bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reversal of the British trends in place of death
Authors: Gomes B. , Calanzani N. , J. Higginson I. 
Published: May 2012

IntroductionIncreased attention is being paid to the place where people die in order to provide choice and adequate care for terminally ill patients. Secular trends towards institutionalised dying have been reported in Britain and other developed world regions.Aims and MethodsTo examine British trends in place of death from 2004 to 2010. Time-series analysis of death registration data from the Office for National Statistics for all 3,525,564 deaths registered in England and Wales from 2004 to 2010.ResultsThere was a slow but steady increase in the proportion of deaths at home, from 18.3% in 2004 to 20.8% in 2010. Absolute numbers of home deaths increased by 9.1%, whilst overall numbers of deaths decreased by 3.8%. The rise in home deaths was more pronounced in cancer, happened for both genders and across all age groups except for those younger than 14 years and for the aged 65-84 but only up to 2006. The rise was more evident when ageing was accounted for (age-gender standardised proportions of home deaths increased from 20.6% to 23.5%).ConclusionFollowing trends in the USA and Canada, dying is shifting to people's home also in Britain. Home deaths increased for the first time since 1974 amongst people aged 85 years and over. There is an urgent need across nations for comparative evidence on the outcomes and the costs of dying at home.
Improving rapid access to symptom control, psychological, social and spiritual support during out of hours period: Marie Curie Palliative Response Service
Authors: Wilson A. 
Published: May 2012

IntroductionWorking in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Marie Curie Cancer care introduced its Rapid Response Service as an extension to the existing Marie Curie Nursing Service supporting palliative patients throughout Wales.Aims & MethodsThis service is designed to meet key recommendations of the Sugar Report1 including: provision of 24 hour services to enable more patients to die in a place of their choice. The service aims to support patients and their carers by delivering urgent care provided by nurses with expertise and training in assessment, symptom management and care delivery. Marie Curie's experienced Registered Nursing staff deliver rapid nursing interventions to palliative care patients, irrespective of diagnosis, from 10pm to 7am, 7 days a week.It is integrated with the out of hours teams, working in collaboration with emergency care practitioners, district nurses, palliative care teams, local hospices, care homes and hospitals.ResultsThe service has seen an increased percentage of patients with non-cancer diagnosis accessing the service. The majority of recorded clinical input to address crisis has related to advice and support, symptom management, medication and pain management. In first year this service prevented over 600 unscheduled admissions to the acute sector.ConclusionDelivering rapid nursing interventions, out of hours, provides patients and their carers with improved access to symptom control, psychological, social and spiritual support.
Patients who do not nominate a preferred place of death are more likely to die in hospital
Authors: Arnold L. , Finucane A. , Oxenham D. 
Published: May 2012

IntroductionNational end of life care strategies encourage the discussion and recording of the preferred place of death (PPD) of patients approaching end of life. Surveys suggest that the majority of the general population would choose to die at home or in a hospice, with hospital being least preferred.PPD information is assessed on an ongoing basis, as part of standard care for all patients referred to Marie Curie Hospice Edinburgh. However, not all patients are able to nominate a PPD.Aims and MethodsWe explore where patients receiving specialist palliative care would choose to die; the reasons why some patients do not have a documented PPD; and whether patients without a documented PPD are more likely to die in hospital. Case notes were reviewed retrospectively for 1,127 patients, who died in any location whilst under the care of the service during 2009 and 2010. The majority of patients had cancer as their primary diagnosis (94%). The patient's last recorded PPD was used in this study. The median time between final PPD assessment and death was 6 days.ResultsSeventy-seven percent of patients were able to nominate a PPD (n=863), and a further 21% of patients had documented reasons for PPD remaining unknown (n=233). Patients who did not have a documented PPD were three times more likely to die in hospital, compared to those with a known preference (χ2(1)=37.21, p<0.001).ConclusionPatients without a nominated PPD were significantly more likely to die in hospital.
Evaluation of a rehabilitation service for patients living with and beyond cancer: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Leurent B. , Round J. , Fitzgerald G. , Davis S. , Jones L. 
Published: May 2012

IntroductionThe Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead provides a rehabilitative model of day care therapy to support patients living with and beyond cancer. This model was selected as a site of excellence for further attention in the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative 2008. We conducted a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of this rehabilitation model.Aims and MethodsTo test whether a rehabilitation service for patients living with cancer is clinically and cost-effective. A randomised controlled trial comparing a manualised rehabilitative intervention with a waiting-list control. Participants at the end of a course for treatment for recurrent hematologic or breast cancer were recruited between August 2010 and July 2011 from two London hospitals and followed-up for three months. Clinical outcomes included measures of supportive care needs, distress, continuity of care and quality of life. Cost-effectiveness analysis considered the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the intervention and control groups, with outcomes expressed as quality adjusted life years.ResultsRecruitment was slower than expected, with a final number of 41 participants recruited to the trial against a target recruitment of 120. Referral rates were dependent on engagement of clinicians with concepts of hospice-based rehabilitation. Despite small numbers, we report evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.ConclusionThis trial used robust methodology to evaluate a complex intervention for patients living with cancer. Although fewer than expected were recruited, results should be indicative of the likelihood that the intervention is clinically and cost-effective, and highlight important methodological challenges faced by investigators working in this area.
Isolation of an extremely boron-tolerant strain of Bacillus firmus
Authors: Verce Matthew F. , Stiles Amanda R. , Chong Karen C. , Terry Norman 
Published: May 2012

A strain of Bacillus firmus (designated strain KC) isolated from a boron (B) mine in California exhibited extreme tolerance to B, provided it was first acclimated at intermediate B supply concentrations. Strain KC tolerated up to 1000 mmol/L B (boric acid-B) and 1800 mmol/L B (sodium tetraborate-B), and attained the greatest growth (as measured by absorbance) at 300 mmol/L B. Despite its extreme tolerance to high B, there was no evidence that it was able to remove significant quantities of B from the growth media, suggesting that strain KC is not likely to be useful for the removal of B from wastewaters in an engineered bioreactor.
In vitro and in vivo characterization and strain safety of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30253 for probiotic applications
Authors: Sulemankhil Imran , Parent Mathieu , Jones Mitchell Lawrence , Feng Zhenqian , Labbé Alain , Prakash Satya 
Published: May 2012

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30253 was shown to have potential as a probiotic by reducing the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin-8. Moreover, this strain was evaluated, by in vitro and in vivo techniques, for its safety for human consumption. The identity of the strain was investigated by metabolic profiling and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and in vitro safety evaluations were performed by molecular and metabolic techniques. Genetic analysis was confirmed by assessing the minimum inhibitory concentration to a panel of antibiotics, showing that the strain was susceptible to 8 antibiotics tested. The ability of the strain to produce potentially harmful by-products and antimicrobial compounds was evaluated, showing that the strain does not produce biogenic amines and does not show bacteriocin activity or reuterin production. A 28-day repeated oral dose study was conducted in normal Sprague–Dawley rats to support the in vivo strain safety. Oral administration of the strain resulted in no changes in general condition and no clinically significant changes to biochemical and haematological markers of safety relative to vehicle control treated animals. This comprehensive assessment of safety of L. reuteri NCIMB 30253 supports the safety of the strain for use as a probiotic.
SCAPHOID FRACTURE IN THE ELDERLY: A REVIEW
Authors: Alsawadi Abdulrahman , Stanton Jeremy 
Published: May 2012

Although scaphoid fractures are relatively common encounters in orthopaedic and trauma surgery, the demographics of these injuries are not well studied. The classical teaching in the subject limits scaphoid fractures in the age between ten and 60 years (or 70 years in other sources). The incidence or the prevalence of scaphoid fractures in the elderly population is not focused on and not studied or explored. We reviewed the literature for any available epidemiological studies of scaphoid fractures. We also sought the available data of scaphoid fractures in the elderly population in case series and case reports which have relevant data on the subject. Four epidemiological studies, two case series, and one case report are included. We discuss the available data in these articles and conclude that scaphoid fractures in the elderly, although rare, have been reported. However, there are not enough epidemiological studies to draw figures. Ignorance of this proportion of population could result in missed fractures in the elderly. Therefore, we encourage researchers to carry out epidemiological studies of scaphoid fractures with more focus on this population group.
BICIPITAL TUBEROSITY OSTEOCHONDROMA CAUSING PAINFUL CLICKING AROUND THE WRIST: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Alsawadi Abdulrahman , Abbas Mustafa , Stanton Jeremy 
Published: May 2012

Osteochondromatas of bicipital tuberosity are rare, most commonly occurring as metaphyseal benign tumours of the long bones. The usual presenting symptoms are pain and reduced rotation of the elbow. A painful clunk in the wrist as a presenting symptom has not been described before.We present a young lady with a two-year history of a painful clunk in her wrist. Her case presented a diagnostic challenge, as the pain and the click originated from her elbow and radiated down her forearm to the wrist. She underwent several radiological studies, and examination under anaesthesia confirmed the diagnosis. Excision was performed resulting in complete resolution of her symptoms.Along with painful clunk in the wrist originating from the elbow, an enlarged radial tuberosity should raise a high index of suspicion, and MRI scans and examination under image intensification can aid in the diagnosis of radial tuberosity osteochondroma.
RARE DIGITAL TUMOURS: TWO CASE REPORTS AND MINI REVIEW
Authors: Horner C. W. M. , Speller A. , McBride T. , Dias R. 
Published: May 2012

Masses within the fingers and hands are a common occurrence affecting patients of all ages. Although most will be benign conditions, rarer more aggressive tumours also occur. Two cases of rare hand tumours, a digital myofibroma and an aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma are reported here including a mini-review of the literature. Although these two cases are quite different they highlight the importance of having a high index of suspicion for the presence of malignant change in masses that have been quiescent for considerable periods of time and thus the need for histological diagnosis in masses resected from the hands. The myofibroma, like other conditions such as giant cell tumours, although benign can have very worrying clinical features, most notably bony destruction. The aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma conversely can appear benign clinically but biologically is very aggressive with a high propensity for local and distant spread.
DORSAL PERCUTANEOUS CANNULATED MINI-SCREW FIXATION FOR FRACTURES OF THE HAMATE HOOK
Authors: Scheufler Oliver , Radmer Sebastian , Andresen Reimer 
Published: May 2012

Purpose: Open fixation of acute fractures, delayed union and non-union of the hamate hook through a palmar approach has been reported. Minimal invasive fixation using a dorsal percutaneous approach and a headless cannulated mini-screw is another option not commonly considered. The authors present their case series of patients who underwent dorsal percutaneous fixation of acute fractures and delayed union of the hamate hook.Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed six consecutive patients (five male patients and one female patient) with non-displaced acute fractures (< 8 weeks) and delayed union (8 to 12 weeks) of the hamate hook treated with dorsal percutaneous cannulated mini-screw fixation. The indications for surgery included wrist pain, patient refusal of conservative treatment, and prevention of non-union and hook excision. Exclusion criteria included displacement or inadequate size of the hamate hook, previous surgery, associated carpal injury, flexor tendon rupture, and median or ulnar nerve lesion in the carpal tunnel and Guyon's canal respectively. Each fracture was visualized by radiography and computed tomography before and after the intervention.Results: Anatomically correct fixation of the hamate hook with central screw positioning was achieved in all patients. No displacement or disruption of the cortical shell of the hook was observed. The union rate was 100% with all patients being able to resume their pre-injury activities after an average of seven weeks from surgery.Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates that non-displaced acute fractures and delayed union of the hamate hook can be treated successfully by dorsal percutaneous cannulated mini-screw fixation with minimal morbidity and complications.
Impact of Frequent Nocturnal Hemodialysis on Myocardial Mechanics and Cardiomyocyte Gene Expression
Authors: Chan Christopher T. , Arab Sara , Carasso Shemy , Moravsky Gil , Li Guo Hua , Liu Peter P. , Rakowski Harry 
Published: May 2012

Background—
Regression of left ventricular mass with nocturnal hemodialysis has been observed. The influence of nocturnal hemodialysis on myocardial mechanics and cardiomyocyte gene expression is unknown.

Methods and Results—

Forty-two patients (30 male:12 female; age, 44 ± 12 years [mean±SD]) with end-stage renal disease were followed for 3.1 ± 1.8 years before and after conversion to nocturnal hemodialysis and were compared with 29 normal subjects (18 male:11 female; age, 48 ± 13 years). Myocardial mechanics were assessed by 2-dimensional velocity vector imaging. Uremic plasma (10%) was added to cultures of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat ventricular myocytes. Total RNA was isolated from cell cultures and subjected to differential gene expression profiling with specific interest in genes affecting apoptosis and fibrosis. Left ventricular mass index and left atrial volume index decreased from 122.6 ± 42.6 to 98.5 ± 34.9 g/m
2
(
P
<0.001) and 25.9 ± 9.1 to 22.5 ± 9.6 cm
3
/m
2
(
P
=0.005), respectively. Left ventricular apical circumferential strain and basal rotation improved after conversion to nocturnal hemodialysis and approximated normal values. Nocturnal hemodialysis increased sessional dialysis dose and lowered parathyroid hormone levels (from 51 ± 67 to 24 ± 37 pmol/L,
P
<0.05) and phosphate. Under conventional hemodialysis conditions, there was an upregulation of genes leading to apoptosis and fibrosis in cardiomyocytes. The change in left ventricle rotation was associated with the change in parathyroid hormone values (
r
=0.37,
P
=0.02) and to the change in left ventricle mass (
r
=0.31,
P
=0.046).

Conclusions—
Frequent hemodialysis is associated with improvement in myocardial mechanics and cardiac gene expression profile, which warrants prognostic validation.
Annular Mode–Like Variation in a Multilayer Quasigeostrophic Model
Authors: Zhang Yang , Yang Xiu-Qun , Nie Yu , Chen Gang 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Eddy–zonal flow interactions in the annular modes are investigated in this study using a modified beta-plane multilayer quasigeostrophic (QG) channel model. This study shows the different response of high- and low-phase-speed (frequency) eddies to the zonal wind anomalies and suggests a baroclinic mechanism through which the two eddies work symbiotically maintaining the positive eddy feedback in the annular modes. Analysis also indicates that the different roles played by these two eddies in the annular modes are related to the differences in their critical line distributions. Eddies with higher phase speeds experience a low-level critical layer at the center of the jet. They drive the zonal wind anomalies associated with the annular mode but weaken the baroclinicity of the jet in the process. Lower-phase-speed eddies encounter low-level critical lines on the jet flanks. While their momentum fluxes are not as important for the jet shift, they play an important role by restoring the lower-level baroclinicity at the jet center, creating a positive feedback loop with the fast eddies that extends the persistence of the jet shift.
The importance of the lower-level baroclinicity restoration by the low-phase-speed eddies in the annular modes is further demonstrated in sensitivity runs, in which surface friction on eddies is increased to selectively damp the low-phase-speed eddies. For simulations in which the low-phase-speed eddies become inactive, the leading mode of the zonal wind variability shifts from the position fluctuation to a pulsing of the jet intensity. Further studies indicate that the response of the lower-level baroclinicity to the zonal wind anomalies caused by the low-phase-speed eddies can be crucial in maintaining the annular mode–like variations.
Excitation Mechanisms of the Teleconnection Patterns Affecting the July Precipitation in Northwest China
Authors: Chen Guosen , Huang Ronghui 
Published: May 2012

AbstractUsing observational rainfall data and atmospheric reanalysis data, the precipitation variations in Northwest China during July and the corresponding atmospheric teleconnection patterns are studied. The results indicate that the leading modes of July precipitation variations in Northwest China are affected by the Silk Road pattern and the Europe–China (EC) pattern. The analysis suggests that the circumglobal teleconnection (CGT) could be considered as the interannual component of the Silk Road pattern.To investigate the excitation mechanisms for the CGT pattern and EC pattern on interannual time scales, the singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis is performed between 200-hPa meridional wind velocity over the region of (30°–60°N, 30°–130°E) and tropical rainfall between (15°S and 30°N). The results suggest that the tropical heating anomalies most responsible for the CGT pattern are located over the North Indian Ocean, and the tropical heating anomalies most responsible for EC pattern are located over equatorial central Pacific, Indonesia, and tropical Atlantic. The tropical heating anomalies excite the CGT pattern and EC pattern by inducing divergent flow at the upper troposphere, and the advections of vorticity by the divergent component of the flow act as effective Rossby wave sources. Further analysis indicates that the tropical rainfall anomalies responsible for the CGT pattern and EC pattern are the leading modes of tropical rainfall variations, and these modes of tropical rainfall variations are related to the SST anomalies.
Conventional versus 3‐Dimensional Miniplate in Management of Mandibular Fracture
Authors: Singh Virendra , Puri Puneet , Arya Sanjay , Malik Sunita , Bhagol Amrish 
Published: May 2012

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare conventional miniplate (Champy’s) and 3‐dimensional miniplate fixation in the management of mandibular fracture.Study DesignProspective study.SettingThe study was carried out in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Govt. Dental College, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, India.Subjects and MethodsA prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out in 50 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a 2.0‐mm 3‐dimensional miniplate (group A) or a 2.0‐mm conventional miniplate (group B). All patients were followed up for 12 weeks postoperatively. Complications were analyzed according to the type of plate used and the site of fracture.ResultsTwenty‐eight fracture sites were treated with the 3‐dimensional miniplate and 28 with the conventional miniplate. Five complications occurred, representing 8.9% of the total. Two complications occurred in group A and 3 in group B, with complication rates equaling 7.14% and 10.71%, respectively. When comparing the overall complication rates according to plates used, the χ2test showed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P>. 05).ConclusionNo major difference in terms of treatment outcome is observed in both systems, and both are equally effective in managing mandibular fracture.
Asymmetric-based novel poly(ether-imide)s: Preparation, properties, kinetics of thermal decomposition, and study electrochemical oxidation behavior by using nanocomposite paste of polymer and multi-walled carbon nanotube
Authors: Taghavi Mehdi , Ghaemy Mousa , Hassanzadeh Marjan 
Published: May 2012

A series of novel fluorescent poly(ether-imide)s (PEIs) bearing ether linkage and diarylimidazole pendant in the backbone was successfully prepared by polycondensation reaction between a new unsymmetrical diamine and commercially available tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides. The PEIs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, 1H-NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis. The PEIs with inherent viscosities in the range of 0.47–0.63 dL g−1 showed excellent solubility in various aprotic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, N, N-dimethylacetamide and N,N-dimethylformamide. Thermal properties of new PEIs were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric analysis in N2 and air. These polymers showed glass transition temperatures ( Tg) in the range of 269–333 °C and 10% weight loss temperatures above 400 °C in air atmosphere. The data obtained from TGA experiments of these polymers have been applied in different kinetic equations such as Coats–Redfern, Kissinger and Criado methods, to determine the kinetic parameters ( E, ▵ S, ▵ G, ▵ H) and mechanism of thermal decomposition. Herein a method based on the adsorptive stripping cyclic voltammetry technique to investigate electrochemical oxidation of these polymers by using multi-walled carbon nano tubes modified glass electrode is also reported.