bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic yield of percutaneous image‐guided tissue biopsy of focal hepatic lesions in cancer patients
Authors: Elsayes Khaled M. , Ellis James H. , Elkhouly Tohamy , Ream Justin M. , Bowerson Michyla , Khan Asra , Caoili Elaine M.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

The diagnostic yield was evaluated of percutaneous image‐guided tissue biopsy of hepatic lesions identified on computed tomography performed for staging of a primary malignancy, and it was determined how often the biopsy result was unexpectedly negative, benign, or secondary to a second unknown malignancy.

METHODS:

In a retrospective investigation from 1998 through 2008, 580 patients with primary malignancies had indeterminate focal hepatic lesions and underwent percutaneous image‐guided biopsy; 369 patients had lesions in their liver at first cross‐sectional imaging, performed for staging; 211 patients had a negative liver imaging study, followed by the subsequent appearance of at least 1 indeterminate suspicious lesion. The results of percutaneous image‐guided tissue biopsies were compared with the histology of the primary malignancy.

RESULTS:

Liver biopsies were performed in 580 patients (288 men and 292 women; age, 25‐92 years; mean age, 61 years). The most common primary malignancies were pancreatic (n = 96), breast (n = 85), melanoma (n = 57), esophageal (n = 51), lung (n = 47), colorectal (n = 37), and urothelial tumors (n = 26). Biopsy results were positive for malignancy in 528 (91%) cases. Among the positive biopsies, 29 (5%) cases had pathology results different from the primary tumor. Of the 52 biopsies negative for malignancy, 20 yielded a specific benign diagnosis, and 32 were nondiagnostic.

CONCLUSIONS:

If all liver lesions had been assumed to be metastases, as expected secondary to the known primary tumor, then the true or presumed alternate diagnosis would have been missed in 60 (10.3%) of the 580 cases. The authors did not attempt to determine whether actual clinical management changed based on these 60 liver biopsy results, so this number is an upper bound on management change. On the basis of these results, and given the minimal complication rate of liver biopsy, the authors suggest that liver biopsy should still be performed in the types of cases studied here, despite the finding that the vast majority of biopsies produced the expected result and presumably did not change patient management. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Response, survival, and toxicity after iodine‐131–metaiodobenzylguanidine therapy for neuroblastoma in preadolescents, adolescents, and adults
Authors: Polishchuk Alexei L. , DuBois Steven G. , Haas‐Kogan Daphne , Hawkins Randall , Matthay Katherine K.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Adolescent and adult patients with neuroblastoma appear to have a more indolent disease course but a lower survival rate compared with their younger counterparts. The majority of neuroblastoma tumors specifically accumulate the radiolabeled norepinephrine analogue iodine‐131–metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I‐MIBG). Therefore, 131I‐MIBG has become increasingly used as targeted radiotherapy for patients with recurrent or refractory neuroblastoma. The objective of the current study was to characterize the toxicity and activity of this therapy in older patients.

METHODS:

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 39 consecutive patients aged ≥10 years with recurrent or refractory neuroblastoma who were treated with 131I‐MIBG monotherapy at the University of California at San Francisco under phase 1, phase 2, and compassionate access protocols.

RESULTS:

Sixteen patients were aged ≥18 years at the time of MIBG treatment initiation, whereas 23 patients were ages 10 to 17 years. The median cumulative administered dose of 131I‐MIBG was 17.8 millicuries (mCi)/kg. The majority of treatments led to grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities (graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 3]) that were similar in frequency among age strata. Three patients subsequently developed a hematologic malignancy or myelodysplasia. The overall rate of complete plus partial response was 46%. Patients aged ≥18 years at the time of first MIBG treatment had a significantly higher response rate compared with patients ages 10 to 17 years (56% vs 39%; P = .023). The median overall survival was 23 months with a trend toward longer overall survival for the subgroup of patients aged ≥18 years (P = .12).

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings of the current study suggest that 131I‐MIBG is a highly effective salvage agent for adolescents and adults with neuroblastoma. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
How much colonoscopy screening should be recommended to individuals with various degrees of family history of colorectal cancer?
Authors: Wilschut Janneke A. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , van Leerdam Monique E. , Lansdorp‐Vogelaar Iris , Habbema J. Dik F. , van Ballegooijen Marjolein
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) are at increased risk for CRC. Current screening recommendations for these individuals are based on expert opinion. The authors investigated optimal screening strategies for individuals with various degrees of family history of CRC based on a cost‐effectiveness analysis.

METHODS:

The MISCAN‐Colon microsimulation model was used to estimate costs and effects of CRC screening strategies, varying by the age at which screening was started and stopped and by screening interval. The authors defined 4 risk groups, characterized by the number of affected first‐degree relatives and their age at CRC diagnosis. For all risk groups, the optimal screening strategy had an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of approximately $50,000 per life‐year gained.

RESULTS:

The optimal screening strategy for individuals with 1 first‐degree relative diagnosed after age 50 years was 6 colonoscopies every 5 years starting at age 50 years, compared with 4 colonoscopies every 7 years starting at age 50 years for average risk individuals. The optimal strategy had 10 colonoscopies every 4 years for individuals with 1 first‐degree relative diagnosed before age 50 years, 13 colonoscopies every 3 years for individuals with 2 or more first‐degree relatives diagnosed after age 50 years, and 15 colonoscopies every 3 years for individuals with 2 or more first‐degree relatives of whom at least 1 was diagnosed before age 50 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

The optimal screening strategy varies considerably with the number of affected first‐degree relatives and their age of diagnosis. Shorter screening intervals than the currently recommended 5 years may be appropriate for the highest risk individuals. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Clinicopathological features of lung adenocarcinoma with KRAS mutations
Authors: Kakegawa Seiichi , Shimizu Kimihiro , Sugano Masayuki , Miyamae Yohei , Kaira Kyoichi , Araki Takuya , Nakano Tetsuhiro , Kamiyoshihara Mitsuhiro , Kawashima Osamu , Takeyoshi Izumi
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

KRAS and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are thought to play an important role in the carcinogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma. However, clinicopathological findings of KRAS mutated adenocarcinoma cases have not yet been fully clarified. The authors analyzed the relationship between the KRAS mutation and corresponding clinicopathological findings, focusing on nonmucinous and mucinous bronchioloalveolar elements.

METHODS:

EGFR and KRAS mutations were detected in DNA samples extracted from 182 surgically resected tissues of lung adenocarcinomas by the Smart Amplification Process. The relations between gene mutation status and clinicopathological features were analyzed. All adenocarcinoma cases were divided into bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features, and adenocarcinoma without BAC components (non‐BAC). BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features tumors were further assessed for the presence of mucinous features.

RESULTS:

EGFR and KRAS mutations were found in 76 and 30 cases, respectively. In the KRAS mutant group, BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features was found in 22 cases, which included 10 nonmucinous and 12 mucinous tumors. Of 19 cases with mucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features, KRAS mutations were detected in 12, but no EGFR mutation was detected. In the KRAS mutant group, BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features had significantly earlier pathological stages and more favorable prognoses than did non‐BAC. Mucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features showed less smoking history than did nonmucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features and non‐BAC. Furthermore, transversion type KRAS mutations were more common in non‐BAC.

CONCLUSIONS:

KRAS mutated adenocarcinomas can be divided into BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features and non‐BAC types. Non‐BAC adenocarcinoma is related to smoking history and has a poor prognosis. BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features adenocarcinoma, however, has a more favorable prognosis, and mucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features has little relationship to smoking history. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Longer leukocyte telomere length predicts increased risk of hepatitis b virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Juan , Yang Yefa , Zhang Hongxin , Zhao Siyuan , Liu Hanqiang , Ge Naijian , Yang Hushan , Xing Jin‐Liang , Chen Zhinan
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Convincing evidence has indicated that an alteration in telomere length is involved in tumorigenesis. In epidemiologic studies, a strong correlation also has been observed consistently between relative telomere length (RTL) in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and susceptibility of many cancers. However, whether leukocyte RTL can be used as a predictor of risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be determined.

METHODS:

The RTL in PBLs was determined by measuring the telomere repeat copy number to single‐copy gene number ratio in each sample compared with a reference DNA sample using a polymerase chain reaction‐based method in this case‐control study. The study participants included 240 patients with HCC (cases), a group of 240 healthy individuals (controls), and 120 noncancer controls with chronic liver disease (CLD).

RESULTS:

HCC cases exhibited a significantly longer RTL (median, 0.57; range, 0.21‐3.3) than CLD controls (median, 0.46; range, 0.15‐1.99; P < .001) and healthy controls (median, 0.39; range, 0.13‐2.69; P < .001). Compared with individuals who had short RTL, individuals who had long RTL had a significantly increased risk of HCC when either healthy controls (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.28; 95% confidence interval, 4.46‐11.88) or CLD controls (adjusted OR, 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.74‐4.70) were used as the reference group. A significant dose‐response relation was observed between HCC risk and long RTL (Ptrend < .001 for both control groups). In addition, there was a significantly positive RTL correlation between PBLs and normal liver tissues (r = 0.78; P < .001) or cirrhotic liver tissues (r = 0.67; P = .001). Furthermore, a significant joint effect on the risk of HCC was noted between RTL and smoking status or alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current study produced the first epidemiologic evidence linking long RTL in PBLs to an increased risk of HCC. The authors concluded that these findings warrant further investigation in other populations. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation rates and long‐term survival in acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Juliusson Gunnar , Karlsson Karin , Lazarevic Vladimir Lj , Wahlin Anders , Brune Mats , Antunovic Petar , Derolf Åsa , Hägglund Hans , Karbach Holger , Lehmann Sören , Möllgård Lars , Stockelberg Dick , Hallböök Helene , Höglund Martin ,   for the Swedish Acute Leukemia Registry Group, the Swedish Acute Myeloid Leukemia Group, the Swedish Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Group
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) reduces relapse rates in acute leukemia, but outcome is hampered by toxicity. Population‐based data avoid patient selection and may therefore substitute for lack of randomized trials.

METHODS:

We evaluated alloSCT rates within the Swedish Acute Leukemia Registry, including 3899 adult patients diagnosed from 1997 through 2006 with a coverage of 98% and a median follow‐up of 6.2 years.

RESULTS:

AlloSCT rates and survival decreased rapidly with age >55 years. The 8‐year overall survival (OS) was 65% in patients <30 years and 38% in patients <60 years and was similar for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Among 1073 patients <60 years, alloSCT was performed in 42% and 49% of patients with AML and ALL, respectively. Two‐thirds of the alloSCTs were performed in first complete remission, and half used unrelated donors, the same in AML and ALL. Regional differences in management and outcome were found: 60% of AML patients <40 years received alloSCT in all parts of Sweden, but two‐thirds of AML patients 40‐59 years had alloSCT in one region compared with one‐third in other regions (P<.001), with improved 8‐year OS among all AML patients in this age cohort (51% vs 30%; P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS:

More Swedish AML patients received alloSCT, and long‐term survival was better than in recently published large international studies, despite our lack of selection bias. There was no correlation between alloSCT rate and survival in ALL. In adult AML patients <60 years of age, a high alloSCT rate was associated with better long‐term survival, but there was no such correlation in ALL. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Sharp differential estimates of Li‐Yau‐Hamilton type for positive (p, p) forms on Kähler manifolds
Authors: Ni Lei , Niu Yanyan
Published: March 2011

In this paper we study the heat equation (of Hodge Laplacian) deformation of (p, p)‐forms on a Kähler manifold. After identifying the condition and establishing that the positivity of a (p, p)‐form solution is preserved under such an invariant condition, we prove the sharp differential Harnack (in the sense of Li‐Yau‐Hamilton) estimates for the positive solutions of the Hodge Laplacian heat equation. We also prove a nonlinear version coupled with the Kähler‐Ricci flow and some interpolating matrix differential Harnack‐type estimates for both the Kähler‐Ricci flow and the Ricci flow. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measurement and autocorrelation analysis of two‐dimensional light‐scattering patterns from living cells for label‐free classification
Authors: Pan Yong‐Le , Berg Matthew J. , Zhang Samuel Shao‐Min , Noh Heeso , Cao Hui , Chang Richard K. , Videen Gorden
Published: March 2011

We incorporate optics and an ICCD to record the two‐dimensional angular optical scattering (TAOS) patterns retrieved from single aerosolized cells. We analyze these patterns by performing autocorrelations and demonstrate that we are able to retrieve cell size from the locations of the secondary maxima. Additional morphological information is contained in the autocorrelation functions and decay rate of the heights of the autocorrelation peaks. We demonstrate these techniques with C6 and Y79 cells, which are readily distinguishable. One key advantage of this methodology is that there is no requirement for antibody and fluorescent labeling molecules. Published 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aggregation methods for integrated services
Authors: Lin Hai , Labiod Houda
Published: March 2011

Reservation aggregation provides scalability to the IETF Integrated Services (IntServ) by reducing the high number of states stored at internal routers and the number of signaling messages processed at these routers. However, in the case of frequent joining and leaving of individual flows, the latter benefit will be lost due to frequent adjustment of aggregation size. In this paper, to reduce aggregation adjustment frequency, we focus on investigating two critical parameters: aggregation size and the lower threshold. We propose two policies to find out the optimal values of these criteria. One policy called Two Bounded operating Policy (TBP) is parameter‐based policy and the other called Resource request Variance Policy (RVP) is measure‐based policy. The calculation of these optimal values considers three costs: underutilization cost, signaling cost and holding cost. In our evaluation study, we compare the proposed two policies with two others, Temporal Operating Policy (TOP) and Cardinal Operating Policy (COP). This study shows that our mechanisms outperform the previous propositions in terms of cost and blocking ratio. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A low‐complexity companding technique using Padé approximation for PAPR reduction of an OFDM system
Authors: Jeng Shiann‐Shiun , Chen Jia‐Ming , Chang Po‐Hao
Published: March 2011

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems have become the most promising wireless communication systems in the recent years. For OFDM systems, there is one major drawback, which is the high peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR). Companding techniques have been frequently proposed to reduce PAPR. Exponential companding technique offers efficient PAPR reduction with a low bit error rate (BER). However, the exponential companding technique is difficult to implement. This paper utilizes the Padé approximation to simplify the exponential companding technique. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed companding technique offers the same performance results as those of the exponential companding technique, while Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) or multipath fading channel is considered. Further, the hardware implementation results show that the complexity of the proposed companding technique is less than that of the exponential companding technique. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted Fenoldopam in critically ill patients with early renal dysfunction: A crossover study
Authors: Paparcuri Gian , Cobas Miguel , De La Pena Maria , Barquist Erik , Varon Albert
Published: March 2011

Retraction: The following article from Dialysis & Transplantation, 'Fenoldopam in critically ill patients with early renal dysfunction: A crossover study' by Gian Paparcuri, Miguel Cobas, Maria De La Pena, Erik Barquist and Albert Varon, published online on March 8, 2011 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and in Volume 40, pp. 164‐167, has been retracted through agreement between the first author, the Editors, Andrew Z. Fenves and Larry B. Melton, and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed due to duplicate publication in another journal.
Hedgehog signaling regulates size of the dorsal aortae and density of the plexus during avian vascular development
Authors: Moran Carlos M. , Salanga Matthew C. , Krieg Paul A.
Published: March 2011

Signaling by the hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted growth factors is essential for development of embryonic blood vessels. Embryos lacking Hh function have abundant endothelial cells but fail to assemble vascular cords or lumenized endothelial tubes. However, the role of Hh signaling during later aspects of vascular patterning and morphogenesis is largely unexplored. We have used small molecule inhibitors and agonists to alter activity of the Hh signaling pathway in the chick embryo. When cyclopamine is added after cord formation, aortal cells form tubes, but these are small and disorganized and the density of the adjacent vascular plexus is reduced. Activation of the Hh pathway with SAG leads to formation of enlarged aortae and increased density of the plexus. The number of endothelial cell filopodia is found to correlate with Hh signaling levels. These studies show that Hh signaling levels must be tightly regulated for normal vascular patterning to be achieved. Developmental Dynamics 240:1354–1364, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Msx2 and Foxn1 regulate nail homeostasis
Authors: Cai Jing , Ma Liang
Published: March 2011

Epithelial–mesenchymal interactions underlie the foundation for ectodermal appendage formation. Signal molecules such as BMPs and WNTs mediate crosstalk between the two tissue layers and coordinate both the induction and morphogenesis of ectodermal appendages. Here, we analyzed the function of two BMP downstream transcription factors, Msx2 and Foxn1, in nail differentiation. First, we show that Msx2 function is required during onychocyte (nail cell) terminal differentiation. Second, the Msx2/Foxn1/hair keratin pathway controlling hair differentiation is also conserved during onychocyte differentiation. Finally, the Msx2−/−; Foxn1−/− double‐mutant nails exhibit a more severe phenotype than either single mutant including nail bed hyperplasia. Together, our data implicate important functions for Msx2 and Foxn1 in regulating differentiation of the keratogenous zone, proliferation of distal nail matrix cells, and organization of the nail bed. genesis 49:449–459, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Summary of ‘Topical fluoride as a cause of dental fluorosis in children’
Authors: Editorial Office Evidence‐Based Child Health
Published: March 2011

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Wong MCM, Glenny AM, Tsang BWK, Lo ECM, Worthington HV, Marinho VCC. Topical fluoride as a cause of dental fluorosis in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD007693. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007693.pub2. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Commentaries on interventions for acute otitis externa
Authors: El‐Hakim Hamdy , Ho Allan , Nunez Desmond A
Published: March 2011

These are commentaries on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Kaushik V, Malik T, Saeed Sr. Interventions for acute otitis externa. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004740. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004740.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Summary article. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
The Cochrane Library and Non‐Pharmacological Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: An Overview of Reviews
Authors: Foisy Michelle , Williams Katrina
Published: March 2011

Background

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic behavioural disorder that affects 5–8% of children. It is characterized by age‐inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that cause functional impairment in multiple settings. The most common treatment of ADHD involves prescription of stimulant medications, which often cause undesirable side effects and pose unknown long‐term health risks. Therefore, alternative treatment options for ADHD are becoming increasingly popular and need to be further investigated.

Objectives

This overview of reviews aims to synthesize evidence from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) on the efficacy and safety of non‐pharmacologic treatments to improve symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents.

Methods

Issue 12, 2010 of the CDSR was searched using the terms “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder”, “hyperkinetic disorder” and “ADHD” restricted to the title, abstract or keywords, and all systematic reviews examining non‐pharmacologic treatments for ADHD in children and adolescents were identified. Data were extracted, complied into tables and synthesized using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Main Results

Three systematic reviews (containing ten trials and 594 participants) were identified for inclusion in this overview. Children assigned to Hatha yoga versus a non‐specific physical activity control condition showed significantly less symptoms of inattention when measured using both parent ratings (MD: − 0.73; 95% CI: − 1.25, − 0.21) and child‐completed tests (MD: − 4.01; 95% CI: − 6.23, − 1.79). There was no significant benefit of homeopathy compared to homeopathy placebo in decreasing symptoms of ADHD. There was also no significant difference between family therapy and standard treatment for parent and teacher ratings of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity; however, when overall symptoms were judged by a blinded third party observer in the classroom setting, standard treatment was significantly more effective (MD: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.17). There was no significant difference between meditation therapy compared to both drug therapy and standard treatment without drugs for decreasing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, distractibility or overall symptoms.

Authors' Conclusions

The three Cochrane reviews suffered from a lack of high‐quality, adequately powered randomized controlled trials using standardized tools to measure clinically important outcomes over adequate periods of time. Therefore, the trials included in this overview are not sufficient to provide evidence of no positive benefit of treatment, nor are they sufficient to recommend the use Hatha yoga, family therapy, meditation therapy or homeopathy for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
The Coughing Baby
Authors: Thomas Mike
Published: March 2011

These are the answers to the Dr Cochrane vignette on pages 280–282. How did you get on? Register your score at ebch@wiley.com Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Climate change, glacier melting and streamflow in the Niyang River Basin, Southeast Tibet, China
Authors: Zhang Mingfang , Ren Qingshan , Wei Xiaohua , Wang Jingsheng , Yang Xiaolin , Jiang Zishan
Published: March 2011

There is a growing concern over the effects of climate change on glacier melting and hydrology. In this article, we used a natural large‐scale basin, the Niyang River Basin in the Southeast Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China, to show how climate change accelerates glacier melting and consequently leads to hydrological change. First, nonparametric tests were used to analyse the trends of streamflow, precipitation and temperature since 1979. An artificial neural network was then adopted to construct precipitation‐streamflow models. Due to lack of data, 30 climate change scenarios were assumed to simulate streamflow sensitivity to climate change. There were significant increasing trends in streamflow over annual and wet season periods (May–October), whereas insignificant trend on annual precipitation was detected. This, along with a significant decreasing trend of water temperature during the wet season, suggests that climate warming has caused acceleration of glacier melting, which resulted in increased streamflow and summer water cooling. The simulation results indicated that streamflow is very sensitive to climate change, particularly with temperature change. Annual streamflow increased by an average of 65 mm per 0·5 °C temperature increment with precipitation unchanged. Streamflow in the wet season is more sensitive to climate change than in the dry season (November–April). Average streamflow increase per 0·5 °C increment in the wet season was projected to be 59·4 mm for the scenarios with precipitation unchanged. Implications of these results for future water and watershed management were discussed in the context of close linkages among climate change, glacier melting and water resources. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olive yield as a function of soil moisture dynamics
Authors: Viola Francesco , Valerio Noto Leonardo , Cannarozzo Marcella , Loggia Goffredo La , Porporato Amilcare
Published: March 2011

This study introduces a water‐driven crop model aiming to quantitatively link olive yield to climate and soil moisture dynamics using an ecohydrological approach. A mathematical model describing soil moisture, evapotranspiration and assimilation dynamics of olive orchards is developed here. The model is able to explicitly reproduce two different hydroclimatic phases in Mediterranean areas: the well‐watered conditions in which evapotranspiration and assimilation assume their maximum values and the real conditions where the limitations induced by soil moisture availability are taken into account. Annual olive yield is obtained by integrating the carbon assimilation during the growing season, including the effects of vegetation water stress on biomass allocation. This numerical model has been tested on an olive orchard located in Sicily (Italy) obtaining a satisfactory reproduction of historical olive yield data. This model is useful for simulating the influence of soil moisture dynamic on biomass growth, fruit productivity, also in a context of climatic change. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Community Forestry and Forest Conservation: Friends or Strangers?
Authors: Casse Thorkil , Milhøj Anders
Published: March 2011

This paper is a meta‐study of local forest management experiences in developing countries drawn from a review of 56 case‐studies presented in 52 papers. Many case‐studies report positive links between community forestry and forest conservation. In international organizations and NGOs there is a generally accepted agreement that collective management (community forestry) will yield success in forest conservation. However, the claim is seldom rigorously examined. We suggest to have a review of the literature and to propose a first step to a test of the claim in order to reach a first generalization as to the success of community forestry in forest conservation. The review of the literature is the first step towards such an examination, enabling us to make some initial generalizations for further research. In the present paper, a statistical test is performed and the claim is found wanting. The reviewed papers are very heterogeneous in their approaches, and it is also suggested that the state still has a role to play, even when the transfer of management rights to the forest resources is genuine. Community forestry does not work in a vacuum, and we suggest that a minimum requirement is probably the presence of a legal structure, which exists in India and Nepal but not in many other countries. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Synthesis of Skeletally Diverse Alkaloid‐Like Small Molecules
Authors: Murrison Sarah , Maurya Sushil K. , Einzinger Christian , McKeever‐Abbas Ben , Warriner Stuart , Nelson Adam
Published: March 2011

A synthetic approach to skeletally diverse alkaloid‐like compounds, involving two consecutive three‐component reactions, was developed. First, reaction between a range of secondary amines, carbonyl compounds and triazines yielded cyclic imines. Crucially, the identity of the substituents in the amine and carbonyl compound components determined – through a “folding” pathway – the alkaloid‐like scaffold that was prepared. The cyclic imine products were substrates for a second reaction, most usually a Joullié–Ugi reaction with an isocyanide and a carboxylic acid. Thus, the final products were, in general, ultimately derived from five separate components, and wide and independent variation of the substitution of each scaffold was possible. The 43 products were based on 28 distinct graph‐node level frameworks. The high skeletal diversity of the products stemmed both from the “folding” pathway used to define the scaffolds of the cyclic imines, and from cyclic substituents used in each of the components.
Indium‐Mediated Allenylation of Aldehydes and Its Application in Carbohydrate Chemistry: Efficient Synthesis of D‐Ribulose and 1‐Deoxy‐D‐ribulose (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 9/2011)
Authors: Fischer Michael , Schmölzer Christoph , Nowikow Christina , Schmid Walther
Published: March 2011

The cover picture shows the application of an indium‐mediated allenylation reaction of aldehydes using 4‐bromo‐2‐butyn‐1‐ols to generate α‐hydroxyacetyl anion equivalents. This carbon chain elongation method allows the straightforward synthesis of various substituted dihydroxyacetone fragments, as well as pentuloses and derivatives thereof. Details are discussed in the article by W. Schmid et al. on p. 1645 ff. The background shows the lovely coast of Mayo, Ireland. The authors express their gratitude to Prof. Karl Grubmayr on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Comparison between Ti‐ and Si‐based mesostructures for the removal of phosphorous from aqueous solution
Authors: Choi Jae‐Woo , Lee Ki‐Bong , Park Ki‐Young , Lee Seung‐Yeon , Kim Dong‐Ju , Lee and Sang‐Hyup
Published: March 2011

The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of utilizing inorganic mesostructures for the removal of phosphorous in laboratory experiments. The emphasis of the experiments was on the comparison of the efficiency of phosphorous adsorption between mesostructures synthesized using two different inorganic materials. Powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller(BET) methods were used to characterize the inorganic mesostructures. The efficiencies of silica and titanium mesostructures for the removal of phosphorous from aqueous solutions were investigated on a batch scale. Equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities of the mesostructured adsorbents were found to be 49.3 and 19.5 mg g−1 for the titanium and silica mesostructures, respectively. The adsorption kinetics was best described by a pseudo‐third‐order kinetic model. The results from this study indicated that the titanium mesostructure, because of low cost and high capability, has the potential to be utilized for the cost‐effective removal of phosphorous from sewage or wastewater. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012
Detecting treatment effects with combinations of the ADAS‐cog items in patients with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ihl Ralf , Ferris Steven , Robert Philippe , Winblad Bengt , Gauthier Serge , Tennigkeit Frank
Published: March 2011

Objective

When complex cognitive functions are measured with multi‐item scales like the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale – cognitive subscale (ADAS‐cog), it seems valuable information can be lost due to combination of the ADAS‐cog items results into a total score. We hypothesized, that an analysis of the results of different ADAS‐cog item combinations may reveal drug treatment effects in distinct cognitive domains and/or enhance the sensitivity to detect such treatment effects. Here, we present a novel approach called ‘subsetting analysis’ for assessment of drug treatment effects with multi‐item scales, like the ADAS‐cog.

Methods

The subsetting approach is a mathematical algorithm designed to select and group scale items in a subset detecting drug treatment effects in a particular study population. The approach was applied in a post‐hoc analysis of ADAS‐cog results from two randomized, placebo‐controlled and double‐blind clinical trials with memantine in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). The subsetting analysis of the ADAS‐cog combined database aimed at selecting the scale items showing no worsening at study end compared to baseline due to memantine treatment in mild AD (Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE >19)) patients.

Results

Two ADAS‐cog subsets were finally revealed by the analysis: a subset of five ADAS‐cog items, identified as most sensitive to memantine effects in mild AD patients, and a subset of six ADAS‐cog items shown to detect significant memantine effects in moderate AD patients.

Conclusion

The subsetting approach of analyzing ADAS‐cog data is a powerful alternative for gaining information about drug effects on cognitive performance in mild and moderate AD patients. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying the new research diagnostic criteria: MRI findings and neuropsychological correlations of prodromal AD
Authors: Rami Lorena , Solé‐Padullés Cristina , Fortea Juan , Bosch Beatriz , Lladó Albert , Antonell Anna , Olives Jaume , Castellví Magda , Bartres‐Faz David , Sánchez‐Valle Raquel , Molinuevo Jose Luis
Published: March 2011

Objective

We describe the neuroimaging characteristics of prodromal AD (PrdAD) patients diagnosed using the new research criteria in a clinical setting. In order to further characterize these patients, we also study the relationship between neuropsychology, CSF biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Methods/Patients

76 participants—24 controls (CTR), 20 amnesic patients, and 32 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients—were included in the study. PrdAD was defined on the basis of an objective episodic memory deficit and an AD CSF profile. Structural MRI was performed in all participants.

Results

After FWE correction, voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) analysis of PrdAD patients versus CTR showed significant clusters of decreased gray matter (GM) volume in the left hemisphere regions including the parahippocampal gyrus, uncus, precuneus, and middle frontal gyrus. We did not find differences in brain atrophy between PrdAD and mild AD patients. Some significant associations were found between CSF levels and episodic and semantic fluency tests in the PrdAD group. Correlations in the PrdAD group revealed that patients with higher scores on delayed free recall had significantly greater GM volume in the left superior temporal gyrus (t = 6.64, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

PrdAD patients presented mainly medial temporal GM atrophy, which was related with significant episodic memory impairment. The cognitive deficit observed in PrdAD patients was also associated with CSF biomarker levels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of TMC6 and TMC8 (EVER1 and EVER2) variants to cervical cancer susceptibility
Authors: Castro Felipe A. , Ivansson Emma L. , Schmitt Markus , Juko‐Pecirep Ivana , Kjellberg Lennart , Hildesheim Allan , Gyllensten Ulf B. , Pawlita Michael
Published: March 2011

Cervical cancer (CxCa) is caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection; genetic predisposition is also suspected to play a role. Our study is a targeted candidate gene follow‐up based on: (i) strong clinical evidence demonstrating that mutations in the TMC6 and TMC8 (EVER1 and EVER2) genes associate with the HPV‐associated disease epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) and (ii) recent epidemiological data suggesting a genetic susceptibility conferred by polymorphisms in such genes for skin and CxCa. Clarifying the association of the TMC6/8 genes with risk of CxCa will help in understanding why some HPV‐infected women develop persistent infection, cervical lesions and eventually cancer while others do not. Twenty‐two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) harboring the TMC6/8 genes were genotyped in 2,989 cases with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III or invasive CxCa and 2,281 controls from the Swedish population. Association was evaluated in logistic regression models. Two SNPs displayed association with cervical disease: rs2290907 [odds ratio (OR)GGvsAA = 0.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.3–0.9, p = 0.02)] and rs16970849 (ORAGvsGG = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.66–0.98, p = 0.03). The present data support the involvement of the TMC6/8 region in CxCa susceptibility but further analyses are needed to replicate our findings, fully characterize the region and understand the function of the genetic variants involved.
Efficacy and safety of liver transplantation in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gu Jinyang , Bai Jianling , Shi Xiaolei , Zhou Jianxin , Qiu Yudong , Wu Yafu , Jiang Chunping , Sun Xitai , Xu Fanggui , Zhang Yue , Ding Yitao
Published: March 2011

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liver transplantation in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. According to the requirements of Cochrane systematic review, a thorough literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane electronic databases between 1995 and 2009 in terms of the key words “liver transplantation” and “cholangiocarcinoma,” “cholangiocellular carcinoma” or “bile duct cancer,” with restricted articles for the English language. Data were processed for a meta‐analysis by Stata 10 software. Altogether 14 clinical trials containing 605 transplanted patients of bile duct cancers were finally enrolled in our study. The overall 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year pooled survival rates were 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.65–0.80], 0.42 (95% CI = 0.33–0.51) and 0.39 (95% CI = 0.28–0.51), respectively. Of note, preoperative adjuvant therapies [orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)‐PAT group] rendered the transplanted individuals with comparably favorable outcomes with 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year pooled survival rates of 0.83 (95% CI = 0.57–0.98), 0.57 (95% CI = 0.18–0.92) and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.40–0.87). In addition, the overall pooled incidence of complications was 0.62 (95% CI = 0.44–0.78), among which that of OLT‐PAT group (0.58; 95% CI = 0.20–0.92) was relatively acceptable compared to those of liver transplantation alone (0.61; 95% CI = 0.33–0.85) and liver transplantation with extended bile duct resection (0.78; 95% CI = 0.55–0.94). In comparison to curative resection of cholangiocarcinoma with the 5‐year survival rate reported from 20 to 40%, the role of liver transplantation alone is so limited. In the future, attention will be focused on liver transplantation following neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, which requires a well‐designed, prospective randomized controlled study.
Induction of glandular stomach cancers in Helicobacter pylori‐infected Mongolian gerbils by 1‐nitrosoindole‐3‐acetonitrile
Authors: Matsubara Satoshi , Takasu Shinji , Tsukamoto Tetsuya , Mutoh Michihiro , Masuda Shuichi , Sugimura Takashi , Wakabayashi Keiji , Totsuka Yukari
Published: March 2011

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and high intake of various traditional salt‐preserved foods are regarded as risk factors for human gastric cancer. We previously reported that Chinese cabbage contains indole compounds, such as indole‐3‐acetonitrile, a mutagen precursor. 1‐Nitrosoindole‐3‐acetonitrile (NIAN), formed by the treatment of indole‐3‐acetonitrile with nitrite under acidic conditions, shows direct‐acting mutagenicity. In the present study, NIAN administration by gavage to Mongolian gerbils (MGs) at the dose of 100 mg/kg two times a week resulted in three adduct spots (1.6 adducts/108 nucleotides in total), detected in DNA samples from the glandular stomach by 32P‐postlabeling methods. Treatment with six consecutive doses of 100 mg/kg of NIAN, two times a week for 3 weeks, induced well—and moderately—differentiated glandular stomach adenocarcinomas in the MGs at the incidence of 31% under H. pylori infection at 54–104 weeks. Such lesions were not induced in MGs given broth alone, broth + NIAN or infection with H. pylori alone. Thus, endogenous carcinogens formed from nitrosation of indole compounds could be critical risk factors for human gastric cancer development under the influence of H. pylori infection.
Analysis of retinoblastoma age incidence data using a fully stochastic cancer model
Authors: Little Mark P. , Kleinerman Ruth A. , Stiller Charles A. , Li Guangquan , Kroll Mary E. , Murphy Michael F.G.
Published: March 2011

Retinoblastoma (RB) is an important ocular malignancy of childhood. It has been commonly accepted for some time that knockout of the two alleles of the RB1 gene is the principal molecular target associated with the occurrence of RB. In this article, we examine the validity of the two‐hit theory for RB by comparing the fit of a stochastic model with two or more mutational stages. Unlike many such models, our model assumes a fully stochastic stem cell compartment, which is crucial to its behavior. Models are fitted to a population‐based dataset comprising 1,553 cases of RB for the period 1962–2000 in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). The population incidence of RB is best described by a fully stochastic model with two stages, although models with a deterministic stem cell compartment yield equivalent fit; models with three or more stages fit much less well. The results strongly suggest that knockout of the two alleles of the RB1 gene is necessary and may be largely sufficient for the development of RB, in support of Knudson's two‐hit hypothesis.
Diet‐induced obesity increases melanoma progression: Involvement of Cav‐1 and FASN
Authors: Pandey Vimal , Vijayakumar Maleppillil Vavachan , Ajay Amrendra Kumar , Malvi Parmanand , Bhat Manoj Kumar
Published: March 2011

Recent population‐based epidemiological studies strongly hint towards a link between obesity and its occurrence as well as progression of several cancers including melanoma. Although effects of obesity on breast, colon and liver cancers have been extensively investigated, the links between obesity and melanoma remain largely unexplored. Present study aimed to understand the effect of high fat diet‐induced weight gain on susceptibility of C57BL/6J mice to melanoma. For this, mice routinely were fed on high fat diet for 6 months (HFD mice). Subsequently, mouse melanoma cells were injected subcutaneously in control as well as HFD mice and followed for tumor initiation and progression. We provide strong evidence that diet‐induced obesity leads to increased melanoma progression in male C57BL/6J mice. We observed that increased melanoma progression is associated with enhanced Cav‐1 and FASN expression in tumors from HFD mice. Cav‐1 and FASN are co‐ordinately regulated and Cav‐1 interacts with FASN in melanoma cells. Enhanced levels of Cav‐1, FASN and pAkt control melanoma cell proliferation. Our study establishes a causative relationship between diet‐induced obesity and melanoma progression as well as demonstrates that obesity affects important tumorigenic pathways in melanoma.
Infant mental health in Malaysia
Authors: Toran Hasnah , Squires Jane , Lawrence Karen
Published: March 2011

The Infant Mental Health system in Malaysia is described, beginning with cultural and religious practices that influence mental health practices. Second, a description of the Malaysian mental health system, including historical influences, is given. Third, policy and services for young children with mental health problems are described. Finally, recommendations for future steps for developing an effective infant mental health system are presented, including the development of infant mental health policies by the government, increased personnel training, increased community mental health resources, integration of culture into the mental health system, and finally, development of appropriate screening and assessment instruments and systems.