bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Unpacking the home’ – a social science approach to researching dying at home
Authors: Turner M. , Seamark D. , Milligan C. , Brearley S. , Wang X. , Blake S. , Payne S. 
Published: May 2012

IntroductionCurrent UK end of life care policy places high priority on patients having choice about their place of care, and promotes dying at home, based on an assumption that there are family carers able and willing to provide care for the dying person.Aims and MethodsThis paper will discuss how perspectives from a range of social sciences were brought together to investigate the experiences of people caring for a dying family member at home. Researchers with expertise in social gerontology, health geography, health psychology, primary care, medical sociology, nursing and palliative care collaborated to develop a two-year study. Their combined perspectives are being used to investigate how family carers experience ‘dying at home’. As user involvement is also important in social science research, individuals with experience of caring for a dying family member at home have helped to develop the research, and will continue to be involved throughout the study.ResultsA proposal was successfully funded through peer-reviewed competition. The qualitative design uses in-depth interviews with up to 50 bereaved carers in the north and south of England recruited via GP practices. Pilot interviews in both areas have been conducted. Using the principles of grounded theory, a cross-sectional thematic analysis of all data will be undertaken, followed by a narrative analysis of a subset of 30 transcripts.ConclusionA social science approach can offer perspectives on cultural beliefs and practices that would not be captured using a single disciplinary approach.
Diagnostic performance of procalcitonin for hospitalised children with acute pyelonephritis presenting to the paediatric emergency department
Authors: Chen Shan-Ming , Chang Hung-Ming , Hung Tung-Wei , Chao Yu-Hua , Tsai Jeng-Dau , Lue Ko-Huang , Sheu Ji-Nan 
Published: May 2012

ObjectivesUrinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection in children that can result in permanent renal damage. This study prospectively assessed the diagnostic performance of procalcitonin (PCT) for predicting acute pyelonephritis (APN) among children with febrile UTI presenting to the paediatric emergency department (ED).MethodsChildren aged ≤10 years with febrile UTI admitted to hospital from the paediatric ED were prospectively studied. Blood PCT, C reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count were measured in the ED. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, multilevel likelihood ratios, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess quantitative variables for diagnosing APN.ResultsThe 136 enrolled patients (56 boys and 80 girls; age range 1 month to 10 years) were divided into APN (n=87) and lower UTI (n=49) groups according to99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scan results. The cut-off value for maximum diagnostic performance of PCT was 1.3 ng/ml (sensitivity 86.2%, specificity 89.8%). By multivariate regression analysis, only PCT and CRP were retained as significant predictors of APN. Comparing ROC curves, PCT had a significantly greater area under the curve than CRP, WBC count and fever for differentiating between APN and lower UTI.ConclusionsPCT has better sensitivity and specificity than CRP and WBC count for distinguishing between APN and lower UTI. PCT is a valuable marker for predicting APN in children with febrile UTI. It may be considered in the initial investigation and therapeutic strategies for children presenting to the ED.
FGFR4 Blockade Exerts Distinct Antitumorigenic Effects in Human Embryonal versus Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Crose Lisa E.S. , Etheridge Katherine T. , Chen Candy , Belyea Brian , Talbot Lindsay J. , Bentley Rex C. , Linardic Corinne M. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignancy with features of skeletal muscle, and the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. Survival for high-risk groups is approximately 30% at 5 years and there are no durable therapies tailored to its genetic aberrations. During genetic modeling of the common RMS variants, embryonal RMS (eRMS) and alveolar RMS (aRMS), we noted that the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) was upregulated as an early event in aRMS. Herein, we evaluated the expression of FGFR4 in eRMS compared with aRMS, and whether FGFR4 had similar or distinct roles in their tumorigenesis.Experimental Design: Human RMS cell lines and tumor tissue were analyzed for FGFR4 expression by immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Genetic and pharmacologic loss-of-function of FGFR4 using virally transduced short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and the FGFR small-molecule inhibitor PD173074, respectively, were used to study the role of FGFR4 in RMS cell lines in vitro and xenografts in vivo. Expression of the antiapoptotic protein BCL2L1 was also examined.Results: FGFR4 is expressed in both RMS subtypes, but protein expression is higher in aRMS. The signature aRMS gene fusion product, PAX3-FOXO1, induced FGFR4 expression in primary human myoblasts. In eRMS, FGFR4 loss-of-function reduced cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft formation in vivo. In aRMS, it diminished cell survival in vitro. In myoblasts and aRMS, FGFR4 was necessary and sufficient for expression of BCL2L1 whereas in eRMS, this induction was not observed, suggesting differential FGFR4 signaling.Conclusion: These studies define dichotomous roles for FGFR4 in RMS subtypes, and support further study of FGFR4 as a therapeutic target. Clin Cancer Res; 18(14); 3780–90. ©2012 AACR.
Defective Epidermal Innate Immunity and Resultant Superficial Dermatophytosis in Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Authors: Sawada Yu , Nakamura Motonobu , Kabashima-Kubo Rieko , Shimauchi Takatoshi , Kobayashi Miwa , Tokura Yoshiki 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Purpose: Superficial dermatophytosis is quite commonly seen in patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), as approximately 50% of the patients develop cutaneous mycotic infections. Because superficially infected fungi in the stratum corneum of the epidermis cannot directly contact with T cells infiltrating in the upper dermis, some perturbation of epidermal innate immunity has been postulated. Interleukin (IL)-17–producing helper T cells (Th17) can induce the keratinocyte production of antimicrobial peptides such as human β defensin (HBD)-2 and LL-37, which play an essential role in cutaneous innate immunity.
Experimental Design: We investigated the frequency of circulating Th17 cells, serum levels of cytokines, and epidermal expression of HBD-1, 2, 3, and LL-37 in ATLL patients with or without superficial dermatophytosis.
Results: The frequency of peripheral Th17 cells and the serum level of IL-17 was significantly decreased in ATLL patients, whereas the serum IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels were increased as compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, ATLL patients with dermatophytosis had higher IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels and lower IL-17 levels than did those without dermatophytosis. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the epidermal expression of both HBD-2 and LL-37 were significantly lower in ATLL patients with dermatophytosis than in non-ATLL patients with dermatophytosis.
Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggest that the keratinocyte production of antimicrobial peptides promoted by Th17 cells is reduced in ATLL patients, leading to the perturbed innate immunity and the frequent occurrence of superficial dermatophytosis. Clin Cancer Res; 18(14); 3772–9. ©2012 AACR.
Multisite Validation Study to Determine Performance Characteristics of a 92-Gene Molecular Cancer Classifier
Authors: Kerr Sarah E. , Schnabel Catherine A. , Sullivan Peggy S. , Zhang Yi , Singh Veena , Carey Brittany , Erlander Mark G. , Highsmith W. Edward , Dry Sarah M. , Brachtel Elena F. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Purpose: Accurate tumor classification is essential for cancer management as patient outcomes improve with use of site- and subtype-specific therapies. Current clinicopathologic evaluation is varied in approach, yet standardized diagnoses are critical for determining therapy. While gene expression–based cancer classifiers may potentially meet this need, imperative to determining their application to patient care is validation in rigorously designed studies. Here, we examined the performance of a 92-gene molecular classifier in a large multi-institution cohort.
Experimental Design: Case selection incorporated specimens from more than 50 subtypes, including a range of tumor grades, metastatic and primary tumors, and limited tissue samples. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors passed pathologist-adjudicated review between three institutions. Tumor classification using a 92-gene quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was conducted on blinded tumor sections from 790 cases and compared with adjudicated diagnoses.
Results: The 92-gene assay showed overall sensitivities of 87% for tumor type [95% confidence interval (CI), 84–89] and 82% for subtype (95% CI, 79–85). Analyses of metastatic tumors, high-grade tumors, or cases with limited tissue showed no decrease in comparative performance (P = 0.16, 0.58, and 0.16). High specificity (96%–100%) was showed for ruling in a primary tumor in organs commonly harboring metastases. The assay incorrectly excluded the adjudicated diagnosis in 5% of cases.
Conclusions: The 92-gene assay showed strong performance for accurate molecular classification of a diverse set of tumor histologies. Results support potential use of the assay as a standardized molecular adjunct to routine clinicopathologic evaluation for tumor classification and primary site diagnosis. Clin Cancer Res; 18(14); 3952–60. ©2012 AACR.
α-Catulin Marks the Invasion Front of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Is Important for Tumor Cell Metastasis
Authors: Cao Christine , Chen Yibu , Masood Rizwan , Sinha Uttam K. , Kobielak Agnieszka 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) comprise the most common types of human epithelial cancers. One subtype, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is a particularly aggressive cancer with poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and lymph node metastasis. Of all the processes involved in carcinogenesis, local invasion and distant metastasis are clinically the most relevant, but are the least well understood on a molecular level. Here, we find that in vivo, the α-catenin homologue—α-catulin, a protein originally reported to interact with Lbc Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is highly expressed at the tumor invasion front and in the metastatic streams of cells in both malignant hHNSCCs and a mouse model of oral SCC. Knockdown of α-catulin in hHNSCC cell lines dramatically decrease the migratory and invasive potential of those cells in vitro and metastatic potential in xenotransplants in vivo. Analysis of tumors deficient in α-catulin showed that the tumor cells are unable to invade the surrounding stroma. Accordingly, transcriptional profiling of those tumors revealed that α-catulin ablation is accompanied by changes in genes involved in cell migration and invasion. Interestingly enough, in vitro experiments show that an upregulation of α-catulin expression correlates with the transition of tumor cells from an epithelial to a mesenchymal morphology, as well as an upregulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers vimentin and snail. Overall, these results strongly indicate that α-catulin contributes to the invasive behavior of metastatic cells and may be used as a prognostic marker and future therapeutic target for patients with cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 10(7); 892–903. ©2012 AACR.
Predictors of Objectively Measured Medication Nonadherence in Adults With Heart Failure
Authors: Riegel Barbara , Lee Christopher S. , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , De Geest Sabina , Potashnik Sheryl , Patey Megan , Sayers Steven L. , Goldberg Lee R. , Weintraub William S. 
Published: May 2012

Background—
Medication nonadherence rates are high. The factors predicting nonadherence in heart failure remain unclear.

Methods and Results—

A sample of 202 adults with heart failure was enrolled from the northeastern United States and followed for 6 months. Specific aims were to describe the types of objectively measured medication adherence (eg, taking, timing, dosing, drug holidays) and to identify contributors to nonadherence 6 months after enrollment. Latent growth mixture modeling was used to identify distinct trajectories of adherence. Indicators of the 5 World Health Organization dimensions of adherence (socioeconomic, condition, therapy, patient, and healthcare system) were tested to identify contributors to nonadherence. Two distinct trajectories were identified and labeled persistent adherence (77.8%) and steep decline (22.3%). Three contributors to the steep decline in adherence were identified. Participants with lapses in attention (adjusted OR, 2.65;
P
=0.023), those with excessive daytime sleepiness (OR, 2.51;
P
=0.037), and those with ≥2 medication dosings per day (OR, 2.59;
P
=0.016) were more likely to have a steep decline in adherence over time than to have persistent adherence.

Conclusions—
Two distinct patterns of adherence were identified. Three potentially modifiable contributors to nonadherence have been identified.
Comparative Effectiveness of Population Interventions to Improve Access to Reperfusion for ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Australia
Authors: Ranasinghe Isuru , Turnbull Fiona , Tonkin Andrew , Clark Robyn A. , Coffee Neil , Brieger David 
Published: May 2012

Background—
Improving timely access to reperfusion is a major goal of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction care. We sought to compare the population impact of interventions proposed to improve timely access to reperfusion therapy in Australia.

Methods and Results—
Australian hospitals, population, and road network data were integrated using Geographical Information Systems. Hospitals were classified into those that provided primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) or fibrinolysis. Population impact of interventions proposed to improve timely access to reperfusion (PPCI, fibrinolysis, or both) were modeled and compared. Timely access to reperfusion was defined as the proportion of the population capable of reaching a fibrinolysis facility ≤60 minutes or a PPCI facility ≤120 minutes from emergency medical services activation. The majority (93.2%) of the Australian population has timely access to reperfusion, mainly (53%) through fibrinolysis. Only 40.2% of the population had timely access to PPCI, and access to PPCI services is particularly limited in regional and nonexistent in remote areas. Optimizing the emergency medical services’ response or increasing PPCI services resulted in marginal improvement in timely access (1.8% and 3.7%, respectively). Direct transport to PPCI facilities and interhospital transfer for PPCI improves timely access to PPCI for 19.4% and 23.5% of the population, respectively. Prehospital fibrinolysis markedly improved access to timely reperfusion in regional and remote Australia.

Conclusions—
Significant gaps in timely provision of reperfusion remain in Australia. Systematic implementation of changes in service delivery has potential to improve timely access to PPCI for a majority of the population and improve access to fibrinolysis to those living in regional and remote areas.
UV Absorption Hygrometer for Fast-Response Airborne Water Vapor Measurements
Authors: Beaton Stuart P. , Spowart Mike 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
A next-generation vacuum-ultraviolet (Lyman-alpha) absorption hygrometer for high-rate research aircraft humidity measurements designed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research is described. It retains the high data rate, optical and mechanical simplicity, and low maintenance of previous Lyman-alpha hygrometers, while incorporating modern electronics and rugged, long-lived commercially available lamps and detectors. The mass of the sensing head is 2.0 kg in a volume of 3700 cm3, while the power supply is 1.3 kg mass in a volume of 1100 cm3. Power draw is 0.2 A at 120 V alternating current (AC). In bench and aircraft flight testing the prototype shows a bandwidth of 35 Hz and mixing ratio noise of ±0.5% over a water vapor mixing ratio range of 2–15 g kg−1. This range can be scaled to lower mixing ratios by increasing the pathlength. This performance enables measurements of water vapor concentration with high spatial resolution from research aircraft. The prototype instrument has flown over 380 h with minimal maintenance or repairs.
A randomized controlled trial of Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy on the recovery of arm function in acute stroke patients
Authors: Chanubol Ratanapat , Wongphaet Parit , Chavanich Napapit , Werner Cordula , Hesse Stefan , Bardeleben Anita , Merholz Jan 
Published: May 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy (Perfetti’s method) vis-à-vis conventional occupational therapy in the recovery of arm function after acute stroke. Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: Two rehabilitation centers in Bangkok, Thailand. Subjects: Forty first-time acute stroke patients without severe cognitive or language impairment. Intervention: All subjects were randomly divided into two groups; one was treated using Perfetti’s method and the other using conventional occupational therapy. Each group underwent therapy for 30 minutes, five times a week for four weeks. Main measures: The primary variable was arm function as assessed by the Action Research Arm Test; secondary variables were the extended Barthel Index and the box and block test score. Results: The intention-to-treat analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups at the end of treatment for any variable. Conclusions: There was no evidence of a difference between Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy of Perfetti’s method and conventional occupational therapy with respect to the restoration of hand and arm function after a stroke.
Primary trigeminal afferents are the main source for stimulus-induced CGRP release into jugular vein blood and CSF
Authors: Hoffmann Jan , Wecker Sascha , Neeb Lars , Dirnagl Ulrich , Reuter Uwe 
Published: May 2012

Background: Administration of inflammatory soup (IS) leads to a significant release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Whether IS-induced CGRP release originates in primary or secondary neurons of the trigeminovascular system has not been clarified. Methods: We determined CGRP release into the external jugular vein and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following intracisternal IS administration using an in vivo rat model. We further performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry of the trigeminal ganglion and brainstem (trigeminal nucleus caudalis). To further elucidate a primary vs. secondary origin, experiments were repeated after neonatal capsaicin treatment (NCT) as this treatment destroys primary trigeminal afferents. Results: IS-induced CGRP release into the external jugular vein and CSF were significantly reduced after NCT in both compartments but inhibition was more pronounced in jugular vein blood than in CSF. Baseline CGRP levels were not affected by NCT. PCR results show that following NCT, CGRP mRNA was significantly reduced in the trigeminal ganglion but not in the brainstem. Immunohistochemistry of the TG and brainstem support these results. Conclusions: We conclude that resting state CGRP levels can be maintained after trigeminal denervation of the meninges. However, for functional purposes primary trigeminal afferents are mandatory as they are the major source for stimulus-induced CGRP release.
Spine and Axial Skeleton Injuries in the National Football League
Authors: Mall Nathan A. , Buchowski Jacob , Zebala Lukas , Brophy Robert H. , Wright Rick W. , Matava Matthew J. 
Published: May 2012

Background: The majority of previous literature focusing on spinal injuries in American football players is centered around catastrophic injuries; however, this may underestimate the true number of these injuries in this athletic cohort. Purpose: The goals of this study were to (1) report the incidence of spinal and axial skeleton injuries, both minor and severe, in the National Football League (NFL) over an 11-year period; (2) determine the incidence of spinal injury by injury type, anatomic location, player position, mechanism of injury, and type of exposure (practice vs game); and (3) determine the average number of practices and days missed because of injury for each injury type. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: All documented injuries to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine; pelvis; ribs; and spinal cord were retrospectively analyzed using the NFL’s injury surveillance database over a period of 11 seasons from 2000 through 2010. The data were analyzed by the number of injuries per athlete-exposure, the anatomic location and type of injury, player position, mechanism of injury, and number of days missed per injury. Results: A total of 2208 injuries occurred to the spine or axial skeleton over an 11-season interval in the NFL, with a mean loss of 25.7 days per injury. This represented 7% of the total injuries during this time period. Of these 2208 injuries, 987 (44.7%) occurred in the cervical spine. Time missed from play was greatest for thoracic disc herniations (189 days/injury). Other injuries that had a mean time missed greater than 30 days included (in descending order) cervical fracture (120 days/injury), cervical disc degeneration/herniation (85 days/injury), spinal cord injury (77 days/injury), lumbar disc degeneration/herniation (52 days/injury), thoracic fracture (34 days/injury), and thoracic nerve injury (30 days/injury). Offensive linemen were the most likely to suffer a spinal injury, followed by defensive backs, defensive linemen, and linebackers. Blocking and tackling were the 2 most frequent injury mechanisms reported. Conclusion: Spinal and axial skeleton injuries occur frequently in the NFL and can result in significant time missed from practices and games. Tackling and blocking result in the greatest number of injuries, and players performing these activities are the most likely to sustain a spinal injury. The results of this study may be used as an impetus to formulate strategies to prevent spinal injuries in American football players.
The sustainable shape recovery of polyurethane copolymer grafted with pendant anthryl group under extremely low temperature conditions
Authors: Chung Yong-Chan , Chung Hyang Mi , Choi Jae Won , Chun Byoung Chul 
Published: May 2012

The impact of the pendant anthryl group on the low temperature flexibility and tensile properties of a polyurethane block copolymer was investigated. The pendant anthryl group was designed to interrupt molecular interactions and to disturb the close contact between polyurethane (PU) chains through its rigid aromatic rings; thus, to improve the flexibility at extremely low temperatures, while maintaining high and reproducible tensile properties and the shape recovery at ambient temperatures. The attachment of the anthryl group was confirmed using the infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy. Increasing the anthryl content led to an unusual increase in the crosslink density due to partial crosslinking by the grafting reagent. The shape recovery and retention results were reproducible after performing repeated shape memory tests. Finally, the effect of the anthryl group on the shape recovery at −30 °C was compared with that of linear PU, and the reason for the remarkable flexibility at low temperature is discussed.