bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pilot study of the impact of massage therapy on sources and levels of distress in brain tumour patients
Authors: Keir Stephen Thomas , Saling Julia R 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundPatients with brain tumours report elevated levels of distress across the disease course. Massage therapy is a commonly used complementary therapy and is employed in cancer care to reduce psychological stress and to improve quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this pilot study was to obtain a preliminary assessment of the effect of massage therapy on patient-reported psychological outcomes and QoL.Materials and methodsThis study was a prospective, single-arm intervention. Participants were newly diagnosed primary brain tumour patients who reported experiencing distress and who received a total of eight massages over a period of 4 weeks. Participants completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Distress Thermometer (DT) six times over a 5-week period.ResultsAs a group, levels of distress dropped significantly between baseline and week 3 (mean 4.19, SD 1.481, p≤0.025), with a further significant reduction in distress between week 3 and week 4 (p≤0.001). At the end of week 4, the DT scores of all participants were below the threshold for being considered distressed. By the end of the intervention, participants reported significant improvements in one test domain focused on emotional well-being.ConclusionsThis study further documents that brain tumour patients report high levels of distress across the disease course. However, participants in this study reported improvements in distress level and total number of sources of distress while receiving massage therapy.
Barriers to cervical screening in women who have experienced sexual abuse: an exploratory study: Table 1
Authors: Cadman Louise , Waller Jo , Ashdown-Barr Lesley , Szarewski Anne 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo explore self-reported cervical screening history and barriers to attendance among women who have been sexually abused and to identify measures to improve the experience of cervical screening for these women.MethodsWomen visiting the website of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), who had been sexually abused, were invited to complete a survey of their views and experiences of cervical screening. This included closed questions on demographic characteristics and cervical screening attendance, open questions on barriers to screening, and the opportunity to submit suggestions to improve this experience for women who have been sexually abused. Content analysis was used to code responses to the open questions. Four women also participated in a discussion group.ResultsOverall, 135 women completed the closed questions and 124 provided open-ended responses. 77.5% of responding women who were eligible for cervical screening in England had ever attended, 48.5% at least once in the previous 5 years, but 42.1% of women aged 25–49 within 3 years. A total of nine higher order themes were identified related to barriers to screening, one related to intention to attend screening and five related to suggestions to improve screening.ConclusionsThis study supports the idea that women who have experienced sexual abuse are less likely to attend for regular cervical screening, with under half screened in the last 5 years compared to the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme figure of 78.6%. Suggestions to improve the experience for abused women focused on communication, safety, trust and sharing control. Further research in this area is warranted to ensure that this at-risk population is appropriately served by cervical screening.
Interstitial Fluid Pressure and Associated Lymph Node Metastasis Revealed in Tumors by Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI
Authors: Hompland Tord , Ellingsen Christine , Øvrebø Kirsti Marie , Rofstad Einar K. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) in tumors can cause metastatic dissemination and treatment resistance, but its study poses a challenge because of a paucity of noninvasive imaging strategies. In this study, we address this issue by reporting the development of a noninvasive tool to assess tumor IFP and interstitial hypertension-induced lymph node metastasis. Using mouse xenograft models of several types of human cancer, we used gadolinium diethylene-triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) as a contrast agent for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Immediately after Gd-DTPA administration, a high-signal-intensity rim was observed in the tumor periphery, which moved outward with time. Assuming the velocity of Gd-DTPA to be equal to the fluid flow velocity, we used a simple model of peritumoral interstitial fluid flow to calculate the fluid flow velocity at the tumor surface (v0) based on the rim movement. Significant positive correlations were found between v0 and IFP in all tumor xenografts. Moreover, the primary tumors of metastasis-positive mice displayed higher IFP and v0 than the primary tumors of metastasis-negative mice. Findings were confirmed in cervical cancer patients with pelvic lymph node metastases, where we found v0 to be higher compared with patients without lymph node involvement (P &lt; 0.00001). Together, these findings establish that Gd-DTPA-based DCE-MRI can noninvasively visualize tumor IFP, and they reveal the potential for v0 determined by this method to serve as a novel general biomarker of tumor aggressiveness. Cancer Res; 72(19); 4899–908. ©2012 AACR.
Demonstration of Blood Pressure-Independent Noninfarct Myocardial Fibrosis in Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Freel E. Marie , Mark Patrick B. , Weir Robin A.P. , McQuarrie Emily P. , Allan Karen , Dargie Henry J. , McClure John D. , Jardine Alan G. , Davies Eleanor , Connell John M.C. 
Published: October 2012

Background—
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is common and associates with excess cardiovascular morbidity independent of blood pressure. Exposure to aldosterone and sodium leads to cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy in humans and animals possibly mediated by inflammation and oxidative stress. We aimed to clarify the effects of aldosterone excess on myocardial structure and composition in human subjects with PA and essential hypertension using contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging as well as explore the mechanistic basis for any observed differences.

Methods and Results—

Twenty-seven subjects with recently diagnosed PA and 54 essential hypertension controls were recruited. Subjects underwent gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance; noninfarct related myocardial fibrosis was identified by a diffuse pattern of late gadolinium enhancement. Patients also underwent assessment of pulse wave velocity, measurement of circulating superoxide anion and C-reactive protein, as well as blood pressure and biochemical assessment. Subjects were well matched with no difference in severity or duration of hypertension. There was a significant increase in the frequency of noninfarct late gadolinium enhancement in PA (70%) when compared with essential hypertension subjects (13%;
P
<0.0001) with no difference in left ventricular mass. Pulse wave velocity, superoxide, and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in subjects with PA.

Conclusions—
These data illustrate that patients with PA exhibit frequent myocardial fibrosis as demonstrated by late gadolinium enhancement using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; this finding is independent of blood pressure. This may be mediated partly through inflammation and oxidative stress. This study highlights the importance of specific targeting of aldosterone excess as well as blood pressure reduction to minimize cardiac morbidity in PA.
Analysis of Permafrost Thermal Dynamics and Response to Climate Change in the CMIP5 Earth System Models
Authors: Koven Charles D. , Riley William J. , Stern Alex 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe authors analyze global climate model predictions of soil temperature [from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) database] to assess the models’ representation of current-climate soil thermal dynamics and their predictions of permafrost thaw during the twenty-first century. The authors compare the models’ predictions with observations of active layer thickness, air temperature, and soil temperature and with theoretically expected relationships between active layer thickness and air temperature annual mean- and seasonal-cycle amplitude. Models show a wide range of current permafrost areas, active layer statistics (cumulative distributions, correlations with mean annual air temperature, and amplitude of seasonal air temperature cycle), and ability to accurately model the coupling between soil and air temperatures at high latitudes. Many of the between-model differences can be traced to differences in the coupling between either near-surface air and shallow soil temperatures or shallow and deeper (1 m) soil temperatures, which in turn reflect differences in snow physics and soil hydrology. The models are compared with observational datasets to benchmark several aspects of the permafrost-relevant physics of the models. The CMIP5 models following multiple representative concentration pathways (RCP) show a wide range of predictions for permafrost loss: 2%–66% for RCP2.6, 15%–87% for RCP4.5, and 30%–99% for RCP8.5. Normalizing the amount of permafrost loss by the amount of high-latitude warming in the RCP4.5 scenario, the models predict an absolute loss of 1.6 ± 0.7 million km2 permafrost per 1°C high-latitude warming, or a fractional loss of 6%–29% °C−1.
Does the Modified Harris Hip Score Reflect Patient Satisfaction After Hip Arthroscopy?
Authors: Aprato Alessandro , Jayasekera Narlaka , Villar Richard N. 
Published: October 2012

Background: No published studies have explored the relationship between commonly reported clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction after hip arthroscopy. Purpose: To compare the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) with patient satisfaction in a prospective study over a 2-year period. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We reviewed our institutional database for prospectively collected mHHS and patient satisfaction data from 697 patients. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 and 2 years after surgery. Results: The mHHS correlated with patient satisfaction at 1 year ( P < .001, Pearson R = 0.451) and at 2 years ( P < .001, Pearson R = .454). Considering scores from excellent to good as positive results and from fair to poor as negative results, sensitivity was 73% at 1 year and 77% at 2 years. Respectively, the specificity was 64% and 73%, positive predictive value 86% and 91%, negative predictive value 45% and 46%, and accuracy 71% and 76%. At 1- and 2-year follow-up, a respective 55% and 54% of patients with fair to poor mHHS were satisfied with the outcome of hip arthroscopy. In contrast, for those patients with an excellent to good mHHS at 1 and 2 years after surgery, 14% and 9%, respectively, were dissatisfied with their outcome. Conclusion: Our results show a correlation between patient satisfaction and the mHHS but also demonstrate a limitation of the mHHS as an outcome measure in the prediction of patient satisfaction. Further investigation is required to assess factors beyond current standard orthopaedic clinical outcome measures that may influence patient satisfaction after hip arthroscopy.
Reduction of aflatoxin in rice by different cooking methods
Authors: Sani Ali Mohamadi , Azizi Eisa Gholampour , Salehi Esmaeel Ataye , Rahimi Khadije 
Published: October 2012

Rice ( Oryza sativa Linn) is one of the basic diets in the north of Iran. The aim of present study was to detect total aflatoxin (AFT) in domestic and imported rice in Amol (in the north of Iran) and to evaluate the effect of different cooking methods on the levels of the toxin. For this purpose, 42 rice samples were collected from retail stores. The raw samples were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique for toxin assessment and then submitted to two different cooking methods including traditional local method and in rice cooker. After treatment, AFT was determined. Results show that the average concentration of AFT in domestic and imported samples was 1.08 ± 0.02 and 1.89 ± 0.87 ppb, respectively, which is lower than national and European Union standards. The highest AFT reduction (24.8%) was observed when rice samples were cooked by rice cooker but the difference with local method was not statistically significant ( p > 0.05).
Evaluation of clinical pharmacists’ follow-up service in an oncology pain clinic
Authors: Ryan Nikki , Chambers Carole , Ralph Christopher , England Dean , Cusano Frances 
Published: October 2012

Background: Patients who present with pain in an oncology setting are often complex and require a multidisciplinary approach for symptom control. The Pain and Symptom Control Clinic at Tom Baker Cancer Center includes two pharmacists who participate in weekly multidisciplinary clinics and provide a follow-up service to patients. Objective: This study will assess the impact of the pharmacists’ follow-up service with respect to activities performed as well as patient and health care professional satisfaction. The activities performed will also be compared to defined objectives for pharmacy practice in a hospital setting. Methods: Activities performed by the pharmacists over a 10-week period were recorded and tabulated. Online surveys were completed by health care professionals and telephone surveys were completed by patients 1 month post clinic visit. Results: Over 6 weeks, 44 patients assessed in clinic required follow-up from a pharmacist. There was an average of 2.3 interactions per patient and an average time of 85 min was spent on each patient outside of clinic. The three activities that occurred most frequently included: (1) interacting with other health care professionals, (2) making alterations to patients’ medication regimens, and (3) organizing refills. All health care professionals surveyed felt that the pharmacists’ follow-up service was a valuable component of the Pain and Symptom Control Clinic and nearly all patients surveyed reported a positive experience with the service received. Conclusion: The inclusion of pharmacists in the Pain and Symptom Control Clinic is favored by patients and health care professionals and provides increased efficiency to the clinic.
Concussion in Sports
Authors: McCrea Heather J. , Perrine Kenneth , Niogi Sumit , Härtl Roger 
Published: October 2012

Context: Recently, concussion has become a topic of much discussion within sports. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the literature concerning the definition of concussion, management of initial injury, return to play, and future health risks. Evidence Acquisition: This article reviews the most recent findings on recognizing and managing sports-related concussion, which has become a significant health risk. We reviewed articles from the literature discussing concussion and its effects. Results: Though concussion patients typically have negative head imaging, imaging is warranted in those with severe mechanism, significant loss of consciousness, focal neurologic deficit, or worsening symptoms. The existence of “second-impact syndrome,” whereby a first minor head injury predisposes an athlete to later catastrophic injury, remains controversial; however, it is clear that concussion has significant effects on a patient and should be considered carefully in return-to-play decisions. Conclusions: A comprehensive understanding of concussion and its related risks is important in making return-to-play decisions as well as health care and league policy.
Long-term follow-up of hematologic relapse-free survival in a phase 2 study of blinatumomab in patients with MRD in B-lineage ALL
Authors: Topp Max S. , Gökbuget Nicola , Zugmaier Gerhard , Degenhard Evelyn , Goebeler Marie-Elisabeth , Klinger Matthias , Neumann Svenja A. , Horst Heinz A. , Raff Thorsten , Viardot Andreas , Stelljes Matthias , Schaich Markus , Köhne-Volland Rudolf , Brüggemann Monika , Ottmann Oliver G. , Burmeister Thomas , Baeuerle Patrick A. , Nagorsen Dirk , Schmidt Margit , Einsele Hermann , Riethmüller Gert , Kneba Michael , Hoelzer Dieter , Kufer Peter , Bargou Ralf C. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Persistence or recurrence of minimal residual disease (MRD) after chemotherapy results in clinical relapse in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In a phase 2 trial of B-lineage ALL patients with persistent or relapsed MRD, a T cell–engaging bispecific Ab construct induced an 80% MRD response rate. In the present study, we show that after a median follow-up of 33 months, the hematologic relapse-free survival of the entire evaluable study cohort of 20 patients was 61% (Kaplan-Meier estimate). The hema-tologic relapse-free survival rate of a subgroup of 9 patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after blinatumomab treatment was 65% (Kaplan-Meier estimate). Of the subgroup of 6 Philadelphia chromosome–negative MRD responders with no further therapy after blinatumomab, 4 are in ongoing hematologic and molecular remission. We conclude that blinatumomab can induce long-lasting complete remission in B-lineage ALL patients with persistent or recurrent MRD. The original study and this follow-up study are registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00198991 and NCT00198978, respectively.
Subcongenic analysis of tabw2obesity QTL on mouse chromosome 6
Authors: Stewart Taryn P , Mao Xia , Aqqad Maha N , Uffort Deon , Dillon Kristy D , Saxton Arnold M , Kim Jung Han 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
We previously established a congenic mouse strain with TALLYHO/Jng (TH) donor segment on chromosome 6 in a C57BL/6 (B6) background that harbors an obesity quantitative trait locus, tabw2. The B6.TH-tabw2 congenic mice developed increased adiposity that became exacerbated upon feeding a high fat-high sucrose (HFS) diet. To fine map the tabw2, in this study we generated and characterized subcongenic lines with smaller TH donor segments.

Results
We fixed four subcongenic lines, with maximum size of donor segment retained in the lines ranging from 10.8 – 92.5 Mb. For mapping, all the subcongenic mice, along with B6.TH-tabw2 congenic and B6-homozygous control mice were fed either chow or HFS diets, and their post-mortem fat pads were weighed. Mice were also characterized for energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio, locomotor activity, and food intake. As previously reported, B6.TH-tabw2 congenic mice showed a significantly larger fat mass than controls on both diets. On chow, a subcongenic line retaining the distal region of the TH donor congenic interval exhibited significantly larger fat mass than B6-homozygous controls, and comparable that to B6.TH-tabw2 congenic mice. Two nested subcongenic lines within that region suggested that the effect of tabw2 on obesity could be attributed to at least two subloci. On HFS diets, on the other hand, all the subcongenic mice had significantly larger fat mass than controls without genotype differences, but none of them had fat mass as large as the original congenic mice. This possibly implicates that further genetic complexity involves in the effect of tabw2 on diet-induced obesity. Significantly reduced locomotor activity was exhibited in B6.TH-tabw2 congenic and subcongenic mice compared to controls when animals were fed HFS diets. B6.TH-tabw2 congenic mice, but not subcongenic mice, also had significantly increased food intake on HFS diets.

Conclusions
It appears that at least two subloci explaining the tabw2 effect under chow feeding map to the distal region of the congenic interval, whereas the diet-induced obesity mediated by tabw2 is attributed to more complex genetic mechanism.
Polymorphisms in ERCC1, GSTs, TS and MTHFR predict clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated with platinum/5-Fu-based chemotherapy: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Zhen , Chen Jun-qiang , Liu Jin-lu , Qin Xin-gan , Huang Yuan 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Despite genetic polymorphism in response to platinum/5-Fu chemotherapy in gastric cancer (GC) has been studied, data reported so far are conflicting and critical consideration is needed before translation to the treatment of GC.

Methods
We performed a meta-analysis by using 20 eligible studies to examine polymorphisms of ERCC1, GSTs, TS and MTHFR in predicting clinical outcomes (response rate, overall survival and toxicity) of GC patients treated with platinum/5-Fu-based chemotherapy. The association was measured using random/fixed effect odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) combined with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to the studies’ heterogeneity. Statistical analysis was performed with the software STATA 9.0 package.

Results
No significant association was found between response rate and genetic polymorphism in TS, MTHFR, ERCC1, GSTM1 and GSTP1. However, response rate was higher in GSTT1 (+) genotype compared with GSTT1 (−) genotype (T-/T+: OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.97). With regard to long term outcomes, we could observe a significant longer overall survival in TS 3R/3R [(2R2R+2R3R)/3R3R: HR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.02–1.64] and GSTP1 GG/GA [(GG+AG)/AA: HR=0.51, 95% CI: (0.39, 0.67)] genotypes. In addition, significant association was demonstrated between toxicity and genetic polymorphism in TS, MTHFR and GSTP1 in included studies.

Conclusion
Polymorphisms of ERCC1, GSTs, TS and MTHFR were closely associated with clinical outcomes of GC patients treated with platinum/5-Fu-based chemotherapy. Studies with large sample size using the method of multi-variant analyses may help us to give more persuasive data on the putative association in future.