bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A phase II study of gemcitabine plus paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer and prior anthracycline treatment
Authors: XU Binghe , SHEN Zhenzhou , JIANG Zefei , GUAN Zhongzhen , ZHANG Xiaoqing 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim:  To investigate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine‐paclitaxel in Chinese patients with metastatic breast cancer following anthracycline failure in a multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm, phase II clinical trial.Methods:  Chinese female patients with unresectable, locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer who had relapsed after neo‐adjuvant anthracycline‐based chemotherapy were included. All patients had measurable disease and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 at baseline. Gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2)‐paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) was administered on a 3‐weekly schedule until disease progression, and patients were followed up for 12 months (post‐enrolment). The primary end point was objective response rate; secondary end points included duration of response, progression‐free survival and overall survival.Results:  Overall 60 patients were enrolled. Their mean age was 46.9 (SD ± 9.0) years and 90% of patients had metastatic disease. All patients had previously received chemotherapy. A total of 48 patients (80%) completed the 12‐month follow up, and 40 patients (67%) completed at least six cycles of study therapy. The objective response rate (complete response + partial response) was 50% (95% CI: 36.6–63.4). Median duration of response was 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.4–7.6) and median progression‐free survival was 7.6 months (95% CI: 5.8–8.8). Overall survival at 12 months was 87% (95% CI: 77.9–95.2). Laboratory toxicities were primarily hematologic, including Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia (n = 27 [45%]) and leukopenia (n = 18 [30%]). Eight patient deaths (13%) were not treatment‐related.Conclusion:  Gemcitabine‐paclitaxel combination therapy is an active and well‐tolerated chemotherapy regimen, with expected and manageable toxicity in Chinese patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Concept Analysis of Similarity Applied to Nursing Diagnoses: Implications for Educators
Authors: Falan Sharie 
Published: October 2010

PURPOSE.  This philosophical inquiry examined similarity using the concept analysis methodology by Walker and Avant (2005).DATA SOURCES.  Data were obtained from Google, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and PubMed using keywords “similarity,”“concept analysis,” and “similarity concept analysis.”DATA SYNTHESIS.  Various definitions, uses, and defining attributes of similarity were identified; model cases were presented along with antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents.CONCLUSIONS.  The concept analysis of similarity identified five defining attributes, antecedents, consequences, and different ways to measure the concept.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE.  Representing nursing care involves similarity and when applied can promote or enhance shared understanding.
My First Patient as a Nurse Practitioner: A Man With Low Literacy
Authors: Reyes Darcel 
Published: October 2010

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the use of the nursing process and the standardized nursing languages of NANDA‐I, the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) to assist a man with low literacy to self‐manage his medication regimen.DATA SOURCES:  The data sources for this article are clinical nursing practice, research evidence related to helping people with low literacy, and the books that explain NANDA‐I, NOC, and NIC.DATA SYNTHESIS:  This case study demonstrates nurses’ clinical decision making in providing care for a person with low health literacy.CONCLUSIONS:  Low health literacy should be considered when nurses identify the nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Self‐Health Management. After trust is established, a screening tool should be used to evaluate the person's literacy level. Active partnership of the nurse and the person supports interventions to assist the person implement the medication regimen.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING:  Inadequate evaluation of health literacy may result in mislabeling a person as “nonadherent” or “noncompliant” to a medication or treatment regimen. Low literacy is often an unrecognized barrier to effective self‐health management.
Insights from life history traits of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) in Taiwanese waters: Shorter body length characterizes northwest Pacific population
Authors: Chen Ing , Watson Alastair , Chou Lien‐Siang 
Published: October 2010

AbstractRisso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) are widely distributed throughout temperate to tropical pelagic waters of the world and are one of the most frequently encountered cetaceans in eastern Taiwanese coastal waters. Because their life history is poorly known, the goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between age, body length, and sexual maturity of Risso's dolphins in Taiwanese waters. Ninety‐two carcasses of dead‐stranded or fisheries bycaught dolphins (1994–2008) were measured and dissected (total body length, TBL 125–290 cm); sexual maturity was assessed in 33 dolphins; and age was estimated by counting dentinal growth layer groups in routine histologically prepared tooth sections of 28 dolphins. Sexual dimorphism in TBL was not detected. The onset of sexual maturity occurred at 240–255 cm in females and 253–265 cm in males, which was at about 10 yr of age for both sexes. Our stranding, bycatch, and previous boat survey records suggest that Risso's dolphins occur year‐round and likely have a summer‐fall calving season in Taiwanese waters. The similar life history parameters and calving season in dolphins from Taiwanese and Japanese waters suggest a common population in the northwest Pacific, which has a noticeably shorter body length than in other regions.
Craniometric variation of some Mediterranean and Atlantic populations of Stenella coeruleoalba (Mammalia, Delphinidae): A three‐dimensional geometric morphometric analysis
Authors: Loy Anna , Tamburelli Arianna , Carlini Rossella , Slice Dennis E. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe variability of cranial features of Atlantic and Mediterranean samples of Stenella coeruleoalba was examined using a three‐dimensional geometric morphometric approach. Data were collected on 79 skulls from the upper and middle Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic French coasts, and Scotland. Three‐dimensional x, y, and z coordinates of 27 landmarks were recorded on each left half skull using a Microscribe 3‐D digitizer. All configurations were rotated, centered, and scaled, and residuals from the mean configuration were analyzed through multivariate analyses of variance. Mahalanobis distances among populations were used to evaluate phenetic relationships. Consensus configurations were compared to visualize shape differences among samples. Analyses revealed significant differences among populations, a clear distinction of the Scottish coasts dolphins from the other samples, and a closer relationship of the dolphins from the French coasts to the Mediterranean populations than to the Scottish one. Shape differences are mainly concentrated in the rostral and in the occipital regions of the skull. Phylogenetic and adaptive factors were invoked as possible causes of the variation patterns.
Responses of Kamchatkan fish‐eating killer whales to playbacks of conspecific calls
Authors: Filatova Olga A. , Fedutin Ivan D. , Burdin Alexander M. , Hoyt Erich 
Published: October 2010

AbstractKiller whales produce repertoires of stereotyped call types that are primarily transmitted vertically through social learning, leading to dialects between sympatric pods. The potential function of these call repertoires remains untested. In this study, we compared the reaction of Kamchatkan fish‐eating killer whales to the playbacks of calls from the same and different pods. After the playback of recordings from a different pod, in three cases whales changed the direction of their movement toward the boat, and in three cases no changes in direction were observed. After the playback of recordings from the same pod (either from the same or a different unit within the pod), in seven cases whales changed the direction of their movement toward the boat, and in only one case no change in direction was observed. Whales remained silent after all six playbacks of recordings from a different pod, even when they changed direction toward the boat. After the playback of recordings from the same pod, however, in all eight cases whales started calling in response. Our playback study shows that killer whales may react to playbacks of conspecific sounds and that reactions are dependent on the type of playback stimuli.
Rationale and Design of the Treatment of Hyponatremia Based on Lixivaptan in NYHA Class III/IV Cardiac Patient Evaluation (THE BALANCE) Study
Authors: Abraham William T. , Aranda Juan M. , Boehmer John P. , Elkayam Uri , Gilbert Edward M. , Gottlieb Stephen S. , Hasenfuβ Gerd , Kukin Marrick , Lowes Brian D. , O’Connell John B. , Tavazzi Luigi , Feldman Arthur M. , Ticho Barry , Orlandi Cesare 
Published: October 2010

AbstractHyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in patients with heart failure (HF) associated with cognitive dysfunction and increased mortality and rehospitalization rates. Loop diuretics worsen renal function, produce neurohormonal activation, and induce electrolyte imbalances. Lixivaptan is a selective, oral vasopressin V2‐receptor antagonist that improves hyponatremia by promoting electrolyte‐free aquaresis without significant side effects. The Treatment of Hyponatremia Based on Lixivaptan in NYHA Class III/IV Cardiac Patient Evaluation (BALANCE) study is a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 3 trial designed to evaluate the effects of lixivaptan on serum sodium in patients hospitalized with worsening heart failure (target N= 650), signs of congestion and serum sodium concentrations <135 mEq/L. Other endpoints include assessment of dyspnea, body weight, cognitive function, and days of hospital‐free survival. Patients are randomized 1:1 to lixivaptan or matching placebo for 60 days, with a 30‐day safety follow‐up. Doses of lixivaptan or placebo are adjusted based on serum sodium and volume status. Lixivaptan was shown to increase serum sodium and reduce body weight, without renal dysfunction or hypokalemia. BALANCE seeks to address unmet questions regarding the use of vasopressin antagonists including their effects on cognitive function and clinical outcomes in patients with hyponatremia and worsening heart failure. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 249–253.
Altered Immune Phenotype in Peripheral Blood Cells of Patients with Scleroderma‐Associated Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Risbano Michael G , Meadows Christina A. , Coldren Christopher D. , Jenkins Tiffany J. , Edwards Michael G. , Collier David , Huber Wendy , Mack Douglas G. , Fontenot Andrew P. , Geraci Mark W. , Bull Todd M 
Published: October 2010

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension is a common and fatal complication of scleroderma that may involve inflammatory and autoimmune mechanisms. Alterations in the gene expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells have been previously described in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Our goal is to identify differentially expressed genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in scleroderma patients with and without pulmonary hypertension as biomarkers of disease.Gene expression analysis was performed on a Microarray Cohort of scleroderma patients with (n= 10) and without (n= 10) pulmonary hypertension. Differentially expressed genes were confirmed in the Microarray Cohort and validated in a Validation Cohort of scleroderma patients with (n= 15) and without (n= 19) pulmonary hypertension by RT‐qPCR. We identified inflammatory and immune‐related genes including interleukin‐7 receptor (IL‐7R) and chemokine receptor 7 as differentially expressed in patients with scleroderma‐associated pulmonary hypertension. Flow cytometry confirmed decreased expression of IL‐7R on circulating CD4+ T‐cells from scleroderma patients with pulmonary hypertension.Differences exist in the expression of inflammatory and immune‐related genes in peripheral blood cells from patients with scleroderma‐related pulmonary hypertension compared to those with normal pulmonary artery pressures. These findings may have implications as biomarkers to screen at‐risk populations for early diagnosis and provide insight into mechanisms of scleroderma‐related pulmonary hypertension. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 210–218
Training and Career Development for Comparative Effectiveness Research Workforce Development: CTSA Consortium Strategic Goal Committee on Comparative Effectiveness Research Workgroup on Workforce Development
Authors: Kroenke Kurt , Kapoor Wishwa , Helfand Mark , Meltzer David O. , McDonald Mary Anne , Selker Harry 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAs comparative effectiveness research (CER) increasingly becomes a national priority, there are increased needs for training and workforce development in this area. Particularly important CER competencies include clinical epidemiology, biomedical informatics, economic analyses, systematic reviews, clinical practice guideline development, use of large databases and electronic health records for research, practice‐based research, implementation and dissemination, health services research, and decision analysis. Institutions funded by Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) should be one of the central stakeholders in providing training and career development in CER. Survey results regarding the current CER capacity and needs of CTSAs are presented, and recommendations are provided. Volume 5: 258–262.
Significant Downregulation of Platelet Gene Expression in Metastatic Lung Cancer
Authors: Calverley David C. , Phang Tzu L. , Choudhury Qamrul G. , Gao Bifeng , Oton Ana B. , Weyant Michael J. , Geraci Mark W. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractPlatelets play a major role in the metastatic dissemination of tumor cells in vivo. Recent evidence reveals megakaryocyte‐derived platelet pre‐mRNA is spliced to mRNA and then translated into functional proteins in response to external stimulation. Employing a human lung cancer model, we hypothesized a subset of megakaryocyte/platelet genes exists that are significantly over or underexpressed in metastasis compared with noncancer. Microarray analysis employing platelet mRNA followed by unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed an expression profile that includes decreased expression of 197 of the 200 platelet genes with the most altered expression (p < 1.0 × 10−4). Among the 608 splicing events identified between the metastasis and negative control groups, 33 highly variable genes were identified with between 3 and 13 splicing events each. In conclusion, this preliminary study reveals a platelet‐based gene expression signature that differentiates metastatic lung cancer from negative controls on the basis of decreased expression of 197 of the 200 genes with the most altered expression levels. Further study may yield a prognostic tool for future metastasis among subsets of early stage lung cancer patients. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 227–232
Participatory geographic information systems and public engagement within flood risk management
Authors: White I. , Kingston R. , Barker A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractIn this paper we review the emerging lessons from a recent initiative on utilising Public Participatory Geographic Information Systems within Shoreline Management Planning to help unpack the theoretical and actual role of this approach for developing flood risk management policy options and scenarios. We discuss the benefits and limitations of stakeholder engagement in flood risk management decisions before highlighting some of the technical aspects of developing such an approach. We then examine how stakeholder access to mapping and spatial policies offers the potential for improved stakeholder dialogue and involvement in flood risk management. The paper highlights some of the underlying principles of the approach, potential pitfalls that the policy making community should avoid and good practice approaches to developing a participatory approach within flood risk management.
DIM SUM: demography and individual migration simulated using a Markov chain
Authors: BROWN JEREMY M. , SAVIDGE KEVIN , McTAVISH EMILY JANE B. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAn increasing number of studies seek to infer demographic history, often jointly with genetic relationships. Despite numerous analytical methods for such data, few simulations have investigated the methods’ power and robustness, especially when underlying assumptions have been violated. DIM SUM (Demography and Individual Migration Simulated Using a Markov chain) is a stand‐alone Java program for the simulation of population demography and individual migration while recording ancestor‐descendant relationships. It does not employ coalescent assumptions or discrete population boundaries. It is extremely flexible, allowing the user to specify border positions, reactions of organisms to borders, local and global carrying capacities, individual dispersal kernels, rates of reproduction and strategies for sampling individuals. Spatial variables may be specified using image files (e.g., as exported from gis software) and may vary through time. In combination with software for genetic marker simulation, DIM SUM will be useful for testing phylogeographic (e.g., nested clade phylogeographic analysis, coalescent‐based tests and continuous‐landscape frameworks) and landscape‐genetic methods, specifically regarding violations of coalescent assumptions. It can also be used to explore the qualitative features of proposed demographic scenarios (e.g. regarding biological invasions) and as a pedagogical tool. DIM SUM (with user’s manual) can be downloaded from http://code.google.com/p/bio‐dimsum.
Assessing population structure: FST and related measures
Authors: MEIRMANS PATRICK G. , HEDRICK PHILIP W. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAlthough FST is widely used as a measure of population structure, it has been criticized recently because of its dependency on within‐population diversity. This dependency can lead to difficulties in interpretation and in the comparison of estimates among species or among loci and has led to the development of two replacement statistics, F′ST and D. F′ST is the normal FST standardized by the maximum value it can obtain, given the observed within‐population diversity. D uses a multiplicative partitioning of diversity, based on the effective number of alleles rather than on the expected heterozygosity. In this study, we review the relationships between the three classes of statistics (FST, F′ST and D), their estimation and their properties. We illustrate the relationships between the statistics using a data set of estimates from 84 species taken from the last 4 years of Molecular Ecology. As with FST, unbiased estimators are available for the two new statistics D and F′ST. Here, we develop a new unbiased F′ST estimator based on GST, which we call G′′ST. However, F′ST can be calculated using any FST estimator for which the maximum value can be obtained. As all three statistics have their advantages and their drawbacks, we recommend continued use of FST in combination with either F′ST or D. In most cases, F′ST would be the best choice among the latter two as it is most suited for inferences of the influence of demographic processes such as genetic drift and migration on genetic population structure.
Validity of noncycloplegic refraction in the assessment of refractive errors: the Tehran Eye Study
Authors: Fotouhi Akbar , Morgan Ian G. , Iribarren Rafael , Khabazkhoob Mehdi , Hashemi Hassan 
Published: October 2010

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine the sensitivity and specificity of noncycloplegic autorefraction for determining refractive status compared to cycloplegic autorefraction.Methods:  The target population was noninstitutionalized citizens of all ages, residing in Tehran in 2002, selected through stratified cluster sampling. From 6497 eligible residents, 70.3% participated in the study, from August to November 2002. Here, we report data on 3501 people over the age of 5 years who had autorefraction with and without cycloplegia (two drops of cyclopentolate 1.0% 5 min apart, with autorefraction 25 min after the second drop).Results:  Overall, the sensitivity of noncycloplegic autorefraction for myopia was 99%, but the specificity was only 80.4%. In contrast, the sensitivity for hyperopia was only 47.9%, but the specificity was 99.4%. At all ages, noncycloplegic autorefraction overestimated myopia and underestimated hyperopia. Overestimation of myopia was highest in the 21–30 and 31–40 year groups. Underestimation of hyperopia was high up to the age of 50 (20–40%), but decreased with age, to about 8% after the age of 50, down to almost 0% after 70. The difference in mean spherical equivalent with and without cycloplegia fell from 0.71 dioptres (D) in the 5–10 age group to 0.14D in those over 70.Conclusion:  Use of noncycloplegic autorefraction in epidemiological studies leads to considerable errors relative to cycloplegic measurements, except in those over 50–60. The difference between cycloplegic and noncycloplegic measurements varies with age and cycloplegic refractive category, and there is considerable individual variation, ruling out adjusting noncycloplegic measurements to obtain accurate cycloplegic refractions.
Chondrocyte death by apoptosis is associated with the initiation and severity of articular cartilage degradation
Authors: THOMAS Carla M. , FULLER Cathy J. , WHITTLES Cheryll E. , SHARIF Mohammed 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim: To investigate the role of chondrocyte apoptosis in the initiation and severity of articular cartilage (AC) damage.Methods: Articular cartilage from equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) (n = 13) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) (n = 16) joints was used and each graded macroscopically for cartilage degradation (macroscopic osteoarthritis [OA] grade). Cartilage was sampled from six regions on the articular surface of both joint types and graded using a ‘modified’ Mankin scoring system. Apoptosis of chondrocytes in cartilage sections was assessed by expression of active caspase‐3 using indirect immunohistochemistry.Results: Apoptosis was found to increase significantly with macroscopic OA grade (P < 0.0001). There was a significant trend for increasing ‘modified’ Mankin score with increasing macroscopic OA grade (P < 0.0009). Apoptosis was significantly higher in the superficial zone than in the middle or deep zones (P < 0.01 andP < 0.001, respectively). The incidence of apoptosis correlated significantly with the early stages of microscopic cartilage damage (‘modified’ Mankin scores 0–3). Significant differences in overall apoptosis were noted when cartilage specimens with a ‘modified’ Mankin score of 3 were compared to grade 2 (P < 0.001), grade 1 (P < 0.001) and grade 0 (P < 0.05) specimens. However, no significant difference in overall apoptosis was noted between grade 3, 4 and 5 samples.Conclusions: The positive correlations of chondrocyte apoptosis with early stages of OA and severity of cartilage damage in the joints, suggest that this process is intrinsically linked to cartilage damage and may be associated with the initiation of cartilage degradation in OA.