bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients' satisfaction and opinions of their experiences during admission in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan – a cross sectional study
Authors: Imam Sardar Zakariya , Syed Khezar Shahzada , Ali Syed Ahad , Ali Syed Umer , Fatima Kiran , Gill Marium , Hassan Muhammad Ovais , Hashmi Saad Hasan , Siddiqi Maham T , Khan Hadi Muhammad , Jameel Omar Farooq 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background
It is often felt that developing countries need to improve their quality of healthcare provision. This study hopes to generate data that can help managers and doctors to improve the standard of care they provide in line with the wishes of the patients.

Methods
It was a cross sectional study carried out at a major tertiary care hospital of Karachi. Patients between the ages of 18 and 80 years admitted to the hospital for at least one day were included. Patients in the maternity, psychiatry and chemotherapy wards and those in the ICU/CCU were excluded. A pretested, peer reviewed translation of a validated patient satisfaction scale developed by the Picker Institute of Europe was administered.

Results
A total of 173 patients (response rate: 78.6 %) filled the questionnaire. Patient satisfaction was at levels comparable to European surveys for most aspects of hospital care. However, nearly half the patients (48%) felt they had to wait too long to get a bed in the hospital after presenting to the ER. 68.6% of the patients said that they were never asked for views on the quality of care provided. 20% of the patients did not find anyone in the staff to talk to about their worries and fears while 27.6% felt that they were given emotional support to only some extent. Up to one third of the patients said they were not provided enough information regarding their operative procedures beforehand.

Conclusion
Although several components of patient care equal the quality levels of the west, many sections require considerable improvement in order to improve health care provision. The healthcare team needs to get more involved with the patients, providing them greater support and keeping them informed and involved with their medical treatment. Efforts should be made to get regular feedback from the patients.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Adrenal vein: a novel approach to surgical resection
Authors: Wang Tracy S , Ocal Idris Tolgay , Salem Ronald R , Elefteriades John , Sosa Julie A 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
Leiomyosarcomas typically originate within smooth muscle cells. Leiomyosarcomas arising from the adrenal vein are rare malignancies associated with delayed diagnosis and poor prognosis. The most common vascular site of origin is the inferior vena cava.

Case presentation
This is a 64-year old woman who presented with a 13 × 6.5 × 6.6 cm heterogeneous mass arising in the region of the right adrenal gland and extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the right atrium. Biochemical evaluation excluded a functional tumor of the adrenal gland, and multiple tumor markers were negative. We present the novel use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in the resection of an adrenal vein leiomyosarcoma extending into the right atrium. The patient remains free of disease ten months after surgery. DHCA afforded a bloodless operative field for optimal resection of disease from within the IVC.

Conclusion
The diagnosis of leiomyosarcomas of the adrenal vein is one of exclusion and involves preoperative radiological imaging and biochemical evaluation to exclude other functional tumors of the adrenal gland. Aggressive surgical resection is associated with improved survival and may be best achieved via collaboration among different surgical subspecialties.
A critical evaluation of loss of heterozygosity detected in tumor tissues, blood serum and bone marrow plasma from patients with breast cancer
Authors: Schwarzenbach Heidi , Müller Volkmar , Beeger Cord , Gottberg Miriam , Stahmann Nicole , Pantel Klaus 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Introduction
The aim of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of LOH (loss of heterozygosity) in primary tumors as well as peripheral blood and bone marrow (BM) of patients with breast cancer (BCa).

Methods
Performing PCR-based fluorescence microsatellite analysis and using a panel of seven polymorphic microsatellite markers, we compared the profiles of LOH in primary tumors, peripheral blood and BM plasma from patients with primary BCa (n = 40, stage M0) as well as tumor tissues and blood serum from metastatic BCa patients (n = 48, stage M1). During the course of systemic treatment blood samplings from 12 M0 and 16 M1 patients were at least once repeated.

Results
The overall incidences of LOH in tumor tissues, blood and BM samples were 27.5%, 9.0% and 5.0%, respectively. The marker D3S1255 was the only one in the panel that showed similar frequencies of LOH ranging from 19.0 to 24.5% in tumor, blood and BM samples. Both M0 blood serum and BM plasma samples displayed the same rate of 19.0%, whereas tumor and M1 serum showed a rate of 24.5% and 24.0%, respectively, at this locus. This marker also showed the highest frequency of LOH in serum and BM samples, whereas in tumor samples LOHs at the markers D13S218 (38%) and D17S855 (36%) were more frequent. Statistical analysis of the tumor samples showed that occurrence of LOH at the markers D3S1255 (P < 0.04), D9S171 (P < 0.05) and D17S855 (P < 0.03) correlated with undifferentiated nuclear grade. Additionally, significant associations of the number of LOH recorded at D17S250 with estrogen receptor (P < 0.02), progesterone receptor (P < 0.03) expression and high proliferation score (Ki-67 expression, P = 0.009) were observed. In blood serum samples a relationship between positive lymph node status and LOH at the marker D3S1255 was revealed (M0 stage, P = 0.05; M0+M1 stage, P = 0.004).

Conclusion
Our study demonstrates heterogeneous profiles and low rates of LOH, particularly on free DNA in BM and blood samples. However, the significant associations of LOH with some risk factors and the demonstrated possibility of monitoring free DNA in patients undergoing systemic therapy suggest that LOH analysis may be developed into a useful diagnostic tool.
Involvement of CCR9 at multiple stages of adult T lymphopoiesis
Authors: Svensson Marcus , Marsal Jan , Uronen-Hansson Heli , Cheng Min , Jenkinson William , Cilio Corrado , Jacobsen Sten Eirik W , Sitnicka Ewa , Anderson Graham , Agace William W 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe chemokine CCL25 is constitutively expressed in the thymus, and its receptor CCR9 is expressed on subsets of developing thymocytes. Nevertheless, the function of CCL25/CCR9 in adult thymopoiesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that purified CCR9−/− hematopoietic stem cells are deficient in their ability to generate all major thymocyte subsets including double-negative 1 (DN1) cells in competitive transfers. CCR9−/− bone marrow contained normal numbers of lineage− Sca-1+c-kit+, common lymphoid progenitors, and lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors (LMPP), and CCR9−/− LMPP showed similar T cell potential as their wild-type (WT) counterparts when cultured on OP9–δ-like 1 stromal cells. In contrast, early thymic progenitor and DN2 thymocyte numbers were reduced in the thymus of adult CCR9−/− mice. In fetal thymic organ cultures (FTOC), CCR9−/− DN1 cells were as efficient as WT DN1 cells in generating double-positive (DP) thymocytes; however, under competitive FTOC, CCR9−/− DP cell numbers were reduced significantly. Similarly, following intrathymic injection into sublethally irradiated recipients, CCR9−/− DN cells were out-competed by WT DN cells in generating DP thymocytes. Finally, in competitive reaggregation thymic organ cultures, CCR9−/− preselection DP thymocytes were disadvantaged significantly in their ability to generate CD4 single-positive (SP) thymocytes, a finding that correlated with a reduced ability to form TCR-MHC-dependent conjugates with thymic epithelial cells. Together, these results highlight a role for CCR9 at several stages of adult thymopoiesis: in hematopoietic progenitor seeding of the thymus, in the DN-DP thymocyte transition, and in the generation of CD4 SP thymocytes.
Implications for Prostate Cancer of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) Genetic Variation and Circulating IGF-I Levels
Authors: Johansson Mattias , McKay James D. , Wiklund Fredrik , Rinaldi Sabina , Verheus Martijn , van Gils Carla H. , Hallmans Göran , Bälter Katarina , Adami Hans-Olov , Grönberg Henrik , Stattin Pär , Kaaks Rudolf 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background: Elevated levels of circulating IGF-I have consistently been associated with increased prostate cancer risk. We recently found a haplotype in the 3′ region of the IGF-I gene associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, and we hypothesized that the observed association is mediated by circulating IGF-I.
Materials and Methods: We analyzed haplotypes and three haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) in the 3′ region of the IGF-I gene in relation to circulating levels IGF-I in 698 control subjects from the CAncer Prostate in Sweden (CAPS) study and 575 cases and controls from the prospective Northern Sweden Health and Disease Cohort (NSHDC) study. We also performed a meta-analysis of these two and four other association studies on genetic variation in the 3′ region of the IGF-I gene in relation to circulating IGF-I levels.
Results: The IGF-I haplotype previously associated with prostate cancer risk, labeled “TCC,” was associated with elevated levels of IGF-I in the CAPS study (P = 0.02), but not in the NSHDC study. In contrast, two of the three IGF-I htSNPs tagging this haplotype, rs6220 and rs7136446, were associated with elevated levels of IGF-I in the NSHDC (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively), but not in the CAPS study. In the meta-analysis, the TCC haplotype and the rs6220 SNP were associated with elevated levels of circulating IGF-I (P = 0.001 and P &lt; 0.0001, respectively).
Conclusions: Genetic variation in the 3′ region of the IGF-I gene seems to influence circulating levels of IGF-I. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that variation in the IGF-I gene plays a role in prostate cancer susceptibility by influencing circulating levels of IGF-I.
Technology trajectories, innovation, and the growth of biomimetics
Authors: Bonser R H C , Vincent J F V 
Published: October 2007

Publication rate of patents can be a useful measure of innovation and productivity in science and technology. Patenting activity in new technological fields follows a sigmoid (S-shaped) path. Qualitative and quantitative models in management and economics literature explain why such patterns of productivity may occur. TRIZ analysis suggests that patents are generated in bursts during the evolution of a product and that they are at different levels of inventiveness. The tendency is for the inventiveness to reduce as the product is more mature. This makes it possible to guess at the lifetime stage of a product and gauge its maturity and profitability. An analysis of patenting activity and other measures of inventiveness in the emerging field of biomimetics was presented, and future trends in biologically-inspired innovation was discussed.
Zoledronic Acid and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases and Elevated Markers of Osteoclast Activity
Authors: Lipton Allan , Cook Richard J. , Major Pierre , Smith Matthew R. , Coleman Robert E. 
Published: October 2007

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the benefits of bisphosphonate treatment in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer.Summarize the association between decreases in elevated urinary NTX levels during the first 3 months of zoledronic acid treatment and clinical outcomes such as survival, time to disease progression, and time to first SRE.Describe the association, if any, between bone marker levels and an impending SRE.
Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
How to Preserve Fertility in Young Women Exposed to Chemotherapy? The Role of GnRH Agonist Cotreatment in Addition to Cryopreservation of Embrya, Oocytes, or Ovaries
Authors: Blumenfeld Zeev 
Published: October 2007

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Discuss the possibilities for preserving fertility in women exposed to chemotherapy.List the possible mechanisms put forward to explain the beneficial effect of GnRH agonists in minimizing the gonadotoxic effect of chemotherapy, in particular that of alkylating agents.Identify the advantages and possible risks and shortcomings of each of the proposed methods for fertility preservation in women exposed to gonadotoxic chemotherapy.Discuss the possibility of combining several methods to maximize the chances of fertility preservation in these patients.Explain the gender differences between male and female patients regarding the methods of fertility preservation.
Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
Commentary: Oncologic Drugs in Patients with Organ Dysfunction: A Summary
Authors: Superfin Diana , Iannucci Andrea A. , Davies Angela M. 
Published: October 2007

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the currently recommended dose adjustments for common chemotherapeutics in oncology patients with organ dysfunction.Explain the rationale for using phase I dose-escalation studies to determine appropriate chemotherapy dosing in patients with organ dysfunction.Discuss the limitations of the currently available studies to guide chemotherapy dose adjustment in patients with organ dysfunction.
Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
A Mechanistic Perspective of Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy Beyond Target-Related Effects
Authors: Strome Scott E. , Sausville Edward A. , Mann Dean 
Published: October 2007

Learning ObjectivesAfter completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the relationship between antibody structure and effector function, and identify strategies for modifying antibody structure to enhance these functions.Explain how the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy may occur via antibody- as well as target-related mechanisms.Discuss how the ability of monoclonal antibodies to activate immune-mediated effector functions differs across antibody isotypes.Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
Small Cell Lung Cancer: Have We Made Any Progress Over the Last 25 Years?
Authors: Lally Brian E. , Urbanic James J. , Blackstock A. William , Miller Antonius A. , Perry Michael C. 
Published: October 2007

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Discuss the currently available SCLC treatment options.Describe the benefits of integrating thoracic radiotherapy into SCLC treatment.Identify the limitations of current SCLC treatment options and explain how future clinical trials are addressing these limitations.
Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
Temozolomide for the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Quirt Ian , Verma Shailendra , Petrella Teresa , Bak Kate , Charette Manya 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background.
This systematic review examines the role of temozolomide in patients with metastatic melanoma. Outcomes of interest include response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, quality of life, and adverse effects.

Methods.
The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from 1980 through to 2005 using variations on the search terms: melanoma, clinical trial, random, temozolomide, temodal, and temodar. The American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting proceedings were searched from 1996 to 2005. Relevant articles and abstracts were selected and reviewed by two reviewers, and the reference lists from these sources were searched for additional trials.

Results.
Two randomized phase III trials and three randomized phase II trials were located. In addition, 21 phase I or II trials investigating single-agent temozolomide, temozolomide plus interferon-α, and temozolomide plus thalidomide were reviewed. A direct comparison of temozolomide and dacarbazine demonstrated equal efficacy for response rates and overall survival; however, no significant difference was reported. A second phase III study comparing single-agent temozolomide with temozolomide combined with interferon-α indicated a significantly higher response rate for the combination treatment arm, but no difference in overall survival was noted. Further phase III studies are required to confirm whether there is a benefit associated with the combination of temozolomide and interferon-α or thalidomide.

Conclusion.
Our review of the available literature suggests that temozolomide demonstrates comparable activity to the current standard treatment, dacarbazine, with the additional benefit of being a convenient oral treatment that penetrates the blood–brain barrier.
Primary Malignant Sarcomas of the Heart and Great Vessels in Adult Patients — A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Mayer Frank , Aebert Hermann , Rudert Maximilian , Königsrainer Alfred , Horger Marius , Kanz Lothar , Bamberg Michael , Ziemer Gerhard , Hartmann Jörg Thomas 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background.
Sarcomas arising in the heart or the great vessels are rare entities. The prognosis of the patients is dismal.

Methods.
Between January 1993 and September 2006, of 1,429 patients registered to the Sarcoma Center, 14 had a primary sarcoma of the heart or large vessels.

Results.
Tumors were located in the left ventricle (n = 3), left/right atrium (n = 2/3), pulmonary artery (n = 2), and ventricular septum, aorta, pericardium, and inferior vena cava (n = 1 each). The most frequently encountered histologic subtypes were leiomyosarcoma and angiosarcoma. Six patients presented with distant metastases to the lungs (n = 5), lymph nodes (n = 2), and liver (n = 1). Eight patients had localized disease. Six of them underwent resection with curative intent. Of those, two developed local recurrence within 2 and 10 months from surgery.
Eleven patients received palliative chemotherapy, seven of those as initial treatment. Eight patients attained a response to treatment, two had disease stabilization for 6 and 12 months. After a median follow-up of 14.5 months (range, 2–156), three patients were alive with no evidence of disease 11, 52, and 156 months after diagnosis. Two patients were alive with disease and nine patients had died.

Conclusions.
Patients with primary sarcomas of the heart and the large vessels were of a young age, and more than half of them presented with advanced disease. Given the promising response to chemotherapy, an optimized treatment approach including neoadjuvant chemo-/radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced disease should be pursued.
Guidelines for Antiemetic Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Past, Present, and Future Recommendations
Authors: Jordan Karin , Sippel Christoph , Schmoll Hans-Joachim 
Published: October 2007

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Explain the optimal antiemetic prophylaxis for patients receiving chemotherapy in regard to the emetogenic potential of the therapy.Describe the difference between acute and delayed emesis.Discuss the properties and optimal use of the different antiemetic drugs.
Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com
Randomized Crossover Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Subcutaneous Versus Intravenous Granisetron in Cancer Patients Treated with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
Authors: Gurpide Alfonso , Sadaba Belen , Martin-Algarra Salvador , Azanza Jose R. , Lopez-Picazo Jose M. , Campanero Miguel A. , Cabello Juan P. , Gil-Aldea Isabel , de la Cruz Susana , Gallego Victor Fernandez , Reyna Carmen , Garate Clara Olier , Blanco-Prieto María J. , Ceballos Jaime , Garcia-Foncillas Jesus , Perez-Gracia Jose L. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background.
5-HT3-receptor antagonists are one of the mainstays of antiemetic treatment, and they are administered either i.v. or orally. Nevertheless, sometimes neither administration route is feasible, such as in patients unable to admit oral intake managed in an outpatient setting. Our objective was to evaluate the bioavailability of s.c. granisetron.

Patients and Methods.
Patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy were randomized to receive 3 mg of granisetron either s.c. or i.v. in a crossover manner during two cycles. Blood and urine samples were collected after each cycle. Pharmacokinetic parameters observed with each administration route were compared by analysis of variance.

Results.
From May to November 2005, 31 patients were included and 25 were evaluable. Subcutaneous granisetron resulted in a 27% higher area under the concentration–time curve for 0–12 hours (AUC0–12h) and higher levels at 12 hours, with similar values for AUC0–24h. The maximum concentration was lower with the s.c. than with the i.v. route and was observed 30 minutes following s.c. administration.

Conclusion.
Granisetron administered s.c. achieves complete bioavailability. This is the first study that shows that s.c. granisetron might be a valid alternative to i.v. delivery. Further trials to confirm clinical equivalence are warranted. This new route of administration might be especially relevant for outpatient management of emesis in cancer patients.
An Investigation of Auditor Perceptions about Subsequent Events and Factors That Influence This Audit Task
Authors: Janvrin Diane J. , Jeffrey Cynthia G. 
Published: October 2007

Events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the audit report is signed and dated (subsequent events) may have a material effect on the financial statements and their users. New SEC reporting requirements reduce the time between the balance sheet and report dates, limiting the availability of subsequent event evidence. Professional groups, including the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), question whether sufficient evidence will exist if subsequent event information is not available. They fear that decreased availability of subsequent event evidence may lower the quality of both audit judgments and financial reporting.
Scant prior research examines auditors' perceptions about subsequent events. Our study examines how auditors search for and discover subsequent event evidence and factors that influence this process. Responses from auditors representing all Big 4 firms and one national firm suggest that subsequent event evidence is important. Auditors generally follow procedures recommended by audit standards; however, recommended procedures uncover subsequent event evidence with low frequency. Implications for future research are discussed.