bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stepped care targeting psychological distress in head and neck and lung cancer patients: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Krebber Anne-Marie H , Leemans C René , de Bree Remco , van Straten Annemieke , Smit Filip , Smit Egbert F , Becker Annemarie , Eeckhout Guus M , Beekman Aartjan TF , Cuijpers Pim , Leeuw Irma M Verdonck-de 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Psychological distress is common in cancer survivors. Although there is some evidence on effectiveness of psychosocial care in distressed cancer patients, referral rate is low. Lack of adequate screening instruments in oncology settings and insufficient availability of traditional models of psychosocial care are the main barriers. A stepped care approach has the potential to improve the efficiency of psychosocial care. The aim of the study described herein is to evaluate efficacy of a stepped care strategy targeting psychological distress in cancer survivors.

Methods/design
The study is designed as a randomized clinical trial with 2 treatment arms: a stepped care intervention programme versus care as usual. Patients treated for head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancer (LC) are screened for distress using OncoQuest, a computerized touchscreen system. After stratification for tumour (HNC vs. LC) and stage (stage I/II vs. III/IV), 176 distressed patients are randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group will follow a stepped care model with 4 evidence based steps: 1. Watchful waiting, 2. Guided self-help via Internet or a booklet, 3. Problem Solving Treatment administered by a specialized nurse, and 4. Specialized psychological intervention or antidepressant medication. In the control group, patients receive care as usual which most often is a single interview or referral to specialized intervention. Primary outcome is the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Secondary outcome measures are a clinical level of depression or anxiety (CIDI), quality of life (EQ-5D, EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-HN35, QLQ-LC13), patient satisfaction with care (EORTC QLQ-PATSAT), and costs (health care utilization and work loss (TIC-P and PRODISQ modules)). Outcomes are evaluated before and after intervention and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after intervention.

Discussion
Stepped care is a system of delivering and monitoring treatments, such that effective, yet least resource-intensive, treatment is delivered to patients first. The main aim of a stepped care approach is to simplify the patient pathway, provide access to more patients and to improve patient well-being and cost reduction by directing, where appropriate, patients to low cost (self-)management before high cost specialist services.

Trial registration
NTR1868
The effects of knee arthroplasty on walking speed: A meta-analysis
Authors: Abbasi-Bafghi Hamid , Fallah-Yakhdani Hamid R , Meijer Onno G , de Vet Henrica CW , Bruijn Sjoerd M , Yang Li-Yong , Knol Dirk L , Van Royen Barend J , van Dieën Jaap H 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundPatients with knee osteoarthritis patients have problems with walking, and tend to walk slower. An important aim of knee arthroplasty is functional recovery, which should include a post-operative increase in walking speed. Still, there are several problems with measuring walking speed in groups of knee osteoarthritis patients. Nevertheless, test-retest reliability of walking speed measurements is high, and when the same investigators monitor the same subjects, it should be possible to assess the walking speed effects of knee arthroplasty. The present study reports a meta-analysis of these effects.MethodsA total of 16 independent pre-post arthroplasty comparisons of walking speed were identified through MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PEDro, in 12 papers, involving 419 patients.ResultsFor 0.5–5 months post-operatively, heterogeneity was too large to obtain a valid estimate of the overall effect-size. For 6–12 and 13–60 months post-operatively, heterogeneity was absent, low, or moderate (depending on estimated pre-post correlations). During these periods, subjects walked on average 0.8 standard-deviations faster than pre-operatively, which is a large effect. Meta-regression analysis revealed significant effects of time and time squared, suggesting initial improvement followed by decline.ConclusionThis meta-analysis revealed a large effect of arthroplasty on walking speed 6–60 months post-operatively. For the first 0.5–5 months, heterogeneity of effect-sizes precluded a valid estimate of short-term effects. Hence, patients may expect a considerable improvement of their walking speed, which, however, may take several months to occur. Meta-regression analysis suggested a small decline from 13 months post-operatively onwards.
Half forehead reconstruction with a single rotational scalp flap for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans treatment
Authors: Mori Stefano , Di Monta Gianluca , Marone Ugo , Chiofalo Maria Grazia , Caracò Corrado 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a soft tissue neoplasm of intermediate to low-grade malignancy. Although metastasis rarely occurs, DFSP has a locally aggressive behavior with a high recurrence rate. In the head and neck area, resection involving a wide margin of healthy tissue can be difficult because of functional and cosmetic considerations. We describe a novel reconstructive method for half forehead defects with an innovative single local wide scalp flap following excision of DFSP with a 3 cm margin of healthy tissue.

Methods
Two patients underwent wide resection of forehead DFSP and reconstruction with a single rotational scalp flap. The scalp flap blood supply was provided from three main vessels: the superficial temporal artery, occipital artery and posterior auricular artery.

Results
No early or late complications were observed in either patient with no local recurrence after 18 months of follow-up. The donor area could be closed primarily in both cases and the flaps survived completely.

Conclusion
This innovative technique allowed a radical excision of forehead DFSP with sufficient healthy margins, thus potentially decreasing tumor recurrence rate. Reconstruction was achieved avoiding microsurgery, skin expanders and large skin grafts. Moreover, all main reconstructive criteria, such as functional and cosmetic tissue characteristics, were completely fulfilled.
The FSH-inhibin axis in prader-willi syndrome: heterogeneity of gonadal dysfunction
Authors: Gross-Tsur Varda , Hirsch Harry J , Benarroch Fortu , Eldar-Geva Talia 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
We characterized the spectrum and etiology of hypogonadism in a cohort of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) adolescents and adults.

Methods
Reproductive hormonal profiles and physical examination were performed on 19 males and 16 females ages 16–34 years with PWS. Gonadotropins, sex-steroids, inhibin B (INB) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were measured. We defined 4 groups according to the relative contribution of central and gonadal dysfunction based on FSH and INB levels: Group A: primary hypogonadism (FSH >15 IU/l and undetectable INB (<10 pg/ml); Group B: central hypogonadism (FSH <0.5 IU/l, INB <10 pg/ml); Group C: partial gonadal & central dysfunction (FSH 1.5–15 IU/l, INB >20 pg/ml); Group D: mild central and severe gonadal dysfunction (FSH 1.5–15 IU/l, INB < 10 pg/ml.

Results
There were 10, 8, 9 and 8 individuals in Groups A-D respectively; significantly more males in group A (9, 4, 4 and 2; P = 0.04). Significant differences between the groups were found in mean testosterone (P = 0.04), AMH (P = 0.003) and pubic hair (P = 0.04) in males and mean LH (P = 0.003) and breast development (P = 0.04) in females. Mean age, height, weight, BMI and the distribution of genetic subtypes were similar within the groups.

Conclusions
Analysis of FSH and inhibin B revealed four distinct phenotypes ranging from primary gonadal to central hypogonadism. Primary gonadal dysfunction was common, while severe gonadotropin deficiency was rare. Longitudinal studies are needed to verify whether the individual phenotypes are consistent.
P2P and grid computing: opportunity for building next generation wireless multimedia digital library
Authors: Arulanandam Srinivasan , Jaganathan Suresh , Avula Damodaram 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Nowadays digital libraries have become the source of information, sharing across the globe in the fields of education, research and knowledge. The full usage of digital libraries will be realized only when people can have access to the material from any location. The advantage of multimedia is that people of all ages can understand more clearly by seeing or hearing rather than reading. Considering the exponential growth in various technologies, developing a multimedia digital library in wireless is not an complicated task. Grid computing enables the virtualization data resources, process network bandwidth and storage capacities to create a single system image granting the user a seamless access to vast IT capabilities. By adopting peer-to-peer overlay networks, which are taking a central position in information systems, the storage space problem can be solved and by using grid computing the security can be maintained. In this article, we propose a framework for wireless multimedia digital library, built using Grid and P2P technology. Using this proposed framework, the digital data is stored in a cluster built of commodity components and users can access those data from anywhere, anytime securely. Advantages of this framework are: (i) existing capital investments are used for storing the multimedia files, (ii) increased access to data, (iii) balancing workloads among different systems connected in pGrid nodes, (iv) authenticated and secured transfer of files. Benchmarks used to test this framework are: (i) file size vs. download time, (ii) simultaneous connections, (iii) band-width utilization, (iv) security, (v) scalability, and (vi) robustness.
A new integral transform on time scales and its applications
Authors: Agwa Hassan Ahmed , Ali Fatma Mohamed , Kılıçman Adem 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Integral transform methods are widely used to solve the several dynamic equations with initial values or boundary conditions which are represented by integral equations. With this purpose, the Sumudu transform is introduced in this article as a new integral transform on a time scale "Equation missing" to solve a system of dynamic equations. The Sumudu transform on time scale "Equation missing" has not been presented before. The results in this article not only can be applied on ordinary differential equations when

T
=
ℝ

, difference equations when

T
=

ℕ

0

, but also, can be applied for q-difference equations when

T
=

q

ℕ

0

, where

q

ℕ

0

:
=

{

q

t

:
t
∈

ℕ

0

for
q
>
1

}

or

T
=

q

ℤ

¯

:
=

q

ℤ

∪

{

0

}

for q > 1 (which has important applications in quantum theory) and on different types of time scales like

T
=
h

ℕ

0

,

T
=

ℕ

0

2

and

T
=

T

n

the space of the harmonic numbers. Finally, we give some applications to illustrate our main results.

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. 44A85; 35G15; 44A35.
The gamma-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptor agonist baclofen inhibits morphine sensitization by decreasing the dopamine level in rat nucleus accumbens
Authors: Fu Zhenyu , Yang Hongfa , Xiao Yuqiang , Zhao Gang , Huang Haiyan 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Repeated morphine exposure can induce behavioral sensitization. There are evidences have shown that central gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system is involved in morphine dependence. However, the effect of a GABAB receptor agonist baclofen on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in rats is unclear.

Methods
We used morphine-induced behavioral sensitization model in rat to investigate the effects of baclofen on behavioral sensitization. Moreover, dopamine release in the shell of the nucleus accumbens was evaluated using microdialysis assay in vivo.

Results
The present study demonstrated that morphine challenge (3 mg/kg, s.c.) obviously enhanced the locomotor activity following 4-day consecutive morphine administration and 3-day withdrawal period, which indicated the expression of morphine sensitization. In addition, chronic treatment with baclofen (2.5, 5 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the development of morphine sensitization. It was also found that morphine challenge 3 days after repeated morphine administration produced a significant increase of extracellular dopamine release in nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, chronic treatment with baclofen decreased the dopamine release induced by morphine challenge.

Conclusions
Our results indicated that gamma-aminobutyric acid system plays an important role in the morphine sensitization in rat and suggested that behavioral sensitization is a promising model to study the mechanism underlying drug abuse.
Proposal for a recovery prediction method for patients affected by acute mediastinitis
Authors: Jabłoński Sławomir , Kozakiewicz Marcin 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
An attempt to find a prediction method of death risk in patients affected by acute mediastinitis. There is not such a tool described in available literature for that serious disease.

Methods
The study comprised 44 consecutive cases of acute mediastinitis. General anamnesis and biochemical data were included. Factor analysis was used to extract the risk characteristic for the patients. The most valuable results were obtained for 8 parameters which were selected for further statistical analysis (all collected during few hours after admission). Three factors reached Eigenvalue >1. Clinical explanations of these combined statistical factors are: Factor1 - proteinic status (serum total protein, albumin, and hemoglobin level), Factor2 - inflammatory status (white blood cells, CRP, procalcitonin), and Factor3 - general risk (age, number of coexisting diseases). Threshold values of prediction factors were estimated by means of statistical analysis (factor analysis, Statgraphics Centurion XVI).

Results
The final prediction result for the patients is constructed as simultaneous evaluation of all factor scores. High probability of death should be predicted if factor 1 value decreases with simultaneous increase of factors 2 and 3. The diagnostic power of the proposed method was revealed to be high [sensitivity =90%, specificity =64%], for Factor1 [SNC = 87%, SPC = 79%]; for Factor2 [SNC = 87%, SPC = 50%] and for Factor3 [SNC = 73%, SPC = 71%].

Conclusion
The proposed prediction method seems a useful emergency signal during acute mediastinitis control in affected patients.
Conception rate, uterine infection and embryo quality after artificial insemination and natural breeding with a stallion carrier of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a case report
Authors: Tiago Guimarães , Júlio Carvalheira , António Rocha 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa may cause venereal disease and infertility in horses. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa - carrier stallion, often unresponsive to artificial vagina collection, was used to naturally breed mares. Semen collected from the same stallion was also used to perform artificial inseminations. Pregnancy rates, embryo quality and incidence of uterine infection were compared between inseminated or naturally-bred mares.

Methods

P. aeruginosa was isolated from swabbing of the penis, prepuce and distal urethra of the stallion. Before being bred or inseminated, clitoral/vestibular samples were collected from all mares, and cultured for isolation of P. aeruginosa. At the first observed estrus, endometrial swabs were also collected. All mares subjected to natural mating (NS) were re-evaluated for P.aeruginosa by culture of clitoral and endometrial swabs. Artificial inseminations (AI) were performed either with fresh-extended semen (11 AI/7 mares) or frozen semen (10 AI/7 mares). The stallion was also used to breed 3 mares (4 services). For embryo collection, 2 mares were inseminated with fresh-extended semen (1 AI/mare), and 2 additional mares were inseminated with frozen semen (2 AI/mare). Two mares were naturally-bred with a total of 9 services, for embryo collection. All mares were examined after AI or natural service (NS), for uterine pathologies. Embryo recoveries were attempted passing a catheter with inflatable cuff connected to a sterile flexible 2-way flushing catheter, through the cervix. Flushed media was recovered into an Em-Con filter, and embryos searched using a stereoscope. Embryos were graded from 1 (excellent) to 4 (degenerated/dead).

Results
Pregnancy rates obtained after NS was 50% per cycle. However, more than half of the NS resulted in uterine disease, while uterine pathology was seen only in 22% of the time following AI. Half of the mares bred by NS got positive to P. aeruginosa. Percentage of embryo recovery rates was identical after AI or NS (66.7%). The 4 embryos recovered after AI were classified as Grade 1, while after NS only 2 out of the 6 recovered embryos were Grade 1.

Conclusion
a) there was no evidence of reduced fertilization after AI or NS, b) a numerically higher incidence of uterine disease was noticed after NS, c) venereal transmission of P. aeruginosa after NS was confirmed, d) a lower percentage of G1 embryos may be obtained after NS. Overall, the data supports the indication for P. aeruginosa-carrier stallions to be bred by AI rather than by NS, and raises the possibility that P. aeruginosa may affect embryo quality.
A patient with bacteraemia and possible endocarditis caused by a recently-discovered genomospecies of Capnocytophaga: Capnocytophaga genomospecies AHN8471: a case report
Authors: Mills Jonathan M , Lofthouse Emma , Roberts Phil , Karas Johannis A 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Introduction

Capnocytophaga are a genus of bacteria that have been found to be the causative organisms in a range of infections, including serious conditions such as bacteraemia, endocarditis and meningitis. This has been especially true amongst those with serious comorbidities and the immunocompromised populations. Although several species are known to cause human disease, historically, laboratories have often not identified isolates to species level due to the unreliable, laborious techniques needed. With the advent of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis, identification to species level is now frequently possible and desirable, as it may provide clues as to the source of infection and its treatment.

Case presentation
Here we describe a case of bacteraemia and possible endocarditis in a 64-year-old white British man caused by a newly identified genomospecies of Capnocytophaga in a patient subsequently diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. The source of the bacteraemia was presumed to be from the patient's own oral flora.

Conclusion
Our case further confirms the potential for Capnocytophaga to cause systemic infections, highlights the availability and need for identification of isolates to species level and re-emphasises the difficulty in diagnosing Capnocytophaga infections due to their slow growth in the laboratory.
Stiff person syndrome presenting with sudden onset of shortness of breath and difficulty moving the right arm: a case report
Authors: Goodson Bradley , Martin Kate , Hunt Thomas 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Introduction
First described in 1956, stiff person syndrome is characterized by episodes of slowly progressive stiffness and rigidity in both the paraspinal and limb muscles. Although considered a rare disorder, stiff person syndrome is likely to be under-diagnosed due to a general lack of awareness of the disease in the medical community.

Case presentation
A 27-year-old Hispanic woman presented to our emergency department with a sudden onset of shortness of breath and difficulty moving her right arm. Her physical examination was remarkable in that her abdomen was firm to palpation and her right upper extremity was rigid on passive and active ranges of motion. Her right fingers were clenched in a fist. Her electromyography findings were consistent with stiff person syndrome in the right clinical setting. Stiff person syndrome is confirmed by testing for the anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody. Her test for this was positive.

Conclusion
Stiff person syndrome may not be a common condition. However, if disregarded in the differential diagnosis, it can lead to several unnecessary tests being carried out causing a delay in treatment. This case report reveals some of the characteristic features of stiff person syndrome with an atypical presentation.
Squamous cell carcinoma of rectum presenting in a man: a case report
Authors: Sameer A Syed , Syeed Nidda , Chowdri Nissar A , Parray Fazl Q , Siddiqi Mushtaq A 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundPrimary squamous cell carcinomas of the colorectum are very uncommon. Until now, to the best of our knowledge, only 114 cases of squamous cell carcinoma in the colorectum exist in the reported literature. Here we report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum in the ethnic Kashmiri population in northern India.Case PresentationThe case of a 60-year-old male patient (Asian) with a pure squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum is presented here. The patient underwent a curative surgery with concomitant chemotherapy. Two years after the initial curative resection of the tumor he is still alive.ConclusionThe prognosis for squamous cell carcinoma of the colorectum is worse than for that of adenocarcinoma, because of the delayed diagnosis. The etiopathogenicity of squamous cell carcinoma of the colorectum is discussed. Surgical resection of the lesion seems to be the treatment of choice. Chemotherapy also helps in improvement of the prognosis.
Elevation of dopamine level reduces host-seeking activity in the adult female mosquito Aedes albopictus
Authors: Fukumitsu Yuki , Irie Keiichi , Satho Tomomitsu , Aonuma Hitoshi , Dieng Hamady , Ahmad Abu Hassan , Nakashima Yukihiko , Mishima Kenichi , Kashige Nobuhiro , Miake Fumio 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted to human hosts via blood-feeding behavior of female mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes seek a host to take blood meals (host-seeking behavior). In order to prevent virus infections, it is important to understand how they modulate host-seeking behavior. Dopamine (DA) in the central nervous system acts as a neuromediator that regulates a variety of behaviors in insects. In female mosquitoes, host-seeking behavior increases when DA levels in the head decline after emergence. However, it remains unclear whether DA directly modulates host-seeking behavior in female mosquitoes. The aim of this study was to examine whether changes in DA levels in the head affects host-seeking activity in the adult female mosquito Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus).

Findings
We compared host-seeking behavior in one group of emerging female adults treated with l-β-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA), the precursor of DA, (l-DOPA group), with that in an untreated control (control group) after confirming elevation of head DA in l-DOPA group by using high-performance liquid chromatography. The content of head DA in l-DOPA group significantly remained higher than that in controls on all days examined. The host-seeking activity in the control group showed a gradual increase over the 6-day experimental period. In contrast, there was no such increase in the host-seeking activity in the l-DOPA group. Therefore, the host-seeking activity of l-DOPA group was significantly lower than that of the controls between day 3 and 6 post-emergence.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that elevation of DA level reduces host-seeking activity in adult female mosquito Ae. albopictus.