bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Symptoms, clusters and quality of life prior to surgery for breast cancer
Authors: Denieffe Suzanne , Cowman Seamus , Gooney Martina 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo examine the pretreatment symptoms and symptom clusters that women awaiting breast cancer surgery are experiencing and the impact of these symptoms on their quality of life.BackgroundMost women diagnosed with breast cancer will have surgery as a first‐line treatment. The presence of presurgery symptoms may be significant in contributing to distress and impaired quality of life. While it seems that women with breast cancer may experience the symptoms of fatigue, pain, depression and sleep disturbance as a cluster, this has not yet been confirmed by empirical research in the presurgery time period.DesignA multiple‐point prospective longitudinal cohort panel design is used.MethodsPresurgery symptoms and quality of life were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue, Brief Pain Inventory and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30(3).ResultsParticipants (n = 94, age range 30–92) experienced symptoms prior to surgery, with pain being a more prevalent symptom (35%) than fatigue (32%), sleep disturbances (25·5%) or depression (11%). global quality of life was significantly impacted on by fatigue and showed a moderate correlation with emotional functioning and a weak correlation with physical and social functioning. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified the presence of five clusters with symptoms present in differing intensities in each cluster.ConclusionIn this cohort of women, healthy other than having a diagnosis of breast cancer, symptoms were impacting on quality of life. It is evident that clusters of symptoms are present presurgery that must be assessed and managed.Relevance to practiceHealthcare delivery systems must ensure that early symptoms are addressed effectively in the presurgery period to improve quality of life and reduce adverse outcomes postsurgery.
Examining the causal model linking health literacy to health outcomes of asthma patients
Authors: Wang Kwua‐Yun , Chu Nain‐Feng , Lin Sieh‐Hwa , Chiang I‐Chyun , Perng Wann‐Cherng , Lai Hsiang‐Ru 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore health literacy status in asthma patients and to examine the causal model linking health literacy to health outcome–related factors via mediator and moderator variables.BackgroundUnderstanding how low health literacy may influence health outcomes is important.DesignThis is a cross‐sectional survey study.MethodsA total of 326 asthma patients aged 20 years and older (average: 51 ± 18·3 years) were recruited by purposive sampling from pulmonary medicine outpatient departments at three medical centres and a regional teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Data were collected via structured questionnaires, including measures of socio‐demographic and disease characteristics; medical decision‐making; asthma knowledge, attitudes and self‐efficacy; healthcare experience and health outcome–related factors (metered‐dose inhaler/dry‐powder inhaler usage proficiency, medical use, self‐management behaviour). Three hundred patients who met the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire survey were analysed.ResultsOverall, 217 subjects (72·3%) had adequate functional health literacy, 42 (14%) had inadequate functional health literacy, and 41 (13·7%) had marginal functional health literacy. Subjects' average asthma knowledge, attitudes and self‐efficacy scores were 7·23 ± 2·69, 51·46 ± 6·18 and 58·31 ± 8·10, respectively. Health literacy correlated positively with asthma knowledge (r = 0·605), attitudes (r = 0·192) and medical decision‐making (r = 0·413).ConclusionsHealth literacy is positively associated with proficiency in metered‐dose inhaler usage, asthma knowledge, attitudes and medical decision‐making, but is not significantly associated with medical care use and self‐management behaviour. Health literacy had an indirect effect on self‐management behaviour through the mediation effect of asthma attitudes. No moderator was found for the effect of health literacy on health outcome–related factors.Relevance to clinical practiceResults of this study may help to develop adequate intervention strategies to improve the health outcomes of asthma patients.
Adolescents' Prosocial Behavior Toward Family, Friends, and Strangers: A Person‐Centered Approach
Authors: Padilla‐Walker Laura M. , Dyer W. Justin , Yorgason Jeremy B. , Fraser Ashley M. , Coyne Sarah M. 
Published: December 2013

This study examined longitudinal change in adolescents' prosocial behavior toward family, friends, and strangers. Participants included 491 mother–child dyads (average age of child at Time 1 = 11.5, 67% European American). Growth mixture modeling suggested that prosocial behavior toward family was generally stable or decreased over time, while prosocial behavior toward friends increased over time. However, findings highlighted unique developmental trajectories within subgroups of adolescents for prosocial behavior toward family and friends and found that maternal warmth and adolescent sympathy, self‐regulation, and gender consistently distinguished between groups. Discussion focuses on the need for a more multidimensional approach to prosocial development.
Therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy in huge (≥10 cm) unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kim Kyung Hwan , Kim Mi Sun , Chang Jee Suk , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Kim Do Young , Seong Jinsil 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsHuge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) show dismal prognosis and only a limited number of cases are eligible for curative resection. We studied the therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with huge unresectable HCCs.MethodsData from 283 patients with huge HCCs and preserved liver function who underwent non‐surgical treatment from July 2001 to March 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the initial treatment: Group A (N= 49), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE); Group B (N = 35), TACE + RT; Group C (N = 50), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy; and Group D (n = 149), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).Results and ConclusionsThe median follow‐up period was 27.8 months (range, 12.9–121.9 months). The median overall survival (OS) was longer in Groups B (15.3 months) and D (12.8 months) than in Groups A (7.5 months) and C (8.2 months; Group B vs. A, Bonferroni corrected P [Pc] = 0.04; Group B vs. C, Pc = 0.02; Group D vs. A, Pc = 0.01; Group D vs. C, Pc = 0.006). Groups B and D also showed superior progression‐free survival (PFS) and intrahepatic control than Groups A and C. In multivariate analysis, tumour multiplicity, serum alpha‐foetoprotein level (≥200 ng/ml) and initial treatment were independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Patients with huge unresectable HCCs treated with RT, either as CCRT or in combination with TACE, showed excellent intrahepatic control and prolonged survival. RT could be considered a promising treatment modality in these patients.
Maintaining remission in lamivudine‐resistant patients with a virological response to adefovir add‐on lamivudine after stopping lamivudine therapy
Authors: Kim Mi Na , Lee Chun Kyon , Ahn Sang Hoon , Lee Sangheun , Kim Seung Up , Kim Do Young , Kim Hyon Suk , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Chon Chae Yoon , Park Jun Yong 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsWe examined the durability of the virological response after discontinuing lamivudine (LVD) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with LVD‐resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV), who responded to LVD plus adefovir (ADV) combination therapy, and the outcome of switching to ADV monotherapy compared to maintaining combination therapy.MethodsThis study enrolled 72 patients with undetectable viral loads (≤12 IU/ml) and normal alanine aminotransferase levels after ADV add‐on therapy for at least 6 months in LVD‐resistant CHB patients. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to continue with LVD–ADV combination therapy or switch to ADV monotherapy (n = 36 per group). Virological rebound was defined as HBV DNA detection at more than 12 IU/ml by quantitative polymerase chain reaction determined on two consecutive measurements.ResultsDuring 96 weeks of follow‐up, 100% (36/36) of the patients in the LVD–ADV combination maintained group had persistently undetectable HBV DNA, compared with 94.4% (34/36) patients in the ADV monotherapy switched group. These two patients had undetectable HBV DNA after switching back to LVD–ADV combination therapy. There were no significant differences in the HBsAg levels between the two treatment groups during the 96‐week follow‐up period.ConclusionsIn our study, switching to ADV monotherapy resulted in sustained HBV DNA suppression in 94.4% of the patients for 96 weeks. Prior complete viral suppression with LVD–ADV combination therapy conferred a significant advantage in patients who switched to ADV monotherapy. LVD may be discontinued in patients who show a complete virological response to LVD–ADV combination therapy for at least 6 months.
Cardiomyopathy reverses with recovery of liver injury, cholestasis and cholanemia in mouse model of biliary fibrosis
Authors: Desai Moreshwar S. , Eblimit Zeena , Thevananther Sundararajah , Kosters Astrid , Moore David D. , Penny Daniel J. , Karpen Saul J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundTriggers and exacerbants of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CC) are poorly understood, limiting treatment options in patients with chronic liver diseases. Liver transplantation alone reverses some features of CC, but the physiology behind this effect has never been studied.AimsWe aimed to determine whether reversal of liver injury and fibrosis in mouse affects cardiac parameters. The second aim was to determine whether cardiomyopathy can be induced by specifically increasing systemic bile acid (BA) levels.Methods6–8 week old male C57BL6J mice were fed either chow (n = 5) or 3,5‐diethoxycarbonyl‐1,4‐dihydroxychollidine (DDC) (n = 10) for 3 weeks. At the end of 3 weeks, half the mice in the DDC fed group were randomized to chow (the reversed [REV] group). Serial ECHOs and electrocardiographic analysis was conducted weekly for 6 weeks followed by liver tissue and serum studies. Hearts were analysed for key components of function and cell signalling. Cardiac physiological and molecular parameters were similarly analysed in Abcb11−/− mice (n = 5/grp) fed 0.5% cholic acid supplemented diet for 1 week.ResultsMice in the REV group showed normalization of biochemical markers of liver injury with resolution of electrocardiographic and ECHO aberrations. Catecholamine resistance seen in DDC group resolved in the REV group. Cardiac recovery was accompanied by normalization of cardiac troponin‐T2 as well as resolution of cardiac stress response at RNA level. Cardiovascular physiological and molecular parameters correlated with degree of cholanemia. Cardiomyopathy was reproduced in cholanemic BA fed Abcb11−/− mice.ConclusionsCardiomyopathy resolves with resolution of liver injury, is associated with cholanaemia, and can be induced by BA feeding.
Does telaprevir possess a direct antidiabetic effect?
Authors: Tallón de Lara Paulino , Himschoot Thomas , Frossard Jean‐Louis , Negro Francesco 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) induces insulin resistance, which improves upon viral clearance. Telaprevir is a protease inhibitor effective against HCV genotype 1. We reported a case, whose history suggests that telaprevir may induce some antidiabetic effect independently of its suppression of HCV. A 56‐year‐old woman with obesity, type 2 diabetes treated with sitagliptin and metformin, and HCV‐related cirrhosis was given triple therapy with pegylated interferon‐alpha, ribavirin and telaprevir. After 2 weeks of treatment, HCV RNA was no longer detectable but the patient described a pronounced drop in the capillary glucose levels and episodes of hypoglycaemia that compelled her to stop all antidiabetic treatment. One month after stopping telaprevir, she had to resume her antidiabetic treatment, despite a persisting virological response. Despite reaching a sustained virological response, her diabetes progressed. Although the suppression of HCV replication may have played a role in reducing glucose intolerance, the fact that this patient resumed her prior antidiabetic treatment upon completing the telaprevir treatment, while still aviremic, suggests that telaprevir may have an additional antidiabetic effect. Further evidence about the possible role and mechanisms of telaprevir as antidiabetic agent is warranted.
The Tajikistan superbolide of July 23, 2008. I. Trajectory, orbit, and preliminary fall data
Authors: Konovalova Natalia A. , Madiedo Jose M. , Trigo‐Rodríguez Josep M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe results of the atmospheric trajectory, radiant, heliocentric orbit, and preliminary strewn field calculations for an extremely bright slow‐moving fireball are presented. In the evening hours of July 23, 2008, a bright object entered Earth's atmosphere over Tajikistan. The fireball had a −20.3 maximum absolute magnitude and a spectacularly long persistent dust trail remained visible over a widespread region of Tajikistan for about 28 minutes after sunset. The fireball was also recorded by a visible‐light satellite system at 14 h 45 min 25 s UT, and the dust trail was imaged by video and photocameras. A unique aspect of this event is that it was detected by two infrasound and five seismic stations too. The bolide was first recorded at a height of 38.2 km, reached its maximum brightness at a height of 35.0 km, and finished at a height of 19.6 km. The first breakup occurred under an aerodynamic pressure of approximately 1.6 MPa, similar to the values derived for breakups of the scarcely reported meteorite‐dropping bolides. The fireball's trajectory and dynamic results suggest that meteorite survival is likely. The meteoroid followed an Apollo‐like asteroid orbit comparable to those derived for previously recovered meteorites with accurately known orbits.
The Corossol structure: A possible impact crater on the seafloor of the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Eastern Canada
Authors: Lajeunesse Patrick , St‐Onge Guillaume , Locat Jacques , Duchesne Mathieu J. , Higgins Michael D. , Sanfaçon Richard , Ortiz Joseph 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe report on a 4.1 (±0.2) km diameter and 185 m deep circular submarine structure exposed on the seabed in >40 m water depths in the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Eastern Canada) from the analysis of high‐resolution multibeam bathymetric and seismic data. The presence of a circular form characterized by a central uplift and concentric rings resembles the morphology and geometry of complex meteorite impact structures. Also, other origins, such as kimberlites, intrusions, karsts, or diapirs, can be eliminated on geological criteria. A single 4 cm long breccia fragment recovered from the central uplift has numerous glassy droplets of fluorapatite composition, assumed to be impact melts, and a single quartz grain with planar intersection features thought to be shock‐induced planar deformation features (PDFs). The absolute age of this possible impact structure is unknown, but its geological setting indicates that it was formed long after the Mid‐Ordovician and before regional pre‐Quaternary sea‐level lowstands. Present results outline the need for further examination to confirm an impact origin and to precisely date the formation of the structure.
The abundance and isotopic composition of Cd in iron meteorites
Authors: Kruijer Thomas S. , Sprung Peter , Kleine Thorsten , Leya Ingo , Wieler Rainer 
Published: December 2013

AbstractCadmium is a highly volatile element and its abundance in meteorites may help better understand volatility‐controlled processes in the solar nebula and on meteorite parent bodies. The large thermal neutron capture cross section of113Cd suggests that Cd isotopes might be well suited to quantify neutron fluences in extraterrestrial materials. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the range and magnitude of Cd concentrations in magmatic iron meteorites, and (2) to assess the potential of Cd isotopes as a neutron dosimeter for iron meteorites. Our new Cd concentration data determined by isotope dilution demonstrate that Cd concentrations in iron meteorites are significantly lower than in some previous studies. In contrast to large systematic variations in the concentration of moderately volatile elements like Ga and Ge, there is neither systematic variation in Cd concentration amongst troilites, nor amongst metal phases of different iron meteorite groups. Instead, Cd is strongly depleted in all iron meteorite groups, implying that the parent bodies accreted well above the condensation temperature of Cd (i.e., ≈650 K) and thus incorporated only minimal amounts of highly volatile elements. No Cd isotope anomalies were found, whereas Pt and W isotope anomalies for the same iron meteorite samples indicate a significant fluence of epithermal and higher energetic neutrons. This observation demonstrates that owing to the high Fe concentrations in iron meteorites, neutron capture mainly occurs at epithermal and higher energies. The combined Cd‐Pt‐W isotope results from this study thus demonstrate that the relative magnitude of neutron capture‐induced isotope anomalies is strongly affected by the chemical composition of the irradiated material. The resulting low fluence of thermal neutrons in iron meteorites and their very low Cd concentrations make Cd isotopes unsuitable as a neutron dosimeter for iron meteorites.
Doing the month in aTaiwanese postpartum nursing center: An ethnographic study
Authors: Yeh Yueh‐Chen , St John Winsome , Venturato Lorraine 
Published: December 2013

AbstractTraditionallyChinese andTaiwanese postpartum women conducted postpartum ritual practices, called “doing the month,” at home. Today, manyTaiwanese women undertake this ritual in postpartum nursing centers. However, little is known about how the traditional practices are being transformed in relation to contemporary health care inTaiwan. In this ethnographic study observations were carried out in a large post‐partum center attached to a major hospital inTaipei for nine months, and 27 postpartum women were interviewed. Data were analyzed using ethnographic approaches to extract codes and categories. Doing the month was reshaped by being relocated from the home to a healthcare setting. Midwives took on roles traditionally taken by family members, which had an impact on family roles and relationships. Some postpartum practices were maintained, based on traditional explanations. However, many were modified or challenged, based on explanations from contemporary scientific knowledge. Midwives need to be aware that there could be differences between their culture of care and the cultural values of the women they care for. This study informs culturally appropriate postpartum care and support for women with traditional and contemporary cultural beliefs and attitudes to doing the month in a range of healthcare contexts.
Preventive oral surgery before bisphosphonate administration to reduce osteonecrosis of the jaws
Authors: Mozzati M , Maggiora M , Scoletta M , Vasta A , Canuto RA , Muzio G 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesThe intravenous injection of bisphosphonates, currently used for osteoporosis, myeloma, or bone metastases, can cause ONJ especially in consequence of trauma. To avoid trauma during bisphosphonate treatment, preventive oral surgery is recommended. The research aimed to evidence whether inflammatory and osteoclastogenic factors are not induced in oral mucosa after bisphosphonate treatment in patients receiving oral preventive surgery procedure and whether proliferation factors are not inhibited.Patients and MethodsSpecimens of oral mucosa were removed from healthy subjects and from patients undergoing preventive oral surgery before bisphosphonate treatment. The expression of cytokines and factors involved in osteoclast activity, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis were examined.ResultsCytokines and RANK‐L levels decreased significantly in mucosa from patients undergoing preventive oral surgery procedure before bisphosphonate treatment in comparison with their levels at the beginning of procedure and also in comparison with the level in patients treated only with bisphosphonates and not developing ONJ; conversely, osteoprotegerin and hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase significantly increased or not changed.ConclusionsThe results suggest that preventive oral surgery could be able to prevent ONJ due to bisphosphonate treatment: The mucosa is not stimulated by bisphosphonates to cause ONJ, as bisphosphonates are probably not released from the bone.
A coumarin‐specific prenyltransferase catalyzes the crucial biosynthetic reaction for furanocoumarin formation in parsley
Authors: Karamat Fazeelat , Olry Alexandre , Munakata Ryosuke , Koeduka Takao , Sugiyama Akifumi , Paris Cedric , Hehn Alain , Bourgaud Frédéric , Yazaki Kazufumi 
Published: December 2013

SummaryFuranocoumarins constitute a sub‐family of coumarin compounds with important defense properties against pathogens and insects, as well as allelopathic functions in plants. Furanocoumarins are divided into two sub‐groups according to the alignment of the furan ring with the lactone structure: linear psoralen and angular angelicin derivatives. Determination of furanocoumarin type is based on the prenylation position of the common precursor of all furanocoumarins, umbelliferone, at C6 or C8, which gives rise to the psoralen or angelicin derivatives, respectively. Here, we identified a membrane‐bound prenyltransferase PcPT from parsley (Petroselinum crispum), and characterized the properties of the gene product. PcPT expression in various parsley tissues is increased by UV irradiation, with a concomitant increase in furanocoumarin production. This enzyme has strict substrate specificity towards umbelliferone and dimethylallyl diphosphate, and a strong preference for the C6 position of the prenylated product (demethylsuberosin), leading to linear furanocoumarins. The C8‐prenylated derivative (osthenol) is also formed, but to a much lesser extent. The PcPT protein is targeted to the plastids in planta. Introduction of this PcPT into the coumarin‐producing plant Ruta graveolens showed increased consumption of endogenous umbelliferone. Expression of PcPT and a 4–coumaroyl CoA 2'–hydroxylase gene in Nicotiana benthamiana, which does not produce furanocoumarins, resulted in formation of demethylsuberosin, indicating that furanocoumarin production may be reconstructed by a metabolic engineering approach. The results demonstrate that a single prenyltransferase, such as PcPT, opens the pathway to linear furanocoumarins in parsley, but may also catalyze the synthesis of osthenol, the first intermediate committed to the angular furanocoumarin pathway, in other plants.