bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and adequacy of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration of IASLC stations 4R, 4L and 7 using endobronchial landmarks provided by the Wang nodal mapping system in the staging of lung cancer
Authors: Liu Qinghua , Han Songyan , Arias Sixto , Turner J Francis , Lee Hans , Browning Robert , Wang Ko‐Pen 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer has been well established. Recently, the efficacy of conventional TBNA in the staging of lung cancer has been enhanced by the use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)‐TBNA. Our study sought to evaluate the adequacy of TBNA of International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) stations 4R, 4L and 7 using endobronchial landmarks provided by the Wang nodal mapping system in the staging of lung cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all bronchoscopic cases with conventional TBNA punctures positive for malignancy at our institution from 1 January to 31 October 2014. The endobronchial puncture site was guided by the Wang nodal mapping system. The Wang stations were correlated with the IASLC lymph node map. No endobronchial ultrasound or rapid on‐site evaluation was used. Pathological analysis included cytological and histological examination.ResultsDiagnosis by histological analysis was obtained in 115 (55.3%) out of 208 puncture sites. The metastatic lymph nodes were distributed at IASLC stations 4R (W1, 3, 5) 46.6 %, 7 (W2, 8, 10) 19.7%, 4L (W4, 6) 11.5%, 11R (W7, W9) 11.1% 11L (W11) 9.6%, 2R (high station W3) 0.5%, and the proximal portion of station 8 (station W10 beyond the middle lobe orifice) 1%. No complications were observed.ConclusionIASLC station 4R (W1, 3, 5), 7 (W2, 8, 10) and 4L (W4, 6) are adequate for the staging of lung cancer.
The Use of Debt Covenants Worldwide: Institutional Determinants and Implications on Financial Reporting
Authors: Hong Hyun A. , Hung Mingyi , Zhang Jieying 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study investigates how the use of debt covenants around the world varies with legal institutions. On the basis of syndicated loans in 36 countries, we find that debt covenants are more prevalent in countries with stronger law enforcement and weaker creditor rights, suggesting that law enforcement facilitates, and creditor rights substitute for, the use of covenants. We also find that the substitution effect between covenant use and creditor rights exists mainly in countries with strong law enforcement, and the effect of legal institutions on covenants is primarily driven by covenants that preserve seniority and capital. In addition, timely loss recognition increases with the use of debt covenants and strong creditor rights attenuate this relation. Overall, our study is the first to provide comprehensive evidence on how the use of debt covenants responds to legal institutions and how it bridges the previously documented link between legal institutions and accounting conservatism.
Modelling heterogeneity among fitness functions using random regression
Authors: Reynolds Richard J. , de los Campos Gustavo , Egan Scott P. , Ott James R. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

Statistical approaches for testing hypotheses of heterogeneity in fitness functions are needed to accommodate studies of phenotypic selection with repeated sampling across study units, populations or years. In this study, we tested directly for among‐population variation in complex fitness functions and demonstrate a new approach for locating the region of the trait distribution where variation in fitness and traits is greatest.

We modelled heterogeneity in fitness functions among populations by treating regression coefficients of fitness on traits as random variates. We applied random regression using two model specifications, (i) spline‐based curve and (ii) stepwise, to a 2‐year study of selection among 16 populations of the gall wasp, Belonocnema treatae. Log‐likelihood ratio tests of variance components and 10‐fold cross‐validation were used to assess the evidence that selection varied among populations.

Ten‐fold cross‐validation prediction error sums of squares (PSS) indicated that spline‐based fitness functions were population specific and that the strength of evidence for heterogeneity in selection differed between years. Hypothesis testing of variance components from both models was consistent with the PSS results. Both the stepwise model and the local prediction error estimates of spline‐based fitness functions identified the region(s) of the phenotype distribution harbouring the greatest heterogeneity among populations.

The adopted framework advances our understanding of phenotypic selection in natural populations by extending the analysis of spline‐based fitness functions to testing for heterogeneity among study units and isolating the regions of the phenotypic distribution where this variation is most pronounced.
The long‐term effect of a population‐based life‐style intervention on smoking and alcohol consumption. The Inter99 Study—a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Baumann Sophie , Toft Ulla , Aadahl Mette , Jørgensen Torben , Pisinger Charlotta 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimsTo examine whether improvements in smoking and alcohol consumption throughout the 5‐year course of a population‐based multi‐factorial life‐style intervention were sustained 5 years after its discontinuation.DesignPopulation‐based randomized controlled trial.SettingSuburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark.ParticipantsA total of 9415 people aged 30–60 years were randomized to an intervention group (n = 6091) and an assessment‐only control group (n = 3324).InterventionAll participants in the intervention group received screening, risk assessment and individual life‐style counselling; participants at high risk of ischaemic heart disease—according to pre‐specified criteria—were also offered group‐based counselling.MeasurementsSelf‐reported point abstinence from smoking as well as changes in the average alcohol consumption per week and binge drinking in the past week from baseline to 10‐year follow‐up were investigated using random‐effects modelling.FindingsAt 10‐year follow up, people in the intervention group reported a higher smoking abstinence rate [odds ratio (OR) = 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–3.33, P = 0.043] and a greater reduction in binge drinking (net change = –0.08 days with binge drinking in the last week, 95% CI = –0.16 to –0.01, P = 0.028) than in the control group. There were no detectable long‐term intervention effects on the average alcohol consumption per week.ConclusionsA population‐based multi‐factorial life‐style intervention of 5 years’ duration in Denmark had sustained beneficial effects on smoking abstinence and binge drinking 5 years after its discontinuation.
Black box and attics: Habitat selection and resource use by large threatened pythons in landscapes with contrasting human modification
Authors: Corey B. , Doody J. S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWoodland and forest degradation, driven predominately by agricultural and pastoral production, is a crisis facing many species globally, in particular hollow‐dependent fauna. Large predatory species play important roles in both ecosystems and conservation strategies, but few studies have examined habitat selection of such species in intensively human‐modified landscapes. We quantified habitat selection and resource use by a large, top‐order and threatened snake (carpet python, Morelia spilota), between adjacent areas of high and low anthropogenic modification in inland Australia, a region that has undergone considerable alteration since European settlement. At the low‐impact site, snakes preferred tree hollows and a structurally complex understorey, whereas at the high‐impact site, snakes preferred homestead attics. Based on the decline of the species in this region, however, high‐impact landscapes may only support snakes when they are adjacent to low‐impact habitats. Invasive species comprised a large part of snake diets in both landscape types. Carpet pythons, with large home ranges and habitat requirements that overlap with many smaller threatened mammalian and avian fauna, are generally well liked and easily identifiable by rural landholders. Accordingly, they may play a key role in conservation strategies aimed at the protection of woodland and hollow‐dependent fauna in heavily modified landscapes of Australia's inland regions. However, invasive species, which tend to contribute to declines in native species inhabiting arid and semi‐arid Australia, are beneficial and important to pythons. Our study therefore highlights the diversity of effects that two major threats to biodiversity – habitat loss and invasive species – can have on different species within the same ecosystem.
“Bath salt” use among a nationally representative sample of high school seniors in the United States
Authors: Palamar Joseph J. 
Published: July 2015

Background and Objectives“Bath salts” are new drugs which have received extensive media attention. However, national studies in the US have not investigated prevalence or correlates of use.MethodsData were examined from Monitoring the Future, a representative sample of US high school seniors (2012–2013, N = 8,604).ResultsOnly 1.1% of high school seniors used “bath salts” in the last year and the strongest correlate of use was use of other drugs.Discussion and Conclusions“Bath salt” use is not very prevalent, but users of other drugs are at highest risk for use.Scientific SignificanceWe must continue to monitor new drugs in order to inform prevention and quickly detect potential epidemics. (Am J Addict 2015;24:488–491)
Race/ethnicity and quality indicators for outpatient treatment for substance use disorders
Authors: Acevedo Andrea , Garnick Deborah , Ritter Grant , Horgan Constance , Lundgren Lena 
Published: July 2015

Background and ObjectivesInitiation and engagement, performance measures that focus on the frequency and timely receipt of services in the early stages of substance use disorders (SUD) treatment, are useful tools for assessing treatment quality differences across racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are racial/ethnic disparities in these quality indicators and to explore whether predictors of treatment initiation and engagement differ by clients' race/ethnicity.MethodsThis study used administrative data from outpatient treatment facilities licensed by the state of Massachusetts that receive public funding. The sample consisted of 10,666 adult clients (76% White, 13% Latino, 11% Black) who began an outpatient treatment episode in 2006. Client data were linked with facility data from the National Survey on Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Multilevel regressions were used to examine racial/ethnic disparities and to explore whether predictors for initiation and engagement differed by client's race/ethnicity.ResultsWe did not find evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in treatment initiation or engagement. However, we found that predictors of initiation and engagement differed by client's race/ethnicity.Conclusions and Scientific SignificanceDisparities may be context specific, and thus it is important that they be examined at state or local levels. Our results point to the importance of examining predictors of quality indicators separately by group to better understand and address the needs of diverse client populations. (Am J Addict 2015;24:523–531)
Provider engagement and choice in the Lead Maternity Carer System: Evidence from Growing Up in New Zealand
Authors: Bartholomew Karen , Morton Susan M.B. , Atatoa Carr Polly E. , Bandara Dinusha K. , Grant Cameron C. 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundNew Zealand (NZ) has a unique choice‐based model of maternity care.AimsTo examine how engagement in antenatal care and choice of Lead Maternity Care provider (LMC) vary with maternal demographics.Materials and MethodsOur sample consisted of 6822 women enrolled during 2009 and 2010 into a longitudinal cohort study Growing Up in New Zealand. We asked if women had engaged a LMC, the type of LMC and whether they had a choice of LMC. Associations with maternal ethnicity, age, parity and education and household deprivation were determined.ResultsNinety‐eight per cent of women had engaged a LMC provider. Twelve per cent reported not experiencing choice and 11% not receiving their first choice of LMC provider. The reported LMC provider type was independent midwife (66%), hospital midwife (15%), private obstetrician (8%), shared midwife and general practitioner (GP) (5%) and GP‐only care (<1%). LMC provider type and choice varied with maternal demographics. Women not engaging a LMC were more likely to be non‐European, <20 years or >40 years old, with poorer educational attainment, or living in more deprived households. Women not experiencing choice of provider were more likely to be non‐European, <20 years old, or living in more deprived households.ConclusionsThe current unequal distribution of provider engagement and choice in NZ has relevance for a number of specific maternity policies, including policies seeking to improve engagement in antenatal care. The study findings have international relevance as an example of the impact of choice policies on equity.
Rectal misoprostol for myomectomy: A randomised placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Abdel‐Hafeez Mohamed , Elnaggar Ahmed , Ali Mohamed , Ismail Abdel Mgeed , Yacoub Mina 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundUterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumours in women. Misoprostol, which is widely used in the treatment and prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in obstetrics, may decrease intra‐operative bleeding in abdominal myomectomies when haemorrhage constitutes a challenging problem.AimsTo assess the effect on intra‐operative blood loss of using a single pre‐operative dose of rectal misoprostol in abdominal myomectomy surgeries.Materials and MethodsIn a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial, 50 women undergoing abdominal myomectomy for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of pre‐operative of rectal 400 μg misoprostol (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) 1 h before the operation. The primary outcome was intra‐operative blood loss. This clinical trial was registered in clinicaltrial.gov registry with number: NCT02061657.ResultsIntra‐operative blood loss was significantly lower in those women randomised to receive rectal misoprostol versus the placebo group (574 ± 194.8 mL vs 874 ± 171.5 mL). Additionally, the drop in postoperative haemoglobin was significantly less in the misoprostol group (1.7 ± 0.4 g/dL) compared with the placebo group (2.1 ± 0.5 g/dL).ConclusionA single pre‐operative dose of rectal misoprostol (400 μg) is a simple applicable method for reducing intra‐operative blood loss and operative time in abdominal myomectomy.
Bee venom enhances the differentiation of human regulatory T cells
Authors: Caramalho I. , Melo A. , Pedro E. , Barbosa M. M. P. , Victorino R. M. M. , Pereira Santos M. C. , Sousa A. E. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractVenom‐specific immunotherapy (VIT) is well recognized by its efficacy, and compelling evidence implicates regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the underlying tolerogenic mechanisms. Additionally, hymenoptera venom has for a long time been claimed to modulate immunity. Here, we investigated the putative role of bee venom (Bv) in human FOXP3‐expressing Treg homeostasis and differentiation, irrespective of the donors' allergic status. We found that Bv significantly enhanced the differentiation of FOXP3‐expressing cells both from conventional naïve CD4 T cells and mature CD4 thymocytes, a property that may contribute to the VIT′s capacity to expand circulating Tregs in allergic individuals. We expect that our data enlightening the Treg‐mediated immunomodulatory properties of Bv regardless of TCR specificity, to have application in other allergies, as well as in other clinical settings, such as autoimmunity and transplantation.
Financialization and Its Discontents: Israelis Negotiating Pensions
Authors: Weiss Hadas 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTAnthropologists have long been studying how people deal with risks and uncertainties and resist those that prove too punishing. They provide the bearings for a distinctly anthropological intervention into a key feature of financialization: the insinuation of finance, and of financial risk management, into household economics. I undertake such a project here through an ethnography of pension practices in Israel. I argue that people's perceived irrationality in their dealings with their insurers is in fact meaningful discontent. People expect to be protected insofar as they act responsibly as savers and citizens. Against this expectation, they are made to bear the risks of financial markets whose growth is won at their expense. I argue further that their discontent is depoliticized when they act from their positions as consumers rather than citizens. Negotiations within this framework deflect attention from the relationship of finance to exploitation.
The Ends of Anthropology: 2014 in U.S. Sociocultural Anthropology
Authors: Hankins Joseph D. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTIn this essay, I trace the operations of a moral optimism and a skepticism that lie, uneasily, at the foundation of sociocultural anthropology. As other authors of year‐in‐review pieces have noted, anthropology is motivated by a moral optimism pointing toward the possibilities of an ethically and politically better life. Equally as fundamental, I argue, is a rigorous skepticism interrogating the shifting conditions that give life to anthropology's possibility. Here, I follow the productive tension between these two stances through the sociocultural anthropology of 2014, loosely grouping that work under the rubrics of “ends,” “immediacy,” “ecology,” and “refusal.” Throughout, I make a push for increased attention to our ethic of skepticism as means of tempering the discipline's moral optimism. [optimism, skepticism, immediacy, connection, year in review, sociocultural anthropology]
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: long‐term results at St George Hospital, Australia
Authors: Alzahrani Nayef , Ferguson Jorgen S. , Valle Sarah J. , Liauw Winston , Chua Terence , Morris David L. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundPeritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) results from the secondary spread of many intraabdominal tumour types, such as colorectal malignancy (colorectal cancer, CRC), disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM), appendiceal cancer, ovarian carcinoma, sarcoma or from the occurrence of primary peritoneal disease such as peritoneal mesothelioma. The combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has seen improvements in survival in selected cases of these cancers.MethodsBetween 1996 and 2014, a prospective database of 675 patients was created for the peritonectomy unit at our hospital. In total, 827 peritonectomy procedures (including redo CRS) were performed for the major subgroups of PC: DPAM 220; appendiceal cancer (peritoneal mucinous adenocarcinoma (PMCA)) 191; CRC 234; diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) 73 and others 109. There were 152 redo‐peritonectomy procedures within the total mentioned earlier (CRC 26; DPAM 58; DMPM 18; appendix 40; other 10).ResultsThe 5‐year survivals for DPAM and PMCA were 80% and 42% respectively. The 5‐year survivals for appendiceal cancer with peritoneal cancer index (PCI) <10, 10–20 and >20 were 60, 57 and 37% respectively (P = 0.09). The 2‐ and 5‐year survivals for CRC were 56 and 24% respectively. The 5‐year survivals for PCI 0–5, 6–10, 11–15 and >15 were 59, 15, 7 and 0% respectively (P = 0.000). The 5‐year survival for DMPM with PCI < 10, 10–20 and >20 were 100, 55 and 39% respectively (P = 0.01).ConclusionCRS in combination with HIPEC provides a chance of long‐term survival in selected cases of PC when compared with systemic therapy alone.
Dynein, kinesin and morphological changes in optic nerve axons in a rat model with cerebrospinal fluid pressure reduction: the Beijing Intracranial and Intraocular Pressure (iCOP) study
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Wu Shen , Jonas Jost B. , Zhang Jingxue , Liu Kegao , Lu Qingjun , Wang Ningli 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeTo examine the influence of experimentally reduced cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) as compared to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) on axonal morphology and axonal motor proteins in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).MethodsThe experimental study included 39 rats which underwent cerebrospinal fluid drainage for 6 hr, 30 rats which unilaterally underwent IOP elevation for 6 hr and 30 rats in a control group. Six hours after baseline, the animals were killed and the eyes were histologically and immunohistochemically examined.ResultsIn experimental models in the high‐IOP group and the low‐CSFP group as compared to the control group, RGC axons became abnormally dilated and accumulated vesicles. Both groups as compared to the control group showed an accumulation of dynein IC (intermediate chain) at the optic nerve head and retina and a reduction in kinesin HC (heavy chain) immunoreactivity in the optic nerve fibre axons. As a corollary, Western blot analysis revealed an elevation of dynein IC protein levels in the optic nerve head and retina and a decrease in kinesin HC protein levels in the optic nerve.ConclusionsExperimental models with an acute IOP rise or with an acute CSFP reduction showed similar morphologic changes in the retinal ganglion cell axons and similar immunohistochemical changes in the axonal motor proteins kinesin HC and dynein IC. It supports the hypothesis that an experimental model with an acute reduction in CSFP as well as an experimental model with an acute rise in IOP may share similarities in the process of optic nerve damage.
Morning Glory Disc Anomaly in childhood – a population‐based study
Authors: Ceynowa Dylan J , Wickström Ronny , Olsson Monica , Ek Ulla , Eriksson Urban , Wiberg Maria Kristoffersen , Fahnehjelm Kristina Teär 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeTo report prevalence, ocular characteristics and coexisting neurological, behavioural, somatic and neuroradiological abnormalities in children and adolescents with morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA).MethodsIn a cross‐sectional population‐based study, 12 patients with MGDA, aged 2–20 years, were identified. All 12 agreed to ophthalmological assessments including visual functions, refraction, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ocular motor score (OMS). Neurological examinations and behavioural/developmental screening were carried out. Data from previous or new neuroradiological investigations were collected.ResultsThe prevalence of MGDA was 2.6/100 000. MGDA was unilateral in 11/12 patients with a best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the MGDA eye ranging from hand motion to 0.65 (median 0.06). Severe microphthalmus prevented unilaterality to be determined in one adolescent. All patients had a binocular BCVA of ≥0.5. OMS showed abnormalities in pupil response, vestibulo‐ocular reflex, stereo visual acuity, strabismus and convergence. OCT revealed peripapillary or macular oedema in 5/8 patients and foveal aplasia in 3/8 patients. Three patients had extensive capillary hemangiomas, of which one had PHACES syndrome and one had additional cerebrovascular anomalies and corpus callosum agenesis. Neuroradiology showed craniovascular anomalies in two patients. Neurology was mostly normal. Behavioural/developmental screening showed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in one patient.ConclusionsThe prevalence data, previously not reported, of morning glory disc anomaly was 2.6/100 000. Coexisting retinal peripapillary or macular oedema was common, as were cerebral abnormalities and/or cutaneous vascular malformations. The associated findings may not be discovered through routine ophthalmological examination why OCT and neuroimaging are called for.