bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relative dose intensity in early stage breast cancer chemotherapy: A retrospective analysis of incidence, risk factors and outcomes at a south‐west Sydney cancer clinic
Authors: Sandy Jessica , Della‐Fiorentina Stephen 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimIn early stage breast cancer chemotherapy relative dose intensity (RDI) of <85% leads to poorer outcomes. This study assesses what proportion of such patients at a south‐west Sydney cancer clinic received optimal RDI and the reasons and risk factors contributing to RDI reduction, as well as comparing survival outcomes.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 308 patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer at the Macarthur Cancer Centre was undertaken, with an overall RDI calculated for each patient. The study analysed reasons for reductions in RDI as well as predictive factors for reduced RDI and overall and disease‐free survival.ResultsMean RDI was 92%. Of the participants, 17% had an RDI less than 85%, 55% received 100% RDI. Hematological toxicity, infection and patient choice were the most common reasons for RDI reduction. Body surface area capping (BSA) was the most common cause of initial dose reduction. Obesity, increasing body mass index and age ≥65 years were risk factors for RDI reduction. Disease‐free and overall survival were reduced with RDI < 50%; overall survival decreased when RDI < 65%.ConclusionMost patients attained the RDI benchmark; however dose intensity reducing events occurred frequently. Despite contrary recommendations in the literature, BSA capping and dose reduction due to patient choice were common. Implementation of focused patient and physician education strategies may improve these results, as could measures directed as supporting those at risk (i.e. elderly or obese).
Brain metastasis in sarcoma: Does metastasectomy or aggressive multi‐disciplinary treatment improve survival outcomes
Authors: Chua Clarinda , Raaj Jeevan , Pan Summer , Farid Mohamad , Lee Jin Fu Marcus , Ho Zhen Chong , Sairi Alisa , Sittampalam Kesavan , Tao Miriam , Tay Kevin , Lim Soon Thye , Chin Francis , Teo Melissa , Quek Richard 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAim:Brain metastasis is rare in sarcoma. Prognostic factors, optimal management strategies and therapeutic outcomes of such patients are not well studied. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of parenchymal brain metastasis in sarcoma patients.Methods:This is a single center retrospective analysis. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the time of diagnosis of brain metastasis to time of death.Results:Sixteen patients (2.1%) with complete electronic medical records treated at our institution from 2002 to 2010 were identified. Median age was 52 years; 88% had additional sites of metastases. Eight different subtypes of soft tissue and bone sarcoma were identified. Eighty‐one percent of the patients developed metachronous brain metastasis at a median of 14 months after initial sarcoma diagnosis. Thirty‐eight percent of patients had solitary brain metastasis and 44% underwent aggressive therapy for brain metastasis, defined as either surgical resection or multimodality treatment. The remaining 56% received conservative treatment (either whole brain radiation alone, chemotherapy alone or best supportive care). Median OS for the entire cohort was 3.5 months (95% CI 1.1–6.3 months). A trend toward improved OS was observed with an aggressive treatment approach, 3.7 months versus 1.2 months (P = 0.077) and the usage of chemotherapy (P = 0.071).Conclusion:Brain metastasis in sarcoma is rare, usually coexists with significant systemic disease and is associated with a grave prognosis. Use of chemotherapy and an aggressive treatment approach in well‐selected patients may be associated with improved survival. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Gum chewing promotes bowel motility after a radical retropubic prostatectomy
Authors: Choi Hoon , Kim Jae Heon , Park Jae Young , Ham Byeong Kuk , Shim Ji sung , Bae Jae Hyun 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate the efficacy of gum chewing in aiding the recovery of bowel motility after a radical retropubic prostatectomyMethodsThirty‐seven patients who underwent retropubic radical prostatectomy from January 2010 to February 2012 for localized prostate cancer were enrolled. They were divided, in an alternate pattern, into the gum‐chewing group and the control group. Patient demographics and operative outcomes were compared. The time to first postoperative passage of flatus and bowel movement, the duration of hospital stay and the side effects were recorded.ResultsThe patients' demographics and operative outcomes showed no differences between the control (n = 19) and gum‐chewing (n = 18) groups. The time to flatus was significantly shorter in the gum‐chewing group than in the control group (27.1 vs 39.8 h), and the time‐to‐first bowel movement was faster in gum‐chewing patients (46.1 vs 60.7 h). Surgical hospital stay was shorter in gum‐chewing group than in the control group (5.1 vs 6.4 days).ConclusionsGum chewing has a positive effect on the recovery of bowel motility and reduction of surgical hospital stay after a radical prostatectomy. Although retropubic radical prostatectomy does not involve bowel manipulation, gum chewing is an effective and side‐effect‐free method for the resolution of ileus after surgery.
Computed tomography in acute abdominal pain: an overused investigation?
Authors: Systermans Brenton J. , Devitt Peter G. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe use of computed tomography (CT) for the evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute abdominal pain has increased. We set out to investigate its effectiveness.MethodsA prospective study conducted at a tertiary referral centre between August and September 2012, utilizing a questionnaire completed by the ordering doctors. Patients with acute abdominal pain who underwent an abdominal CT scan were included in the study, excluding those with a history of recent abdominal trauma or abdominal, pelvic, groin or scrotal surgery.ResultsOf the 260 patients undergoing an abdominal CT scan for the investigation of acute abdominal pain, 60 had questionnaires completed. Fifty‐seven per cent of abdominal CT scans were ordered by an ED registrar or consultant. Sixty‐five per cent of patients were not discussed with the surgical team prior to ED staff ordering the CT scan. ‘To confirm clinical suspicion’ and ‘to rule out sinister aetiology’ were the most important reasons for ordering an abdominal CT. In 54% of cases, there was a change in primary diagnosis post CT scan and in 50% of patients, a change in disposition. Diagnostic confidence in the primary diagnosis did not change significantly post‐CT scan. There was no significant difference between which group ordered a CT scan and the probability that the scan showed nil acute pathology.DiscussionAbdominal CT scans frequently changed the clinical diagnosis and patient disposition. Twenty‐three per cent of patients had no identifiable cause on CT scan for their acute abdominal pain.
Latchem, Colin (2012) Quality assurance toolkit for open and distance non‐formal educationCommonwealth of learning (Vancouver) isbn 978‐1‐894975‐50‐6 98 pp CDN$12 (or free download) http://www.col.org/resources/publications/Pages/detail.aspx?PID=403
Authors: Smyth Robyn 
Published: August 2013

SummaryColin Latchem's quality assurance toolkit for non‐formal education (nfe) will serve a variety of readers well. It demonstrates clearly how technology of any generation can be used to improve outcomes for peoples who are disadvantaged, remotely located or of low status. Its presentation of a pragmatic quality assurance framework moves social justice agendas forward. If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you arrange to borrow a copy for a while.Robyn Smyth
Pedler, Mike ed (2011) Action learning in practiceGower (Farnham UK, & Ashgate, Burlington VT) isbn 978‐1‐4094‐1841‐2 449 pp £85 http://www.ashgate.com/default.aspx?page=637&calcTitle=1&title_id=10122&edition_id=10437
Authors: Cowan John 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThis is a first‐class source for those interested in action learning—this being a long established self‐directed process for tackling business and work problems in learning sets with peers and colleagues. The book opens with highly readable seminal texts, and progresses from such introductory material to different approaches, examples, and questioning of theorising. A powerful resource whatever the reader's starting point. If this book's content may well be relevant to your work, I suggest you buy your own copy.John Cowan
Institutional Review Board approval and innovation in urology: current practice and safety issues
Authors: Sundaram Varun , Vemana Goutham , Bhayani Sam B. 
Published: August 2013

Objective
To retrospectively review recent publications describing novel procedures/techniques, and describe the Institutional Review Board (IRB)/ethics approval process and potential ethical dilemmas in their reporting.
Materials and Methods
We searched PubMed for papers about innovative or novel procedures/techniques between 2011 and August 2012.
A query of titles/abstracts in the Journal of Urology, Journal of Endourology, European Urology, BJU International, and Urology identified relevant papers.
These results were reviewed for human studies that described an innovative technique, procedure, approach, initial series, and/or used new technology.
Results
In all, 91 papers met criteria for inclusion; 25 from the Journal of Endourology, 14 from the Journal of Urology, nine from European Urology, 15 from the BJU International and 28 from Urology.
IRB/ethics approval was given for an experimental procedure or database in 24% and 22%, respectively.
IRB/ethics approval was not mentioned in 52.7% of studies.
Conclusions
Published IRB/ethics approvals for innovative techniques are heterogeneous including database, retrospective, and prospective approvals.
Given the concept that innovations are likely not in the legal or ethical standard of care, strong consideration should be given to obtaining IRB/ethics approval before the actual procedure, instead of approval to merely report database outcomes.
Sketch‐Based Editing Tools for Tumour Segmentation in 3D Medical Images
Authors: Heckel Frank , Moltz Jan H. , Tietjen Christian , Hahn Horst K. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn the past years sophisticated automatic segmentation algorithms for various medical image segmentation problems have been developed. However, there are always cases where automatic algorithms fail to provide an acceptable segmentation. In these cases the user needs efficient segmentation editing tools, a problem which has not received much attention in research. We give a comprehensive overview on segmentation editing for three‐dimensional (3D) medical images. For segmentation editing in two‐dimensional (2D) images, we discuss a sketch‐based approach where the user modifies the segmentation in the contour domain. Based on this 2D interface, we present an image‐based as well as an image‐independent method for intuitive and efficient segmentation editing in 3D in the context of tumour segmentation in computed tomography (CT). Our editing tools have been evaluated on a database containing 1226 representative liver metastases, lung nodules and lymph nodes of different shape, size and image quality. In addition, we have performed a qualitative evaluation with radiologists and technical experts, proving the efficiency of our tools.
A randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate a new xenograft for alveolar socket preservation
Authors: Calasans‐Maia Monica , Resende Rodrigo , Fernandes Gustavo , Calasans‐Maia Jose , Alves Adriana Terezinha , Granjeiro José Mauro 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this clinical trial was to compare the effect of Bio‐Oss® and a new bovine xenograft (Osseus®) in alveolar sockets after a 24‐week healing period.Materials and methodsA total of 20 adult volunteers ages 30–60 were subjected to single tooth extraction. A tooth extraction was performed at the baseline. All sites were randomly allocated to two test groups (TG1: grafted using a new bovine xenograft, Osseus®, and TG2: grafted using commercially available bovine xenograft‐Bio‐Oss®). Six months later, a sample of the grafted area was obtained and implants were inserted in the same site. Histological sections were examined focusing on the presence of fibrous connective tissue (CT), and newly formed bone in direct contact with the graft. The HE‐stained sections were subjected to histomorphometrical evaluation using Image Pro‐Plus® software (Release 7.0). The definitive crown was placed 3 months later.ResultsUpon completion of the study, no patients were removed from the study and all inserted implants (10 in each group) were eventually integrated. After 6 months, in the TG1, the mean value of new bone formation was 33.7 (±7.1), for CT was 32.3 (±8.9) and for the remaining biomaterial was 10.7 (±16.2). In the TG2, the mean value of new bone formation was 19.3 (±22.6), of the CT was 49.9 (±14.1) and of the remaining biomaterial was 22.6 (±7.9).ConclusionsNo statistically significant difference was observed between TG1 and TG2 after 6 months (P > 0.05), and both biomaterials afforded a more favorable implant position.
Searching for Control: Priming Randomness Increases the Evaluation of Ritual Efficacy
Authors: Legare Cristine H. , Souza André L. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractReestablishing feelings of control after experiencing uncertainty has long been considered a fundamental motive for human behavior. We propose that rituals (i.e., socially stipulated, causally opaque practices) provide a means for coping with the aversive feelings associated with randomness due to the perception of a connection between ritual action and a desired outcome. Two experiments were conducted (one in Brazil [n = 40] and another in the United States [n = 94]) to evaluate how the perceived efficacy of rituals is affected by feelings of randomness. In a between‐subjects design, the Scramble Sentence Task was used as a priming procedure in three conditions (i.e., randomness, negativity, and neutral) and participants were then asked to rate the efficacy of rituals used for problem‐solving purposes. The results demonstrate that priming randomness increased participants' perception of ritual efficacy relative to negativity and neutral conditions. Implications for increasing our understanding of the relationship between perceived control and ritualistic behavior are discussed.
‘Indeterminate for malignancy’ (Tir3/Thy3 in the Italian and British systems for classification) thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology reporting: morphological criteria and clinical impact
Authors: Pagni F. , Prada M. , Goffredo P. , Isimbaldi G. , Crippa S. , Di Bella C. , Leone B. E. ,   The San Gerardo Hospital collaborators group
Published: August 2013

BackgroundThe British system (Thy1–5), the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (BSRTC) and the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Cytology (SIAPEC) classification represent the most important international classifications for thyroid cytopathology. Irrespective of the system used, the ‘indeterminate’ categories are still debated among cytopathologists, particularly with regard to diagnostic criteria, clinical impact of subclassification and role of molecular techniques.AimWe aimed to find answers to the following questions: Are there shared criteria in cytological preparations that allow the division of indeterminate follicular lesions into subcategories? What is the true clinical impact of this possible subclassification?MethodsAmong 1150 consecutive thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, 80 patients had nodules with a final cytological report of Tir3 (SIAPEC)/Thy3. These 80 cases were re‐evaluated and subclassified according to morphological criteria into three groups: pure follicular proliferations, Hürthle cell follicular lesions and atypical proliferations.ResultsSixteen (20%) cases were categorized as pure follicular proliferations, 40 (50%) as Hürthle cell follicular lesions and 24 (30%) as atypical proliferations. Surgery was performed in 57 cases (71%). Cyto‐histological correlation showed that follicular adenoma was the most frequent final diagnosis in the cases treated by surgery (24/57, 42%). The overall malignancy rate in the Tir3 category was 28% (16/57). Atypical proliferations were more often malignant than either of the follicular groups (53% versus 19%, P = 0.019).ConclusionsA five‐tiered classification, subdividing the ‘indeterminate for malignancy’ class into ‘follicular proliferations’ and ‘atypical lesions’ could be adopted. As a result of their higher risk of malignancy, surgical management of the atypical lesions would be justified. In future, the introduction of a genetic panel might contribute to their stratification, to the determination of a more accurate risk of malignancy of the atypical lesions and to the verification of follicular proliferations that are benign.
Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness Assessment in Refinement of the Framingham Risk Score: Can It Predict ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction? A Pilot Study
Authors: Kabra Ash , Neri Lori , Weiner Hillel , Khalil Yasser , Matsumura Martin E. 
Published: August 2013

Patients who suffer a first ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) typically have fewer identifiable risk factors than those who suffer other types of acute coronary syndromes. As such, risk assessment tools such as the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) often fail to classify these patients as high risk. In this study, we tested the ability of assessment of carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) to enhance the ability to identify patients who are at risk for STEMI, using a CIMT‐derived “vascular age” in place of chronologic age in the calculation of FRS. We applied a CIMT‐based vascular age to the assessment of FRS in a cohort of patients who presented with a first STEMI. Using CIMT‐derived vascular age in place of chronologic age increased both the mean FRS and predicted 10 year cardiovascular event rate of the cohort. More importantly, the use of a CIMT‐derived vascular age in the calculation of FRS significantly improved the ability to identify patients with STEMI as high risk and candidates for statin therapy based on ATPIII criteria (19.2% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.010). The use of CIMT to derive a vascular age may improve the ability of FRS to identify patients at risk for STEMI.
The Confederal Comeback: Rediscovering the Confederal Form for a Transnational World
Authors: Cuyvers Armin 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis contribution approaches the EU as a modified confederal system. It subsequently suggests that such modified confederal arrangements form a prima facie attractive model for transnational government more generally. To this end the EU is comparatively contrasted with the US Confederation, which was established directly after American independence, on the one hand and with its subsequent evolution into a federate state on the other—a comparison that demonstrates how the EU has combined a confederal foundation with some crucial federate reinforcements in its constitutional superstructure. Subsequently it is demonstrated how these modifications have addressed several of the classic weaknesses of the confederal form and may further help to open up the potential inherent in the confederal form for complementary transnational government more generally.
Europe Entrapped
Authors: Offe Claus 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe EU in 2013 finds itself at the crossroads of either something considerably better or something much worse than the status quo; in other words, in a crisis. That much is nearly universally understood, both within Europe and widely beyond. So I am certainly not alone in believing that the current crisis, a crisis that is the cumulative outcome of a financial market, sovereign debt and EU integration/democratic deficit crises, is an extremely serious and unprecedented one, frightening due to its complexity and uncertainty. If it cannot soon be resolved (but nobody knows how soon is ‘soon enough’) through a major institutional overhaul of the EU, both the political project of European integration and the global economy will suffer badly—to say nothing about the massive social suffering it has caused already in the countries of the European periphery.
A single dose of interleukin‐31 (IL‐31) causes continuous itch‐associated scratching behaviour in mice
Authors: Arai Iwao , Tsuji Minoru , Takeda Hiroshi , Akiyama Nobutake , Saito Saburo 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe investigated the effects of a single dose of mouse interleukin‐31 (IL‐31) on scratching behaviour in comparison with spontaneous skin‐lesion‐ or serotonin (5‐HT)‐ induced scratching behaviour in NC/Nga and BALB/c mice. Intradermal (i.d.) injection of IL‐31 caused a gradual increase in long‐lasting scratching (LLS, over 1.5 s) about 3 h after administration followed by a gradual decrease for over 24 h after administration. I.d. injection of IL‐31 significantly increased the total LLS counts/24 h but not short‐lasting scratching (SLS, 0.3–1.5 s). In skin‐lesioned NC/Nga mice, the LLS but not SLS counts were significantly higher than those in non‐skin‐lesioned NC/Nga mice. We also investigated 5‐HT‐induced scratching in BALB/c mice, SLS but not LLS increased immediately after the injection and then decreased to baseline after at 20 min. These results suggest that IL‐31 may participate in the sensation of itching and promote scratching behaviour in skin‐lesioned NC/Nga mice, an animal model of atopic dermatitis (AD).
Low environmental humidity induces synthesis and release of cortisol in an epidermal organotypic culture system
Authors: Takei Kentaro , Denda Sumiko , Kumamoto Junichi , Denda Mitsuhiro 
Published: August 2013

AbstractDry environmental conditions induce a variety of skin pathologies and a recent report indicating that cortisol synthesis in epidermis was increased during wound healing led us to hypothesize that environmental dryness might induce increased cortisol secretion in epidermis. Therefore, we incubated a skin equivalent model under dry (relative humidity: less than 10%) and humid (relative humidity: approximately 100%) conditions for 48 hours and evaluated cortisol secretion and mRNA levels of cortisol‐synthesizing enzyme (steroid 11β‐hydroxylase, CYP11B1) and IL‐1β. Cortisol secretion was increased threefold, and CYP11B1 and IL‐1β mRNAs were increased 38‐fold and sixfold, respectively, in the dry condition versus the humid condition. Occlusion with a water‐impermeable plastic membrane partially blocked the increases in cortisol secretion and CYP11B1 and IL‐1β mRNA expression in the dry condition. Thus, environmental dryness might induce increased cortisol secretion in epidermis of diseased skin characterized by epidermal barrier dysfunction, potentially influencing mental state and systemic physiology.