bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene Profiling of Canine B-Cell Lymphoma Reveals Germinal Center and Postgerminal Center Subtypes with Different Survival Times, Modeling Human DLBCL
Authors: Richards Kristy L. , Motsinger-Reif Alison A. , Chen Hsiao-Wei , Fedoriw Yuri , Fan Cheng , Nielsen Dahlia M. , Small George W. , Thomas Rachael , Smith Chris , Dave Sandeep S. , Perou Charles M. , Breen Matthew , Borst Luke B. , Suter Steven E. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma subtype, and fewer than half of patients are cured with standard first-line therapy. To improve therapeutic options, better animal models that accurately mimic human DLBCL (hDLBCL) are needed. Canine DLBCL, one of the most common cancers in veterinary oncology, is morphologically similar to hDLBCL and is treated using similar chemotherapeutic protocols. With genomic technologies, it is now possible to molecularly evaluate dogs as a potential large-animal model for hDLBCL. We evaluated canine B-cell lymphomas (cBCL) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and gene expression profiling. cBCL expression profiles were similar in many ways to hDLBCLs. For instance, a subset had increased expression of NF-κB pathway genes, mirroring human activated B-cell (ABC)–type DLBCL. Furthermore, immunoglobulin heavy chain ongoing mutation status, which is correlated with ABC/germinal center B-cell cell of origin in hDLBCL, separated cBCL into two groups with statistically different progression-free and overall survival times. In contrast with hDLBCL, cBCL rarely expressed BCL6 and MUM1/IRF4 by IHC. Collectively, these studies identify molecular similarities to hDLBCL that introduce pet dogs as a representative model of hDLBCL for future studies, including therapeutic clinical trials. Cancer Res; 73(16); 5029–39. ©2013 AACR.
Comparison of calibrated dilute thrombin time and aPTT tests with LC-MS/MS for the therapeutic monitoring of patients treated with dabigatran etexilate
Authors: Dogné Jean-Michel , Mullier François , Chatelain Bernard , Rönquist-Nii Yuko , Malmström Rickard E. , Hjemdahl Paul , Douxfils Jonathan 
Published: June 2013

SummaryWays to monitor dabigatran etexilate (DE) therapy would be useful in certain situations. Functional assays such as aPTT or Hemoclot® Thrombin Inhibitor (HTI) have been proposed to evaluate dabigatran concentrations, but previous findings are based on in vitro studies and results must be confirmed in clinical samples. The aim of this study was to compare aPTT and HTI measurements with liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) measurements of dabigatran in plasma samples from DE treated patients. Seventy-one plasma samples were included. aPTT was performed using STA-CKPrest® and SynthASil®. HTI was performed according to instructions from the manufacturer. The LC-MS/MS method utilised dabigatran- d3 as internal standard. The plasma concentration range was 0 to 645 ng/ml as measured by LC-MS/MS. Overall, the HTI and LC-MS/ MS analyses correlated well (r2=0.97). The Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of 9 ng/ml (SD: 20 ng/ml). However, the HTI performed poorly at concentrations <50 ng/ml. LC-MS/MS was sensitive (limit of quantification 1.1 ng/ml) and specific for dabigatran. The aPTT methods did not correlate well with plasma concentrations measured by LC-MS/MS (r2 = 0.59 with SynthASil® and 0.50 with STACKPrest ®). In conclusion, the poor sensitivity, the important inter-individual variability, and the poor correlation with LC-MS/MS preclude the use of aPTT to estimate dabigatran concentrations. Due to its small inter-individual variability and good agreement with LC-MS/MS measurements, we recommend the use of HTI assays to rather accurately estimate concentrations of dabigatran <50 ng/ml. Quantification of lower dabigatran levels in DE-treated patients requires the “reference” LC-MS/MS method.
An analysis of wind energy potential for micro wind turbine in Hong Kong
Authors: Li DHW , Cheung KL , Chan WWH , Cheng CCK , Wong TCH 
Published: June 2013

Renewable energy can play an important role in meeting the ultimate goal of replacing parts of fossil fuels to generate sustainable, inexhaustible, clean and safe energy. One of the promising applications of renewable energy technology is the installation of wind turbine that has been identified as having potential for wide-scale application in Hong Kong. Locally, wind turbines are seldom installed in building developments. The barriers include limited installation space available, the heavily obstructed external environments and noise and vibration problems. The apposite places for the installation would be on the roof/rooftop of low-rise buildings located in low-density zones. Relevant wind data and output power generated on-site, which may be quite site-dependent, are essential for modelling and evaluating the wind energy conversion system. Long-term measured wind data are crucial to the study of wind energy potential. This work studies the wind data and micro-wind turbine used in dense urban terrain and low-density area. Technical data including wind speed and output power were analyzed and reported. To achieve 1% of total building energy consumption generated from wind power, 17 micro-wind turbines are required to be installed in this institutional building located in low-density zone. Practical application: Wind turbine is one of the typical applications of renewable energy technology. However, micro-turbines are not popularly installed in building developments. This work analyses the measured wind data and the energy performance of micro-wind turbines installed in an institutional building. The findings provide the on-site measured data for design and assessment of micro-wind turbines installed in building blocks.
Barriers to Physical Activity in People With Type 2 Diabetes Enrolled in a Worksite Diabetes Disease Management Program
Authors: Erickson Deborah 
Published: June 2013

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the level of physical activity, barriers to physical activity, and strategies used to meet physical activity goals in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used in a sample of 75 adults with T2DM enrolled in a worksite diabetes disease management program (WDDMP). Participants self-reported the length of time they engaged in moderate-intensity physical activity, the frequency of general and specific physical activity, and barriers to participating in physical activity. Results Participants who chose to work on physical activity as part of their diabetes self-management had a higher stage of change for physical activity and participated in more general and specific physical activity than did those participants who did not choose to work on physical activity. Participants who were active reported fewer barriers to physical activity and chose to work on more self-care areas to control their diabetes than did those participants who were inactive. Conclusions Participants who chose to work on physical activity participated in more general and specific physical activity and had a higher stage of change for physical activity. Stage of change affects physical activity. While results provide support for the stages of change construct of the transtheoretical model of change, the results do not support that the WDDMP assisted participants in achieving their physical activity goals.
Who Can Provide Diabetes Self-Management Support in Primary Care?
Authors: Siminerio Linda , Ruppert Kristine M. , Gabbay Robert A. 
Published: June 2013

Purpose The purpose of this comparative effectiveness study is to compare diabetes self-management support (DSMS) approaches and determine who can be most effective in helping patients maintain/improve clinical outcomes, self-care behaviors, distress, and satisfaction following diabetes self-management education (DSME) delivered in primary care. Methods After receiving DSME, 141 participants were randomized to receive DSMS delivered by a trained supporter: educator, peer, practice staff, or usual education during a 6-month follow-up period. DSMS groups were compared to determine which supporter helped participants to maintain/improve A1C, blood pressure, lipids, weight, self-care, and distress. DSMS satisfaction was also examined. Results There was a significant improvement in A1C, empowerment, aspects of self-care, and distress following DSME at 6 weeks. Those in the educator DSMS group best sustained improved A1C while those in the other DSMS groups maintained glycemic improvements but began to show trends toward worsening. No significant differences or clear trends were seen in other clinical, behavioral, or psychosocial outcomes. The Program Reinforcement Impacts Self-Management (PRISM) study demonstrates that following DSME, participants maintained improved glycemia, lipid, weight, and self-care behaviors and reductions in distress throughout the delivery of DSMS interventions regardless of DSMS supporter. All of the participants reported satisfaction with DSMS. Conclusions These findings reaffirm the critical role of educators but suggest that others may serve as DSMS supporters. Results suggest that DSME delivered in primary care is effective and multiple DSMS agents are reasonable. As patient-centered self-management approaches are being explored in primary care, delivery of DSME and DSMS becomes paramount.
Pharmacist and physician views on collaborative practice
Authors: Kelly Deborah V. , Bishop Lisa , Young Stephanie , Hawboldt John , Phillips Leslie , Keough T. Montgomery 
Published: June 2013

Background: Strong working relationships between pharmacists and physicians are needed to optimize patient care. Understanding attitudes and barriers to collaboration between pharmacists and physicians may help with delivery of primary health care services. The objective of this study was to capture the opinions of family physicians and community pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) regarding collaborative practice. Methods: Two parallel surveys were offered to all community pharmacists and family physicians in NL. Surveys assessed the following: attitudes and experience with collaborative practice, preferred communication methods, perceived role of pharmacists, areas for more collaboration and barriers to collaborative practice. Results for both groups were analyzed separately, with comparisons between groups to compare responses with similar questions. Results: Survey response rates were 78.6% and 7.1% for pharmacists and physicians, respectively. Both groups overwhelmingly agreed that collaborative practice could result in improved patient outcomes and agreed that major barriers were lack of time and compensation and the need to deal with multiple pharmacists/physicians. Physicians indicated they would like more collaboration for insurance approvals and patient counselling, while pharmacists want to assist with identifying and managing patients’ drug-related problems. Both groups want more collaboration to improve patient adherence. Conclusion: Both groups agree that collaborative practice can positively affect patient outcomes and would like more collaboration opportunities. However, physicians and pharmacists disagree about the areas where they would like to collaborate to deliver care. Changes to reimbursement models and infrastructure are needed to facilitate enhanced collaboration between pharmacists and physicians in the community setting.
Malaria Policy Advisory Committee to the WHO: conclusions and recommendations of March 2013 meeting
Authors:   WHO Malaria Policy Advisory Committee and Secretariat
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The Malaria Policy Advisory Committee to the World Health Organization met in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 to 15 March, 2013. This article provides a summary of the discussions, conclusions and recommendations from that meeting.
Meeting sessions included: a review of the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Guyana and Suriname; the outcomes from a consultation on non-malaria febrile illness; the outcomes from the second meeting of the Evidence Review Group on malaria burden estimation; an update on the review of the WHO Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria; an update regarding progress on the constitution of the vector control Technical Expert Group; updates on the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine and the malaria vaccine technology roadmap; financing and resource allocation for malaria control; malaria surveillance and the need for a surveillance, monitoring and evaluation Technical Expert Group; criteria and classification related to malaria elimination; the next meeting of the Evidence Review Group on Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy; an update on the soon-to-be launched Elimination Scenario Planning Tool; and an update on the process for the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria Control and Elimination (2016–2025).
Policy statements, position statements, and guidelines that arise from the MPAC meeting conclusions and recommendations will be formally issued and disseminated to World Health Organization Member States by the World Health Organization Global Malaria Programme.
Pathways of neighbourhood-level socio-economic determinants of adverse birth outcomes
Authors: Meng Gang , Thompson Mary E , Hall G Brent 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough socio-economic factors have been identified as one of the most important groups of neighbourhood-level risks affecting birth outcomes, uncertainties still exist concerning the pathways through which they are transferred to individual risk factors. This poses a challenge for setting priorities and developing appropriate community-oriented public health interventions and planning guidelines to reduce the level of adverse birth outcomes.MethodThis study examines potential direct and mediated pathways through which neighbourhood-level socio-economic determinants exert their impacts on adverse birth outcomes. Two hypothesized models, namely the materialist and psycho-social models, and their corresponding pathways are tested using a binary-outcome multilevel mediation analysis. Live birth data, including adverse birth outcomes and person-level exposure variables, were obtained from three public health units in the province of Ontario, Canada. Corresponding neighbourhood-level socio-economic, psycho-social and living condition variables were extracted or constructed from the 2001 Canadian Census and the first three cycles (2001, 2003, and 2005) of the Canadian Community Health Surveys.ResultsNeighbourhood-level socio-economic-related risks are found to have direct effects on low birth weight and preterm birth. In addition, 20-30% of the total effects are contributed by indirect effects mediated through person-level risks. There is evidence of four person-level pathways, namely through individual socio-economic status, psycho-social stress, maternal health, and health behaviours, with all being simultaneously at work. Psycho-social pathways and buffering social capital-related variables are found to have more impact on low birth weight than on preterm birth.ConclusionThe evidence supports both the materialist and psycho-social conceptualizations and the pathways that describe them, although the magnitude of the former is greater than the latter.
Improving Si solar cell performance using Mn:ZnSe quantum dot-doped PLMA thin film
Authors: Cheng Dan-Chen , Hao Hong-Chen , Zhang Miao , Shi Wei , Lu Ming 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA) thin film doped with Mn:ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) was spin-deposited on the front surface of Si solar cell for enhancing the solar cell efficiency via photoluminescence (PL) conversion. Significant solar cell efficiency enhancements (approximately 5% to 10%) under all-solar-spectrum (AM0) condition were observed after QD-doped PLMA coatings. Furthermore, the real contribution of the PL conversion was precisely assessed by investigating the photovoltaic responses of the QD-doped PLMA to monochromatic and AM0 light sources as functions of QD concentration, combined with reflectance and external quantum efficiency measurements. At a QD concentration of 1.6 mg/ml for example, among the efficiency enhancement of 5.96%, about 1.04% was due to the PL conversion, and the rest came from antireflection. Our work indicates that for the practical use of PL conversion in solar cell performance improvement, cautions are to be taken, as the achieved efficiency enhancement might not be wholly due to the PL conversion.
A 68-year-old Caucasian man presenting with urinary bladder lymphoepithelioma: a case report
Authors: Spinelli Gian Paolo , Lo Russo Giuseppe , Pacchiarotti Alberto , Stati Valeria , Prete Alessandra Anna , Tomao Federica , Sciarretta Cinzia , Arduin Mara , Basso Enrico , Chiotti Stefania , Sinjari Marsela , Venezia Martina , Zoccoli Giada , Tomao Silverio 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Lymphoepithelioma is a very rare form of malignant tumor originating from epithelial line cells. Its occurrence has potential clinical, therapeutic and prognostic implications. In the present report we describe an unusual case of bladder cancer with two different histological varieties: transition cell carcinoma and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the bladder has only been rarely reported in the literature to date.

Case presentation
We present the case of a 68-year-old Caucasian man who, after occurrence of hematuria, underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumor. The results of a histological examination confirmed a high-grade non-muscle-invasive pT1 lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the urinary bladder, associated with a concurrent high-grade transition cell carcinoma. After analyzing the histological features, our patient was subjected to treatment with intra-vesical instillations of bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Our work stresses that diagnosis and therapeutic approaches can be difficult and controversial, especially in the early stages of this rare carcinoma.

Conclusions
This report emphasizes the importance of extending our knowledge and experiences regarding this uncommon carcinoma. Further studies are needed to better understand this rare disease and define more accurate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Procalcitonin decrease over 72 hours in US critical care units predicts fatal outcome in sepsis patients
Authors: Schuetz Philipp , Maurer Paula , Punjabi Vikas , Desai Ami , Amin Devendra N , Gluck Eric 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Close monitoring and repeated risk assessment of sepsis patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is important for decisions regarding care intensification or early discharge to the ward. We studied whether considering plasma kinetics of procalcitonin, a biomarker of systemic bacterial infection, over the first 72 critical care hours improved mortality prognostication of septic patients from two US settings.

Methods
This retrospective analysis included consecutively treated eligible adults with a diagnosis of sepsis from critical care units in two independent institutions in Clearwater, FL and Chicago, IL. Cohorts were used for derivation or validation to study the association between procalcitonin change over the first 72 critical care hours and mortality.

Results
ICU/in-hospital mortality rates were 29.2%/31.8% in the derivation cohort (n = 154) and 17.6%/29.4% in the validation cohort (n = 102). In logistic regression analysis of both cohorts, procalcitonin change was strongly associated with ICU and in-hospital mortality independent of clinical risk scores (Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Evaluation IV or Simplified Acute Physiology Score II), with area under the curve (AUC) from 0.67 to 0.71. When procalcitonin decreased by at least 80%, the negative predictive value for ICU/in-hospital mortality was 90%/90% in the derivation cohort, and 91%/79% in the validation cohort. When procalcitonin showed no decrease or increased, the respective positive predictive values were 48%/48% and 36%/52%.

Discussion
In septic patients, procalcitonin kinetics over the first 72 critical care hours provide prognostic information beyond that available from clinical risk scores. If these observations are confirmed, procalcitonin monitoring may assist physician decision-making regarding care intensification or early transfer from the ICU to the floor.
Hemodynamic assessment of critically ill patients using a miniaturized transesophageal echocardiography probe
Authors: Cioccari Luca , Baur Hans-Rudolf , Berger David , Wiegand Jan , Takala Jukka , Merz Tobias M 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Hemodynamic management in intensive care patients guided by blood pressure and flow measurements often do not sufficiently reveal common hemodynamic problems. Trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows for direct measurement of cardiac volumes and function. A new miniaturized probe for TEE (mTEE) potentially provides a rapid and simplified approach to monitor cardiac function. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of hemodynamic monitoring using mTEE in critically ill patients after a brief operator training period.

Methods
In the context of the introduction of mTEE in a large ICU, 14 ICU staff specialists with no previous TEE experience received six hours of training as mTEE operators. The feasibility of mTEE and the quality of the obtained hemodynamic information were assessed. Three standard views were acquired in hemodynamically unstable patients: 1) for assessment of left ventricular function (LV) fractional area change (FAC) was obtained from a trans-gastric mid-esophageal short axis view, 2) right ventricular (RV) size was obtained from mid-esophageal four chamber view, and 3) superior vena cava collapsibility for detection of hypovolemia was assessed from mid-esophageal ascending aortic short axis view. Off-line blinded assessment by an expert cardiologist was considered as a reference. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Chi-square tests or correlation analysis as appropriate.

Results
In 55 patients, 148 mTEE examinations were performed. Acquisition of loops in sufficient quality was possible in 110 examinations for trans-gastric mid-esophageal short axis, 118 examinations for mid-esophageal four chamber and 125 examinations for mid-esophageal ascending aortic short axis view. Inter-rater agreement (Kappa) between ICU mTEE operators and the reference was 0.62 for estimates of LV function, 0.65 for RV dilatation, 0.76 for hypovolemia and 0.77 for occurrence of pericardial effusion (all P < 0.0001). There was a significant correlation between the FAC measured by ICU operators and the reference (r = 0.794, P (one-tailed) < 0.0001).

Conclusions
Echocardiographic examinations using mTEE after brief bed-side training were feasible and of sufficient quality in a majority of examined ICU patients with good inter-rater reliability between mTEE operators and an expert cardiologist. Further studies are required to assess the impact of hemodynamic monitoring by mTEE on relevant patient outcomes.