bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross-border Healthcare: Directive 2011/24 and the Greek Law
Authors: Vidalis Takis , Kyriakaki Irini 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The Greek legal framework on healthcare is characterized by the complexity of an immense number of laws and regulatory acts, particularly regarding the national health system. In the face front of that problem, the Directive stands as an effort (and an opportunity) to achieve a regulatory rationalization. The Law 3918/2011 established the National Organisation for Healthcare (eopyy). eopyy is the unique national contact point in the country for the purposes of the Directive, having a responsibility to ensure that the services provided by its affiliated healthcare providers meet certain quality and safety standards. Furthermore, the Greek legal system encompasses an integrated body of legislation on informed consent, privacy, and data protection, as well as an explicit reference to the ‘quality, safety and efficiency’ of medical services, and provisions related to reimbursement issues that need further regulatory specification.
Chondrosarcoma of the chest wall: Single-center experience
Authors: Al-Refaie Reda E , Amer Sameh , Ismail Mohammed F , Al-Shabrawy Mohammed , Al-Gamal Galal , Mokbel Ehab 
Published: February 2014

Background chondrosarcoma is the most common primary tumor of the chest wall. We analyzed cases of chest wall chondrosarcoma to establish the presentation, diagnostic tools, surgical treatment, and outcome. Methods this was a retrospective observational analysis of 45 patients who underwent surgery for chondrosarcoma. Results the mean age was 42.3 ± 8.5 years, and 57.8% patients were male. Symptoms were a painful chest wall mass in 91.1% of patients. Chest radiography and computed tomography, and biopsy were the diagnostic tools. The tumor was right-sided in 57.8% of patients. It was located in the lateral (71.1%), anterior (26.7%), or posterior (2.2%) chest wall. The mean tumor diameter was 7.6 ± 3.3 cm. Radical en-bloc excision was performed in all patients. Chest wall reconstruction was carried out using methylmethacrylate and Prolene mesh (42.2%), Prolene mesh alone (37.8%), and direct closure (20%). A muscle flap was used for soft tissue reconstruction in 11.1%. Complications were encountered in 6.7%. There was no operative mortality. Follow-up was complete in 66.7% of patients. The mean follow-up period was 3.7 ± 2.1 years. Local recurrences and late mortality occurred in 4.4%. Conclusion surgery for chondrosarcoma can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Proper selection of patients and radical en-block excision of the tumor are the keys for successful treatment and better outcomes.
Evidence on public policy: Methodological issues, political issues and examples
Authors: Attanasio Orazio P 
Published: February 2014

In this paper I discuss how evidence on public policy is generated and in particular the issue of evaluation of public policies. In economics, the issue of attribution and the identification of causal links has recently received considerable attention. Important methodological issues have been tackled and new techniques have been proposed and used. Randomized Control Trials have become some sort of gold standard. However, they are not exempt from problems and have important limitations: in some case they cannot be constructed and, more generally, problems of external validity and transferability of results can be important. The paper then moves on to discuss the political economy of policy evaluations for policy evaluations to have an impact for the conduct of actual policy, it is important that the demand for evaluation comes directly from the policy making process and is generated endogenously within it. In this sense it is important that the institutional design of policy making is such that policy making institutions are incentivized to use rigorous evaluation in the process of designing policies and allocating resources to alternative options. Economists are currently involved in the design and evaluation of many policies, including policies about health, nutrition and education. The role they can play in these fields is not completely obvious. The paper argues that their main contribution is in the modelling of how individual reacts to incentives (including those provided by public policies).
Newspapers commemorate 11 September: A cross-cultural investigation
Authors: Somerstein Rachel 
Published: February 2014

On 12 September 2001, as Hans-Peter Feldmann documented in his 2002 installation 9/12 Front Page, the front pages of newspapers from 151 countries showed similar photographs of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. Despite this cross-cultural agreement on the most salient image at the time, in the decade since, distinct visual narratives of 9/11 have emerged in newspaper anniversary journalism. This paper examines how The New York Times (US) and Le Monde (France) have used photographs, advertisements, and editorial cartoons in 9/11 anniversary journalism. Using theories of collective memory and photography, along with demographic data of 9/11 victims, I examine how photographic representations of the victims have changed, offering a less complex story of events. I document the images that have been recirculated and discuss why the emergence of visual icons matters to our collective memory of 9/11. And I explore how the papers’ proximity to the events influenced their visual anniversary journalism.
Clinical Correlates of Unawareness of Deficits Among Patients With Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Chen Yi-Lung , Chen Hui-Mei , Huang Mei-Feng , Yeh Yi-Chun , Yen Cheng-Fang , Chen Cheng-Sheng 
Published: February 2014

Background: To investigate the associations between unawareness of deficits and clinical correlates, including apathy and depression, among patients with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: Fifty-five patients with AD were enrolled. Unawareness of memory deficits and psychosis or behavior problems was assessed. The Apathy Evaluation Scale informant version and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) were used to measure apathy and depression, respectively. Results: In all, 32 (57.2%) and 27 (49.1%) participants were identified as being unaware of memory deficits and psychosis or behavior problems, respectively. Unawareness of memory deficits was associated with lower scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and higher scores on the CSDD. Unawareness of psychosis or behavior problems was associated with lower scores on the MMSE. Conclusion: Unawareness of deficits among patients with AD was common. The 2 domains of unawareness showed different characteristics and may possibly present different etiologies.
A pilot study on the application of a symptom-based score for the diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy
Authors: Vandenplas Yvan ,   Althera Study Group, Steenhout Philippe , Grathwohl Dominik 
Published: February 2014

Objective: A challenge is the recommended test to diagnose cow’s milk protein allergy. However, many parents and physicians prefer to not challenge because the procedure may cause (severe) symptoms. In clinical routine, diagnostic testing is only available for IgE-mediated allergy. The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic accuracy of a symptom-based score to select infants at risk of having cow’s milk protein allergy. Methods: A symptom-based score was developed and consensus was reached that a score of ≥12 would select infants at risk of cow’s milk protein allergy. Diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy was demonstrated with a positive challenge after 1-month elimination diet. Results: An open challenge was performed in 85/116 (73%) infants suspected of cow’s milk protein allergy based on a symptom-based score ≥ 12 and was positive in 59/85 (69%). Although “a challenge test” was planned in the protocol, 27% of the parents refused the challenge. The mean decrease after 1 month of elimination diet with an extensive hydrolysate was −8.07 (95% confidence interval = −8.74, −7.40). If the symptom-based score during the elimination diet decreased to 6 or lower, 80% of the infants had a positive challenge test. If the symptom-based score remained >7, the challenge test was positive in only 48% ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: In daily practice, a symptom-based score of ≥12 is a useful tool to select infants at risk of cow’s milk protein allergy. If an elimination diet reduces the symptom-based score to ≤6, the challenge test is positive in 80%.
Genetic lesions associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia chemo-refractoriness
Authors: Messina Monica , Del Giudice Ilaria , Khiabanian Hossein , Rossi Davide , Chiaretti Sabina , Rasi Silvia , Spina Valeria , Holmes Antony B. , Marinelli Marilisa , Fabbri Giulia , Piciocchi Alfonso , Mauro Francesca R. , Guarini Anna , Gaidano Gianluca , Dalla-Favera Riccardo , Pasqualucci Laura , Rabadan Raul , Foà Robin 
Published: February 2014

Key Points
The coding genome of fludarabine-refractory CLL patients is characterized by 16 mutations/case and 4 copy number aberrations per case on average. Fludarabine-refractory CLL cases are enriched in FAT1 mutations occurring in 10% of patients, suggesting a role in the refractoriness event.
XMEN disease: a new primary immunodeficiency affecting Mg2+ regulation of immunity against Epstein-Barr virus
Authors: Li Feng-Yen , Chaigne-Delalande Benjamin , Su Helen , Uzel Gulbu , Matthews Helen , Lenardo Michael J. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic gammaherpesvirus that infects and persists in 95% of adults worldwide and has the potential to cause fatal disease, especially lymphoma, in immunocompromised hosts. Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) that predispose to EBV-associated malignancies have provided novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune defense against EBV. We have recently characterized a novel PID now named “X-linked immunodeficiency with magnesium defect, EBV infection, and neoplasia” (XMEN) disease characterized by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding magnesium transporter 1 (MAGT1), chronic high-level EBV with increased EBV-infected B cells, and heightened susceptibility to EBV-associated lymphomas. The genetic etiology of XMEN disease has revealed an unexpected quantitative role for intracellular free magnesium in immune functions and has led to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the clinical presentation, genetic mutation spectrum, molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, and diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for this previously unrecognized disease.
Fit for surgery? Assessment of marginal lung cancer patients
Authors: Subotic D. 
Published: February 2014

Educational aimsOutline the risks of surgery for lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patients.Define the risks of lung resection in patients with lung cancer and cardiac comorbidity.Describe complications with lung resection in the elderly.Examine the ideal operative procedure for lung resection.SummarySurgical treatment is still a treatment of choice for many stage I–IIIA lung cancer patients. Owing to modern methods of risk assessment, the option of surgery has now extended to patient groups that would have been rejected from surgery 10–15 yrs ago. Patients with COPD constitute the majority of such patients, followed by patients with associated cardiac comorbidity and elderly patients undergoing lung resection. In these patients, the risk of post-operative complications and death exists independently of the level of surgical skills and post-operative care. Similarly, patients undergoing lung resection after neoadjuvant treatment and previous pleural empyema, or patients requiring very extended resections, are exposed to an increased risk of operative morbidity and mortality. The possibility of unpredicted complications makes the pre-operative selection even more delicate. Each of these patient groups requires a specific, multidisciplinary approach that necessitates close collaboration between pulmonary physicians, thoracic oncologists and thoracic surgeons.
The pathogenesis of pre-invasive lesion development
Authors: Brambilla E. 
Published: February 2014

Educational aimsTo describe the progression of pre-invasive bronchial lesions.To highlight malignant transformation causes and risks.To explain somatic and epigenetic abnormalities contributing to lesions.SummaryThe progression of pre-invasive bronchial lesions is a multifocal and multistep process. Morphological malignant transformation is driven by the accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, the rate and number of which determines the risk and rate of progression toward cancer. The field effect of mutagenesis in airways is characterised by the multifocality of the lesions. To date, no evidence has been presented for genetic alterations accumulating in a known sequence. No individual alteration is sufficient to predict the occurrence of invasive cancer in the bronchial tree.
Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis: pros and cons
Authors: Dankert-Roelse J.E. , Vernooij-van Langen A. 
Published: February 2014

Educational aimsTo give an insight into the arguments that have led to the implementation of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis in routine screening programmes.To understand the drawbacks specifically associated with newborn screening for cystic fibrosis and how these can be handled or avoided.SummaryDuring the past decade, newborn screening for cystic fibrosis has been introduced in many countries. However, the disadvantages associated with newborn screening for CF hamper its introduction in other areas.
QTL detection for coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella) resistance in a Fayoumi × Leghorn F2 cross, using a medium-density SNP panel
Authors: Bacciu Nicola , Bed’Hom Bertrand , Filangi Olivier , Romé Hélène , Gourichon David , Répérant Jean-Michel , Le Roy Pascale , Pinard-van der Laan Marie-Hélène , Demeure Olivier 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundCoccidiosis is a major parasitic disease that causes huge economic losses to the poultry industry. Its pathogenicity leads to depression of body weight gain, lesions and, in the most serious cases, death in affected animals. Genetic variability for resistance to coccidiosis in the chicken has been demonstrated and if this natural resistance could be exploited, it would reduce the costs of the disease. Previously, a design to characterize the genetic regulation ofEimeria tenellaresistance was set up in a Fayoumi × Leghorn F2cross. The 860 F2animals of this design were phenotyped for weight gain, plasma coloration, hematocrit level, intestinal lesion score and body temperature. In the work reported here, the 860 animals were genotyped for a panel of 1393 (157 microsatellites and 1236 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that cover the sequenced genome (i.e. the 28 first autosomes and the Z chromosome). In addition, with the aim of finding an index capable of explaining a large amount of the variance associated with resistance to coccidiosis, a composite factor was derived by combining the variables of all these traits in a single variable. QTL detection was performed by linkage analysis using GridQTL and QTLMap. Single and multi-QTL models were applied.ResultsThirty-one QTL were identified i.e. 27 with the single-QTL model and four with the multi-QTL model and the average confidence interval was 5.9 cM. Only a few QTL were common with the previous study that used the same design but focused on the 260 more extreme animals that were genotyped with the 157 microsatellites only. Major differences were also found between results obtained with QTLMap and GridQTL.ConclusionsThe medium-density SNP panel made it possible to genotype new regions of the chicken genome (including micro-chromosomes) that were involved in the genetic control of the traits investigated. This study also highlights the strong variations in QTL detection between different models and marker densities.
Strategies and hurdles using DNA vaccines to fish
Authors: Hølvold Linn B , Myhr Anne I , Dalmo Roy A 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
DNA vaccinations against fish viral diseases as IHNV at commercial level in Canada against VHSV at experimental level are both success stories. DNA vaccination strategies against many other viral diseases have, however, not yet yielded sufficient results in terms of protection. There is an obvious need to combat many other viral diseases within aquaculture where inactivated vaccines fail. There are many explanations to why DNA vaccine strategies against other viral diseases fail to induce protective immune responses in fish. These obstacles include: 1) too low immunogenicity of the transgene, 2) too low expression of the transgene that is supposed to induce protection, 3) suboptimal immune responses, and 4) too high degradation rate of the delivered plasmid DNA. There are also uncertainties with regard distribution and degradation of DNA vaccines that may have implications for safety and regulatory requirements that need to be clarified. By combining plasmid DNA with different kind of adjuvants one can increase the immunogenicity of the transgene antigen – and perhaps increase the vaccine efficacy. By using molecular adjuvants with or without in combination with targeting assemblies one may expect different responses compared with naked DNA. This includes targeting of DNA vaccines to antigen presenting cells as a central factor in improving their potencies and efficacies by means of encapsulating the DNA vaccine in certain carriers systems that may increase transgene and MHC expression. This review will focus on DNA vaccine delivery, by the use of biodegradable PLGA particles as vehicles for plasmid DNA mainly in fish.
Looking for the bird Kiss: evolutionary scenario in sauropsids
Authors: Pasquier Jérémy , Lafont Anne-Gaëlle , Rousseau Karine , Quérat Bruno , Chemineau Philippe , Dufour Sylvie 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe neuropeptide Kiss and its receptor KissR are key-actors in the brain control of reproduction in mammals, where they are responsible for the stimulation of the activity of GnRH neurones. Investigation in other vertebrates revealed up to 3Kissand 4KissRparalogs, originating from the two rounds of whole genome duplication in early vertebrates. In contrast, the absence ofKissandKissRhas been suggested in birds, as no homologs of these genes could be found in current genomic databases. This study aims at addressing the question of the existence, from an evolutionary perspective, of the Kisspeptin system in birds. It provides the first large-scale investigation of the Kisspeptin system in the sauropsid lineage, including ophidian, chelonian, crocodilian, and avian lineages.ResultsSauropsid Kiss and KissR genes were predicted from multiple genome and transcriptome databases by TBLASTN. Phylogenetic and syntenic analyses were performed to classify predicted sauropsid Kiss and KissR genes and to re-construct the evolutionary scenarios of both gene families across the sauropsid radiation.Genome search, phylogenetic and synteny analyses, demonstrated the presence of twoKissgenes (Kiss1andKiss2types) and of twoKissRgenes (KissR1andKissR4types) in the sauropsid lineage. These four genes, also present in the mammalian lineage, would have been inherited from their common amniote ancestor. In contrast, synteny analyses supported that the otherKissandKissRparalogs are missing in sauropsids as in mammals, indicating their absence in the amniote lineage. Among sauropsids, in the avian lineage, we demonstrated the existence of aKiss2-likegene in three bird genomes. The divergence of these avianKiss2-likesequences from those of other vertebrates, as well as their absence in the genomes of some other birds, revealed the processes ofKiss2gene degeneration and loss in the avian lineage.ConclusionThese findings contribute to trace back the evolutionary history of the Kisspeptin system in amniotes and sauropsids, and provide the first molecular evidence of the existence and fate of aKissgene in birds.
Clinical relevance of the cagA, tnpA and tnpB genes in Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Abadi Amin Talebi Bezmin , Mobarez Ashraf Mohhabati , Bonten Marc JM , Wagenaar Jaap A , Kusters Johannes G 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Numerous proteins have been proposed as virulence factors for the gram negative gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori but only for a few this has unequivocally been demonstrated. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association of the putative virulence factors tnpA and tnpB (no cagA) with H. pylori associated gastroduodenal diseases.

Methods
A PCR based assay was used to determine the presence of the tnpA and tnpB genes, as well as of cagA, in 360H. pylori strains isolated from H. pylori infected patients.

Results
Of 360H. pylori culture positive patients (196 men, 164 women; average age 42.1 years (range 17–73), 95 had gastritis, 92 had gastric ulcers, 108 had duodenal ulcers, and 65 had gastric cancer. Using the gastritis group as a reference a significantly aberrant gene distribution was observed for the tnpA (Relative risk: 1.45; 95% CI 1.04-1.93), the cagA (Relative risk: 1.81; 95% CI 1.44-2.29), but not the tnpB gene in the gastric cancer group.

Conclusions
The increased incidence of the tnpA gene in gastric cancer patients suggests a role of the tnpA gene in the development of H. pylori induced gastric cancer.
A 4-month-old baby boy presenting with anaphylaxis to a banana: a case report
Authors: O’Keefe Andrew W , Ben-Shoshan Moshe 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Food allergy is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in children and recent studies suggest increased prevalence of both food allergy and anaphylaxis. Among foods, fruits are rarely implicated as the cause of anaphylaxis. Furthermore, anaphylaxis to fruit in the first months of life is rare. Although banana allergy has been well described in adults, there are only two case reports of anaphylaxis to banana in children.

Case presentation
A 4-month-old Hispanic baby boy with a history of eczema presented to our emergency room with vomiting, urticaria and cyanosis following first exposure to a banana. He improved with administration of intramuscular epinephrine. Skin prick tests showed positive results for both fresh banana (4mm wheal/15mm erythema) and banana extract (8mm wheal/20mm erythema).

Conclusions
Banana is not considered a highly allergenic food. However, as food allergy becomes more common and solid foods are being introduced earlier in babies, banana may become an important allergen to consider in cases of babies presenting with anaphylaxis.
A comparative analysis of machine learning methods for classification type decision problems in healthcare
Authors: Emanet Nahit , Öz Halil R , Bayram Nazan , Delen Dursun 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Advanced analytical techniques are gaining popularity in addressing complex classification type decision problems in many fields including healthcare and medicine. In this exemplary study, using digitized signal data, we developed predictive models employing three machine learning methods to diagnose an asthma patient based solely on the sounds acquired from the chest of the patient in a clinical laboratory. Although, the performances varied slightly, ensemble models (i.e., Random Forest and AdaBoost combined with Random Forest) achieved about 90% accuracy on predicting asthma patients, compared to artificial neural networks models that achieved about 80% predictive accuracy. Our results show that non-invasive, computerized lung sound analysis that rely on low-cost microphones and an embedded real-time microprocessor system would help physicians to make faster and better diagnostic decisions, especially in situations where x-ray and CT-scans are not reachable or not available. This study is a testament to the improving capabilities of analytic techniques in support of better decision making, especially in situations constraint by limited resources.