bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognosis associated with cutaneous melanoma metastases
Authors: Pan Yan , Haydon Andrew M , McLean Catriona A , McDonald Priska BB , Kelly John W 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground/ObjectiveInformation on the prognosis for patients with regional cutaneous melanoma metastases has been sparse and difficult to establish. In 2009 the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) melanoma staging has for the first time provided survival rates for patients who manifest intralymphatic metastases. We sought to validate the new staging system in this contemporary, prospectively collected cohort of patients following the development of cutaneous metastases as the first evidence of metastatic disease and explored the factors that influenced their prognosis.MethodsThe Victorian Melanoma Service database was searched to identify all patients with cutaneous melanoma metastases. Patients who were found to have lymph node or visceral metastases at the time they were diagnosed with cutaneous metastatic disease were excluded. Survival curves were generated and univariate and multivariate assessments of prognostic factors associated with survival were performed.ResultsIn total, 72 patients presented with cutaneous metastases as the first evidence of metastatic disease. The median melanoma‐specific survival of patients with only regional cutaneous metastases (n = 56) was 5.07 years and their 5‐year survival rate was 52%. Distant cutaneous metastases and thickness of the primary melanoma were found to be significant negative predictors of survival.ConclusionWe were able to validate the new AJCC melanoma staging system survival for patients with cutaneous metastatic disease. Patients presenting with regional cutaneous metastases have a much better prognosis than those with distant cutaneous metastases.
New Zealand National GDM Guidelines: an alternative view of some good practice points
Authors: Rowan Janet , Allen Helen , Budden Astrid , Elder Rose , Farrant Matthew , Hughes Ruth , Ivanova Valeria , Moore Peter , Marnoch Catherine , McGrath Nicole 
Published: February 2015

The New Zealand Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Guidelines, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, contains many good points, but several recommendations are creating controversy. This opinion piece discusses an alternative approach to early pregnancy screening for diabetes. We suggest that it is reasonable to refer women with an HbA1c ≥41 mmol/mol (5.9%) for further management, rather than the recommended referral threshold of ≥50 mmol/mol (6.7%). We also suggest that, for subsequent screening for GDM at 24–28 weeks' gestation, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test should be offered rather than a 50 g glucose challenge test.
The Neuropsychology of Cluster Headache: Cognition, Mood, Disability, and Quality of Life of Patients With Chronic and Episodic Cluster Headache
Authors: Torkamani Mariam , Ernst Lea , Cheung Lok Sze , Lambru Giorgio , Matharu Manjit , Jahanshahi Marjan 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundCluster headache (CH) is commonly regarded as one of the most disabling headache conditions, and referred to as one of the most painful conditions known to humankind. Although there has been some research indicating the severe impact of CH, there is little comprehensive evidence of its impact on quality of life, disability, mood, and cognitive function in both its episodic (ECH) and chronic (CCH) variants.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study investigates various aspects of cognitive function including intelligence, executive function, and memory, and mood, disability, and quality of life in 22 patients with ECH and CCH compared with age‐matched healthy controls.ResultsThe results showed that intelligence and executive functions are intact in patients with CH, but that patients with CH perform significantly worse than healthy controls on tests of working memory and (all P < .05) report greater cognitive failures (P < .05). Around one third of both the ECH and CCH groups achieved “caseness” for depression, while self‐reported anxiety was higher in those with CCH than the ECH patients, with 75% of the former compared with 38% of the latter groups achieving “caseness” on the measure of anxiety. Patients with CH reported high levels of disability, which was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > .05). The patients with CH reported poor quality of life compared with healthy controls; however, this difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionPatients with CH show worse working memory, disturbance of mood, and poorer quality of life compared with healthy controls. The differences between patients with ECH and CCH, and the implications of these findings for the management of CH are discussed.
Introducing loupes to clinical practice: dental hygienists experiences and opinions
Authors: Hayes MJ , Taylor JA , Smith DR 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectivesRecent literature has identified a number of potential advantages in wearing loupes for dental hygienists, including improved quality of care and ergonomics. The aim of the study was to determine dental hygienists' opinions about wearing loupes.MethodsA short online survey was distributed to all dental hygienists who had recently participated in a study investigating the efficacy of loupes on musculoskeletal disorders; all had only worn loupes for a 6‐month period, and prior to the study had not worn loupes. All of those invited completed the survey (n = 12), achieving a 100% response rate.ResultsThe majority of respondents noted that the loupes were adaptable to wear; however, only one‐quarter of hygienists surveyed were wearing them often following the study. Respondents identified that the biggest advantage to loupes was calculus removal (91.7%), and most indicated that they felt the quality of their work increased when wearing loupes (75%). The biggest disadvantage to wearing loupes was the adjustment period (50%), with limited depth of vision, headache, vertigo and infection control noted by at least one‐third of respondents.ConclusionsThis study revealed that hygienists identify both benefits and limitations to wearing loupes, and therefore, ongoing support may be required for hygienists adopting their use in clinical practice.
Geometric isomers of sex pheromone components do not affect attractancy of Conopomorpha cramerella in cocoa plantations
Authors: Vanhove W. , Vanhoudt N. , Bhanu K. R. M. , Abubeker S. , Feng Y. , Yu M. , Van Damme P. , Zhang A. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe cocoa pod borer (CPB), Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen), sex pheromone was previously identified as a blend of (E,Z,Z)‐ and (E,E,Z)‐4,6,10‐hexadecatrienyl acetates and corresponding alcohols. These pheromone components were synthesized by modification of an existing method and the relative attractiveness of synthetic blends that included different levels of non‐target pheromone components and chemical purities was tested in a cocoa field using Delta traps. Male captures were not significantly different among traps baited with pheromone blends containing 5% to 47% (based on four identified pheromone components) of other geometric acetates [(E,Z,E)‐, (Z,Z,Z)‐, (Z,E,Z)‐ and (Z,E,E)‐4,6,10‐hexadecatrienyl acetates], indicating that C. cramerella males did not discriminate among the pheromone components and other geometric isomers in the blends. Therefore, neither antagonistic nor synergistic effects from other pheromone geometric isomers were observed. The modified synthetic pathway offers the prospect of more economical production of CPB sex pheromone. During 17 weeks when C. cramerella monitoring coincided with the main cocoa pod harvest period in 2013–2014, CPB trap catch data from some blends showed a good correlation with the number of pods with C. cramerella infestation symptoms.
ASSESSING THE SPATIAL ACCESSIBILITY OF MICROFINANCE IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH: A GIS ANALYSIS
Authors: Khan Akib , Rabbani Atonu 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThis paper attempts to understand and operationalize the notion of spatial accessibility (SA) in the context of microfinance. Using geographic information system (GIS) data from northern Bangladesh, we have generated a kernel‐smoothed map and found remarkable spatial variation in access to microcredit. Results suggest that areas isolated from physical infrastructure, administrative establishments, and prone to ecological shocks, exhibit lower degree of SA. Moreover, using an instrumental variable framework, we found that SA has a significant positive impact on household's decision to borrow and on the number of loans: one standard deviation higher SA is associated with a rise in participation probability and average number of microloans by, at least, 3.5 percentage points and 16 percent, respectively.
Targeting and function of proteins mediating translation initiation in organelles of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Haider Afreen , Allen Stacey M. , Jackson Katherine E. , Ralph Stuart A. , Habib Saman 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has two translationally active organelles – the apicoplast and mitochondrion, which import nuclear‐encoded translation factors to mediate protein synthesis. Initiation of translation is a complex step wherein initiation factors (IFs) act in a regulated manner to form an initiation complex. We identified putative organellar IFs and investigated the targeting, structure and function of IF1, IF2 and IF3 homologues encoded by the parasite nuclear genome. A single PfIF1 is targeted to the apicoplast. Apart from its critical ribosomal interactions, PfIF1 also exhibited nucleic‐acid binding and melting activities and mediated transcription anti‐termination. This suggests a prominent ancillary function for PfIF1 in destabilisation of DNA and RNA hairpin loops encountered during transcription and translation of the A+T rich apicoplast genome. Of the three putative IF2 homologues, only one (PfIF2a) was an organellar protein with mitochondrial localisation. We additionally identified an IF3 (PfIF3a) that localised exclusively to the mitochondrion and another protein, PfIF3b, that was apicoplast targeted. PfIF3a exhibited ribosome anti‐association activity, and monosome splitting by PfIF3a was enhanced by ribosome recycling factor (PfRRF2) and PfEF‐GMit. These results fill a gap in our understanding of organellar translation in Plasmodium, which is the site of action of several anti‐malarial compounds.
Historical perspective onChlamydomonasas a model for basic research: 1950–1970
Authors: Goodenough Ursula 
Published: February 2015

SummaryDuring the period 1950–1970, groundbreaking research on the genetic mapping ofChlamydomonas reinhardtiiand the use of mutant strains to analyze photosynthesis was conducted in the laboratory of R. Paul Levine at Harvard University. An account of this era, based in part on interviews with Levine, is presented.
Measurement of plasma gentamicin concentrations postchemical ciliary body ablation in dogs with chronic glaucoma
Authors: Rankin Amy J. , Lanuza Rick , KuKanich Butch , Crumley William C. , Pucket Jonathan D. , Allbaugh Rachel A. , Meekins Jessica M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the absorption of gentamicin into the plasma after an intravitreal injection in dogs and to report the success rate of this procedure in lowering the intraocular pressure.AnimalsTwenty‐four client‐owned dogs with chronic, end‐stage glaucoma.ProceduresDogs received a unilateral (22) or bilateral (2) intravitreal injection of 25–40 mg of gentamicin (mean ± SD dose 2.57 ± 1.65 mg/kg and range 0.61–7.50 mg/kg) and 1 mg of dexamethasone per eye. Blood samples were collected at various time points following the intravitreal injection. Plasma concentrations of gentamicin were determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.ResultsThe total plasma concentration of gentamicin ranged from 0.21 to 9.71 μg/mL (mean ± SD 2.15 ± 2.03). The mean gentamicin CMAX was 2.29 μg/mL at 2.54 h with a terminal half‐life of 9.8 h. The success rate of the chemical ablation procedure was 86.4% (19/22 eyes) in dogs that had at least 1 month of follow‐up.ConclusionsIntravitreal injection of gentamicin in eyes with chronic glaucoma resulted in detectable plasma levels in dogs and was successful in lowering the intraocular pressure in 86.4% of the eyes after the first procedure.
Differential effects of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 on microvascular recruitment and glucose metabolism in short‐ and long‐term insulin resistance
Authors: Sjøberg Kim A. , Rattigan Stephen , Jeppesen Jacob F. , Lundsgaard Anne‐Marie , Holst Jens J. , Kiens Bente 
Published: February 2015

Key points
Acute glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) infusion reversed the high fat diet‐induced microvascular insulin resistance that occurred after both 5 days and 8 weeks of a high fat diet intervention.
When GLP‐1 was co‐infused with insulin it had overt effects on whole body insulin sensitivity as well as insulin‐mediated skeletal muscle glucose uptake after 5 days of a high fat diet, but not after 8 weeks of high fat diet intervention.
Acute GLP‐1 infusion did not have an additive effect to that of insulin on microvascular recruitment or skeletal muscle glucose uptake in the control group.
Here we demonstrate that GLP‐1 potently increases the microvascular recruitment in rat skeletal muscle but does not increase glucose uptake in the fasting state. Thus, like insulin, GLP‐1 increased the microvascular recruitment but unlike insulin, GLP‐1 had no direct effect on skeletal muscle glucose uptake.
AbstractAcute infusion of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) has potent effects on blood flow distribution through the microcirculation in healthy humans and rats. A high fat diet induces impairments in insulin‐mediated microvascular recruitment (MVR) and muscle glucose uptake, and here we examined whether this could be reversed by GLP‐1. Using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound, microvascular recruitment was assessed by continuous real‐time imaging of gas‐filled microbubbles in the microcirculation after acute (5 days) and prolonged (8 weeks) high fat diet (HF)‐induced insulin resistance in rats. A euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (3 mU min−1 kg−1), with or without a co‐infusion of GLP‐1 (100 pmol l−1), was performed in anaesthetized rats. Consumption of HF attenuated the insulin‐mediated MVR in both 5 day and 8 week HF interventions which was associated with a 50% reduction in insulin‐mediated glucose uptake compared to controls. Acute administration of GLP‐1 restored the normal microvascular response by increasing the MVR after both 5 days and 8 weeks of HF intervention (P < 0.05). This effect of GLP‐1 was associated with a restoration of both whole body insulin sensitivity and increased insulin‐mediated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle by 90% (P < 0.05) after 5 days of HF but not after 8 weeks of HF. The present study demonstrates that GLP‐1 increases MVR in rat skeletal muscle and can reverse early stages of high fat diet‐induced insulin resistance in vivo.
A survey-based cross-sectional study of doctors’ expectations and experiences of non-technical skills for Out of Hours work
Authors: Brown Michael , Shaw Dominick , Sharples Sarah , Jeune Ivan Le , Blakey John 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesThe skill set required for junior doctors to work efficiently and safely Out of Hours (OoH) in hospitals has not been established. This is despite the OoH period representing 75% of the year and it being the time of highest mortality. We set out to explore the expectations of medical students and experiences of junior doctors of the non-technical skills needed to work OoH.DesignSurvey-based cross-sectional study informed by focus groups.SettingOnline survey with participants from five large teaching hospitals across the UK.Participants300 Medical Students and DoctorsOutcome measureParticipants ranked the importance of non-technical skills, as identified by literature review and focus groups, needed for OoH care.ResultsThe focus groups revealed a total of eight non-technical skills deemed to be important. In the survey ‘Task Prioritisation’ (mean rank 1.617) was consistently identified as the most important non-technical skill. Stage of training affected the ranking of skills, with significant differences for ‘Communication with Senior Doctors’, ‘Dealing with Clinical Isolation’, ‘Task Prioritisation’ and ‘Communication with Patients’. Importantly, there was a significant discrepancy between the medical student expectations and experiences of doctors undertaking work.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that medical staff particularly value task prioritisation skills; however, these are not routinely taught in medical schools. The discrepancy between expectations of students and experience of doctors reinforces the idea that there is a gap in training. Doctors of different grades place different importance on specific non-technical skills with implications for postgraduate training. There is a pressing need for medical schools and deaneries to review non-technical training to include more than communication skills.
The Men's Safer Sex (MenSS) trial: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of an interactive digital intervention to increase condom use in men
Authors: Bailey Julia V , Webster Rosie , Hunter Rachael , Freemantle Nick , Rait Greta , Michie Susan , Estcourt Claudia , Anderson Jane , Gerressu Makeda , Stephenson Judith , Ang Chee Siang , Hart Graham , Dhanjal Sacha , Murray Elizabeth 
Published: February 2015

IntroductionSexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health problem. Condoms provide effective protection but there are many barriers to use. Face-to-face health promotion interventions are resource-intensive and show mixed results. Interactive digital interventions may provide a suitable alternative, allowing private access to personally tailored behaviour change support. We have developed an interactive digital intervention (the Men's Safer Sex (MenSS) website) which aims to increase condom use in men. We describe the protocol for a pilot trial to assess the feasibility of a full-scale randomised controlled trial of the MenSS website in addition to usual sexual health clinical care.Methods and analysisParticipants: Men aged 16 or over who report female sexual partners and recent unprotected sex or suspected acute STI. Participants (N=166) will be enrolled using a tablet computer in clinic waiting rooms. All trial procedures will be online, that is, eligibility checks; study consent; trial registration; automated random allocation; and data submission. At baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months, an online questionnaire will assess condom use, self-reported STI diagnoses, and mediators of condom use (eg, knowledge, intention). Reminders will be by email and mobile phone. The primary outcome is condom use, measured at 3 months. STI rates will be recorded from sexual health clinic medical records at 12 months. The feasibility of a cost-effectiveness analysis will be assessed, to calculate incremental cost per STI prevented (Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea), from the NHS perspective.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval: City and East NHS Research Ethics Committee (reference number 13 LO 1801). Findings will be made available through publication in peer-reviewed journals, and to participants and members of the public via Twitter and from the University College London eHealth Unit website. Raw data will be made available on request.Trial registration numberCurrent Controlled Trials.ISRCTN18649610. Registered 15 October 2013http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN18649610.
Targeted T-cell Therapy in Stage IV Breast Cancer: A Phase I Clinical Trial
Authors: Lum Lawrence G. , Thakur Archana , Al-Kadhimi Zaid , Colvin Gerald A. , Cummings Francis J. , Legare Robert D. , Dizon Don S. , Kouttab Nicola , Maizel Abby , Colaiace William , Liu Qin , Rathore Ritesh 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPurpose: This study reports a phase I immunotherapy trial in 23 women with metastatic breast cancer consisting of eight infusions of anti-CD3 × anti-HER2 bispecific antibody (HER2Bi) armed anti-CD3–activated T cells (ATC) in combination with low-dose IL-2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to determine safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), technical feasibility, T-cell trafficking, immune responses, time to progression, and overall survival (OS).Experimental Design: ATC were expanded from leukapheresis product using IL2 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and armed with HER2Bi. In 3+3 dose escalation design, groups of 3 patients received 5, 10, 20, or 40 × 109 armed ATC (aATC) per infusion.Results: There were no dose-limiting toxicities and the MTD was not defined. It was technically feasible to grow 160 × 109 ATC from a single leukapheresis. aATC persisted in the blood for weeks and trafficked to tumors. Infusions of aATC induced anti-breast cancer responses and increases in immunokines. At 14.5 weeks after enrollment, 13 of 22 (59.1%) evaluable patients had stable disease and 9 of 22 (40.9%) had progressive disease. The median OS was 36.2 months for all patients, 57.4 months for HER2 3+ patients, and 27.4 months for HER2 0–2+ patients.Conclusions: Targeting HER2+ and HER2− tumors with aATC infusions induced antitumor responses, increases in Th1 cytokines, and IL12 serum levels that suggest that aATC infusions vaccinated patients against their own tumors. These results provide a strong rationale for conducting phase II trials. Clin Cancer Res; 21(10); 2305–14. ©2015 AACR.
Biosensor for human IgE detection using shear-mode FBAR devices
Authors: Chen Ying-Chung , Shih Wei-Che , Chang Wei-Tsai , Yang Chun-Hung , Kao Kuo-Sheng , Cheng Chien-Chuan 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) have been evaluated for use as biosensors because of their high sensitivity and small size. This study fabricated a novel human IgE biosensor using shear-mode FBAR devices with c-axis 23°-tilted AlN thin films. Off-axis radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method was used for deposition of c-axis 23°-tilted AlN thin films. The deposition parameters were adopted as working pressure of 5 mTorr, substrate temperature of 300°C, sputtering power of 250 W, and 50 mm distance between off-axis and on-axis. The characteristics of the AlN thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The frequency response was measured with an HP8720 network analyzer with a CASCADE probe station. The X-ray diffraction revealed (002) preferred wurtzite structure, and the cross-sectional image showed columnar structure with 23°-tilted AlN thin films. In the biosensor, an Au/Cr layer in the FBAR backside cavity was used as the detection layer and the Au surface was modified using self-assembly monolayers (SAMs) method. Then, the antigen and antibody were coated on biosensor through their high specificity property. Finally, the shear-mode FBAR device with k

t

2 of 3.18% was obtained, and the average sensitivity for human IgE detection of about 1.425 × 105 cm2/g was achieved.
On the k-Buchsbaum property of powers of Stanley–Reisner ideals
Authors: Minh Nguyên Công , Nakamura Yukio 
Published: February 2015

AbstractLet S = K[x1,x2,…,xn] be a polynomial ring over a field K. Let Δ be a simplicial complex whose vertex set is contained in {1, 2,…,n}. For an integer k ≥ 0, we investigate the k-Buchsbaum property of residue class rings S/I(t); and S/It for the Stanley-Reisner ideal I = IΔ. We characterize the k-Buchsbaumness of such rings in terms of the simplicial complex Δ and the power t. We also give a characterization in the case where I is the edge ideal of a simple graph.