bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community pharmacist–administered influenza immunization improves patient access to vaccination
Authors: Papastergiou John , Folkins Chris , Li Wilson , Zervas John 
Published: October 2014

Objectives: To describe the demographic characteristics and risk factors of patients receiving influenza vaccination in community pharmacies and to understand patient experiences and perceptions surrounding being vaccinated by a pharmacist. Methods: Survey data were collected by research pharmacists at 4 different community pharmacy locations in Toronto throughout a period of 8 weeks during October and November 2013. Participation in the survey was voluntary, and all patients vaccinated by pharmacists were invited to complete a survey following immunization. Results: During the course of the study, 2498 vaccine doses were administered among all study sites, and 1502 surveys were completed. Our data showed a high degree of patient satisfaction, with 92% of patients indicating they were very satisfied with the pharmacist’s injection technique and the services they received. Furthermore, 86% of patients were very comfortable with being vaccinated by a pharmacist, and 99% of patients reported they would recommend that friends and family be vaccinated by a pharmacist. Convenience and accessibility were major determinants of patient satisfaction, as shown by 46% of all written comments specifically addressing these factors. Of the patients surveyed, 25% were not regular annual vaccine recipients, and 47% were classified as being at high risk for influenza complications according to Public Health Agency of Canada criteria. Notably, 28% of total patients and 21% of high-risk patients reported that they would not have been immunized this year if pharmacy-based vaccination were not available. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that pharmacists provide a highly convenient and accessible option for seasonal flu vaccination that is viewed favourably by patients. Administration of the flu vaccine by pharmacists has the potential to positively affect public health by improving vaccination rates among high-risk patients, first-time or occasional vaccine recipients, and patients who may not otherwise have an opportunity to be vaccinated. It is hoped that expanding pharmacist vaccination services to include administration of other common vaccines would receive similar positive reception by patients and improve overall access to vaccination.
Comparison of pharmacist knowledge, perceptions and training opportunities regarding maternal-fetal medicine in Canada, Qatar and Uganda
Authors: Bains Serena , Kitutu Freddy E. , Rahhal Ala’a , Abu Samaha Rana , Wilby Kyle J. , Rowe Hilary 
Published: October 2014

Background: Although pharmacists have great potential to modify and optimize drug therapy in pregnancy and lactation, current literature demonstrates that they do not routinely provide this care and often feel ill equipped to do so. The objective of this study was to determine pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of maternal-fetal medicine in Canada, Uganda and Qatar. Secondary objectives were to determine factors associated with pharmacists’ knowledge and to characterize training opportunities and resources available to practising pharmacists. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using online software (SurveyMonkey) was sent to the e-mails of potential research participants. Practising pharmacists and resident pharmacists in British Columbia, Canada; the country of Qatar; and the country of Uganda were eligible for inclusion. The survey was designed to assess knowledge and perceptions, and to create a baseline inventory of current practice and information resources used in practice. Results: The mean knowledge assessment scores of pharmacists in Canada, Qatar and Uganda were 62.9%, 53.3%, and 57.7%, respectively ( p < 0.05). Pharmacists in British Columbia scored higher on knowledge assessment than pharmacists in Qatar ( p < 0.05), but other country comparisons were not significant. No predefined factors (gender, years of experience, practice area or parental status) were found to be significant in determining the knowledge score. More than two-thirds of pharmacists expressed interest in participating in continuing education opportunities in maternal-fetal medicine. Conclusion: Pharmacists have differing levels of knowledge in the area of maternal-fetal medicine. Continuing education and degree curricula should be reviewed and developed to fill the knowledge gaps of student pharmacists and practising pharmacists in maternal-fetal medicine.
A likelihood-based approach for computing the operating characteristics of the 3+3 phase I clinical trial design with extensions to other A+B designs
Authors: Chiuzan Cody , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Yeatts Sharon D 
Published: October 2014

Background In phase I clinical trials, the “3+3” algorithmic design has been unparalleled in its popularity. The statistical properties of the “3+3” design have been studied in the literature either in comparison with other methods or by deriving exact formulae of statistical quantities. However, there is still much to be known about its capabilities of describing and accounting for uncertainties in the observed data. Purpose The objective of this study is to provide a probabilistic support for analyzing the heuristic performance of the “3+3” design. The operating characteristics of the algorithm are computed under different hypotheses, levels of evidence, and true (or best guessed) toxicity rates. The dose-finding rules are further compared with those generated by the modified toxicity probability interval design and generalized for implementation in all “A+B” designs. Methods Our likelihood method is based on the evidential paradigm. Two hypotheses are chosen to correspond to two hypothesized dose-limiting toxicity rates, for example, [Formula: see text]—unsafe versus [Formula: see text]—acceptable. Given observed toxicities per dose, the likelihood-ratio is calculated and compared to a certain k threshold (level of evidence). Under various true toxicities, the probabilities of weak evidence, favoring [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], were computed under four sets of hypotheses and several k thresholds. Results For scenarios where the midpoint of the two hypothesized dose-limiting toxicity rates is around 0.30, and for a threshold of k = 2, the “3+3” design has a reduced probability (≈0.50) of identifying unsafe doses, but high chances of identifying acceptable doses. For more extreme scenarios targeting a relatively high or relatively low dose-limiting toxicity rate, the “3+3” design has no probabilistic support, and therefore, it should not be used. In our comparisons, the likelihood method is in agreement with the modified toxicity probability interval design for the majority of the hypothesized scenarios. Even so, based on the evidential paradigm, a “3+3” design is often incapable of providing sufficient levels of evidence of acceptability for doses under reasonable scenarios. Limitations Given the small sample size per dose, the levels of evidence are limited in their ability to provide strong evidence favoring either of the hypotheses. Conclusion In many situations, the “3+3” design does not treat enough patients per dose to have confidence in correct dose selection and the safety of the selected/unselected doses. This likelihood method allows consistent inferences to be made at each dose level, and evidence to be quantified regardless of cohort size. The approach can be used in phase I studies for identifying acceptably safe doses, but also for defining stopping rules in other types of dose-finding designs.
Injury and Treatment Characteristics of Sport-Specific Injuries Sustained in Interscholastic Athletics
Authors: Lam Kenneth C. , Snyder Valier Alison R. , Valovich McLeod Tamara C. 
Published: October 2014

Background: The inclusion of clinical practice factors, beyond epidemiologic data, may help guide medical coverage and care decisions. Hypothesis: Trends in injury and treatment characteristics of sport-specific injuries sustained by secondary school athletes will differ based on sport. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of electronic patient records. Level of evidence: Level 4. Methods: Participants consisted of 3302 boys and 2293 girls who were diagnosed with a sport-related injury or condition during the study years. Injury (sport, body part, diagnosis via ICD-9 codes) and treatment (type, amount, and duration of care) characteristics were grouped by sport and reported using summary statistics. Results: Most injuries and treatments occurred in football, girls’ soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Sprain or strain of the ankle, knee, and thigh/hip/groin and concussion were the most commonly documented injuries across sports. The injury pattern for boys’ wrestling differed from other sports and included sprain or strain of the elbow and neck and general medical skin conditions. The most frequently reported service was athletic training evaluation/reevaluation treatment, followed by hot/cold pack, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy techniques, electrical stimulation, and strapping of lower extremity joints. Most sports required 4 to 5 services per injury. With the exception of boys’ soccer and girls’ softball, duration of care ranged from 10 to 14 days. Girls’ soccer and girls’ and boys’ track and field reported the longest durations of care. Conclusion: Injury and treatment characteristics are generally comparable across sports, suggesting that secondary school athletic trainers may diagnose and treat similar injuries regardless of sport. Clinical Relevance: Subtle sport trends, including skin conditions associated with boys’ wrestling and longer duration of care for girls’ soccer, are important to note when discussing appropriate medical coverage and care.
T-cell–restricted T-bet overexpression induces aberrant hematopoiesis of myeloid cells and impairs function of macrophages in the lung
Authors: Iriguchi Shoichi , Kikuchi Norihiro , Kaneko Shin , Noguchi Emiko , Morishima Yuko , Matsuyama Masashi , Yoh Keigyou , Takahashi Satoru , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Ishii Yukio 
Published: October 2014

Key PointsMice overexpressing T-bet in T cells show aberrant hematopoiesis of myeloid cells and functional conversion of regional macrophages. The mice developed a severe PAP-like disease with a hematopoietic disorder resembling the human disease.
Differential protein expression of Caco-2 cells treated with selenium nanoparticles compared with sodium selenite and selenomethionine
Authors: Fu Linglin , Yan Xuxia , Ruan Xinming , Lin Junda , Wang Yanbo 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The study was designed to determine the differential protein expression of Caco-2 cells treated with different forms of selenium including sodium selenite, selenomethionine (Se-Met), and selenium nanoparticles (nano-Se). Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to identify the differentially expressed proteins. The results indicated that seven protein spots, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (E2), glutathione synthetases (GS), triosephosphate isomerase (TSP), T-complex protein 1 subunit zeta (TCPZ), lamin-B1, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F (hnRNP F), and superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] (Cu, Zn-SOD) were significantly different among all the groups. According to the order of control, sodium selenite, Se-Met, and Nano-Se, the expression levels of two proteins (E2 and GS) increased and the other differential proteins were reverse. Except for E2, there were no significant differences in other protein expressions between the groups treated with nano-Se and Se-Met.
Synthesis of titanium nitride for self-aligned gate AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors
Authors: Li Liuan , Nakamura Ryosuke , Wang Qingpeng , Jiang Ying , Ao Jin-Ping 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
In this study, titanium nitride (TiN) is synthesized using reactive sputtering for a self-aligned gate process. The Schottky barrier height of the TiN on n-GaN is around 0.5 to 0.6 eV and remains virtually constant with varying nitrogen ratios. As compared with the conventional Ni electrode, the TiN electrode presents a lower turn-on voltage, while its reverse leakage current is comparable with that of Ni. The results of annealing evaluation at different temperatures and duration times show that the TiN/W/Au gate stack can withstand the ohmic annealing process at 800°C for 1 or 3 min. Finally, the self-aligned TiN-gated AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors are obtained with good pinch-off characteristics.
Plasma heat shock protein 27 is associated with coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral artery disease
Authors: Jin Cao , Phillips Victoria L , Williams Michael JA , van Rij Andre M , Jones Gregory T 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Low protein levels of Hsp27 have been reported in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, human studies have indicated that circulating Hsp27 levels are lower in coronary artery disease patients compared with controls. It remains, however, unclear whether this applies to other forms of atherosclerotic disease.
Plasma Hsp27 from 280 subjects was examined by ELISA. The cohort included 80 coronary artery disease (CAD), 40 peripheral artery disease (PAD) and 80 abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients. Eighty elderly subjects, without any clinical history of vascular diseases, were used as a control group. Receiver operating curve (ROC) and logistic regression model analysis were performed to evaluate the potential value of Hsp27 as a circulating biomarker.
Patients with atherosclerotic vascular diseases had significantly lower levels of Hsp27 than control subjects (p < 0.001). Moreover, Hsp27 was significantly lower in CAD patients than other atherosclerotic vascular disease groups (p < 0.001). There was no difference in Hsp27 levels between the AAA and PAD groups. Using the ROC-generated optimal cut-off values for Hsp27, logistic regression modeling indicated that low plasma Hsp27 was independently associated with the presence of multiple forms of atherosclerotic disease.
In conclusion, circulating Hsp27 is significantly lower in patients with multiple forms of atherosclerotic arterial disease.
miRNAs in Sera of Tunisian patients discriminate between inflammatory breast cancer and non-inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Hamdi Khouloud , Goerlitz David , Stambouli Neila , Islam Mohammed , Baroudi Olfa , Neili Bilel , Benayed Farhat , Chivi Simon , Loffredo Christopher , Jillson Irene A , Benammar Elgaaied Amel , Blancato Jan K , Marrakchi Raja 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
In recent years, circulating miRNAs have attracted interest as stable, non-invasive biomarkers for various pathological conditions. Here, we investigated their potential to serve as minimally invasive, early detection markers for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and non-inflammatory breast cancer (non-IBC) in serum. miRNA profiling was performed on serum from 20 patients with non-IBC, 20 with IBC, and 20 normal control subjects. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to measure the level of 12 candidate miRNAs previously identified in other research(miR-342-5p, miR-342--3p, miR-320, miR-30b, miR-29a, miR-24, miR-15a, miR-548d-5p, miR-486-3p, miR-451, miR-337-5p, miR-335).
We found that 4 miRNAs (miR-24, miR-342-3p, miR-337-5p and miR-451) were differentially expressed in serum of IBC patients compared to non-IBC, and 3 miRNAs (miR-337-5p ,miR-451and miR-30b) were differentially expressed in IBC and non-IBC patients combined compared to healthy controls. miR-24, miR-342-3p, miR-337-5p and miR-451 were found to be significantly down-regulated in IBC patients compared to non-IBC. Likewise, the expression level of mir-451 showed significant down-regulation in IBC serum, while mir-30b and miR-337-5p were up-regulated in non-IBC serum comparatively to normal controls. Using receiver operational curve (ROC) analysis, we show that dysregulated miRNAs can discriminate patients with IBC and non-IBC from healthy controls with sensitivity ranging from 76 to 81% and specificity from 66 to 80%, for three separate miRNAs. In conclusion, our data suggest that circulating miRNAs are potential biomarkers for classifying IBC and non-IBC, and may also be candidates for early detection of breast cancer.
NADH-dependent biosensor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: principle and validation at the single cell level
Authors: Knudsen Jan Dines , Carlquist Magnus , Gorwa-Grauslund Marie 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA reporter system was constructed to measure perturbations in the NADH/NAD+co-factor balance in yeast, by using the green fluorescent protein gene under the control of theGPD2promoter that is induced under conditions of excess of NADH. High fluorescence levels were obtained in a glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase double deletion strain (gpd1Δgpd2Δ), which is deficient in the ability to regenerate NAD+via glycerol formation. The responsiveness of the reporter system to externally induced perturbations in NADH oxidation was also evaluated in thegpd1Δgpd2Δstrain background by addition of acetoin, as well as by introduction of a set of heterologous xylose reductases (XRs) having different selectivities for NADH. Addition of acetoin during cell proliferation under oxygen-limited conditions resulted in a more than 2-fold decrease in mean fluorescence intensity as compared to the control experiment. Strains carrying XRs with different selectivities for NADH could be distinguished at the single cell level, so that the XR with the highest selectivity for NADH displayed the lowest fluorescence. In conclusion, the designed system successfully allowed for monitoring perturbations in the cellular redox metabolism caused by environmental changes, or by heterologous gene expression. The reporter system displayed high resolution in distinguishing cytosolic NADH oxidation capacity and hence has potential to be used for high-throughput screening based on the fluorescence of single cells.
Phase III Comparison of Tamoxifen Versus Tamoxifen Plus Ovarian Function Suppression in Premenopausal Women With Node-Negative, Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer (E-3193, INT-0142): A Trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Authors: Tevaarwerk Amye J. , Wang Molin , Zhao Fengmin , Fetting John H. , Cella David , Wagner Lynne I. , Martino Silvana , Ingle James N. , Sparano Joseph A. , Solin Lawrence J. , Wood William C. , Robert Nicholas J. 
Published: October 2014

PurposeThe effects of ovarian function suppression (OFS) on survival and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated in a phase III trial in which premenopausal women were randomly assigned to tamoxifen with or without OFS.Patients and MethodsPremenopausal women with axillary node-negative, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer tumors measuring ≤ 3 cm were randomly assigned to tamoxifen alone versus tamoxifen plus OFS; adjuvant chemotherapy was not permitted. Primary end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included toxicity and patient-reported outcomes. Patient-reported outcome data included health-related quality of life, menopausal symptoms, and sexual function. These were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and then annually for up to 5 years after registration.ResultsIn all, 345 premenopausal women were enrolled: 171 on tamoxifen alone and 174 on tamoxifen plus OFS. With a median follow-up of 9.9 years, there was no significant difference between arms for DFS (5-year rate: 87.9% v 89.7%; log-rank P = .62) or OS (5-year rate: 95.2% v 97.6%; log-rank P = .67). Grade 3 or higher toxicity was more common in the tamoxifen plus OFS arm (22.4% v 12.3%; P = .004). Patients treated with tamoxifen plus OFS had more menopausal symptoms, lower sexual activity, and inferior health-related quality of life at 3-year follow-up (P < .01 for all). Differences diminished with further follow-up.ConclusionWhen added to tamoxifen, OFS results in more menopausal symptoms and sexual dysfunction, which contributes to inferior self-reported health-related quality of life. Because of early closure, this study is underpowered for drawing conclusions about the impact on survival when adding OFS to tamoxifen.
Endocrine Therapy With or Without Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Trial of Fulvestrant With or Without Lapatinib for Postmenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive Advanced Breast Cancer—CALGB 40302 (Alliance)
Authors: Burstein Harold J. , Cirrincione Constance T. , Barry William T. , Chew Helen K. , Tolaney Sara M. , Lake Diana E. , Ma Cynthia , Blackwell Kimberly L. , Winer Eric P. , Hudis Clifford A. 
Published: October 2014

PurposeCALGB 40302 sought to determine whether lapatinib would improve progression-free survival (PFS) among women with hormone receptor–positive metastatic breast cancer treated with fulvestrant.Patients and MethodsEligible women had estrogen receptor–positive and/or progesterone receptor–positive tumors, regardless of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and prior aromatase inhibitor treatment. Patients received fulvestrant 500 mg intramuscularly on day 1, followed by 250 mg on days 15 and 28 and every 4 weeks thereafter, and either lapatinib 1,500 mg or placebo daily. The study planned to accrue 324 patients and was powered for a 50% improvement in PFS with lapatinib from 5 to 7.5 months.ResultsAt the third planned interim analysis, the futility boundary was crossed, and the data and safety monitoring board recommend study closure, having accrued 295 patients. At the final analysis, there was no difference in PFS (hazard ratio [HR] of placebo to lapatinib, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.33; P = .37); median PFS was 4.7 months for fulvestrant plus lapatinib versus 3.8 months for fulvestrant plus placebo. There was no difference in overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.21; P = .25). For HER2-normal tumors, median PFS did not differ by treatment arm (4.1 v 3.8 months). For HER2-positive tumors, lapatinib was associated with longer median PFS (5.9 v 3.3 months), but the differential treatment effect by HER2 status was not significant (P = .53). The most frequent toxicities were diarrhea, fatigue, and rash associated with lapatinib.ConclusionAdding lapatinib to fulvestrant does not improve PFS or OS in advanced ER-positive breast cancer and is more toxic.