bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TCR Mimic Monoclonal Antibodies Induce Apoptosis of Tumor Cells via Immune Effector-Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Verma Bhavna , Jain Rinki , Caseltine Shannon , Rennels Aaron , Bhattacharya Raktima , Markiewski Maciej M. , Rawat Amit , Neethling Francisca , Bickel Ulrich , Weidanz Jon A.
Published: February 2011

mAbs that recognize peptides presented on the cell surface by MHC class I molecules are potential therapeutic agents for cancer therapy. We have previously demonstrated that these Abs, which we termed TCR mimic mAbs (TCRm), reduce tumor growth in models of breast carcinoma. However, mechanisms of TCRm-mediated tumor growth reduction remain largely unknown. In this study, we report that these Abs, in contrast to several mAbs used currently in the clinic, destroy tumor cells independently of immune effector mechanisms such as Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). We found that TCRm-mediated apoptosis of tumor cells was associated with selective and specific binding of these Abs to peptide/HLA class I complexes, which triggered the activation of JNK and intrinsic caspase pathways. This signaling was accompanied by the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor. TCRm-induced apoptosis in tumor cells was completely inhibited by soluble MHC tetramers loaded with relevant peptide as well as with inhibitors for JNK and caspases. Furthermore, mAbs targeting MHC class I, independent of the peptide bound by HLA, did not stimulate apoptosis, suggesting that the Ab-binding site on the MHC/peptide complex determines cytotoxicity. This study suggests the existence of mechanisms, in addition to ADCC and CDC, through which these therapeutic Abs destroy tumor cells. These mechanisms would appear to be of particular importance in severely immunocompromised patients with advanced neoplastic disease, since immune cell-mediated killing of tumor cells through ADCC and CDC is substantially limited in these individuals.
Glatiramer Acetate Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: An Immunological Perspective
Authors: Racke Michael K. , Lovett-Racke Amy E.
Published: February 2011

Glatiramer acetate (GA) has been used as an immunomodulatory agent for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States since 1996. It is currently one of two first-line agents for use in the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. GA was the first agent to be used in the treatment of MS that was developed using the animal model of MS called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In this commentary, we examine the development of GA as a treatment for MS and discuss its mechanism of action as suggested by recent studies using modern immunologic methods.
The Use of Patient Navigators to Improve Cancer Care for Hispanic Patients
Authors: Robie Loreley , Alexandru Daniela , Bota Daniela A
Published: February 2011

Background

Although the United States is one of the countries at the leading edge of medical breakthroughs and treatments, there are great disparities in the access to care among different socioeconomic strata. One of the most striking discrepancies regarding access to care is found among the ranks of the Hispanic population, which is the fastest growing minority in the United States, but for which cancer is the third leading cause of death. It is clear that better and timely treatment for cancer patients belonging to this minority is needed. Patient navigators can be an important tool to improve access to care of patients belonging to this minority group.

Methods

Through a systemic search, we identified seven articles that employed patient navigators for Hispanic cancer patients. The identified studies addressed very limited pathology, three studying breast and four colon cancer patients.

Conclusions

The presence of patient navigation can be an effective to remove impediments that limit the access to care in minority populations and can improve outcomes in Hispanic patients suffering from cancer. Further research to evaluate the cost of patient navigation in relationship to the added benefit early diagnosis, continued follow up and treatment is needed.
Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Water Transport from the Gas Diffusion Layer to the Gas Channel in PEFC
Authors: Moriyama Koji , Inamuro Takaji
Published: February 2011

Water management is a key to ensuring high performance and durability of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and it is important to understand the behavior of liquid water in PEFC. In this study, the two-phase lattice Boltzmann method is applied to the simulations of water discharge from gas diffusion layers (GDL) to gas channels. The GDL is porous media composed of carbon fibers with hydrophobic treatment, and the gas channels are hydrophilic micro-scale ducts. In the simulations, arbitrarily generated porous materials are used as the structures of the GDL. We investigate the effects of solid surface wettabilities on water distribution in the gas channels and the GDL. Moreover, the results of X-ray computed tomography images in the operating PEFC are compared with the numerical simulations, and the mechanism of the water transport in PEFC is considered.
A Discrete Flux Scheme for Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Flows
Authors: Fu S. C. , So R. M. C. , Leung W. W. F.
Published: February 2011

The objective of this paper is to seek an alternative to the numerical simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations by a method similar to solving the BGK-type modeled lattice Boltzmann equation. The proposed method is valid for both gas and liquid flows. A discrete flux scheme (DFS) is used to derive the governing equations for two distribution functions; one for mass and another for thermal energy. These equations are derived by considering an infinitesimally small control volume with a velocity lattice representation for the distribution functions. The zero-order moment equation of the mass distribution function is used to recover the continuity equation, while the first-order moment equation recovers the linear momentum equation. The recovered equations are correct to the first order of the Knudsen number(Kn);thus, satisfying the continuum assumption. Similarly, the zero-order moment equation of the thermal energy distribution function is used to recover the thermal energy equation. For aerodynamic flows, it is shown that the finite difference solution of the DFS is equivalent to solving the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) with a BGK-type model and a specified equation of state. Thus formulated, the DFS can be used to simulate a variety of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flows. Examples of classical aeroacoustics, compressible flow with shocks, incompressible isothermal and non-isothermal Couette flows, stratified flow in a cavity, and double diffusive flow inside a rectangle are used to demonstrate the validity and extent of the DFS. Very good to excellent agreement with known analytical and/or numerical solutions is obtained; thus lending evidence to the DFS approach as an alternative to solving the Navier-Stokes equations for fluid flow simulations.
Modelling multi-phase halogen chemistry in the coastal marine boundary layer: investigation of the relative importance of local chemistry vs. long-range transport
Authors: Lowe D. , Ryder J. , Leigh R. , Dorsey J. R. , McFiggans G.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Measurements of significant concentrations of IO, I2 and BrO in a semi-polluted coast environment at Roscoff, in North-West France, have been made as part of the Reactive Halogens in the Marine Boundary Layer (RHaMBLe) campaign undertaken in September 2006. We use a one-dimensional column model, with idealised I2 emissions predicted using macroalgael maps and tidal data from the littoral area surrounding Roscoff, to investigate the probable causes for these observations. The coupled microphysical and chemical aerosol model simulates mixed-phase halogen chemistry using two separate particle modes, seasalt and non-seasalt, each comprising of eight size-sections. This work confirms the finding of a previous study that the BrO measurements are most likely caused by unknown, local sources. We find that the remote observations of IO and I2 are best replicated using the I2 recycling mechanism suggested by previous studies, but that such a mechanism is not wholly necessary. However in-situ measurements of I2 can only be explained by invoking an I2 recycling mechanism. We suggest that focussed observations of the changes in NOx and NOy concentrations, as well as changes in the nitrate fraction of the non-seasalt aerosol mode, in the presence of I2 bursts could be used to determine the atmospheric relevance of the predicted I2 recycling mechanism.
Temperature and sunlight controls of mercury oxidation and deposition atop the Greenland ice sheet
Authors: Brooks S. , Moore C. , Lew D. , Lefer B. , Huey G. , Tanner D.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. We conducted the first ever mercury speciation measurements atop the Greenland ice sheet at Summit Station (Latitude 72.6° N, Altitude 3200 m) in the Spring and Summer of 2007 and 2008. These measurements were part of the GSHOX campaigns investigating the importance of halogen chemistry in this remote environment. Significant levels of BrO (1–5 pptv) in the near surface air were often accompanied by depletions of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) below background levels, and in-situ production of reactive gaseous mercury (RGM). While halogen (i.e. Br) chemistry is normally associated with marine boundary layers, at Summit, Greenland, far from any marine source, we have conclusively detected bromine and mercury chemistry in the near surface air. We suggest that the fate of the formed mercury-bromine radical (HgBr) is further oxidation to stable RGM (HgBr2, HgBrOH, HgBrCl, etc.), or thermal decomposition. These fates appear to be controlled by the availability of Br, OH, Cl, etc. to produce RGM (Hg(II)), verses the lifetime of HgBr by thermal dissociation. At Summit, the availability of Br appears to be controlled by J(Br2), requiring a sun angle of > 5 degrees, while the formation of RGM from HgBr requires a temperature < −15 °C. The majority of the deposited RGM is readily photoreduced and re-emitted to the air as GEM. However, a very small fraction becomes buried at depth. Extrapolating to the entire Greenland ice sheet, we calculate an estimated net annual sequestration of ~ 13 metric tons Hg per year, buried long-term under the sunlit photoreduction zone.
Regional analysis of runoff thresholds behaviour in Southern Italy based on theoretically derived distributions
Authors: Fiorentino M. , Gioia A. , Iacobellis V. , Manfreda S.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The analysis of runoff thresholds and, more in general, the identification of main mechanisms of runoff generation controlling the flood frequency distribution is investigated, by means of theoretically derived flood frequency distributions, in the framework of regional analysis. Two nested theoretically-derived distributions are fitted to annual maximum flood series recorded in several basins of Southern Italy. Results are exploited in order to investigate heterogeneities and homogeneities and to obtain useful information for improving the available methods for regional analysis of flood frequency.
Decreased calcification affects photosynthetic responses of Emiliania huxleyi exposed to UV radiation and elevated temperature
Authors: Xu K. , Gao K. , Villafañe V. E. , Helbling E. W.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Changes in calcification of coccolithophores may affect their photosynthetic responses to both, ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) and temperature. We operated semi-continuous cultures of Emiliania huxleyi (strain CS-369) at reduced (0.1 mM, LCa) and ambient (10 mM, HCa) Ca2+ concentrations and, after 148 generations, we exposed cells to six radiation treatments (>280, >295, >305, >320, >350 and >395 nm by using Schott filters) and two temperatures (20 and 25 °C) to examine photosynthesis and calcification responses. Overall, our study has demonstrated that: (1) decreased calcification resulted in a down regulation of photoprotective mechanisms (i.e., as estimated via non-photochemical quenching, NPQ), pigment contents and photosynthetic carbon fixation; (2) Calcification (C) and photosynthesis (P) (as well as their ratio) have different responses related to UVR with cells grown under the high Ca2+ concentration having a better performance as compared to those grown under the low Ca2+ level; (3) elevated temperature increased photosynthesis and calcification of E. huxleyi grown at high Ca2+ concentrations whereas the opposite was observed in low Ca2+ grown cells. Therefore, a decrease in calcification rates in E. huxleyi is expected to decrease photosynthesis rates and producing also a negative feedback, further reducing calcification.
Generating tsunami risk knowledge at community level as a base for planning and implementation of risk reduction strategies
Authors: Wegscheider S. , Post J. , Zosseder K. , Mück M. , Strunz G. , Riedlinger T. , Muhari A. , Anwar H. Z.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. More than 4 million Indonesians live in tsunami-prone areas along the southern and western coasts of Sumatra, Java and Bali. Although a Tsunami Early Warning Center in Jakarta now exists, installed after the devastating 2004 tsunami, it is essential to develop tsunami risk knowledge within the exposed communities as a basis for tsunami disaster management. These communities need to implement risk reduction strategies to mitigate potential consequences. The major aims of this paper are to present a risk assessment methodology which (1) identifies areas of high tsunami risk in terms of potential loss of life, (2) bridges the gaps between research and practical application, and (3) can be implemented at community level. High risk areas have a great need for action to improve people's response capabilities towards a disaster, thus reducing the risk. The methodology developed here is based on a GIS approach and combines hazard probability, hazard intensity, population density and people's response capability to assess the risk. Within the framework of the GITEWS (German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System) project, the methodology was applied to three pilot areas, one of which is southern Bali. Bali's tourism is concentrated for a great part in the communities of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. Here alone, about 20 000 people live in high and very high tsunami risk areas. The development of risk reduction strategies is therefore of significant interest. A risk map produced for the study area in Bali can be used for local planning activities and the development of risk reduction strategies.
Mixing, heat fluxes and heat content evolution of the Arctic Ocean mixed layer
Authors: Sirevaag A. , de la Rosa S. , Fer I. , Nicolaus M. , Tjernström M. , McPhee M. G.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. A comprehensive measurement program was conducted during 16 days of a 3 week long ice pack drift, from 15 August to 1 September 2008 in the Central Amundsen Basin, Arctic Ocean. The data, sampled as part of the Arctic Summer Cloud Ocean Study (ASCOS), included upper ocean stratification, mixing and heat transfer as well as transmittance of solar radiation through the ice. The observations give insight into the evolution of the upper layers of the Arctic Ocean in the transition period from melting to freezing. The ocean mixed layer was found to be heated from above and, for summer conditions, the net heat flux through the ice accounted for 22% of the observed change in mixed layer heat content. Heat was mixed downward within the mixed layer and a small, downward heat flux across the pycnocline accounted for the accumulated heat in the upper cold halocline during the melting season. On average, the ocean mixed layer was cooled by an ocean heat flux at the ice/ocean interface (1.2 W m−2) and heated by solar radiation through the ice (−2.6 W m−2). An abrupt change in surface conditions halfway into the drift due to freezing and snowfall showed distinct signatures in the data set and allowed for inferences and comparisons to be made for cases of contrasting forcing conditions. Transmittance of solar radiation was reduced by 59% in the latter period. From hydrographic observations obtained earlier in the melting season, in the same region, we infer a total fresh water equivalent of 3.3 m accumulated in the upper ocean, which together with the observed saltier winter mixed layer indicates a transition towards a more seasonal ice cover in the Arctic.
Glacial debris cover and melt water production for glaciers in the Altay, Russia
Authors: Mayer C. , Lambrecht A. , Hagg W. , Narozhny Y.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Glaciers are important water storages on a seasonal and long-term time scale. Where high mountains are surrounded by arid lowlands, glacier runoff is an important source of water during the growing season. This situation can be found in the Altay mountains in Southern Siberia, where the recent glacierization of >700 km2 is subject to continuous mass loss, even though the shrinking is comparably slow. The glacier retreat is accompanied by an extension of supra-glacial moraine, which itself strongly influences ablation rates. To quantify these effects, the spatial evolution of debris cover since 1952 was analysed for three glaciers in the North Chuya Ridge using satellite and airborne imagery. In summer 2007, an ablation experiment was carried out on debris covered parts of Maliy Aktru glacier. Thermistors in different depths within the moraine provided data to calculate thermal resistance of the debris. A set of ablation stakes was installed at locations with differing debris thickness and observed regularly throughout the entire melt season. Air temperature from an AWS was used to calculate degree day factors in dependence of the debris thickness. To take into account the shading effect of surrounding walls and peaks, the potential solar radiation and its evolution throughout the summer was determined from a digital elevation model. This allows us to extrapolate our measurements from Maliy Aktru to the other two glaciers of the Aktru basin and to estimate basin melt rates. In addition accumulated ice melt was derived for 12 glaciers in the North Chuya Range. Changes in summer runoff from the 1960s are compared to the results from our melt model and the evolution of debris cover is analysed in respect to the melt activity.
A comparison of glacier melt on debris-covered glaciers in the northern and southern Caucasus
Authors: Lambrecht A. , Mayer C. , Hagg W. , Popovnin V. , Rezepkin A. , Lomidze N. , Svanadze D.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The glacier coverage in the Caucasus Mountains underwent considerable changes during the last decades. Besides a reduction in glacier area which in some areas is comparable to area changes in the European Alps, also the concentration of supra-glacial debris increased on many glaciers. Only a few glaciers in the Caucasus are monitored on a regular basis, while for most areas no field measurements are available on a continuous basis. In this study the regional differences between the well studied Adyl-su basin on the northern slope of the Caucasus is compared with a similar basin in the South (Zopkhito basin). Special focus is laid on the effect of supra-glacial debris cover on the melt conditions during the ablation season. Systematic differences can be shown for the distribution and temporal increase of the debris cover on the glaciers. While in the Adyl-su basin an extensive debris cover on the glacier tongues is common, only some low lying glacier tongues in the Zopkhito basin show considerable supra-glacial debris. Also the temporal increase in debris cover is decidedly stronger in the North. Field experiments show that the thermal resistance of the debris cover is somewhat higher than in other glacerised regions in the world. A simple ablation model which includes the effect of the debris cover on ice melt indicates considerably stronger melt rates in the northern basin, despite the much more widespread debris distribution. This is due to the different meteorological conditions with more frequent cloud cover and precipitation in the South. Still ablation is strongly influenced in both basins by the occurrence of supra-glacial debris cover, reducing the total amount of melt on the glacier by about 20%. Especially in the lower tongue areas this effect mitigates the area loss of the glaciers considerably.
Surface growth of geotrichum candidum: effect of the environmental factors on its dynamics
Authors: Hudecová Anna , Valí­k Ľubomí­r , Liptáková Denisa
Published: February 2011

The growth dynamics of Geotrichum candidum was studied on the surface of the skim milk agar with respect to the temperature, pH and water activity/NaCl content. At pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.0, the fungus growth rates were similar, whereas the temperature and water activity represented by salt addition in concentration of 3 % influenced the growth significantly. The effect of incubation temperature on the surface growth rate was modelled with G-Twmodel. Designed model proved to be good predictor of fungus growth at used environmental conditions. As the filamentous fungus under study is commonly present on the surface of various cheeses, the quantitative data found in this work can provide useful information closely related to real fungus growth, e.g. calculation of time required for G. candidum to reach visible 3 mm colony. The predictions showed that, for example at 0 % NaCl content, such colonies were grown for 52.2, 30.7, 18.4, 14.4, 13.9 hat temperatures of 10, 14, 19, 23, 27 °C, respectively.
Application of western blot analysis for detection of prolamin proteins in cereal grains and bread
Authors: Socha Peter , Mickowska Barbara , Mazur Elżbieta , Urminská Dana , Cieślik Ewa
Published: February 2011

Celiac disease is an inflammatory condition of the small intestine in genetically susceptible individuals caused by ingestion of wheat gluten and corresponding proteins from barley and rye. Cereal storage proteins (prolamins) are responsible for immunological response of patients with celiac disease. Prolamins are alcohol soluble fractions, namely gliadins (wheat), hordeins (barley) and secalins (rye). The main triggering factor is wheat fraction with low molecular weight (20-30 kDa) called α-gliadins. Immunochemical detection of celiac active proteins is based on reactivity of gluten-detecting antibodies with prolamins extracted from cereals. In our study, we used Western blot analysis for detection of prolamin complex in cereal grains and processed foods (breads). Western blot was carried out by polyclonal antibody raised against wheat gluten. Reaction was positive for all kind of cereal grains. The samples of wheat and spelt wheat show much more positive affinity to antibody than rye and oat. As well as for cereal grains, all samples of bread showed positive immunological reaction with used antibody. Western blot analysis with gluten polyclonal antibody is suitable method for qualitative detection of prolamin complex in cereal grains and processed foods.
Effect of nickel and zinc peroral administration on meat quality of rabbits
Authors: Kalafova Anna , Kováčik Jaroslav , Massányi Peter , Lukáčik Norbert , Jurčí­k Rastislav , Schneidgenová Monika
Published: February 2011

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of single nickel administration as well as co–administration with zinc on meat quality parameters. In the experiment 45 [25 female (5 per group) and 20 male (4 per group)] rabbits of broiler line Californian were involved. Animals were divided to five groups: K (n=9) – control; P1 (n=9) – received 17.5 g NiCl2.100 kg-1 feeding dose (FD); P2 (n=9) – received 35 g NiCl2.100 kg-1 FD; P3 (n = 9) – received 17.5 g NiCl2.100 kg-1FD and 30 g ZnCl2.100 kg-1 FD and finally groups P4 (n = 9) – received 35 g NiCl2.100 kg-1 FD and 30 g ZnCl2.100 kg-1 FD. Animals were fed ad libitum using KKV1 feeding mixture with or without nickel and zinc addition for 90 days. Meat quality was analyzed from a sample of musculus biceps femoris for the content of water in muscle, content of proteins, fat, energy, electric conductivity, pH, colour and content of bounded water. The value of pH was detected by injection analysis. The content of water, proteins and fat was analyzed using Infratech 1265 Meat Analyzer. Meat colour was detected by spectrophotometer (Specol 11) and the meat ability to bind water by pressure method. In meat quality any significant differences were found among all groups.
Process of obtaining of sugar from sugar beet and influence on its quality
Authors: Bojňanská Tatiana , Bennár Marek , Frančáková Helena , Tokár Marián
Published: February 2011

Cooking of massecuites has been study in the connection with different particle size distribution of white sugar. During the crystallization is possible to operate with parameters which have influence on particle size of white sugar. Dry matter of juice in crystallizer, volume of the standard syrup in crystallizer and heating curve of crystallization process are constant parameters in this process. Quantity of slurry (seed magma crystallizate) and volume of slurry massecuite are parameters which can be changed for control the particle size distribution of white sugar. Five variants of viable parameters have been trying for obtain ideal particle size distribution of white sugar. As a best has been evaluated variant with 1100 cm3 of slurry and 20 % of volume of slurry massecuite in crystallizer. This variant has had the crystals proportions captured by the sieves between 1.00 and 0.40 mm with minimal differences in weight. More results have been related to reduction of losses of sugar in molasses with the right setting for the line of cooling crystallization process. The looses of sugar can be reduced by adding two coolers in the end of cooling crystalization process what will decrease a temperature to 40 ° C. This temperature will lead to more efficient crystallization in the cooling crystallization process.
Clinician Integrity and Limits to Patient Autonomy
Authors: Lantos John , Matlock Ann Marie , Wendler David
Published: February 2011

A 28-year-old man with chronic granulomatous disease developed worsening respiratory status in the setting of chronic bacterial and fungal infections. The attending physician recommended transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU), but the patient declined. The patient understood that the nurses in the ICU have expertise in caring for patients with poor respiratory function. He also understood that he faced an increased risk of dying if he remained on the medical ward. At the same time, the patient was familiar with the nurses on the medical ward and felt comfortable there. Unsure of whether it was appropriate for clinicians to agree to provide less than optimal care for a critically ill patient, the clinicians on the medical ward requested a bioethics consultation. This article reviews the ethical issues that arise when patients ask clinicians to provide less than optimal care. Although it is well established that clinicians ought to respect patient autonomy, that obligation conflicted, in the present case, with the clinicians’ sense of professional integrity. Future research on this vital but underexplored topic is needed to determine the extent to which clinicians’ professional integrity places limits on the types of patient requests to which they should agree.
Association of Hospice Agency Profit Status With Patient Diagnosis, Location of Care, and Length of Stay
Authors: Wachterman Melissa W. , Marcantonio Edward R. , Davis Roger B. , McCarthy Ellen P.
Published: February 2011

Context

Medicare’s per diem payment structure may create financial incentives to select patients who require less resource-intensive care and have longer hospice stays. For-profit and nonprofit hospices may respond differently to financial incentives.

Objective

To compare patient diagnosis and location of care between for-profit and nonprofit hospices and examine whether number of visits per day and length of stay vary by diagnosis and profit status.

Design, Setting, and Patients

Cross-sectional study using data from the 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey. Nationally representative sample of 4705 patients discharged from hospice.

Main Outcome Measures

Diagnosis and location of care (home, nursing home, hospital, residential hospice, or other) by hospice profit status. Hospice length of stay and number of visits per day by various hospice personnel.

Results

For-profit hospices (1087 discharges from 145 agencies), compared with nonprofit hospices (3618 discharges from 524 agencies), had a lower proportion of patients with cancer (34.1%; 95% CI, 29.9%-38.6%, vs 48.4%; 95% CI, 45.0%-51.8%) and a higher proportion of patients with dementia (17.2%; 95% CI, 14.1%-20.8%, vs 8.4%; 95% CI, 6.6%-10.6%) and other noncancer diagnoses (48.7%; 95% CI, 43.2%-54.1%, vs 43.2%; 95% CI, 40.0%-46.5%; adjusted P < .001). After adjustment for demographic, clinical, and agency characteristics, there was no significant difference in location of care by profit status. For-profit hospices compared with nonprofit hospices had a significantly longer length of stay (median, 20 days; interquartile range [IQR], 6-88, vs 16 days; IQR, 5-52 days; adjusted P = .01) and were more likely to have patients with stays longer than 365 days (6.9%; 95% CI, 5.0%-9.4%, vs 2.8%; 95% CI, 2.0%-4.0%) and less likely to have patients with stays of less than 7 days (28.1%; 95% CI, 23.9%-32.7%, vs 34.3%; 95% CI, 31.3%-37.3%; P = .005). Compared with cancer patients, those with dementia or other diagnoses had fewer visits per day from nurses (0.50 visits; IQR, 0.32-0.87, vs 0.37 visits; IQR, 0.20-0.78, and 0.41 visits; IQR, 0.26-0.79, respectively; adjusted P = .002) and social workers (0.15 visits; IQR, 0.07-0.31, vs 0.11 visits; IQR, 0.04-0.27, and 0.14 visits; IQR, 0.07-0.31, respectively; adjusted P < .001).

Conclusion

Compared with nonprofit hospice agencies, for-profit hospice agencies had a higher percentage of patients with diagnoses associated with lower-skilled needs and longer lengths of stay.
A comparative study on testicular microstructure and relative sperm production in gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans
Authors: Fujii‐Hanamoto Hideko , Matsubayashi Kiyoaki , Nakano Mayumi , Kusunoki Hiroshi , Enomoto Tomoo
Published: February 2011

We performed histological analyses for comparing testicular microstructure between the gorilla, chimpanzee, and orangutan. Testicular samples were obtained by autopsy or biopsy from 10 gorillas, 11 chimpanzees, and 7 orangutans from several zoos and institutes. The seminiferous epithelia were thick in the chimpanzee and orangutan but thin in the gorilla. Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue were abundant in the gorilla. The acrosomic system was extremely well developed in the orangutans. Our study reveals that the cycle of seminiferous epithelium in orangutan testis can be divided into ten stages, whereas that in human, chimpanzee, and gorilla testes can be divided into only six stages. Phylogenetic analyses of the number of divisions may indicate that the seminiferous epithelium of our common ancestor has changed since the orangutan diverged from it. Furthermore, we performed comparative analyses of testicular microstructure to estimate relative sperm production among these three animals, and proposed a new indicator (namely the spermatogenic index, SI) closely related to sperm production. The SI indicated that a chimpanzee usually produces about 223 times more sperm than a gorilla and about 14 times more than an orangutan. Our data demonstrate the significance of the SI for estimating sperm production, thus aiding our understanding of the reproductive strategy as well as testis weight and relative testis size in investigated primates. Am. J. Primatol. 73: 570‐577, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parametric sensitivity analysis and reduction of a detailed nutritional model of plant cell cultures
Authors: Mailier J. , Delmotte A. , Cloutier M. , Jolicoeur M. , Wouwer A. Vande
Published: February 2011

A kinetic model of plant nutrition described by Cloutier et al. (Cloutier et al., 2008. Biotechnol Bioeng 99:189–200) is progressively simplified so as to obtain a predictive model that describes the evolution of the biomass and the extracellular and intracellular concentrations of three determining nutrients, that is, free intracellular nitrogen, phosphate, and carbohydrate compounds. Three techniques of global sensitivity analysis are successively applied to assess the model parameter influence and potential correlation. The resulting dynamic model is able to predict plant growth for the two most encountered plant bioprocesses, namely suspension cells and hairy roots. Bioeng. 2011; 108:1108–1118. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Naphthalene and Related Systems peri‐Substituted by Group 15 and 16 Elements
Authors: Kilian Petr , Knight Fergus R. , Woollins J. Derek
Published: February 2011

Synthetic and bonding aspects of heavier Group 15 (P, As, Sb, Bi) and 16 (S, Se, Te) peri‐substituted naphthalenes, are discussed in this review. An important and unifying feature of the chemistry of these systems is the lively discussion about the nature of the interaction between peri‐atoms. Are atoms bonded when they are closer than the sum of their van der Waals radii? Is there any (weak) bonding, or just a strained repulsive interaction? Positioning atoms of Group 15 and 16 at the naphthalene 1,8‐positions provides leading systems with which to study these bonding issues.
Colorimetric Detection of DNA by Modulation of Thrombin Activity on Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Jian Jyun‐Wei , Huang Chih‐Ching
Published: February 2011

A colorimetric, non‐cross‐linking aggregation‐based gold‐nanoparticle (AuNP) probe has been developed for the detection of DNA and the analysis of single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The probe acts by modulating the enzyme activity of thrombin relative to fibrinogen. A thrombin‐binding aptamer with a 29‐base‐long oligonucleotide (TBA29) assembled on the nanoparticles (TBA29–AuNPs) through sandwich DNA hybridization was found to possess ultra‐high anticoagulant potency. The enzyme inhibition of thrombin was determined by thrombin‐induced aggregation of fibrinogen‐functionalized 56 nm AuNPs (Fib–AuNPs). The potency of the inhibition of TBA29–AuNPs relative to thrombin—and thus the degree of aggregation of the Fib–AuNPs—is highly dependent on the concentration of perfectly matched DNA (DNApm). Under optimal conditions [Tris–HCl (20 mM, pH 7.4), KCl (5 mm), MgCl2 (1 mm), CaCl2 (1 mM), NaCl (150 mm), thrombin (10 pm), and TBA29–AuNPs (20 pM)], the new TBA29–AuNP/Fib–AuNP probe shows linear sensitivity to DNApm in the concentration range 20–500 pM with a correlation coefficient of 0.96. The limit of detection for DNApm was experimentally determined to be 12 pM, based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) of 3. The new probe was successfully applied to the analysis of an SNP that is responsible for sickle cell anemia. Relative to conventional molecular‐beacon‐based probes, the new probe offers the advantages of higher sensitivity and selectivity towards DNA and lower cost, showing its great potential for practical studies of SNPs.
Is Hyperoxic Ventilation Important to Treat Acute Coronary Syndromes Such As Myocardial Infarction?
Authors: Conti C. Richard
Published: February 2011

magnified image

After reviewing the literature, I was unable to find hard evidence that the use of supplemental oxygen (hyperbaric or normobaric) in an uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is beneficial, and there is some evidence that it may be harmful. . © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical implications of UGT1A1*28 genotype testing in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Shulman Katerina , Cohen Ilana , Barnett‐Griness Ofra , Kuten Abraham , Gruber Stephen B. , Lejbkowicz Flavio , Rennert Gad
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

Metastatic colorectal cancer is frequently treated with irinotecan, a topoisomerase‐I inhibitor. The UGT1A1 gene encodes for an enzyme that metabolizes irinotecan, and its genetic variants were shown to be associated with increased drug toxicity. We evaluated clinical outcomes associated with the UGT1A1*28 variant.

METHODS:

The study included 329 colorectal cancer patients from the Israeli population‐based Molecular Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer study who were treated with a chemotherapy regimen that included irinotecan. Patients with metastases or disease recurrence were followed up for a median period of 2 years after occurrence of the event. Study end points were appearance of grade 3‐4 hematological and gastroenterological toxicity, hospitalization due to toxic events (mostly neutropenia, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting), length of hospitalization, and overall survival. UGT1A1*28 was genotyped from peripheral blood DNA by fragment analysis and reported as number of TATA sequence repeats in the promoter of the gene.

RESULTS:

The 7/7 variant of UGT1A1*28 was detected in 11.9% of the 329 participants. Grade 3‐4 hematological toxicity was significantly higher in 7/7 carriers compared with 6/7 and 6/6 carriers (48.0%,10.2%, and 7.7% respectively; P < .001), as was the risk of toxicity‐related hospitalization (45.8%, 25.3%, and 14.4% respectively; P = .001). Both short‐term death within 2 months of treatment start (12.8%, 5.2%, and 2.9%, respectively) and median overall survival (1.6, 2.0, and 2.4 years, respectively; P = .01) were significantly worse in the 7/7 carriers. The age/stage‐adjusted hazard ratio for patients with the 7/7 genotype compared with 6/6 was 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.1‐2.3).

CONCLUSIONS:

The UGT1A1*28 7/7 genotype is strongly associated with severe hematological toxicity and higher hospitalization rate and predicts lower survival of colorectal cancer in users of irinotecan. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
RECK in osteosarcoma
Authors: Clark Jonathan C. M. , Akiyama Toru , Thomas David M. , Labrinidis Agatha , Evdokiou Andreas , Galloway Stuart J. , Kim Han‐Soo , Dass Crispin R. , Choong Peter F. M.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

Targeted therapy in osteosarcoma (OS) is needed to improve patient outcomes. Human RECK may have a role because it inhibits cancer invasion and regulates angiogenesis. This study aimed to characterize RECK expression in human OS, to examine in vitro effects of RECK on vascular endothelium and OS cell behavior, and to analyze the effect of RECK on OS grown orthotopically in nude mice.

METHODS:

RECK was examined in human OS samples. Interactions between RECK and VEGF were studied in tissue and cells. RECK transfection was used to study its effects on vascular endothelial (HMEC‐1) and OS (SaOS‐2) cell behavior in vitro and in vivo. SaOS‐2 co‐culture with RAW 246.7‐derived osteoclasts on osteoslides was used to assess effects on osteoclast activity.

RESULTS:

RECK was absent from OS cells but was expressed in tumor vessel endothelium. Via microarray analysis, RECK mRNA was elevated in samples with low proliferative activity, a trend most evident in poorly differentiated samples. VEGF induced RECK expression in HMEC‐1. RECK transfection inhibited HMEC‐1 invasion and induced thicker, although more numerous, tube formation. RECK inhibited SaOS‐2 invasion, proliferation, colony formation, and osteoclast activity but supported SaOS‐2 adhesion to collagen I. In vivo, RECK inhibited SaOS‐2 tumor growth, bone destruction, and consequent metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS:

RECK expression is downregulated in highly proliferative OS but is present in tumor vessels and upregulated in endothelium by VEGF. RECK inhibits invasion and tumorigenic properties in SaOS‐2, as confirmed in vivo. Further testing of RECK delivery in OS is warranted. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Oncologic outcomes of open conservation laryngectomy for radiorecurrent laryngeal carcinoma
Authors: Paleri Vinidh , Thomas Ligy , Basavaiah Natesh , Drinnan Mike , Mehanna Hisham , Jones Terry
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

The role of open conservation (partial) laryngeal surgery in radiorecurrent laryngeal cancers is unclear, and the procedure is not widely accepted or practiced. The objective of this review was to assess the oncologic and functional outcomes of partial laryngectomy in radiorecurrent tumors of the larynx reported in the literature.

METHODS:

The systematic review was performed using independently developed search strategies and included Medline, Embase, Zetoc, conference proceedings, and, when appropriate, a manual search. Inclusion criteria for the articles were set a priori. All included articles were subjected to quality assessment. Pooled estimates of local control at 24 months and of disease‐free and overall survival rates were calculated using both a fixed‐effects model (inverse square) and a random‐effects model (DerSimonian‐Laird).

RESULTS:

The search identified 401 publications, of which 26 studies satisfied all inclusion criteria. Ten studies had a quality score ≥6 (good), and 16 had a score of 4 or 5 (fair). The pooled estimates of oncologic outcomes using the random‐effects model were as follows: The local control rate at 24 months for 560 patients was 86.9% (95% CI, 84%‐89.5%), the disease‐free survival rate for 352 patients was 91.2% (95% CI, 88.2%‐93.9%), and the overall survival rate for 360 patients was 83.1% (95% CI, 79.1%‐86.7%). Decannulation of tracheostomy occurred in 95.1% (95% CI, 92.6%‐97.2%) of the patients who were analyzed (n = 315), whereas the pooled mean larynx preservation rate was 83.9% (95% CI, 80.7%‐87%; n = 502)

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that open partial laryngectomies are oncologically sound procedures in the salvage setting and have a high larynx preservation rate. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Adjuvant radiotherapy for completely resected stage 2 thymoma
Authors: Berman Abigail T. , Litzky Leslie , Livolsi Virginia , Singhal Sunil , Kucharczuk John C. , Cooper Joel D. , Friedberg Joseph R. , Evans Tracey L. , Stevenson James P. , Metz James M. , Hahn Stephen M. , Rengan Ramesh
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

The clinical benefit of postoperative mediastinal radiation for completely resected Masaoka stage 2 thymoma remains controversial. Due to its indolent nature and infrequent recurrences, no study has definitively determined the optimal approach.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed 175 consecutive patients who underwent thymic resection from January 1990 to July 2008 at the University of Pennsylvania. The primary endpoint was local recurrence, defined as recurrence within the surgical bed, treated by resection alone versus resection plus radiation. Patients with high recurrence risk were referred for adjuvant radiotherapy.

RESULTS:

Seventy‐four Masaoka stage 2 patients were resected; 62 underwent complete resections with adequate postsurgical follow‐up. Thirty‐seven patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and 25 patients were observed. The median radiation dose was 5040 cGy. The median follow‐up for all patients was 52 months. The local recurrence rate was 3.2%. The proportion of recurrences in patients observed after surgery was 8% versus 0% in those who received adjuvant radiotherapy (P = .15). Size was not an independent predictor of recurrence (P = .81). The tumor‐related death rate was 0%, and overall death rate was 3.2%. One death occurred in each group, observation, and radiation. There were no grade 3 or 4 complications with radiation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Recurrence rates were low following resection of stage 2 thymoma either with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy, although well‐tolerated, did not significantly decrease the local relapse rate. Differences may be observed in future studies of patients who are at higher risk for local recurrence, based on completeness of resection, World Health Organization histology, and tumor size. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment improved neurophysiologic performance in brain tumor patients after neurosurgery and radiotherapy
Authors: Schellart Nico A. M. , Reits Dik , van der Kleij Adrian J. , Stalpers Lukas J. A.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

Cognitive performance often is impaired permanently in long‐term brain tumor survivors after neurosurgery and radiotherapy. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) stimulates neovascularization of hypoperfused tissue and may result in improved functionality of damaged tissue. In this pilot study, clinical neurophysiologic tests were used to assess the effect of HBOT on brain performance.

METHODS:

Ten long‐term brain tumor survivors received HBOT for severe cognitive deficits after neurosurgery and radiosurgery. Patients were tested before HBOT and at 6 weeks and 4 months after HBOT. The tests comprised a quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) examination, the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) for memory performance, and 2 cognitive tests, the number connection test (NCT) and the continuous reaction time test (CRTT). Late event‐related components (LERCs) of averaged evoked EEG responses to a visual odd‐ball stimulus were analyzed from whole‐head activity maps. For comparison, a control group of healthy individuals (no HBOT) also were investigated.

RESULTS:

After HBOT, the amplitude of the LERC with the longest latency, P3b (involved in object interpretation) was improved significantly (P = .02). The amplitudes of the N200 (occipital, negative) and the intermediate P3a (centroparietal, positive), LERCs with shorter latencies, and of a small, positive, occipital visual component did not change. Neither latencies nor reaction times changed after HBOT. However, P3a and P3b (parietal, positive) latencies were longer in survivors than in healthy individuals. The NCT produced inconclusive results, but the IQCODE revealed an improvement. When outcomes of the NCT, CRTT, IQCODE, and P3b amplitudes were evaluated in common tests, HBOT appeared to provide substantial improvement (P<.006).

CONCLUSIONS:

On the basis of the current results, the authors concluded tentatively that HBOT improves neurophysiologic performance in long‐term brain tumor survivors. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy versus conventional radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal
Authors: Bazan Jose G. , Hara Wendy , Hsu Annie , Kunz Pamela A. , Ford James , Fisher George A. , Welton Mark L. , Shelton Andrew , Kapp Daniel S. , Koong Albert C. , Goodman Karyn A. , Chang Daniel T.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in patients with anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) who were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy by either intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or conventional radiotherapy (CRT).

METHODS:

Forty‐six patients who received definitive chemoradiotherapy from January 1993 to August 2009 were included. Forty‐five patients received 5‐fluorouracil with mitomycin C (n = 39) or cisplatin (n = 6). Seventeen (37%) were treated with CRT and 29 (63%) with IMRT. The median dose was 54 Gy in both groups. Median follow‐up was 26 months (CRT) and 32 months (IMRT). T3‐T4 stage (P = .18) and lymph node‐positive disease (P = .6) were similar between groups.

RESULTS:

The CRT group required longer treatment duration (57 days vs 40 days, P < .0001), more treatment breaks (88% vs 34.5%, P = .001), and longer breaks (12 days vs 1.5 days, P < .0001) than patients treated with IMRT. Eleven (65%) patients in the CRT group experienced grade >2 nonhematologic toxicity compared with 6 (21%) patients in the IMRT group (P = .003). The 3‐year overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), and progression‐free survival were 87.8%, 91.9%, and 84.2%, respectively, for the IMRT groups and 51.8%, 56.7%, and 56.7%, respectively, for the CRT group (all P < .01). On multivariate analysis, T stage, use of IMRT, and treatment duration were associated with OS, and T stage and use of IMRT were associated with LRC.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of IMRT was associated with less toxicity, reduced need for treatment breaks, and excellent LRC and OS compared with CRT in patients with SCCA of the anal canal. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.