bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reinterpretation of radiological findings in oesophago‐gastric multidisciplinary meetings
Authors: Lim Hou‐Kiat , Stiven Peter Noel , Aly Ahmad 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims to objectively evaluate the clinical impact and significance of the multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) in the management of oesophago‐gastric malignancies in a tertiary institution.MethodsA prospective observational study was designed to examine the role of MDT in the interpretation of computerized tomography (CT) scans in oesophago‐gastric malignancies. The MDT reporting of CT scans were compared with the ‘pre‐meeting’ formal report of the scans. ‘Pre‐meeting’ CT reports are provided by internal institutional or independent radiologist. The frequency and significance of any reporting variance is examined.ResultsOf the 34 patients discussed, 13 patients (38%) had variations to the formal radiological report. This led a modification of disease stage in seven patients (21%) and change in diagnosis in three patients (9%). This had a major impact in nine patients (26%) of which seven patients (24%) had modification in treatment as a result of imaging reinterpretation.ConclusionThis study provides preliminary quantative evidence of the utility and importance of the MDT process in the management of oesophago‐gastric malignancies. This has potential significant implications for basing patient treatment on isolated reports outside of MDT and supports this process as a standard of care.
Formula‐fed infants have significantly higher fat‐free mass content in their bodies than breastfed babies
Authors: Giannì Maria L. , Roggero Paola , Morlacchi Laura , Garavaglia Elisa , Piemontese Pasqua , Mosca Fabio 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimEarly nutrition may affect body composition development. This study assessed body composition changes in healthy term infants in the first four months of life, comparing the results for breastfed and formula‐fed babies.MethodsA longitudinal, observational study was conducted with healthy term infants, who had a birth weight of more than 2500 g and were aged up to 3 weeks at enrolment. Infants were either exclusively breastfed or formula‐fed. Growth and body composition were assessed by air‐displacement plethysmography at enrolment and 4 months.ResultsA total of 158 infants were enrolled (72 exclusively breastfed and 86 exclusively formula‐fed). Body composition was similar between the two feeding groups at enrolment, but fat‐free mass (4831 ± 538 g vs 4641 ± 461 g; p = 0.036) at 4 months and the fat‐free mass changes between enrolment and 4 months (80.3 ± 16.4% vs 67.6 ± 18.4%; p < 0.001) were higher in formula‐fed infants than breastfed ones.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that formula‐fed infants show different body composition development during the first 4 months of life to breastfed ones, with higher fat‐free mass content.
Assessment of the potential relationship between egg quality and infectious bronchitis virus infection in Australian layer flocks
Authors: Hewson KA , Robertson T , Steer PA , Devlin JM , Noormohammadi AH , Ignjatovic J 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveThis investigation aimed to determine if there was a relationship between the production of eggs with poor internal quality, as measured by poor Haugh units, by Australian layer flocks and the detection of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in the hens. Other risk factors including flock size, flock type, flock age, chicken breed and vaccination frequency were also assessed.MethodsThe study group comprised 17 flocks from 14 farms. Data relating to the factors investigated were requested on a regular basis. The Haugh unit data were used to grade eggs as good or poor based on the age and flock at the time of data collection. Cloacal swabs were collected from 20 chickens in each flock approximately every 6 weeks.ResultsIBV was detected from a majority of the flocks and in 68% of cases the IBV strain detected was an A‐vaccine‐related field strain. Three variant strains were detected. Detection of IBV in a flock, the farm type and flock size were identified as potential risk factors for the production of eggs with poor Haugh units.ConclusionIBV is prevalent in Australian layer flocks, but infection was primarily subclinical. The results complement previous reports indicating that there are many potential risk factors for the production of eggs with poor Haugh units.
Evidence of dehydration and electrolyte disturbances in cases of perennial ryegrass toxicosis in Australian sheep
Authors: Combs MDA , Rendell D , Reed KFM , Mace WJ , Quinn JC 
Published: March 2014

Case reportPerennial ryegrass toxicosis (PRGT) is a common disease entity in Australia, presenting as an association of clinical signs including alterations in normal behavioural, ataxia (‘staggers’), ill thrift and gastrointestinal dysfunction (‘scours’). Clinical signs can range in severity from mild (gait abnormalities and failure to thrive) to severe (seizures, lateral recumbency and death). Presentation across the flock is usually highly variable. PRGT is caused by toxins produced by the endophytic fungus Neotyphodium lolii, a symbiont of perennial ryegrass that is present in pastures across the temperate regions of Australia and Tasmania. A particular feature of PRGT in Australia is the occasional occurrence of large‐scale sheep losses, suggesting other factors are influencing mortality rates compared with other PRGT risk zones such as North America and New Zealand. During 2011, producers in the state of Victoria experienced a mild outbreak of PRGT that affected large numbers of animals but with limited mortalities. Clinical samples taken from affected sheep showed a high incidence of dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities.ConclusionWe speculate that changes in hydration status may be a contributory aetiological factor in those years in which high numbers of deaths are associated with PRGT outbreaks in Australia.
Open‐label, single‐arm, phase II study of enzastaurin in patients with follicular lymphoma
Authors: Schwartzberg Lee , Hermann Robert , Flinn Ian , Flora Douglas , Hsi Eric D. , Hamid Oday , Shi Peipei , Lin Boris K. , Myrand Scott P. , Nguyen Tuan S. , Dreyling Martin 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThis open‐label, phase II study investigated whether enzastaurin, a protein kinase C‐beta (PKCβ) inhibitor, had activity in patients with grade 1 or 2 follicular lymphoma (FL). Adults with grade 1 or 2 FL who had no more than one prior treatment received oral enzastaurin continuously for up to 3 years. Of the 66 patients who received enzastaurin, 53 were evaluable for response. Overall response rate (ORR, primary efficacy endpoint) was 26·4% (3·8% complete response). Median (95% confidence interval) progression‐free survival, time to response, and duration of response were 18·1 (11·5–28·3), 4·9 (2·8–8·1), and 22·3 (8·8‐not applicable) months, respectively. In patients with tumour tissue available for biomarker analysis, ORRs in low versus high PKCβ2 expression groups were 41·7% and 8·3%, respectively (P = 0·041). The most common, mainly low‐grade drug‐related adverse events were fatigue (25·8%), diarrhoea (25·8%), nausea (18·2%), and chromaturia (18·2%). Four (6·1%) patients had Grade 3 toxicity and one (1·5%) patient had Grade 4 toxicity. Enzastaurin demonstrated limited clinical activity in grade 1 or 2 FL. Patients with low PKCβ2 expression in tumours had higher ORR than those with high PKCβ2 expression. Enzastaurin was well tolerated with mostly grade 1 or 2 toxicities. Further studies may be warranted in select patient populations.
Incidence of diabetes mellitus in a population‐based cohort of HIV‐infected and non‐HIV‐infected persons: the impact of clinical and therapeutic factors over time
Authors: Tripathi A. , Liese A. D. , Jerrell J. M. , Zhang J. , Rizvi A. A. , Albrecht H. , Duffus W. A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimsTo examine incidence density rate and correlates of incident diabetes mellitus in a cohort of HIV‐infected individuals compared with matched non‐HIV‐infected persons.MethodsData were obtained from the South Carolina Medicaid system and the enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System surveillance database for persons ≥ 18 years of age who had been attended to during the period 1994 to 2011. Time‐dependent proportional hazards analysis and marginal structural models were used to analyse the data.ResultsA total of 13 632 individuals (6816, 1:1 matched HIV‐infected and non‐HIV‐infected persons; median age 39 years; 57% male) contributed 88 359 person‐years of follow‐up. Incidence rate of diabetes was higher in the non‐HIV‐infected group compared with the HIV‐infected group (13.60 vs. 11.35 per 1000 person‐years). Multivariable hazards analysis suggested a significantly lower risk of incident diabetes among HIV‐infected persons treated with combination antiretroviral therapy compared with the matched non‐HIV‐infected persons (adjusted hazards ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.46–0.65). Among HIV‐infected persons, marginal structural modelling suggested a significantly higher risk of diabetes with cumulative exposure to protease inhibitors over the observation period (adjusted relative risk 1.35; 95% CI 1.03–1.78), but this association was not significant for exposure to non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Overall, female gender, older age, non‐white race/ethnicity, and pre‐existing hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity and hepatitis C infection were associated with higher risk of diabetes incidence.ConclusionsHIV infection may not be independently associated with increased risk of diabetes. Among HIV‐infected persons, exposure to protease inhibitor‐based regimens may increase the risk of diabetes. Healthcare providers should make every effort to use combination antiretroviral therapy regimens with a better cardiometabolic profile.
Risk of seizure recurrence after achieving initial seizure freedom on the ketogenic diet
Authors: Taub Katherine S. , Kessler Sudha Kilaru , Bergqvist A. G. Christina 
Published: March 2014

SummaryObjectiveFew studies have examined the long‐term sustainability of complete seizure freedom on the ketogenic diet (KD). The purpose of this study was to describe the risk of seizure recurrence in children who achieved at least 1 month of seizure freedom on the KD, and to assess clinical features associated with sustained seizure freedom.MethodsRecords of patients initiated on the KD at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) from 1991 to 2009 were reviewed. Subjects who attained seizure freedom for at least 1 month within 2 years were included in the study. Seizure frequency was recorded based on caregiver‐reported seizure diaries as unchanged, improved, or worse compared to baseline. Those patients with seizure freedom ≥1 year were compared to those with seizure freedom <1 year in terms of demographics, age of seizure onset, number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) prior to KD, and epilepsy classification.ResultsOf 276 patients initiated on the KD, 65 patients (24%) attained seizure freedom for a minimum of 1 month. The majority of these patients had daily seizures. The median time to seizure freedom after KD initiation was 1.5 months. Seizures recurred in 53 patients (82%), with a median time to seizure recurrence of 3 months. However, seizure frequency after initial recurrence remained far less than baseline. No clinical features were identified as risk factors for seizure recurrence.SignificanceSeizure recurrence on the KD after 1 month of seizure freedom most often occurred as occasional breakthrough seizures and not a return to baseline seizure frequency. This study provides evidence to support the continued use of the KD in patients with initial seizure freedom even after breakthrough seizures.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
United Kingdom Myeloma Forum position statement on the use of consolidation and maintenance treatment in myeloma
Authors: Rabin N. , Lai M. , Pratt G. , Morgan G. , Snowden J. , Bird J. , Cook G. , Bowcock S. , Owen R. , Yong K. , Wechalaker A. , Low E. , Davies F. ,   the United Kingdom Myeloma Forum
Published: March 2014

SummaryTherapeutic advances and the availability of novel agents have significantly improved outcomes in myeloma; yet, it remains incurable and strategies to improve survival continue to be sought. One approach is to prolong the duration of response and increase progression‐free survival (PFS) through consolidation or maintenance treatment with regimens that have low toxicity profiles, and do not negatively impact on quality of life. Data from several studies with thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib consistently show improvements in response and PFS, although results have still to be confirmed with respect to overall survival (OS). Despite the promising data, the optimal use of consolidation and maintenance treatment in terms of regimen, dose and duration has yet to be defined. Given the evidence to date, the UK Myeloma Forum believes that both maintenance and consolidation therapy should be considered as treatment options for patients with myeloma. Patients should be encouraged to enrol in clinical studies. This document reviews the current position of maintenance and consolidation for patients with myeloma treated in the UK.
Multidisciplinary clinical strategies for encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in peritoneal dialysis: Update from Japan
Authors: Nakayama Masaaki , Terawaki Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2014

AbstractPeritoneal dialysis is established as a first‐line standard renal replacement therapy for end‐stage renal disease. However, the development of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis has been a critical complication among long‐term peritoneal dialysis patients. During the past decade, multidisciplinary approaches have been used to suppress encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. The present article reviews the historical and present status of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in Japan.
Predictors of family and marital functioning at early postpartum
Authors: Ngai Fei Wan , Ngu Siew Fei 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimTo examine the predictive role of family sense of coherence, social support and stress during pregnancy and their changes from pregnancy to postpartum on family and marital functioning at 6 weeks postpartum.BackgroundFamily sense of coherence plays a significant role in promoting positive family and marital functioning, which is crucial to the child's well‐being. However, studies that evaluate the predictive role of family sense of coherence on family and marital functioning during parental transition are limited.DesignThe study used a longitudinal design.MethodsChinese childbearing couples (n = 202) completed assessments of family sense of coherence, stress, social support, and family and marital functioning during pregnancy and at 6 weeks postpartum between January 2011–May 2012.Results/FindingsMothers with a stronger family sense of coherence, greater social support and less stress during pregnancy experienced less decline in family and marital functioning at 6 weeks postpartum, while fathers with a higher prenatal family sense of coherence and family and marital functioning also experienced less such decline.ConclusionCouple‐based interventions should be initiated early during pregnancy by strengthening family sense of coherence and social support to promote positive family functioning.
Changes in nurses' views and practices concerning nurse prescribing between 2006 and 2012: results from two national surveys
Authors: Kroezen Marieke , de Veer Anke , Francke Anneke , Groenewegen Peter , van Dijk Liset 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimsTo assess changes in the prescribing practices and views about nurse prescribing of Registered Nurses in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2012.BackgroundConsidering the developments that took place in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2012, such as increased opportunities for nurse prescribing education and stricter control of nurses' prescribing practices, this study examines the extent to which nurses' prescribing practices and views have changed in the intervening years. In both years, nurses were not legally allowed to prescribe.DesignSurvey study.MethodsSurveys were conducted in 2006 and 2012. Questionnaires were sent to a national sample of nurses. The questionnaires addressed nurses' views on nurse prescribing and the extent to which nurse prescribing took place in the respondents' work setting.ResultsThere were 386 and 644 respondents to the 2006 and 2012 surveys respectively. The proportion of nurses who said that they felt adequately equipped to prescribe medicines remained constant around 12%. Insufficient knowledge to prescribe remained the most important reason for feelings of inadequacy. More than a quarter of the nurses in both surveys stated that nurses in their team sometimes write prescriptions. There were few changes in views on the consequences of nurse prescribing for nurses' practice.ConclusionOverall, nurses' support for nurse prescribing remained stable at a fairly cautious level, while the number of nurses feeling inadequately equipped to prescribe remained high. As nurse prescribing is expected to improve the quality and continuity of care, this should be taken into account in policy expectations.
Estimating latitudinal variability in extreme heat stress on rocky intertidal shores
Authors: Lathlean Justin A. , Ayre David J. , Minchinton Todd E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimBroad‐scale patterns of heat stress play an important role in shaping the geographical distributions of many species and may differ from large‐scale changes in average temperatures. For species living on rocky intertidal shores extreme heat stress occurs when hot dry aerial conditions coincide with midday low tides. We used empirical and modelled temperature data, and estimates of cumulative aerial exposure and solar radiation, in order to test the hypothesis that heat stress on Australian rocky intertidal shores decreases with increasing latitude.LocationRocky intertidal shores of south‐eastern Australia spanning > 1500 km and 13° of latitude (26°24′23″ S to 39°07′47″ S).MethodsIn situ temperature measurements, hourly tidal elevations and daily solar radiation taken over three consecutive summers (December 2009–February 2012) were used to quantify latitudinal variability in extreme heat stress, cumulative aerial exposure and solar radiation, respectively. Comparisons between hourly in situ temperatures and meteorological data were used to produce a large‐scale statistical model capable of estimating intertidal substratum temperatures during daytime low‐tides, which was then extrapolated across 22 locations.ResultsHeat stress estimated using in situ loggers deployed across five east coast locations typically did not decline with increasing latitude and neither did midday exposure or solar radiation. The meteorological model proved to be a successful method for estimating rocky shore heat stress and in contrast to the empirical data displayed strong latitudinal trends in mean daily maxima and cumulative heat stress. Modelled acute heat stress (i.e. summer maxima), however, did not decline with increasing latitude, as there was greater thermal variability at higher latitudes.Main conclusionsThe meteorological model developed in this study represents a useful approach for estimating broad‐scale patterns of heat stress on rocky intertidal shores. Results also indicate that latitudinal patterns of acute and chronic heat stress may differ from average temperatures, which are commonly assumed to decline with increasing latitude. Such broad‐scale patterns of thermal stress as described in this study will significantly contribute to our ability to understand the impact of climate change on vulnerable rocky intertidal communities.
Telocytes in human heart valves
Authors: Yang Yang , Sun Wei , Wu Sean M. , Xiao Junjie , Kong Xiangqing 
Published: March 2014

AbstractValve interstitial cells (VICs) are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity and dynamic behaviour of the valve. Telocytes (TCs), a peculiar type of interstitial cells, have been recently identified by Popescu's group in epicardium, myocardium and endocardium (visit www.telocytes.com). The presence of TCs has been identified in atria, ventricles and many other tissues and organ, but not yet in heart valves. We used transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence methods (double labelling for CD34 and c‐kit, or vimentin, or PDGF Receptor‐β) to provide evidence for the existence of TCs in human heart valves, including mitral valve, tricuspid valve and aortic valve. TCs are found in both apex and base of heart valves, with a similar density of 27–28 cells/mm2 in mitral valve, tricuspid valve and aortic valve. Since TCs are known for the participation in regeneration or repair biological processes, it remains to be determined how TCs contributes to the valve attempts to re‐establish normal structure and function following injury, especially a complex junction was found between TCs and a putative stem (progenitor) cell.
Inhibitory control and delay aversion in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Pauli‐Pott Ursula , Roller Alisa , Heinzel‐Gutenbrunner Monika , Mingebach Tanja , Dalir Silke , Becker Katja 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundFrom current theories on the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can be inferred that delay aversion (DA) and deficits in inhibitory control (IC) constitute basic deficits or endophenotypes of the disorder that already occur in the preschool period. This implies an occurrence of the characteristics in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of ADHD. Thus, it is hypothesized that preschoolers who are not affected by ADHD but who have first‐degree relatives who suffer, or have suffered, from ADHD show deficits in IC and heightened DA in comparison to preschoolers from the general population.MethodsThirty unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of ADHD were compared with 30 control children matched with respect to age in months, gender, intelligence, and maternal education level. The groups also did not differ in terms of maternal depressive symptoms and the number of psychosocial family risks. A set of age‐appropriate neuropsychological tasks on executive IC (e.g. Puppet Says, Day‐Night, relying on Go‐NoGo and interference paradigms) and DA (e.g. Snack Delay, Gift Wrap, relying on delay of gratification paradigm) was conducted.ResultsUnaffected preschoolers showed significantly higher DA than control children (t(29) = −2.57, p < .008). The result did not change when subclinical ADHD symptoms and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder were controlled for (F(1,29) = 5.21, p < .031). Differences in IC did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionThe results are compatible with the assumption that DA constitutes a familial vulnerability marker that can be validly assessed in the preschool period. As this is the first study to address this issue in preschoolers, more research is needed to confirm and further analyze the significance of DA assessments specifically at this developmental stage.