bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian malignancy: Lessons learned
Authors: BUNTING Michael , CHAN Warren , BRAND Alison , BLOMFIELD Penelope 
Published: December 2009

Background:  The administration of intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy as first‐line adjuvant treatment for women with optimally debulked advanced ovarian malignancy results in improved median and overall survival when compared with intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. However, the number of adverse events and toxicities are increased in patients treated with IP chemotherapy. In addition, the administration of IP chemotherapy is technically more challenging and the schedule is more demanding in terms of time and resources.Aims:  We report on our initial experience with the administration of IP chemotherapy at two gynaecological oncology units in Australia.Methods:  We collected retrospective data from a series of 23 women undergoing IP chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. In addition to standard (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0, CTCAE) toxicity data, we collected technical data specific to the administration of IP chemotherapy.Results:  The average number of IP chemotherapy cycles received was 4.3. Forty‐three per cent of patients received all six planned IP chemotherapy cycles. Thirty‐nine per cent of patients discontinued their IP treatment. Of those, 22% were discontinued because of drug‐related toxicities and the remaining 17% experienced a port complication or toxicity directly related to the route of administration.Conclusions:  This study demonstrates the feasibility and practicality of and lessons learned from initial experiences with IP chemotherapy for ovarian cancer in Australia.
Outpatient hysteroscopy: Factors influencing post‐procedure acceptability in patients attending a tertiary referral centre
Authors: MCILWAINE Kate , READMAN Emma , CAMERON Melissa , MAHER Peter 
Published: December 2009

Background:  Ambulatory hysteroscopy is a safe, reliable and cost‐effective alternative to hysteroscopy under a general anaesthetic for the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding.Aim:  The objective of this study was to assess which factors influenced patients’ willingness to attend for future outpatient hysteroscopy. The outpatient hysteroscopy service commenced at the Mercy Hospital for Women in 2000. It provides women with the opportunity to have the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding diagnosed in an outpatient setting.Methods:  A prospective audit was conducted of 283 women attending for outpatient hysteroscopy at the Mercy Hospital for Women over a period of almost five years (May 2003 through February 2008).Results:  Of the women audited, 88.7% stated that they would accept the procedure in future, whilst 11.3% would not. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to their median visual analogue pain scale (VAS) pain scores during the procedure (3.00 versus 6.50 P < 0.0001) with the higher score in the group who would not re‐attend for the procedure. There was also a significant difference between the two groups with respect to the change in median VAS score from pain anticipated to pain experienced (0.00 versus 3.50 P = 0.0001). The rate of unsuccessful procedures was significantly higher (40.6% versus 0.8%P < 0.05) in future non‐attendees as well as a higher rate of clinical vasovagal episodes (25% versus 5.2%P = 0.01) in women who stated that they would not re‐attend for the procedure. Preprocedure analgesia and type of anaesthetic administered during the procedure did not seem to influence whether women would attend for outpatient hysteroscopy in future.Conclusions:  The acceptability rate for women attending for outpatient hysteroscopy during the audit period was 88.7%. Pain was a significant determinant of procedure acceptability; however, the acceptability rate was not influenced by analgesia or type of anaesthetic administered.
Trends and determinants of caesarean sections births in Queensland, 1997–2006
Authors: HOWELL Stuart , JOHNSTON Trisha , MACLEOD Sue‐Lynne 
Published: December 2009

Background:  The determinants of Queensland’s rising caesarean section (CS) rate remain poorly understood because of the historical absence of standard classification methods.Aims:  We applied the Robson Ten Group Classification System (RTGCS) to population‐based data to identify the main contributors to Queensland’s rising CS rate.Method:  The RTGCS was applied retrospectively to the Queensland Perinatal Data Collection. CS rates were described for all ten RTGCS groups using data from 2006. Trends were evaluated using data for the years 1997–2006. Public and private sector patients were evaluated separately.Results:  In Queensland, in 2006, CS rates were 26.9 and 48.0% among public and private sector patients, respectively. Multiparous women with a previous caesarean birth (Group 5) made the greatest contribution to the CS rate in both sectors, followed by nulliparous women who had labour induced or were delivered by CS prior to the onset of labour (Group 2) and nulliparous women in spontaneous labour (Group 1). CS rates have risen in all RTGCS groups between 1997 and 2006. The trend was pronounced among multiparous women with a previous caesarean delivery (Group 5), among women with multiple pregnancies (Group 8) and among nulliparous women who had labour induced or were delivered by CS prior to the onset of labour (Group 2).Conclusions:  The CS rate in Queensland in 2006 was higher than in any other Australian state. The increase in Queensland’s CS rates can be attributed to both the rising number of primary caesarean births and the rising number of repeat caesareans.
A long‐term follow‐up study of Dravet syndrome up to adulthood
Authors: Akiyama Mari , Kobayashi Katsuhiro , Yoshinaga Harumi , Ohtsuka Yoko 
Published: December 2009

SummaryPurpose:  We intended to elucidate the whole clinical course of Dravet syndrome (DS) comprehensively, from infancy through adulthood.Methods:  Subjects were 31 patients with DS (14 with typical DS, and 17 with borderline DS) who were followed from childhood to at least 18 years of age. Their seizures, abilities, and electroencephalography (EEG) findings were investigated and statistically analyzed.Results:  The clinical findings of the patients with typical DS and those with borderline DS became largely similar in adolescence and adulthood. Seizures were intractable in childhood in all patients, but suppressed in five (16.1%) during follow‐up. Thirty‐five (87.5%) of the 40 apparently generalized convulsive seizures that were captured by ictal EEG recording at 7 years of age or later were of focal origin. The seizure‐free outcomes were significantly correlated with the experience of <3 episodes of convulsive status epilepticus, and also with disappearance of spikes on the follow‐up EEGs. Mental outcomes involving less severe intellectual disability were correlated with the presence of occipital alpha rhythms in the background activity of the follow‐up EEGs. Mean age at the recording of the follow‐up EEGs was 23.8 years.Discussion:  Prevention of the occurrence of convulsive status epilepticus was indicated to be critically important for the improvement of seizure prognosis in DS.
High‐density SNP screen of sodium channel genes by haplotype tagging and DNA pooling for association with idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Makoff Andrew , Lai Teck , Barratt Catherine , Valentin Antonio , Moran Nick , Asherson Philip , Nashef Lina 
Published: December 2009

SummaryWe have investigated seven voltage‐gated sodium channel genes for association with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Probands and control DNA were grouped into pools and used to screen 85 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mostly HapMap SNPs tagging the common variation in these genes. Twelve SNPs exhibiting an allele frequency difference between pools were genotyped individually in our sample of 232 probands, 313 controls, and 95 parent–proband trios. Two SNPs, in SCN1A and SCN8A, were associated by allele and genotype at nominal level of significance, but were not significant after Bonferroni correction. Two SCN2A SNPs (rs3943809 and rs16850331) were associated by case–control with a subgroup with IGE and history of febrile seizures and also by transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) in parent–proband trios. Both SNPs are part of a linkage disequilibrium (LD) cluster of 38 SNPs, but none are obvious functional variants. The association of rs3943809 with the febrile seizure subgroup (p = 0.0004) remains significant after the conservative Bonferroni correction for multiple testing.
Cortical Thickness Reduction of Normal Appearing Cortex in Patients with Polymicrogyria
Authors: Oliveira Jr Pedro Paulo de Magalhães , Valente Kette Dualibi , Shergill Sukhwinder S. , Leite Claudia da Costa , Amaro Jr Edson 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVETo examine cortical thickness and volumetric changes in the cortex of patients with polymicrogyria, using an automated image analysis algorithm.METHODSCortical thickness of patients with polymicrogyria was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cortical surface‐based analysis and compared with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects. We studied 3 patients with disorder of cortical development (DCD), classified as polymicrogyria, and 15 controls. Two experienced neuroradiologists performed a conventional visual assessment of the MRIs. The same data were analyzed using an automated algorithm for tissue segmentation and classification. Group and individual average maps of cortical thickness differences were produced by cortical surface‐based statistical analysis.RESULTSPatients with polymicrogyria showed increased thickness of the cortex in the same areas identified as abnormal by radiologists. We also identified a reduction in the volume and thickness of cortex within additional areas of apparently normal cortex relative to controls.CONCLUSIONSOur findings indicate that there may be regions of reduced cortical thickness, which appear normal from radiological analysis, in the cortex of patients with polymicrogyria. This finding suggests that alterations in neuronal migration may have an impact in the cortical formation of the cortical areas that are visually normal. These areas are associated or occur concurrently with polymicrogyria.
Masticatory dysfunction is associated with worse functional ability: a population‐based study
Authors: Laudisio Alice , Marzetti Emanuele , Pagano Francesco , Bernabei Roberto , Zuccalà Giuseppe 
Published: December 2009

Laudisio A, Marzetti E, Pagano F, Bernabei R, Zuccalà G. Masticatory dysfunction is associated with worse functional ability: a population‐based study. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 113–119. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01518.x.AbstractAim: Because of the ageing of populations, disability has become an emergent problem from the clinical, social, and economic perspectives. Nevertheless, the determinants of disability in older subjects are still unclear. We assessed the association between self‐assessed masticatory dysfunction (MD) and functional ability in older subjects.Materials and Methods: We analysed data of all 350 subjects aged 75+ living in Tuscania (Italy). Functional ability was estimated using the Katz' activities of daily living (ADLs), and the Lawton and Brody instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) scales.Results: MD was reported by 145 (41%) participants. Disability in the ADLs and IADLs was found in 37 (25%) and 53 (37%) of participants with MD, respectively, but only in 11 (5%) and 30 (15%) of the other participants (p<0.001). MD was associated with disability in the ADLs [odds ratio (OR)=2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05–5.51], and IADLs (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.07–7.16) in logistic regression, after adjusting. The association of MD with disability was stronger among subjects aged 80+.Conclusions: MD is independently associated with disability in community‐dwelling elderly. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of early detection and correction of MD on the preservation of functional status in older populations.
What changes in health‐related quality of life matter to multiple myeloma patients? A prospective study*
Authors: Kvam Ann K. , Fayers Peter , Wisloff Finn 
Published: December 2009

Abstract Objective: To determine the clinical significance of changes in quality‐of‐life scores in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), we have estimated the minimal important difference (MID) for the health‐related quality‐of‐life instrument, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ‐C30. The MID is the smallest change in a quality‐of‐life score considered important to patients. Methods: Between 2006 and 2008, 239 patients with MM completed the EORTC QLQ‐C30 at inclusion (T1) and after 3 months (T2). At T2, a structured quality‐of‐life interview was also performed. MIDs were calculated by using mean score changes (T2–T1) for patients who in the interview stated they had improved, deteriorated or were unchanged. MIDs were also estimated by the receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve method as well as by calculation effect sizes using standard deviations of baseline scores. Results: MIDs varied slightly depending on the method used. Patients stating in the interview that they had ‘improved’ or ‘deteriorated’ had a corresponding change in EORTC QLQ‐C30 score ranging from 6 to15 (improvement) and from 9 to17 (deterioration) (scale range 0–100). The ROC analysis indicated that changes in score from 7 to17 represent clinically important changes to patients. The effect size method suggested 5–6 to be a small and 11–15 to be a medium change. Conclusion: Calculation of MIDs as mean score changes or by ROC analysis suggested that a change in the EORTC QLQ‐C30 score in the range of approximately 6–17 is considered important by patients with MM. These MIDs are closer to a medium effect size than to a small effect size. Our findings imply that mean score changes smaller than 6 are unlikely to be important to the patients, even if these changes are statistically significant.
Species identification of Alnus (Betulaceae) using nrDNA and cpDNA genetic markers
Authors: REN BAO‐QING , XIANG XIAO‐GUO , CHEN ZHI‐DUAN 
Published: December 2009

AbstractOne nuclear and three chloroplast DNA regions (ITS, rbcL, matK and trnH‐psbA) were used to identify the species of Alnus (Betulaceae). The results showed that 23 out of all 26 Alnus species in the world, represented by 131 samples, had their own specific molecular character states, especially for three morphologically confused species (Alnus formosana, Alnus japonica and Alnus maritima). The discriminating power of the four markers at the species level was 10% (rbcL), 31.25% (matK), 63.6% (trnH‐psbA) and 76.9% (ITS). For ITS, the mean value of genetic distance between species was more than 10 times the intraspecific distance (0.009%), and 13 species had unique character states that differentiated them from other species of Alnus. The trnH‐psbA region had higher mean values of genetic distance between and within species (2.1% and 0.68% respectively) than any other region tested. Using the trnH‐psbA region, 13 species are distinguished from 22 species, and seven species have a single diagnostic site. The combination of two regions, ITS and trnH‐psbA, is the best choice for DNA identification of Alnus species, as an improvement and supplement for morphologically based taxonomy. This study illustrates the potential for certain DNA regions to be used as novel internet biological information carrier through combining DNA sequences with existing morphological character and suggests a relatively reliable and open taxonomic system based on the linked DNA and morphological data.
Experimental
Investigations of an Internal Flow Generated by Porous
Injection
Authors: Fournier Clarisse , Michard Marc , Bataille Françoise 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
An anisothermal channel flow generated by a porous injection is investigated in details for different Reynolds numbers of the injection in order to highlight the impact of the microstructure of porous material on the flow development. Two types of porous materials, being characterized by different matrices and pore sizes are studied: a coarse bronze porous plate (30% porosity and 100 μm average pore diameter) and a stainless steel porous plate (30% porosity and 30 μm average pore diameter). Particle image velocimetry, hot-wire anemometry, and cold wire thermometer measurements lead to the comparison of mean profiles, rms profiles, and energy spectra for the velocity and temperature fields. Two-point spatial correlations for the fluctuating velocity are also calculated. In the case of the coarse bronze plate, the flow is slightly fluctuating with big space coherence. In the opposite, the results obtained with the fine pore plate show a flow close to a fully developed turbulent channel flow. The comparison of the aerodynamic field with computational simulations based on a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model underlines the difficulties to reproduce exactly the evolution of the mean and fluctuating velocities in all the explored part of the channel.
An Australian environmental survey reveals moderate Spiroplasma biodiversity: characterization of four new serogroups and a continental variant
Authors: Regassa Laura B. , Murphy April C. , Zarzuela Alexander B. , Jandhyam Haritha L. , Bostick David S. , Bates C. Ryan , Gasparich Gail E. , Whitcomb Robert F. , French Frank E. 
Published: December 2009

An environmental survey of tabanid host spiroplasma carriage was undertaken at 10 collection sites in Australia during February 1999. A total of 164 tabanid flies, representing 27 species, were collected and sustainable spiroplasma isolations were made from 48 of the flies. The morphology of the cultured spiroplasmas, as observed in M1D medium under dark-field microscopy, was typical of either (i) Apis group spiroplasmas (relatively thick cells (~150 nm) with six or more turns) or (ii) chrysopicola–syrphidicola–TAAS-1 clade spiroplasmas (narrower, often much shorter cells) serologically related to Spiroplasma serogroup VIII. Repetitive serological analyses, involving successive rounds of dilution cloning and serological reevaluation, identified one serotype referable to the Spiroplasma serogroup VIII strain complex and five putative members of the Apis clade. Apis clade placement for these five groups was verified using 16S rRNA phylogenetic analyses. Among the Apis clade members, one serotype representing 11 isolates was identified as a geographic variant of Spiroplasma turonicum . Spiroplasma turonicum (Tab4C) was originally isolated from a tabanid Haematopoda sp. in France. The other 34 isolates represented four new serogroups (= putative species). The following strains are proposed as representatives of the new serogroups: strain GSU5478 (group XXXIX), strain GSU5490 (group XL), strain GSU5508 (group XLI), and strain GSU5603 (group XLII). In summary, six serogroups were observed from isolations originating from seven distinct sample sites in Australia. Surprisingly, the serotype with the greatest geographical range (five sites from 16°48.9′S to 35°40.0′S) and the greatest host diversity (nine species over three genera) was the geographic variant of S. turonicum, which had only been reported previously in France.
Evaluation of an adjustment group for people with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Forman AC , Lincoln NB 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The aim was to evaluate a group treatment for people with multiple sclerosis and low mood. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Community. Participants: Patients with multiple sclerosis and low mood, scoring >7 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales or >2 on the General Health Questionnaire 12. Interventions: Participants either attended an adjustment group for six, 2-hour group treatment sessions or were on a waiting list to attend the group. Outcomes: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire 12, Multiple Sclerosis Self Efficacy Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale and Short Form 36 administered 3 and 6 months after random allocation. Results: Of the 219 patients identified, 100 (46%) reported depressive symptoms and 126 (58%) anxiety symptoms. Forty participants were recruited, aged 25—68 (mean 47.7 SD 9.7) and eight were men. Patients allocated to the group intervention reported fewer depressive symptoms than those in the control group (U 109.5, P<0.05) but there were no significant differences in anxiety symptoms, self-efficacy or quality of life. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were reduced following group intervention, which suggests this may be an effective psychological treatment and warrants further evaluation.
Oxidative stress promotes autophagic cell death in human neuroblastoma cells with ectopic transfer of mitochondrial PPP2R2B (Bβ2)
Authors: Cheng Wan-Ting , Guo Zhi-Xuan , Lin Chia-An , Lin Ming-Yi , Tung Li-Chu , Fang Kang 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
The multifunctional protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a heterotrimeric serine/threonine protein phosphatase composed of a scaffolding, catalytic and regulatory subunits. By modifying various downstream signal transducers, the aberrant expression of the brain-targeted regulatory subunit PPP2R2B is associated with the onset of a panel of neuronal disorders. The alternatively splicing of PPP2R2B encodes two regulatory subunit isoforms that determine cellular distribution of the neuron-specific holoenzyme to mitochondria (Bβ2) and cytoplasm (Bβ1), respectively.

Results
Human neuroblastoma cells were transfected with PPP2R2B constructs encoding the complete sequences of Bβ2 and Bβ1, respectively. The colonies with antibiotic resistance were selected as stable cell lines. Both ectopic Bβ1 and Bβ2 clones exhibited characteristics of autophagy. To test how cells respond to reactive oxygen species generators, the cells were treated with either hydrogen peroxide or t-butyl hydroperoxide and Bβ2 clones induced cell death. Suppression of autophagy using either RNA interference of the essential autophagy gene or pharmacological inhibitor rescued cell death caused by oxidative stress.

Conclusions
Cells with ectopically expressed mitochondria-targeted regulatory subunit PPP2R2B of the holoenzyme PP2A were shown predisposed to autophagy and oxidative stress induced cell death that is related to apoptosis. The results promised a model for studying the mechanism and function of aberrant PPP2R2B expression in neuronal cells. The work provided a new target for understanding and prevention of neuropathogenesis.