofibril were investigated in a ThT fluorescence study. However, the relationship between the material characteristics of the Aβ protofibril and its aromatic residues has not yet been investigated on the atomic scale. Here, we successfully constructed wild‐type (WT) and mutated types of Aβ protofibrils by using molecular dynamics simulations. Through principle component analysis, we established the structural stability and vibrational characteristics of F20L Aβ protofibrils and compared them with WT and other mutated models such as F19L and F19LF20L. In addition, structural stability was assessed by calculating the elastic modulus, which showed that the F20L model has higher values than the other models studied. From our results, it is shown that aromatic residues influence the structural and material characteristics of Aβ protofibrils.
Metal–Organic Frameworks via Emissive Metal‐Carboxylate Zwitterion Intermediates
Authors: Armaghan Mahsa , Shang Xiu‐Juan , Yuan Yan‐Qiu , Young David J. , Zhang Wen‐Hua , Hor T. S. Andy , Lang Jian‐Ping 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPyridinemethanol‐carboxylate esters form octahedral complexes with Zn(NO3)2 in aqueous DMF that subsequently undergo hydrolysis at elevated temperatures to form metal‐carboxylate zwitterions. In situ deprotonation of the hydroxy group leads to thermally robust, neutral MOFs. This stepwise synthesis can be controlled by temperature and is made possible by the subtle difference in reactivity of the functional groups.
Coordination of Ln3+ Ions to Perhydroxycucurbit[5]uril and the Formation of Supramolecular Self‐Assemblies in the Presence of [SiW12O40]4– Anions and Transition Metal Salts – Potential Application in the Isolation of Light Lanthanides
Authors: Hou Hai‐Ting , Chen Hai‐Yong , Zhang Yun‐Qian , Tao Zhu , Zhou Qing‐Di 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe coordination and supramolecular assemblies of lanthanide cations and perhydroxycucurbit[5]uril {(HO)10Q[5]} in the presence of [SiW12O40]4– anions and transition metal salts show significant differences as the lanthanide atomic number increases. The molecular capsule (HO)10Q[5] coordinates with the light lanthanide cations Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, and Tb3+ but does not coordinate with heavier Ln3+ cations. However, (HO)10Q[5]/Na+‐based molecular capsules form in the presence of the heavier lanthanide cations Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+, Yb3+, and Lu3+ under the same synthetic conditions. These differences could be key in establishing a strategy for the isolation of light lanthanides from their heavier counterparts.
Unexpected Reactivity of Red Phosphorus in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Groh Matthias F. , Paasch Silvia , Weiz Alexander , Ruck Michael , Brunner Eike 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRed phosphorus is far less reactive than the white allotrope. On the other hand, it is easier to handle and not as toxic as white phosphorus. In the Lewis‐acidic ionic liquid (IL) [BMIm]Cl·2AlCl3 ([BMIm] = 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium), red phosphorus and elemental iodine form several iodides at moderate temperature. 31P liquid‐ and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy was used to rationalize the reaction at various temperatures and ratios of the starting materials. Monitoring of the reaction revealed nanoscale red‐phosphorus particles. In addition to this top‐down formation, phosphorus nanoparticles were also obtained in a bottom‐up synthesis by dissociation of P2I4 in the IL. Depending on the ratio of red phosphorus and iodine, as well as the reaction temperature, P2I4, PI3, or P2I5+ dominate.
Effects of androstenedione exposure on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) reproduction and embryonic development
Authors: DeQuattro Zachary A. , Hemming Jocelyn D. C. , Barry Terence P. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

High concentrations (300 ng/L) of androstenedione (A4) were identified in snowmelt runoff from fields fertilized with manure from livestock feeding operations in Wisconsin, USA. In fishes, A4 is an active androgen and substrate for biosynthesis of functional androgens (e.g., testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone) and estrogens (e.g., estradiol-17β). Thus, A4 has the potential to be a powerful endocrine disruptor. This hypothesis was tested by exposing reproductively mature fathead minnows to 0.0 ng/L, 4.5 ng/L, 74 ng/L, and 700 ng/L A4 for 26 d in a flow-through system. Various reproductive endpoints were measured including fecundity, fertilization success, secondary sexual characteristics, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and hepatic vitellogenin messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. In addition, fertilized embryos from the reproduction assay were used in an embryonic development assay to assess A4 effects on development and hatchability. In males, A4 significantly increased Vtg mRNA expression (estrogenic effect), significantly reduced GSI, and had no effect on tubercle expression (p = 0.067). In females, A4 induced tubercle development (androgenic effect) with no effects on GSI. Fecundity was not significantly impacted. Exposure to A4 had no effect on fertilization, embryonic development, or hatchability. These data indicate that exogenous A4, at environmentally relevant concentrations, can significantly modulate the reproductive physiology of the fathead minnows in a sex-specific manner and that A4 should be monitored as an endocrine disruptor. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2549–2554. © 2015 SETAC