bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dasatinib or imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: 2-year follow-up from a randomized phase 3 trial (DASISION)
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop M. , Shah Neil P. , Cortes Jorge E. , Baccarani Michele , Agarwal Mohan B. , Undurraga María Soledad , Wang Jianxiang , Kassack Ipiña Juan Julio , Kim Dong-Wook , Ogura Michinori , Pavlovsky Carolina , Junghanss Christian , Milone Jorge H. , Nicolini Franck E. , Robak Tadeusz , Van Droogenbroeck Jan , Vellenga Edo , Bradley-Garelik M. Brigid , Zhu Chao , Hochhaus Andreas
Published: December 2011

Dasatinib is a highly potent BCR-ABL inhibitor with established efficacy and safety in imatinib-resistant/-intolerant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In the phase 3 DASISION trial, patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase (CP) CML were randomized to receive dasatinib 100 mg (n = 259) or imatinib 400 mg (n = 260) once daily. Primary data showed superior efficacy for dasatinib compared with imatinib after 12 months, including significantly higher rates of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), confirmed CCyR (primary end point), and major molecular response (MMR). Here, 24-month data are presented. Cumulative response rates by 24 months in dasatinib and imatinib arms were: CCyR in 86% versus 82%, MMR in 64% versus 46%, and BCR-ABL reduction to ≤ 0.0032% (4.5-log reduction) in 17% versus 8%. Transformation to accelerated-/ blast-phase CML on study occurred in 2.3% with dasatinib versus 5.0% with imatinib. BCR-ABL mutations, assessed after discontinuation, were detected in 10 patients in each arm. In safety analyses, fluid retention, superficial edema, myalgia, vomiting, and rash were less frequent with dasatinib compared with imatinib, whereas pleural effusion and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia were more frequent with dasatinib. Overall, dasatinib continues to show faster and deeper responses compared with imatinib, supporting first-line use of dasatinib in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00481247.
Administration of bortezomib before and after autologous stem cell transplantation improves outcome in multiple myeloma patients with deletion 17p
Authors: Neben Kai , Lokhorst Henk M. , Jauch Anna , Bertsch Uta , Hielscher Thomas , van der Holt Bronno , Salwender Hans , Blau Igor W. , Weisel Katja , Pfreundschuh Michael , Scheid Christof , Dührsen Ulrich , Lindemann Walter , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo G. H. , Peter Norma , Teschendorf Christian , Martin Hans , Haenel Mathias , Derigs Hans G. , Raab Marc S. , Ho Anthony D. , van de Velde Helgi , Hose Dirk , Sonneveld Pieter , Goldschmidt Hartmut
Published: December 2011

In patients with multiple myeloma (MM), risk stratification by chromosomal abnormalities may enable a more rational selection of therapeutic approaches. In the present study, we analyzed the prognostic value of 12 chromosomal abnormalities in a series of 354 MM patients treated within the HOVON-65/GMMG-HD4 trial. Because of the 2-arm design of the study, we were able to analyze the effect of a bortezomib-based treatment before and after autologous stem cell transplantation (arm B) compared with standard treatment without bortezomib (arm A). For allanalyzed chromosomal aberrations, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were at least equal or superior in the bortezomib arm compared with the standard arm. Strikingly, patients with del(17p13) benefited the most from the bortezomib-containing treatment: the median PFS in arm A was 12.0 months and in arm B it was 26.2 months (P = .024); the 3 year-OS for arm A was 17% and for arm B it was 69% (P = .028). After multivariate analysis, del(17p13) was an independent predictor for PFS (P < .0001) and OS (P < .0001) in arm A, whereas no statistically significant effect on PFS (P = .28) or OS (P = .12) was seen in arm B. In conclusion, the adverse impact of del(17p13) on PFS and OS could be significantly reduced by bortezomib-based treatment, suggesting that long-term administration of bortezomib should be recommended for patients carrying del(17p13). This trial is registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register as ISRCTN64455289.
EGFL7: a unique angiogenic signaling factor in vascular development and disease
Authors: Nichol Donna , Stuhlmann Heidi
Published: December 2011

EGFL7 is a secreted angiogenic factor that is highly conserved in vertebrates. Most secreted angiogenic signaling molecules, including VEGF and fibroblast growth factor-2, are mainly expressed by nonendothelial cell types such as fibroblasts. In contrast, EGFL7 is unique because it is almost exclusively expressed by and acts on endothelial cells. Egfl7 expression is highest when the endothelium is in an active, proliferating state. This factor acts as a chemoattractant for endothelial cells and binds to components of the extracellular matrix. In vivo, Egfl7 is important for regulating tubulogenesis in zebrafish and for controlling vascular patterning and integrity in mice. Its function in blood vessel development is mediated, at least in part, through modulation of Notch signaling. In this review, we summarize the findings that support a role for Egfl7 in developmental and postnatal angiogenesis and describe the EGFL7-signaling pathways that underlie these processes. In addition, we discuss a potential role for EGFL7 in vascular repair and its possible use as a therapeutic target for treatment of hypoxia-induced injury. Finally, we consider EGFL7 action during tumorigenesis and its potential as an antiangiogenic agent.
Regulation of hTERT by BCR-ABL at multiple levels in K562 cells
Authors: Chai Juin Hsien , Zhang Yong , Tan Wei Han , Chng Wee Joo , Li Baojie , Wang Xueying
Published: December 2011

Background

The cytogenetic characteristic of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is the formation of the Philadelphia chromosome gene product, BCR-ABL. Given that BCR-ABL is the specific target of Gleevec in CML treatment, we investigated the regulation of the catalytic component of telomerase, hTERT, by BCR-ABL at multiple levels in K562 cells.

Methods

Molecular techniques such as over expression, knockdown, real-time PCR, immunoprecipitation, western blotting, reporter assay, confocal microscopy, telomerase assays and microarray were used to suggest that hTERT expression and activity is modulated by BCR-ABL at multiple levels.

Results

Our results suggest that BCR-ABL plays an important role in regulating hTERT in K562 (BCR-ABL positive human leukemia) cells. When Gleevec inhibited the tyrosine kinase activity of BCR-ABL, phosphorylation of hTERT was downregulated, therefore suggesting a positive correlation between BCR-ABL and hTERT. Gleevec treatment inhibited hTERT at mRNA level and significantly reduced telomerase activity (TA) in K562 cells, but not in HL60 or Jurkat cells (BCR-ABL negative cells). We also demonstrated that the transcription factor STAT5a plays a critical role in hTERT gene regulation in K562 cells. Knockdown of STAT5a, but not STAT5b, resulted in a marked downregulation of hTERT mRNA level, TA and hTERT protein level in K562 cells. Furthermore, translocation of hTERT from nucleoli to nucleoplasm was observed in K562 cells induced by Gleevec.

Conclusions

Our data reveal that BCR-ABL can regulate TA at multiple levels, including transcription, post-translational level, and proper localization. Thus, suppression of cell growth and induction of apoptosis by Gleevec treatment may be partially due to TA inhibition. Additionally, we have identified STAT5a as critical mediator of the hTERT gene expression in BCR-ABL positive CML cells, suggesting that targeting STAT5a may be a promising therapeutic strategy for BCR-ABL positive CML patients.
Plasma secretory phospholipase A2-IIa as a potential biomarker for lung cancer in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: Kupert Elena , Anderson Marshall , Liu Yin , Succop Paul , Levin Linda , Wang Jiang , Wikenheiser-brokamp Kathryn , Chen Pingping , Pinney Susan M , Macdonald Trudy , Dong Zhongyun , Starnes Sandra , Lu Shan
Published: December 2011

Background

Five-year survival for lung cancer has remained at 16% over last several decades largely due to the fact that over 50% of patients are diagnosed with locally-advanced or metastatic disease. Diagnosis at an earlier and potentially curable stage is crucial. Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are common, but the difficulty lies in the determination of which SPN is malignant. Currently, there is no convenient and reliable biomarker effective for early diagnosis. Secretory phospholipase A2-IIa (sPLA2-IIa) is secreted into the circulation by cancer cells and may allow for an early detection of lung cancer.

Methods

Plasma samples from healthy donors, patients with only benign SPN, and patients with lung cancer were analyzed. Expression of sPLA2-IIa protein in lung cancer tissues was also determined.

Results

We found that the levels of plasma sPLA2-IIa were significantly elevated in lung cancer patients. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, comparing lung cancer patients to patients with benign nodules, revealed an optimum cutoff value for plasma sPLA2-IIa of 2.4 ng/ml to predict an early stage cancer with 48% sensitivity and 86% specificity and up to 67% sensitivity for T2 stage lung cancer. Combined sPLA2-IIa, CEA, and Cyfra21.1 tests increased the sensitivity for lung cancer prediction. High level of plasma sPLA2-IIa was associated with a decreased overall cancer survival. sPLA2-IIa was overexpressed in almost all non-small cell lung cancer and in the majority of small cell lung cancer by immunohistochemistry analysis.

Conclusion

Our finding strongly suggests that plasma sPLA2-IIa is a potential lung biomarker to distinguish benign nodules from lung cancer and to aid lung cancer diagnosis in patients with SPNs.
Evaluation of immunity against malaria using luciferase-expressing Plasmodium berghei parasites
Authors: Ploemen Ivo , Behet Marije , Nganou-Makamdop Krystelle , van Gemert Geert-Jan , Bijker Else , Hermsen Cornelus , Sauerwein Robert
Published: December 2011

Background

Measurement of liver stage development is of key interest in malaria biology and vaccine studies. Parasite development in liver cells can be visualized in real-time, both in culture and in live mice, using a transgenic Plasmodium berghei parasite, Pb GFP-Luccon, expressing the bioluminescent reporter luciferase. This study explores the benefit of using these parasites for the evaluation of immunity against malaria, compared to qRT-PCR techniques in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Mice were immunized with either radiation attenuated sporozoites (RAS) or wildtype sporozoites under chloroquine prophylaxis (CPS) and challenged with Pb GFP-Luccon. The in vitro transgenic sporozoites neutralization assay (TSNA) was adapted by replacing Pb CS(Pf) parasites for Pb GFP-Luccon parasites.

Results

Application of Pb GFP-Luccon transgenic parasites provides live quantitative visual information about the relation between parasite liver load and protection. Moreover, fast and reproducible results are obtained by using these parasites in the transgenic sporozoites neutralization assay, measuring functional antibody-mediated immune responses.

Conclusions

Pb GFP-Luccon parasites are a straightforward and valuable tool for comprehension of the biological and immunological principles underlying protection against malaria.
Isolation and characterization of human spermatogonial stem cells
Authors: Liu Shixue , Tang Ziwei , Xiong Tao , Tang Wei
Published: December 2011

Background

To isolate and characterization of human spermatogonial stem cells from stem spermatogonium.

Methods

The disassociation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) were performed using enzymatic digestion of type I collagenase and trypsin. The SSCs were isolated by using Percoll density gradient centrifugation, followed by differential surface-attachment method. Octamer-4(OCT4)-positive SSC cells were further identified using immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry technques. The purity of the human SSCs was also determined, and a co-culture system for SSCs and Sertoli cells was established.

Results

The cell viability was 91.07% for the suspension of human spermatogonial stem cells dissociated using a two-step enzymatic digestion process. The cells isolated from Percoll density gradient coupled with differential surface-attachement purification were OCT4 positive, indicating the cells were human spermatogonial stem cells. The purity of isolated human spermatogonial stem cells was 86.7% as assessed by flow cytometry. The isolated SSCs were shown to form stable human spermatogonial stem cell colonies on the feeder layer of the Sertoli cells.

Conclusions

The two-step enzyme digestion (by type I collagenase and trypsin) process is an economical, simple and reproducible technique for isolating human spermatogonial stem cells. With little contamination and less cell damage, this method facilitates isolated human spermatogonial stem cells to form a stable cell colony on the supporting cell layer.
Adaptive selection of antenna grouping and beamforming for MIMO systems
Authors: Kim Kyungchul , Ko Kyungjun , Lee Jungwoo
Published: December 2011

Antenna grouping algorithms are hybrids of transmit beamforming and spatial multiplexing. With antenna grouping, we can achieve combining gain through transmit beamforming, and high spectral efficiency through spatial multiplexing. In an independent identically distributed channel, the antenna grouping method has better bit error rate (BER) performance than the beamforming method. However, if the channel is correlated, then the BER performance of antenna grouping degrades. In that case, it is better to use beamforming instead of antenna grouping. In this article, we investigate the mode selection algorithms which select between the antenna grouping and the beamforming modes. By selecting a suitable mode for a given channel, we can achieve more robustness of the system performance. We introduce several mode selection criteria as well as a low complexity criterion which is derived from a low complexity antenna grouping algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed mode selection algorithm performs better than the antenna grouping and the beamforming modes in various channel conditions.
Some new fixed point theorems for set-valued contractions in complete metric spaces
Authors: Chen Chi-Ming
Published: December 2011

In this article, we obtain some new fixed point theorems for set-valued contractions in complete metric spaces. Our results generalize or improve many recent fixed point theorems in the literature.

MSC: 47H10, 54C60, 54H25, 55M20.
Non-Peptidergic Small Diameter Primary Afferents Expressing VGluT2 Project to Lamina I of Mouse Spinal Dorsal Horn
Authors: Clarke Jennifer N , Anderson Rebecca L , Haberberger Rainer V , Gibbins Ian L
Published: December 2011

Background:

Unmyelinated primary afferent nociceptors are commonly classified into two main functional types: those expressing neuropeptides, and non-peptidergic fibers that bind the lectin IB4. However, many small diameter primary afferent neurons neither contain any known neuropeptides nor bind IB4. Most express high levels of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2) and are assumed to be glutamatergic nociceptors but their terminations within the spinal cord are unknown. We used in vitro anterograde axonal tracing with Neurobiotin to identify the central projections of these putative glutamatergic nociceptors. We also quantitatively characterised the spatial arrangement of these terminals with respect to those that expressed the neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

Results:

Neurobiotin-labeled VGluT2-immunoreactive (IR) terminals were restricted to lamina I, with a medial-tolateral distribution similar to CGRP-IR terminals. Most VGluT2-IR terminals in lateral lamina I were not labeled by Neurobiotin implying that they arose mainly from central neurons. 38 ± 4% of Neurobiotin-labeled VGluT2-IR terminals contained CGRP-IR. Conversely, only 17 ±4% of Neurobiotin-labeled CGRP-IR terminals expressed detectable VGluT2-IR. Neurobiotin-labeled VGluT2-IR or CGRP-IR terminals often aggregated into small clusters or microdomains partially surrounding intrinsic lamina I neurons.

Conclusions:

The central terminals of primary afferents which express high levels of VGluT2-IR but not CGRP-IR terminate mainly in lamina I. The spatial arrangement of VGluT2-IR and CGRP-IR terminals suggest that lamina I neurons receive convergent inputs from presumptive nociceptors that are primarily glutamatergic or peptidergic. This reveals a previously unrecognized level of organization in lamina I consistent with the presence of multiple nociceptive processing pathways.
Association between a single-pass whole-body computed tomography policy and survival after blunt major trauma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hutter Martin , Woltmann Alexander , Hierholzer Christian , Gärtner Christian , Bühren Volker , Stengel Dirk
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Single-pass, whole-body computed tomography (pan-scan) remains a controversial intervention in the early assessment of patients with major trauma. We hypothesized that a liberal pan-scan policy is mainly an indicator of enhanced process quality of emergency care that may lead to improved survival regardless of the actual use of the method.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with blunt trauma referred to a trauma center prior to (2000 to 2002) and after (2002 to 2007) the introduction of a liberal single-pass pan-scan policy. The overall mortality between the two periods was compared and stratified according to the availability and actual use of the pan-scan. Logistic regression analysis was employed to adjust mortality estimates for demographic and injury-related independent variables.

Results

The study comprised 313 patients during the pre-pan-scan period, 223 patients after the introduction of the pan-scan policy but not undergoing a pan-scan and 608 patients undergoing a pan-scan. The overall mortality was 23.3, 14.8 and 7.9% (P < 0.001), respectively. By univariable logistic regression analysis, both the availability (odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36 to 0.90) and the actual use of the pan-scan (OR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.42) were associated with a lower mortality. The final model contained the Injury Severity Score, the Glasgow Coma Scale, age, emergency department time and the use of the pan-scan. 2.7% of the explained variance in mortality was attributable to the use of the pan-scan. This contribution increased to 7.1% in the highest injury severity quartile.

Conclusions

In this study, a liberal pan-scan policy was associated with lower trauma mortality. The causal role of the pan-scan itself must be interpreted in the context of improved structural and process quality, is apparently moderate and needs further investigation with regard to the diagnostic yield and changes in management decisions. (The Pan-Scan for Trauma Resuscitation [PATRES] Study Group, ISRCTN35424832 and ISRCTN41462125)
Childhood maltreatment and the structure of common psychiatric disorders
Authors: Keyes Katherine M. , Eaton Nicholas R. , Krueger Robert F. , McLaughlin Katie A. , Wall Melanie M. , Grant Bridget F. , Hasin Deborah S.
Published: December 2011

Background

Previous research suggests that various types of childhood maltreatment frequently co-occur and confer risk for multiple psychiatric diagnoses. This non-specific pattern of risk may mean that childhood maltreatment increases vulnerability to numerous specific psychiatric disorders through diverse, specific mechanisms or that childhood maltreatment engenders a generalised liability to dimensions of psychopathology. Although these competing explanations have different implications for intervention, they have never been evaluated empirically.

Aims

We used a latent variable approach to estimate the associations of childhood maltreatment with underlying dimensions of internalising and externalising psychopathology and with specific disorders after accounting for the latent dimensions. We also examined gender differences in these associations.

Method

Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 34 653 US adults. Lifetime DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were assessed using the AUDADIS-IV. Physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect were assessed using validated measures. Analyses controlled for other childhood adversities and sociodemographics.

Results

The effects were fully mediated through the latent liability dimensions, with an impact on underlying liability levels to internalising and externalising psychopathology rather than specific psychiatric disorders. Important gender differences emerged with physical abuse associated only with externalising liability in men, and only with internalising liability in women. Neglect was not significantly associated with latent liability levels.

Conclusions

The association between childhood maltreatment and common psychiatric disorders operates through latent liabilities to experience internalising and externalising psychopathology, indicating that the prevention of maltreatment may have a wide range of benefits in reducing the prevalence of many common mental disorders. Different forms of abuse have gender-specific consequences for the expression of internalising and externalising psychopathology, suggesting gender-specific aetiological pathways between maltreatment and psychopathology.
Characterization ofPax3-expressing cells from adult blood vessels
Authors: Goupille Olivier , Pallafacchina Giorgia , Relaix Frédéric , Conway Simon J. , Cumano Ana , Robert Benoit , Montarras Didier , Buckingham Margaret
Published: December 2011

We report expression of Pax3, an important regulator of skeletal muscle stem cell behaviour, in the brachial and femoral arteries of adult mice. In these contractile arteries of the limb, but not in the elastic arteries of the trunk, bands of GFP-positive cells were observed in Pax3GFP/+ mice. Histological and biochemical examination of the vessels, together with clonal analysis after purification of Pax3–GFP-positive cells by flow cytometry, established their vascular smooth muscle identity. These blood-vessel-derived cells do not respond to inducers of other mesodermal cell types, such as bone, however, they can contribute to muscle fibre formation when co-cultured with skeletal muscle cells. This myogenic conversion depends on the expression of Pax3, but is rare and non-cell autonomous as it requires cell fusion. Myocardin, which promotes acquisition of a mature smooth muscle phenotype in these Pax3–GFP-positive cells, antagonises their potential for skeletal muscle differentiation. Genetic manipulation shows that myocardin is, however, positively regulated by Pax3, unlike genes for other myocardin-related factors, MRTFA, MRTFB or SRF. Expression of Pax3 overlaps with that reported for Msx2, which is required for smooth muscle differentiation of blood vessel-derived multipotent mesoangioblasts. These observations are discussed with respect to the origin and function of Pax3-expressing cells in blood vessels, and more general questions of cell fate determination and adult cell plasticity and reprogramming.
Linking cytoplasmic dynein and transport of Rab8 vesicles to the midbody during cytokinesis by the doublecortin domain-containing 5 protein
Authors: Kaplan Anna , Reiner Orly
Published: December 2011

Completion of mitosis requires microtubule-dependent transport of membranes to the midbody. Here, we identified a role in cytokinesis for doublecortin domain-containing protein 5 (DCDC5), a member of the doublecortin protein superfamily. DCDC5 is a microtubule-associated protein expressed in both specific and dynamic fashions during mitosis. We show that DCDC5 interacts with cytoplasmic dynein and Rab8 (also known as Ras-related protein Rab-8A), as well as with the Rab8 nucleotide exchange factor Rabin8 (also known as Rab-3A-interacting protein). Following DCDC5 knockdown, the durations of the metaphase to anaphase transition and cytokinesis, and the proportion of multinucleated cells increases, whereas cell viability decreases. Furthermore, knockdown of DCDC5 or addition of a dynein inhibitor impairs the entry of Golgi-complex-derived Rab8-positive vesicles to the midbody. These findings suggest that DCDC5 plays an important role in mediating dynein-dependent transport of Rab8-positive vesicles and in coordinating late cytokinesis.
Validation of an automatic system (DoubleCage) for detecting the location of animals during preference tests
Authors: Tsai P P , Nagelschmidt N , Kirchner J , Stelzer H D , Hackbarth H
Published: December 2011

Preference tests have often been performed for collecting information about animals' acceptance of environmental refinement objects. In numerous published studies animals were individually tested during preference experiments, as it is difficult to observe group-housed animals with an automatic system. Thus, videotaping is still the most favoured method for observing preferences of socially-housed animals. To reduce the observation workload and to be able to carry out preference testing of socially-housed animals, an automatic recording system (DoubleCage) was developed for determining the location of group-housed animals in a preference test set-up. This system is able to distinguish the transition of individual animals between two cages and to record up to 16 animals at the same time (four animals per cage). The present study evaluated the reliability of the DoubleCage system. The data recorded by the DoubleCage program and the data obtained by human observation were compared. The measurements of the DoubleCage system and manual observation of the videotapes are comparable and significantly correlated ( P < 0.0001) with good agreement. Using the DoubleCage system enables precise and reliable recording of the preferences of group-housed animals and a considerable reduction of animal observation time.
Pregnancy in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Authors: Muglu Javaid A , Garg Aditya , Pandiarajan T , Shore Eileen M , Kaplan Frederick S , Uchil Dhiraj , Dickson Malcolm J
Published: December 2011

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare disabling genetic disorder characterized by progressive postnatal heterotopic ossification leading to cumulative disability. Heterotopic bone formation in FOP usually begins in early childhood following a series of painful, post-traumatic, inflammatory soft-tissue swellings known as flare-ups, which later undergo ossification resulting in the progressive immobilization of the chest wall, limbs and jaw by early adulthood. Pregnancy in FOP has occurred infrequently and reproductive decisions are a dilemma for an individual or couple with FOP. We present the clinical course, medical management and potential concerns of four cases of pregnancy in FOP.
Moyamoya disease in pregnancy: maintenance of maternal blood pressure
Authors: Barrett Helen L , Lust Karin , Fagermo Narelle , Callaway Leonie K , Minuzzo Lee
Published: December 2011

Moyamoya disease is a rare cerebrovascular occlusive disorder characterized by stenosis in the circle of Willis with the development of a compensatory circulation. It has been associated with significant morbidity in pregnancy including intracranial haemorrhage, ischaemic stroke and epilepsy. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of moyamoya vasculopathy with bilateral superficial temporal to middle cerebral artery bypass grafting. During the second trimester, she developed significant neurological symptoms related to postural hypotension in the presence of a stenosis of the right-sided graft. The hypotension was treated with fludrocortisone therapy with improvement in blood pressure and symptoms. Moyamoya vasculopathy poses unique challenges to obstetric care. This is the first report of use of fludrocortisone for maintenance of blood pressure during pregnancy in this condition.
Discovery of Online Shopping Patterns Across Websites
Authors: Yang Yinghui (Catherine) , Liu Hongyan , Cai Yuanjue
Published: December 2011

In the online world, customers can easily navigate to different online stores to make purchases. The products purchased on one site are often associated with product purchases on other sites (e.g., a hotel reservation on one site and a car rental on another site). Whereas market basket analysis is often used to discover associations among products for brick-and-mortar stores, it is rarely applied in the online setting where consumers navigate among different online stores to buy products. We define online shopping patterns and develop two novel methods to perform market basket analysis across websites. While this research is motivated by online shopping applications, our contribution is mainly methodological. The two methods we develop in this paper can not only be used to identify various online shopping patterns across sites and products but can also be applied to settings where patterns exist across different dimensions. Experiments on both synthetic data and real online shopping data demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods.
Pricing Models for Online Advertising: CPM vs. CPC
Authors: Asdemir Kursad , Kumar Nanda , Jacob Varghese S.
Published: December 2011

Online advertising has transformed the advertising industry with its measurability and accountability. Online software and services supported by online advertising is becoming a reality as evidenced by the success of Google and its initiatives. Therefore, the choice of a pricing model for advertising becomes a critical issue for these firms. We present a formal model of pricing models in online advertising using the principal–agent framework to study the two most popular pricing models: input-based cost per thousand impressions (CPM) and performance-based cost per click-through (CPC). We identify four important factors that affect the preference of CPM to the CPC model, and vice versa. In particular, we highlight the interplay between uncertainty in the decision environment, value of advertising, cost of mistargeting advertisements, and alignment of incentives. These factors shed light on the preferred online-advertising pricing model for publishers and advertisers under different market conditions.
The Effect of Brand Acquisition and Disposal on Stock Returns
Authors: Wiles Michael A. , Morgan Neil A. , Rego Lopo L.
Published: December 2011

Brand acquisitions and disposals are key strategic marketing decisions and often the largest single marketing investments that firms make. Yet little is known about the performance effects of such decisions. This study examines stock market reactions to brand acquisition and disposal announcements in 31 consumer industries. The results reveal that returns to such announcements depend crucially on three complementary firm assets—marketing capabilities, channel relationships, and brand portfolios—but that these effects may not be symmetric across brand acquisitions and disposals. Acquirer abnormal returns are greater for firms with strong marketing capabilities and those that buy brands with higher price/quality positioning than their existing portfolio. Investors also reward buyers that identify cost synergies in integrating new brand(s) into their portfolios but punish those that identify revenue synergies. Conversely, greater abnormal returns arise for sellers with inferior channel relationships and for those selling multiple brands, brands with relatively lower price/quality positioning than the seller's remaining portfolio, and brands unrelated to the rest of the seller's portfolio. The results from a paired subsample provide new knowledge about the positive net shareholder wealth created from brand acquisition–disposal transactions and indicate a strong role of marketing capabilities in creating this wealth.
The Effect of Business-Cycle Fluctuations on Private-Label Share: What has Marketing Conduct Got to do with it?
Authors: Lamey Lien , Deleersnyder Barbara , Steenkamp Jan-Benedict E.M. , Dekimpe Marnik G.
Published: December 2011

The authors investigate whether, and to what extent, marketing conduct varies over the business cycle and how this contributes to the growing popularity of private labels. To address this issue, they examine a unique data set that combines a broad set of seven marketing-mix instruments with private-label share, using two decades' worth of data for 106 consumer packaged goods categories in the United States. The results show that private-label share behaves countercyclically and that part of the boost in private-label share during contractions is permanent. Retailers' observed practice of supporting their own labels in contraction periods while cutting back in expansion periods helps this cyclical sensitivity even further. In addition, national brands' procyclical behavior in terms of (1) major new product introductions, (2) advertising, and (3) their promotional pressure compared with private labels is associated with more pronounced cyclical fluctuations in private-label share and even with permanent private-label market share gains. Although brand managers cannot be held responsible for the occurrence of economic downswings, they can be held accountable for how much contractions help strengthen their fiercest competitor, the store brands owned by their very customers.
Off the Grid
Authors: Straight Susan , McCulloh Douglas
Published: December 2011

This narrative essay explores the role of interpersonal connections among people from diverse backgrounds and how they fill in for much of the social services being eliminated from the state government.
Hayakawa Among the Conservatives
Authors: Haslam Gerald
Published: December 2011

Author, lecturer, and long-time liberal Democrat S.I. Hayakawa joined the faculty of San Francisco State College in 1955. A general semanticist, he became acting president of the school during the student strike of 1968-69, and rode the fame generated then into the U..S Senate as a hard-nosed Republican. He was not an effective senator and served only one term, becoming infamous for sleeping during meetings. He also justified the World War II internment of Japanese Americans and Canadians and favored declaring English America's national language. His later image as an anti-immigrant bumbler seems a parody of the man, but an evaluation of the sum of his accomplishments suggests there was much more to him than his opponents concede.
Jobs. Good Jobs.
Authors: Collins Wade
Published: December 2011

An account of my attempts to overcome the obstacles of my unemployment by accepting a job offer at an organic farm in Napa. This article touches on the broader economic forces currently impacting our nation, the marijuana economy as it relates to vineyards, issues of disability, and the relevance of John Steinbecks' “The Grapes of Wrath” to the present day.
Demise and Ascent
Authors: Holmes Todd
Published: December 2011

This essay examines California Republican Senator Thomas Kuchel in honor of his 101 birthday this August, tracing Kuchel's fight against the conservative Right during the 1960s. More specifically, the essay highlights Kuchel as the last vestige of California's progressive Republicans and his effort to protect the GOP from right-wing corrosion and the likes of Nixon, Goldwater, George Murphy, and especially Ronald Reagan. Ultimately it was this effort that united the corporate conservatives of Reaganism to oust the 32 year political veteran in 1968.

Based on periodicals and primary research conducted in the political papers of Thomas Kuchel, Barry Goldwater, and Alan Cranston, the essay posits that remembering Kuchel will push us to reflect on the real change of the Republican Party under Reaganism, both nationally and in California. With no biographies written and his own centennial overshadowed by the political pageantry of Reagan's, remembering Thomas Kuchel offers an important and much needed political perspective.
The Art of Crossing Borders: Migrant Rights and Academic Freedom
Authors: Warren Louis , Warren Spring
Published: December 2011

Ricardo Dominguez, Professor of New Media , Performance Art, and a Principal Investigator at CALIT2 at the University of California, San Diego, specializes in electronic civil disobedience as an art form. In January, 2010, he was placed under university investigation for misuse of research funds, a charge that could have resulted in his termination. At issue was the work of his research organizations, b.a.n.g. lab (for “bits, atoms, neurons, genes”) and his Electronic Disturbance Theater. Dominguez directed these organizations in creating the Transborder Immigrant Tool, a program that could allow immigrants to use cheap cell phones to find water caches in the desert between Mexico and southern California and access survival poetry. Before the investigation was completed, several congressmen would demand punitive action and anti-immigrant pundits on cable news networks were demanding Dominguez be fired. Louis Warren sat down with Ricardo Dominguez to find out what happened.
Their Flag, Too
Authors: Hurtado Albert
Published: December 2011

Immigrants, whether characterized as "illegal aliens" or "undocumented workers," have been a constant feature of California history from its beginning. This essay looks at immigration controversies during the Mexican era. Hurtado finds striking parallels with todays immigration debates. This history, he argues, should help us to think more creatively and humanely about the problem of the border.
Checking In
Authors: Ziser Michael
Published: December 2011

Review of Karen Tei Yamashita's book I Hotel.
El Grito and the Tea Party
Authors: Olson Alexander I. , García Guillermo Nericcio
Published: December 2011

This article uses California’s long history of migration to question efforts by local Tea Party activists to push for an anti-immigration law modeled after Arizona’s notorious S.B. 1070. Focusing on Mary Hunter Austin’s description of a multilingual, transborder celebration of el Grito de la Independencia (Mexican Independence Day) in the Owens Valley in 1903, the article argues that the Tea Party’s anti-immigrant ideology relies on a flattening of history to cast migrant workers as outsiders and naturalize Anglo dominance of the region.
“Don’t fool around with the cops”: Unidirectional and bidirectional comitative relations in language
Authors: Fekete István , Pléh Csaba
Published: December 2011

A dolgozat az egy- és kétirányú viszonyt kódoló szerkezetek feldolgozásával foglalkozik. A kétirányú (szimmetrikus) komitatív konstrukciók olyan eseményeket írnak le, amelyekben a két szereplő ugyanolyan mértékben érintett (példáulJános Marival csókolózott), az egyirányú (aszimmetrikus, instrumentális jellegű) komitatív szerkezetek esetén (példáulJános kikezdett Marival) viszont az egyik szereplő ágens (’János’), a másik pedigpáciens(’Mari’). Az önütemezett olvasási paradigmát használtuk annak kiderítésére, hogy a két szerkezet mennyiben más mentális reprezentációkat hív elő. Azt találtuk, hogy a szórend függvényében eltér a két konstrukció megértése, illetve az alanyra való visszautalás (anafora) feldolgozása. Eredményeink összességében arra mutatnak rá, hogy az egy- és kétirányú konstrukciók különböző mentális reprezentációkat hívnak elő automatikusan valós idejű nyelvi megértés során. Az eredményeket a szimulációs paradigma (Bergen, 2007) és a szituációs modell elmélet (Zwaan, Radvansky, 1998) keretein belül értelmezzük.
Validation of the Hungarian translation of Freiburg Questionnaire of Coping With Illness–Short Version (FQCI). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Tiringer István , Simon Attila , Németh Katalin , Bánki Cecilia , Molnár Edit , Szamosi Eszter , Thaly Eszter , Kerekes Zsuzsanna , Mangel László , Veress Gábor
Published: December 2011

Tanulmányunkban a Fritz Muthny által kidolgozott betegséggel kapcsolatos megküzdési kérdőív, a Freiburger Fragebogen zur Krankheitsverarbeitung (FKV-LIS) magyar adaptációjának folyamatát mutatjuk be. Az FKV-LIS a betegséggel történő megküzdések széles spektrumát vizsgálja. A számos kutatásban alkalmazott kérdőív skáláinak érvényességéről és megbízhatóságáról csak részben rendelkezünk egyértelmű adatokkal. Vizsgálatunk célja a betegséggel történő megküzdés általános stratégiának azonosítása és az FKV-LIS kérdőív faktorstruktúrájának felülvizsgálata, szükség szerinti módosítása volt. Megvizsgáltuk, hogy az FKV-LIS faktorszerkezete mennyire tekinthető azonosnak az egyes betegcsoportokban. A 35 tételes kérdőívet két vizsgálatunkban használtuk. Az elsőben kardiológiai betegeket (n=747) vizsgáltunk, majd követtünk egy évvel bypass-műtétük, illetve szívizominfarktusuk után, a második – keresztmetszeti – vizsgálatunkban malignus betegségben szenvedők vettek részt (n=555). A kérdőív eredeti skáláinak pszichometriai mutatói nem értek el elfogadható szintet, ezért a megerősítő faktoranalízis adatai alapján az egyes skálákon alacsony faktorsúlyt adó tételek elhagyásával egy módosított faktorszerkezetet alakítottunk ki, melyet független mintán felülvizsgáltunk. Az általunk kidolgozott faktorszerkezet egyezést mutatott a Muthny által javasolt első négy skálával („Depresszív, rezignált megküzdés”, „Aktív problémaorientált megküzdés”, „Önbátorítás, figyelemelterelés”, „Vallás, értelemkeresés”), melyek mindegyikéhez 3–3 tételt tartottunk meg. A módosított faktorszerkezet illeszkedési mutatói az összesített mintánkon a jót megközelítő értékeket adtak. Betegcsoportonként külön vizsgálva, az infarktuson átesett betegek esetében jó, a rákos betegek esetében elfogadható, míg a bypass-műtött betegeknél annál alacsonyabb illeszkedési mutatókat kaptunk. Hasonló eredmények mutatkoztak az összesített megbízhatóság és az egyes skálák által magyarázott átlagos variancia tekintetében is. A multigroup elemzés eredményei az egyes betegcsoportokban a módosított faktorstruktúra egyezőségére utalnak. Elemzéseink az FKV-LIS módosított „Depresszív, rezignált megküzdés” és „Aktív problémaorientált megküzdés” skálájának elfogadható működését mutatták mindegyik betegcsoportban. Az „Önbátorítás, figyelemelterelés” s a „Vallás, értelemkeresés” skálák csak korlátozottan használhatók.
The developmental trend of Hungarian experimental psychology 1950–2010
Authors: Pléh Csaba
Published: December 2011

Előadásomat azzal szeretném kezdeni, hol is indult két nemzedékkel ezelőtt és hogyan is fejlődött azóta a kutatás általános színvonala, s ebben milyen kiemelkedő szerepe volt és van a kísérleti pszichológiának. Majd megpróbálok valamiféle mai viszonyítást is tenni, hogy jellemezzem: mi van ma szervezetileg és intellektuálisan a kísérleti pszichológiában, és ennek milyen következményei lehetnek a minőséget illetően.
Inverse Relationship between the Inflammatory Marker Pentraxin-3, Fat Body Mass, and Abdominal Obesity in End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Miyamoto Tetsu , Rashid Qureshi Abdul , Heimbürger Olof , Bárány Peter , Carrero Karin , Sjöberg Bodil , Lindholm Bengt , Stenvinkel Peter , Carrero Juan Jesús
Published: December 2011

Background and objectives

Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) belongs to the same pentraxin superfamily of acute-phase reactants as C-reactive protein (CRP). Abdominal fat accumulation in ESRD is considered a chronic inflammatory state, but the relationship of PTX3 to this phenomenon is unknown. This study assesses plausible associations between PTX3 and surrogates of fat mass deposits in dialysis patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Circulating levels of PTX3, CRP, and IL-6 were cross-sectionally analyzed in relation to anthropometric and nutritional surrogate markers of fat tissue in two cohorts comprising 156 prevalent hemodialysis (HD) and 216 incident dialysis patients.

Results

In both cohorts, PTX3 was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) and fat body mass index (FBMI) derived from anthropometrics and leptin, whereas there was a positive association with adiponectin. In prevalent HD patients, those with larger waist circumference (above gender-specific median values) had lower PTX3, higher CRP, and higher IL-6 levels. This was also true in multivariate analyses. In both cohorts, multivariate regression analyses showed that PTX3 was negatively and CRP (or IL-6) was positively associated with FBMI.

Conclusions

Although CRP and IL-6 were directly associated with body fat, PTX3 levels showed negative correlations with surrogates of adipose tissue in two independent cohorts of ESRD patients. Understanding the underlying reasons behind these opposite associations may have clinical relevance given the survival advantage described for obese patients on dialysis.
The Risk for Medial Arterial Calcification in CKD
Authors: Abou Hassan Nada , D’Orsi Ellen T. , D’Orsi Carl J. , O'Neill W. Charles
Published: December 2011

Background and objectives

CKD is a risk factor for medial artery calcification, but the CKD stage at which this risk begins is unknown. Because breast arterial calcification (BAC) is a marker of generalized medial arterial calcification, mammography was used to detect medial arterial calcification in women with different CKD stages.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of women with and without CKD matched for age and diabetes and identified from mammograms obtained in 2006–2011. BAC was scored as present or absent per visual inspection.

Results

A total of 146 women with stage 3 CKD and 54 with stage 4/5 CKD were identified. An additional 21 patients with ESRD were identified and added to a previous cohort of 71 patients. Mean age was 64 years for CKD 3, 63 for CKD 4, and 59 for ESRD. Half of each group had diabetes. Compared with controls, the odds ratios for BAC were 1.44 in CKD 3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82–2.53), 2.69 in CKD 4 (95% CI, 1.14–6.33), and 7.19 in ESRD (95% CI, 3.77–13.7) and did not differ with diabetic status or race. In a multivariable logistic model, age (P<0.001) and estimated GFR (P=0.005) were independent predictors of BAC. The odds ratio for BAC increased 4% for each milliliter per minute per 1.73 m2 decrease in estimated GFR. The prevalence of BAC in CKD was increased in each decade of age over 49 years.

Conclusions

CKD is an independent risk factor for medial arterial calcification.
Dialysis Modality and Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Molnar Miklos Z. , Mehrotra Rajnish , Duong Uyen , Bunnapradist Suphamai , Lukowsky Lilia R. , Krishnan Mahesh , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar
Published: December 2011

Background and objectives

The influence of pretransplant dialysis modality on post-transplant outcomes is not clear. This study examined associations of pretransplant dialysis modality with post-transplant outcomes in a large national cohort of kidney transplant recipients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Linking the 5-year patient data of a large dialysis organization to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, 12,416 hemodialysis and 2092 peritoneal dialysis patients who underwent first kidney transplantation were identified. Mortality or graft failure and delayed graft function risks were estimated by Cox regression (hazard ratio) and logistic regression (odds ratio), respectively.

Results

Recipients treated with peritoneal dialysis pretransplantation had lower (21.9/1000 patient-years [95% confidence interval: 18.1–26.5]) crude all-cause mortality rate than those recipients treated with hemodialysis (32.8/1000 patient-years [30.8–35.0]). Pretransplant peritoneal dialysis use was associated with 43% lower adjusted all-cause and 66% lower cardiovascular death. Furthermore, pretransplant peritoneal dialysis use was associated with 17% and 36% lower unadjusted death-censored graft failure and delayed graft function risk, respectively. However, after additional adjustment for relevant covariates, pretransplant peritoneal dialysis modality was not a significant predictor of death-censored graft failure delayed graft function, respectively. Similar trends were noted on analyses using a propensity score matched cohort of 2092 pairs of patients.

Conclusions

Compared with hemodialysis, patients treated with peritoneal dialysis before transplantation had lower mortality but similar graft loss or delayed graft function. Confounding by residual selection bias cannot be ruled out.