bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self-reported sleep disturbance in patients with advanced cancer: Frequency, intensity, and factors associated with response to outpatient supportive care consultation — A preliminary report
Authors: Yennurajalingam Sriram , Chisholm Gary , Palla Shana L. , Holmes Holly , Reuben James M. , Bruera Eduardo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectives:Self-reported sleep disturbance (SD) is a distressing symptom in patients with advanced cancer. There are limited data on the treatment of SD and predictors to response of SD to outpatient supportive care clinic (OPC) consultation. The aims of our study was to determine the frequency, intensity, and correlates of SD as assessed with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) sleep item at the time of initial consultation and identify the predictors of improvement in SD at follow-up.Methods:We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with advanced cancer presenting to the OPC. ESAS scores were obtained at the initial and subsequent visits between January 2008 and February 2010. All patients underwent screening for SD (0–10 scale: 0 = best sleep, presence of SD defined as ≥3) and interdisciplinary assessment and treatment, including drug review, counseling, sleep hygiene review, and drug therapy. A response was defined as a 1-point improvement at the follow-up visit on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) sleep item score. Baseline patient characteristics, medication use, and ESAS scores were analyzed to determine their association with response.Results:The median age was 58 years, and 53% of patients were men. The most common cancer type was head and neck or lung (36%). Of the 442 patients, 330 had baseline SD (score ≥3/10, 75%). Median and mean (standard deviation) baseline SD scores were 5 and 5.1 (2.9). The multivariable regression model found the intensity of baseline ESAS sleep item scores to be associated with baseline sedative use, baseline ESAS pain scores, baseline ESAS fatigue scores, baseline ESAS feeling of well-being scores, and sedative use (R2 = 0.22). Sleep disturbance response at first follow-up was seen in 196 of 330 patients (59%). Moderate to high SD score and anxiety at initial visit with odds ratios (OR) of 2.53 (p = 0.0007) and 1.59 (p = 0.048), respectively, were associated with a response.Significance of results:Both the frequency and severity of SD were high. Response to supportive care consultation was substantial. The severity of SD and anxiety at the initial visit predicted a response at first follow-up. Further research is needed.
Sources and types of online information that breast cancer patients read and discuss with their doctors
Authors: Maloney Erin K. , D'Agostino Thomas A. , Heerdt Alexandra , Dickler Maura , Li Yuelin , Ostroff Jamie S. , Bylund Carma L. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectives:Most research examining the impact of patients seeking online health information treats internet information homogenously, rather than recognizing that there are multiple types and sources of available information. The present research was conducted to differentiate among sources and types of internet information that patients search for, intend to discuss with their doctors, and recall discussing with their doctors, and to determine how accurate and hopeful patients rate this information.Methods:We surveyed 70 breast cancer patients recruited from the waiting rooms of breast medical oncology and surgery clinics. The main variables in the study were as follows: (1) the sources and types of online information patients have read, intended to discuss, and actually discussed with their doctors, and (2) how accurately and hopefully they rated this information to be.Results:Patients read information most frequently from the websites of cancer organizations, and most often about side effects. Patients planned to discuss fewer types of information with their doctors than they had read about. They most often intended to discuss information from cancer organization websites or WebMD, and the material was most often about alternative therapies, side effects, and proven or traditional treatments. Some 76.8% of total participants rated the information they had read as very or somewhat accurate, and 61% rated the information they had read as very or somewhat hopeful.Significance of Results:Internet information varies widely by source and type. Differentiating among sources and types of information is essential to explore the ways in which online health information impacts patients' experiences.
Perinatal palliative care: Parent perceptions of caring in interactions surrounding counseling for risk of delivering an extremely premature infant
Authors: Kavanaugh Karen , Roscigno Cecelia I. , Swanson Kristen M. , Savage Teresa A. , Kimura Robert E. , Kilpatrick Sarah J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjective:When infants are at risk of being born at a very premature gestation (22–25 weeks), parents face important life-support decisions because of the high mortality for such infants. Concurrently, providers are challenged with providing parents a supportive environment within which to make these decisions. Practice guidelines for medical care of these infants and the principles of perinatal palliative care for families can be resources for providers, but there is limited research to bridge these medical and humanistic approaches to infant and family care. The purpose of this article is to describe how parents at risk of delivering their infant prior to 26 weeks gestation interpreted the quality of their interpersonal interactions with healthcare providers.Methods:Directed content analysis was employed to perform secondary analysis of data from 54 parents (40 mothers and 14 fathers) from the previously coded theme “Quality of Interactions.” These categorized data described parents' encounters, expectations, and experiences of interactions that occurred prenatally with care providers. For this analysis, Swanson's theory of caring was selected to guide analysis and to delineate parents' descriptions of caring and uncaring interactions.Results:Parents' expectations for caring included: (a) respecting parents and believing in their capacity to make the best decisions for their family (maintaining belief); (b) understanding parents' experiences and their continued need to protect their infant (knowing); (c) physically and emotionally engaging with the parents (being with); (d) providing unbiased information describing all possibilities (enabling); and (e) helping parents navigate the system and creating a therapeutic environment for them in which to make decisions (doing for).Significance of Results:Understanding parents' prenatal caring expectations through Swanson's theory gives deeper insights, aligning their expectations with the palliative care movement.
Changes experienced by and the future values of bereaved family members determined using narratives from bereavement life review therapy
Authors: Ando Michiyo , Sakaguchi Yukihiro , Shiihara Yasufumi , Izuhara Kumi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectives:The goals of this study were to investigate the changes experienced by bereaved family members in Japan and to determine what activities they would value in the future based on narratives from a bereavement life review, which is a type of psychotherapy used to treat depression and promote spiritual well-being.Methods:The participants were 20 bereaved Japanese family members who underwent two sessions of bereavement life review over a period of two weeks.Results:Using qualitative analysis, we identified four areas of changes (“learning from the deceased's death and self-growth,” “healing process,” “relating with others,” “relating with society,” and “performing new family roles”) and five categories of valued activities (“continuing grief work,” “living with a philosophy,” “attaining life roles,” “keeping good human relationships,” and “enjoying life”).Significance of results:“Learning from the deceased's death and self-growth” and “relating with others” are common in Japan and Western countries, whereas “relating with society,” “healing process,” and “performing new family roles” are more characteristic of Japan. The strength of bonding with the deceased may influence the values of bereaved family members. We concluded that bereavement life review therapy can contribute positively to their grief work.
Heterochrony in a complex world: disentangling environmental processes of facultative paedomorphosis in an amphibian
Authors: Denoël Mathieu , Ficetola Gentile F. 
Published: November 2013

Summary

Heterochrony, the change in the rate or timing of development between ancestors and their descendants, plays a major role in evolution. When heterochrony produces polymorphisms, it offers the possibility to test hypotheses that could explain its success across environments. Amphibians are particularly suitable to exploring these questions because they express complex life cycles (i.e. metamorphosis) that have been disrupted by heterochronic processes (paedomorphosis: retention of larval traits in adults). The large phenotypic variation across populations suggests that more complex processes than expected are operating, but they remain to be investigated through multivariate analyses over a large range of natural populations across time.

In this study, we compared the likelihood of multiple potential environmental determinants of heterochrony. We gathered data on the proportion of paedomorphic and metamorphic palmate newts (Lissotriton helveticus) across more than 150 populations during 10 years and used an information‐theoretic approach to compare the support of multiple potential processes.

Six environmental processes jointly explained the proportion of paedomorphs in populations: predation, water availability, dispersal limitation, aquatic breathing, terrestrial habitat suitability and antipredator refuges. Analyses of variation across space and time supported models based on the advantage of paedomorphosis in favourable aquatic habitats.

Paedomorphs were favoured in deep ponds, in conditions favourable to aquatic breathing (high oxygen content), with lack of fish and surrounded by suitable terrestrial habitat. Metamorphs were favoured by banks allowing easy dispersal.

These results indicate that heterochrony relies on complex processes involving multiple ecological variables and exemplifies why heterochronic patterns occur in contrasted environments. On the other hand, the fast selection of alternative morphs shows that metamorphosis and paedomorphosis developmental modes could be easily disrupted in natural populations.
Representatives of the public? Public opinion and interest group activity
Authors: Rasmussen Anne , Carroll Brendan J. , Lowery David 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAlthough scholars have long speculated about how organised interests link the public to decision makers, there has actually been little empirical research on this important element of democratic theory. This important gap in the literature is addressed in this article by examining, in addition to other supply‐side and demand‐side factors, whether groups mobilise on issues in policy areas that are regarded as salient by the public. Based on an analysis of 4,501 contributions in 142 European Commission online consultations, it is found that organised interests potentially can act as a transmission belt between the public and decision makers. Although the results vary to some degree by issues, higher rates of mobilisation are found on those issues that fall within policy areas that are regarded as salient by the general public and those with consequences for budgetary spending.
Development of Formulations and Processes to Incorporate Wax Oleogels in Ice Cream
Authors: Zulim Botega Daniele C. , Marangoni Alejandro G. , Smith Alexandra K. , Goff H. Douglas 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the influence of emulsifiers, waxes, fat concentration, and processing conditions on the application of wax oleogel to replace solid fat content and create optimal fat structure in ice cream. Ice creams with 10% or 15% fat were formulated with rice bran wax (RBW), candelilla wax (CDW), or carnauba wax (CBW) oleogels, containing 10% wax and 90% high‐oleic sunflower oil. The ice creams were produced using batch or continuous freezing processes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryo‐scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the microstructure of ice cream and the ultrastructure of oleogel droplets in ice cream mixes. Among the wax oleogels, RBW oleogel had the ability to form and sustain structure in 15% fat ice creams when glycerol monooleate (GMO) was used as the emulsifier. TEM images revealed that the high degree of fat structuring observed in GMO samples was associated with the RBW crystal morphology within the fat droplet, which was characterized by the growth of crystals at the outer edge of the droplet. Continuous freezing improved fat structuring compared to batch freezing. RBW oleogels established better structure compared to CDW or CBW oleogels. These results demonstrate that RBW oleogel has the potential to develop fat structure in ice cream in the presence of GMO and sufficiently high concentrations of oleogel.
Grazing of heterotrophic flagellates on viruses is driven by feeding behaviour
Authors: Deng Li , Krauss Steffen , Feichtmayer Judith , Hofmann Roland , Arndt Hartmut , Griebler Christian 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe trophic interactions between viruses, bacteria and protists play a crucial role in structuring microbial communities and regulating nutrient and organic matter flux. Here, we show that the impact on viral density by heterotrophic flagellates is related to their feeding behaviour (feeding on sedimented particles – Thaumatomonas coloniensis, filter feeding of suspended particles – Salpingoeca sp., and actively searching raptorial feeding – Goniomonas truncata). Phage MS2 was co‐incubated with flagellates and the natural bacterial and viral community originating from the same groundwater habitats where the flagellates were isolated. Three complementary assays, i.e. flow cytometry, qPCR and plaque assay, were used for enumeration of total viruses, total MS2 phages, and free and infectious MS2, respectively, to provide insights into the grazing mechanisms of the flagellates on viruses. Phage MS2 was actively removed by the suspension feeders T. coloniensis and Salpingoeca sp. in contrast with the actively raptoriale grazer G. truncata. The decline of viral titre was demonstrated to be caused by ingestion rather than random absorption by both qPCR and locating protein fluorescently labelled MS2 inside the flagellates. Further, we indicate that phages can be used as a minor carbon source for flagellates. Collectively, these data demonstrate that eliminating viruses can be an important function of protists in microbial food webs, carbon cycling and potentially water quality control.
Democratizing Constitutions: The Promotion of International Democracy after the 2009 Honduran Coup
Authors: Policzer Pablo , Franceschet Antonio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe 2009 Honduran constitutional crisis – in which a sitting president was removed from power and the country by military force – shows that, when it comes to the promotion of democracy, constitutions need to shift to the centre of debate and diplomatic practice in the Organization of American States (OAS). The undemocratic features of member states' actual constitutions cannot simply be ignored until there is a coup d'état. Although it is understandable that the first phase of OAS democracy promotion – undertaken as authoritarian regimes in the region waned – focused on preventing coups and the violent usurpation of democracy, the next phase ought to focus on ensuring that actual constitutions are aligned with, and supportive of, democracy.
From Global Policy to Local Knowledge: What is the Link between Women's Formal Political Participation and Gender Equality in Conflict‐affected Contexts?
Authors: Seckinelgin Hakan , Klot Jennifer F. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe report findings from a systematic review of literature on women's formal political participation in fragile and conflict‐affected states. In many postconflict contexts, quotas for women's formal participation are introduced as part of restructuring the political and social landscape. While many women take part in formal politics, many more still experience inequalities determined by their gender positions. Our analysis assesses the evidence used to substantiate the support for the prevailing global policy prescription for women's participation in formal political structures and the impact of this on general gender equality. We explore the association and relevance between the available knowledge, evidential claims based on these and the prevailing policy and practice to advance gender equality. Good policies require in‐depth knowledge about the field within which policies intervene. One of our central findings is that the research continues to produce knowledge about the mechanisms that help to elect women rather than knowledge on the gender outcomes of these processes within the larger society.
First evaluation of the paediatric version of the Swedish rapid emergency triage and treatment system shows good reliability
Authors: Westergren Hanna , Ferm Martin , Häggström Per 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate the reliability of Retts‐p, Rapid emergency triage and treatment system‐paediatric, with regard to inter‐rater and intra‐rater agreement.MethodTwenty nurses responsible for triaging both children and adults at the Emergency Department, Östersund County Hospital, Sweden, were randomly selected to take part in the study. The nurses were asked to use the Retts‐p triage system to retrospectively assess the written case reports on 40 paediatric cases, aged from 6 month to 17.5 years, who attended the Emergency Department in 2010 with surgical, orthopaedic and medical symptoms. Using the information provided regarding appearance, symptoms, previous medical history and vital signs, the nurses selected the most appropriate Emergency Symptoms and Signs algorithm and placed the child in one of the five triage categories. Two test rounds were performed, 3 months apart, using the same cases, to study both the inter‐rater and intra‐rater agreement for the priority level and the triage algorithm chosen by the triage nurses.ResultsGood to very good agreement were shown for both inter‐rater (quadratic κw 0.86, 95% CI 0.85–0.87) and intra‐rater testing (quadratic κw 0.92, 95% CI 0.88–0.96).ConclusionRetts‐p provided good to very good reliability in this first evaluation study of the triage system.
Efficient Semiparametric Estimation of Short-Term and Long-Term Hazard Ratios with Right-Censored Data
Authors: Diao Guoqing , Zeng Donglin , Yang Song 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe proportional hazards assumption in the commonly used Cox model for censored failure time data is often violated in scientific studies. Yang and Prentice (2005) proposed a novel semiparametric two-sample model that includes the proportional hazards model and the proportional odds model as sub-models, and accommodates crossing survival curves. The model leaves the baseline hazard unspecified and the two model parameters can be interpreted as the short-term and long-term hazard ratios. Inference procedures were developed based on a pseudo score approach. Although extension to accommodate covariates was mentioned, no formal procedures have been provided or proved. Furthermore, the pseudo score approach may not be asymptotically efficient. We study the extension of the short-term and long-term hazard ratio model of Yang and Prentice (2005) to accommodate potentially time-dependent covariates. We develop efficient likelihood-based estimation and inference procedures. The nonparametric maximum likelihood estimators are shown to be consistent, asymptotically normal, and asymptotically efficient. Extensive simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed methods perform well in practical settings. The proposed method successfully captured the phenomenon of crossing hazards in a cancer clinical trial and identified a genetic marker with significant long-term effect missed by using the proportional hazards model on age-at-onset of alcoholism in a genetic study.
Imatinib 800 mg daily induces deeper molecular responses than imatinib 400 mg daily: results of SWOG S0325, an intergroup randomized PHASE II trial in newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Deininger Michael W. , Kopecky Kenneth J. , Radich Jerald P. , Kamel‐Reid Suzanne , Stock Wendy , Paietta Elisabeth , Emanuel Peter D. , Tallman Martin , Wadleigh Martha , Larson Richard A. , Lipton Jeffrey H. , Slovak Marilyn L. , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Druker Brian J. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe standard dose of imatinib for newly diagnosed patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP‐CML) is 400 mg daily (IM400), but the optimal dose is unknown. This randomized phase II study compared the rates of molecular, haematological and cytogenetic response to IM400 vs. imatinib 400 mg twice daily (IM800) in 153 adult patients with CP‐CML. Dose adjustments for toxicity were flexible to maximize retention on study. Molecular response (MR) at 12 months was deeper in the IM800 arm (4‐log reduction of BCR‐ABL1 mRNA: 25% vs. 10% of patients, P = 0·038; 3‐log reduction: 53% vs. 35%, P = 0·049). During the first 12 months BCR‐ABL1 levels in the IM800 arm were an average 2·9–fold lower than in the IM400 arm (P = 0·010). Complete haematological response was similar, but complete cytogenetic response was higher with IM800 (85% vs. 67%, P = 0·040). Grade 3–4 toxicities were more common for IM800 (58% vs. 31%, P = 0·0007), and were most commonly haematological. Few patients have relapsed, progressed or died, but both progression‐free (P = 0·048) and relapse‐free (P = 0·031) survival were superior for IM800. In newly diagnosed CP‐CML patients, IM800 induced deeper MRs than IM400, with a trend for improved progression‐free and overall survival, but was associated with more severe toxicity.
Validation and reliability of a disease‐specific quality of life measure (the TranQol) in adults and children with thalassaemia major
Authors: Klaassen Robert J. , Barrowman Nicholas , Merelles‐Pulcini Manuela , Vichinsky Elliott P. , Sweeters Nancy , Kirby‐Allen Melanie , Neufeld Ellis J. , Kwiatkowski Janet L. , Wu John , Vickars Linda , Blanchette Victor S. , Forgie Melissa , Yamashita Robert , Wong‐Rieger Durhane , Young Nancy L. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThis study aimed to demonstrate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of a new disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for children and adults with thalassaemia major, the Transfusion‐dependent QoL questionnaire (TranQol). 106 participants (51 adults and 55 children) were recruited from six North American thalassaemia treatment centres with a mean age of 20·7 years (standard deviation [SD] 9, range 7–51 years). The mean total TranQol score was 71 (SD 17, 32–97) on a scale of 0–100. Patients with co‐morbidities had significantly lower scores (63 vs. 75, P = 0·001). TranQol scores showed substantial agreement (P < 0·001) with the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (all patients, r = 0·65), the Pediatric QoL (children, r = 0·77) and the Short Form (36) physical (adults, r = 0·69) and mental summary scores (r = 0·76). In the subgroup who rated their QoL as better, there was a 4·0 point (SD 9·0) improvement in TranQol scores, from baseline of 67·1–71·1 one week later (P = 0·008). Test–retest reliability was excellent (intra‐class correlation coefficient, 0·93). The TranQol was valid, with acceptable correlation for all administered measures and was reliable and responsive to change. The TranQol can be incorporated into future studies of thalassaemia major.