bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutation-targeted therapy with sunitinib or everolimus in patients with advanced low-grade or intermediate-grade neuroendocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas with or without cytoreductive surgery: protocol for a phase II clinical trial
Authors: Neychev Vladimir , Steinberg Seth M , Cottle-Delisle Candice , Merkel Roxanne , Nilubol Naris , Yao Jianhua , Meltzer Paul , Pacak Karel , Marx Stephen , Kebebew Electron 
Published: May 2015

IntroductionFinding the optimal management strategy for patients with advanced, metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas is a work in progress. Sunitinib and everolimus are currently approved for the treatment of progressive, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic low-grade or intermediate-grade pancreatic NETs. However, mutation-targeted therapy with sunitinib or everolimus has not been studied in this patient population.Methods and analysisThis prospective, open-label phase II clinical trial was designed to determine if mutation-targeting therapy with sunitinib or everolimus for patients with advanced low-grade or intermediate-grade NETs is more effective than historically expected results with progression-free survival (PFS) as the primary end point. Patients ≥18 years of age with progressive, low-grade or intermediate-grade locally advanced or metastatic NETs are eligible for this study. Patients will undergo tumour biopsy (if they are not a surgical candidate) for tumour genotyping. Patients will be assigned to sunitininb or everolimus based on somatic/germline mutations profile. Patients who have disease progression on either sunitinib or everolimus will crossover to the other drug. Treatment will continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent to withdrawal. Using the proposed criteria, 44 patients will be accrued within each treatment group during a 48-month period (a total of 88 patients for the 2 treatments), and followed for up to an additional 12 months (a total of 60 months from entry of the first patient) to achieve 80% power in order to test whether there is an improvement in PFS compared to historically expected results, with a 0.10 α level one-sided significance test.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the institutional review board of the National Cancer Institute (NCI-IRB Number 15C0040; iRIS Reference Number 339636). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and shared with the worldwide medical community.Trial registration numberNCT02315625.
The preferences and perspectives of family caregivers towards place of care for their relatives at the end-of-life. A systematic review and thematic synthesis of the qualitative evidence
Authors: Woodman Caroline , Baillie Jessica , Sivell Stephanie 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundHome is often reported as the preferred place of care for patients at the end-of-life. The support of family caregivers is crucial if this is to be realised. However, little is known about their preferences; a greater understanding would identify how best to support families at the end-of-life, ensuring more patients are cared for in their preferred location.ObjectivesTo systematically search and synthesise the qualitative literature exploring the preferences and perspectives of family caregivers towards place of care for their relatives at the end-of-life.MethodsTen databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, AMED, ASSIA, CINAHL, Social Care Online, Cochrane Database, Scopus, Web of Science) and reference lists of key journals were searched up to January 2014. Included studies were appraised for quality and data thematically synthesised.ResultsEighteen studies were included; all were of moderate or high quality. Two main themes were identified: (1) Preferences and perspectives: most family caregivers preferred home care, although a range of perspectives were reported. Both positive and negative perspectives of home, hospices and hospitals emerged. At times, family caregivers reported feeling obligated to provide home care. (2) Impact of facilitating home care; both positive and negative effects on family caregivers were reported.ConclusionsMany family caregivers reported home as the preferred place of care; other places of care were infrequently considered. Healthcare professionals and service providers should be aware of these preferences and provide support where needed to enable family caregivers to successfully care at home, thus improving end-of-life experiences for families as a whole.
Prevention and treatment of decompression sickness using training and in-water recompression among fisherman divers in Vietnam
Authors: Blatteau Jean-Eric , Pontier Jean-Michel , Buzzacott Peter , Lambrechts Kate , Nguyen Van Mui , Cavenel Philippe , Ruffez Jean 
Published: May 2015

IntroductionMany fisherman divers in Vietnam suffer from decompression sickness (DCS) causing joint pain, severe neurological deficit or even death. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training programme to prevent DCS and also treat DCS using the method of in-water recompression (IWR).Methods63 divers were interviewed and trained over a period of 3 years from 2009. Fifty one per cent of all trained divers were reinterviewed in 2011–2012 to collect mortality and morbidity data as well as information on changes in diving practices.ResultsSince 2009, most fisherman divers have changed their practices by reducing bottom time or depth. Mortality was reduced and the incidence of severe neurological DCS decreased by 75%. Twenty four cases of DCS were treated by IWR. Ten cases of joint pain were treated with IWR using air, affording immediate relief in all cases. Out of 10 cases of neurological DCS, 4/4 recovered completely after IWR with oxygen whereas only 2/6 subjects recovered immediately after IWR with air. In addition, 3/4 further cases of DCS treated with IWR using oxygen immediately recovered.ConclusionsOur results suggest that IWR is effective for severe neurological DCS in remote fishing communities, especially with oxygen.
Incidence Trends of Lung Cancer by Immigration Status among Chinese Americans
Authors: Gomez Scarlett Lin , Yang Juan , Lin Shih-Wen , McCusker Margaret , Sandler Alan , Cheng Iona , Wakelee Heather A. , Patel Manali , Clarke Christina A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among Chinese Americans. A detailed examination of incidence trends by immigration status and histology may inform the etiology of lung cancer in this growing population.Methods: California Cancer Registry data were enhanced with data on patient nativity. Lung cancer incidence rates for Chinese males and females were computed for the years 1990–2010, and rates by immigration status and histology were computed for 1990–2004. Trends were assessed with annual percentage change (APC) statistics (two-sided P values) based on linear regression.Results: A total of 8,167 lung cancers were diagnosed among California Chinese from 1990 to 2010. Overall incidence increased nonstatistically among U.S.-born males (APC, 2.1; 95% CI, −4.9 to 9.7), but decreased significantly among foreign-born (APC, −1.7; 95% CI, −2.9 to −0.6). Statistically significant decreasing trends were observed for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), specifically the squamous cell and large cell carcinoma subtypes among foreign-born males. Among females, incidence decreased nonsignificantly among U.S.-born (APC, −2.8; 95% CI, −9.1 to 4.0) but was stable among foreign-born (APC, −0.4; 95% CI, −1.7 to 1.0). A statistically significant decreasing trend was observed for squamous cell among foreign-born females.Conclusions: These data provide critical evidence base to inform screening, research, and public health priorities in this growing population.Impact: Given the low smoking prevalence among Chinese Americans, especially females, and few known lung cancer risk factors in U.S. never-smoker populations, additional research of etiologic genetic or biologic factors may elucidate knowledge regarding lung cancer diagnosed in never smokers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(8); 1157–64. ©2015 AACR.
Bacterial Prostatitis Enhances 2-Amino-1-Methyl-6-Phenylimidazo[4,5-b]Pyridine (PhIP)–Induced Cancer at Multiple Sites
Authors: Sfanos Karen S. , Canene-Adams Kirstie , Hempel Heidi , Yu Shu-Han , Simons Brian W. , Schaeffer Anthony J. , Schaeffer Edward M. , Nelson William G. , De Marzo Angelo M. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Dietary carcinogens, such as 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), and chronic inflammation have each been implicated as etiologic agents in prostate cancer. We hypothesized that bacterial prostatitis would accelerate PhIP-induced preinvasive lesions in the rat prostate. Male Fischer 344 rats were assigned into 4 groups: Control (untreated), PhIP (200 ppm in the diet for 20 weeks), Escherichia coli (E. coli, prostatic inoculation in week 10), or PhIP + E. coli. Study animals were monitored for a total of 52 weeks and were euthanized as necessary based on strict criteria for health status and tumor burden. Animals treated with E. coli initially developed acute and chronic inflammation in all lobes of the prostate, whereas inflammation was observed predominantly in the ventral lobe at time of death. PhIP + E. coli–treated animals exhibited a marked decrease in survival compared with PhIP-alone–treated animals as a result of an increase in the number of invasive cancers that developed at multiple sites, including the skin, small intestine, and Zymbal's gland. Despite their earlier mortality, PhIP + E. coli–treated animals developed an increased average number of precancerous lesions within the prostate compared with PhIP-treated animals, with a significantly increased Ki-67 index. Multiplexed serum cytokine analysis indicated an increase in the level of circulating IL6 and IL12 in PhIP + E. coli–treated animals. Elevated serum IL6 levels correlated with the development of precancerous lesions within the prostate. These results suggest that bacterial infections and dietary carcinogens, two conceivably preventable cancer risk factors, may synergistically promote tumorigenesis. Cancer Prev Res; 8(8); 683–92. ©2015 AACR.
Identification and Analysis of Collisional Breakup in Natural Rain
Authors: D’Adderio Leo Pio , Porcù Federico , Tokay Ali 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Numerous laboratory and numerical studies have been dedicated to understanding collisional breakup as one of the most important processes in rain formation. The present study aims to identify when, in natural rain, collisional breakup is dominant and thus able to modify the shape of the raindrop size distribution (DSD), up to the equilibrium DSD. To this end, an automated objective algorithm has been developed and applied to a total of more than 6000 two-minute-averaged DSDs. Since breakup is mostly observed in heavy precipitation, the method was applied to the DSDs where rain rate was above 5 mm h−1. The selected breakup DSDs had good agreement with those predicted to be the equilibrium DSD by different theoretical models. The equilibrium DSD was found in a variable fraction of the total samples (0%–7%), confirming that the onset of equilibrium is a rare event in natural rain. The occurrence of a DSD in which breakup is dominant and modifies the DSD but the equilibrium DSD is not reached is higher (15%–47%). The gamma distribution, which has been widely used in the parameterization of observed size spectra, had a poor fitting in breakup-induced DSD, especially in the 1.0–2.6-mm-diameter interval. This can impact applications for which the parameterization of DSD is needed, such as in the retrieval of a DSD integral parameter (such as rain rate) from active remote sensor data.
Northern East Asian Monsoon Precipitation Revealed by Airmass Variability and Its Prediction
Authors: Seo Kyong-Hwam , Son Jun-Hyeok , Lee June-Yi , Park Hyo-Seok 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
This work provides a new perspective on the major factors controlling the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) in July and a promising physical–statistical forecasting of the EASM ahead of summer. Dominant modes of the EASM are revealed from the variability of large-scale air masses discerned by equivalent potential temperature, and they are found to be dynamically connected with the anomalous sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the three major oceans of the world and their counterparts of prevailing atmospheric oscillation or teleconnection patterns. Precipitation over northern East Asia (NEA) during July is enhanced by the tropical central Indian Ocean warming and central Pacific El Niño–related SST warming, the northwestern Pacific cooling off the coast of NEA, and the North Atlantic Ocean warming. Using these factors and data from the preceding spring seasons, the authors build a multiple linear regression model for seasonal forecasting. The cross-validated correlation skill predicted for the period 1994 to 2012 is up to 0.84, which far exceeds the skill level of contemporary climate models.
Eulerian Volume Transport Induced by Spatially Damped Internal Equatorial Kelvin Waves
Authors: Weber Jan Erik H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe Eulerian volume transport in internal equatorial Kelvin waves subject to viscous attenuation is investigated theoretically by integrating the horizontal momentum equations in the vertical. In terms of small perturbations, the time-averaged horizontal transports are determined to second order in wave steepness. The total Lagrangian volume transport in this problem consists of a Stokes transport plus an Eulerian transport. It is known that the Stokes transport, that is, the vertically integrated Stokes drift, in inviscid internal equatorial Kelvin waves vanishes identically in the rigid-lid approximation for arbitrary vertical variation of the Brunt–Väisälä frequency. The present study considers spatial wave damping due to viscosity. The Stokes transport still becomes zero, but now the radiation stresses due to decaying waves become source terms for the Eulerian mean transport. Calculations of the wave-induced Eulerian transport yield a jetlike symmetric mean flow along the equator from west to east for each baroclinic component, with compensating westward flows on both sides. The flow system scales as the internal equatorial Rossby radius in the north–south direction. The total eastward part of the Eulerian volume flux centered about the equator is estimated to about 0.2 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) for the first baroclinic mode.
Analog-Based Ensemble Model Output Statistics
Authors: Junk Constantin , Delle Monache Luca , Alessandrini Stefano 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
An analog-based ensemble model output statistics (EMOS) is proposed to improve EMOS for the calibration of ensemble forecasts. Given a set of analog predictors and corresponding weights, which are optimized with a brute-force continuous ranked probability score (CRPS) minimization, forecasts similar to a current ensemble forecast (i.e., analogs) are searched. The best analogs and the corresponding observations form the training dataset for estimating the EMOS coefficients. To test the new approach for renewable energy applications, wind speed measurements at 100-m height from six measurement towers and wind ensemble forecasts at 100-m height from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) are used. The analog-based EMOS is compared against EMOS, an adaptive and recursive wind vector calibration (AUV), and an analog ensemble applied to ECMWF EPS. It is shown that the analog-based EMOS outperforms EMOS, AUV, and the analog ensemble at all measurement sites in terms of CRPS and Brier score for common and rare events. The CRPS improvements relative to EMOS reach up to 11% and are statistically significant at almost all sites. The reliability of the analog-based EMOS ensemble for rare events is better compared to EMOS and AUV and is similar compared to the analog ensemble.
Violence risk assessment in psychiatric patients in China: A systematic review
Authors: Zhou Jiansong , Witt Katrina , Xiang Yutao , Zhu Xiaomin , Wang Xiaoping , Fazel Seena 
Published: May 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review on violence risk assessment instruments used for psychiatric patients in China. Methods: A systematic search was conducted from 1980 until 2014 to identify studies that used psychometric tools or structured instruments to assess aggression and violence risk. Information from primary studies was extracted, including demographic characteristics of the samples used, study design characteristics, and reliability and validity estimates. Results: A total of 30 primary studies were identified that investigated aggression or violence; 6 reported on tools assessing aggression while an additional 24 studies reported on structured instruments designed to predict violence. Although measures of reliability were typically good, estimates of predictive validity were mostly in the range of poor to moderate, with only 1 study finding good validity. These estimates were typically lower than that found in previous work for Western samples. Conclusion: There is currently little evidence to support the use of current violence risk assessment instruments in psychiatric patients in China. Developing more accurate and scalable approaches are research priorities.
Bipolar patients referred to specialized services of care: Not resistant but impaired by sub-syndromal symptoms. Results from the FACE-BD cohort
Authors: Henry Chantal , Etain Bruno , Godin Ophelia , Dargel Aroldo Ayub , Azorin Jean-Michel , Gard Sébastien , Bellivier Frank , Bougerol Thierry , Kahn Jean-Pierre , Passerieux Christine , Aubin Valerie , Courtet Philippe , Leboyer Marion ,   FACE-BD group
Published: May 2015

Objective: A national network of expert centers for bipolar disorders was set up in France to provide support, mainly for psychiatrists, who need help for managing bipolar disorder patients. The aims of this article are to present the main characteristics of the patients referred to an expert center in order to highlight the major disturbances affecting these patients and to understand the most significant difficulties encountered by practitioners dealing with bipolar disorder patients. Methods: Patients were evaluated by trained psychiatrists and psychologists, with standardized and systematic assessment using interviews and self-report questionnaires. Results: All patients ( n = 839) met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fourth Edition criteria for bipolar disorder I (48.4%), bipolar disorder II (38.1%) or bipolar disorder–not otherwise specified (13.5%). Mean illness duration was 17 years (±11.3), with 41.9% of patients having a history of suicide attempts. Lifetime comorbidities were 43.8% for anxiety disorders and 32.8% for substance abuse. At the point of inclusion, most patients (76.2%) were not in an acute phase, being considered to have a syndromal remission, but which still required referral to a tertiary system of care. Among these patients, 37.5% had mild to moderate residual depressive symptoms (Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale ranging from 7 to 19) despite 39% receiving an antidepressant. However, 47.8% were considered to be poorly adherent to medication; 55% showed evidence of sleep disturbances, with half being overweight; 68.1% of patients showed poor functioning (Functioning Assessment Short Test ⩾ 12) with this being linked to residual depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances and increased body mass index. Conclusions: It appears that bipolar disorder patients referred to an expert center in most cases do not suffer from a severe or resistant illness but they rather have residual symptoms, including subtle but chronic perturbations that have a major impact on levels of functioning. The longitudinal follow-up of these patients will enable a better understanding of the evolution of such residual symptoms.
Credit and Trust
Authors: Moeller Kim , Sandberg Sveinung 
Published: May 2015

Objectives: This study examines the use of credit, or “fronting,” in the illegal drug economy. We study how fronting affects transaction costs and insulates against law enforcement in drug distribution networks and what role fronting plays in the management of interpersonal network ties. The emphasis is on the cooperative dimension of credits. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 68 incarcerated drug dealers in Norwegian prisons. Most were mid-level dealers (66 percent), dealing with many different drugs, but amphetamines were the main drugs distributed (38 percent). Using qualitative content analysis, we explore their perspective on the fronting of illegal drugs and associated practices in the illegal drug economy. Results: We find that dealers are generally skeptical toward fronting drugs, and accepting fronted drugs, but that this practice still is common. The main reason is that the practice secures a faster turnaround. Credits are embedded in social relationships both economically and socially. Previous social relationships are often a prerequisite, but fronting is also used to build trust. Conclusion: Although transaction cost economics captures the economic dimension of credit, insights from economic sociology and in particular the social embeddedness approach are necessary to understand the interplay between economic and social factors when drugs are fronted in the illegal economy.
Effect of palliative care nurse champions on the quality of dying in the hospital according to bereaved relatives: A controlled before-and-after study
Authors: Witkamp Frederika Erica , van Zuylen Lia , van der Rijt Carin CD , van der Heide Agnes 
Published: May 2015

Background: To improve the quality of end-of-life care, hospitals increasingly appoint palliative care nurse champions. Aim: We investigated the effect of nurse champions on the quality of life during the last 3 days of life and the quality of dying as experienced by bereaved relatives. Design: A controlled before-and-after study (June 2009–July 2012). Halfway, in each of seven intervention wards, two nurse champions were appointed; 11 wards served as control wards. The quality of life during the last 3 days of life, quality of dying and multiple dimensions of quality of dying were compared before and after the introduction of nurse champions. Setting: In a university hospital, each death at non-intensive care units was followed up by an invitation to relatives (10–13 weeks later) to answer a questionnaire. Results: For the two periods, data were collected on 86 and 84 patients in intervention wards and on 108 and 118 patients in control wards (overall response: 52%). In the intervention wards, no differences were found in the quality of life during the last 3 days of life and the quality of dying scores: in both periods, median score for the quality of life during the last 3 days of life was 3.0 and for the quality of dying 7.0. No differences were found in multiple quality of dying dimensions. In control wards, the median quality of dying score was 7.0 pre-intervention and 6.0 post-intervention ( p = 0.04). Other scores were comparable with those in intervention wards. Conclusion: Performing a complex intervention study in palliative care proved to be feasible. This study showed no differences in the experiences of bereaved relatives after introduction of nurse champions. The complexity of palliative care in the hospital might require more intensive and longer training of nurse champions.