bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein Needs of Physically Active Children
Authors: Volterman Kimberly A. , Atkinson Stephanie A.
Published: May 2016

Current Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for protein for children and youth require revision as they were derived primarily on nitrogen balance data in young children or extrapolated from adult values; did not account for the possible influence of above average physical activity; and did not set an upper tolerable level of intake. Revision of the protein DRIs requires new research that investigates: 1) long-term dose-response to identify protein and essential amino acid requirements of both sexes at various pubertal stages and under differing conditions of physical activity; 2) the acute protein needs (quantity and timing) following a single bout of exercise; 3) the potential adverse effects of chronic high intakes of protein; and 4) new measurement techniques (i.e., IAAO or stable isotope methodologies) to improve accuracy of protein needs. While active individuals may require protein in excess of current DRIs, most active Canadian children and youth have habitual protein intakes that exceed current recommendations.
Bridging the Gaps: The Promise of Omics Studies in Pediatric Exercise Research
Authors: Radom-Aizik Shlomit , Cooper Dan M.
Published: May 2016

In this review, we highlight promising new discoveries that may generate useful and clinically relevant insights into the mechanisms that link exercise with growth during critical periods of development. Growth in childhood and adolescence is unique among mammals and is a dynamic process regulated by an evolution of hormonal and inflammatory mediators, age-dependent progression of gene expression, and environmentally modulated epigenetic mechanisms. Many of these same processes likely affect molecular transducers of physical activity. How the molecular signaling associated with growth is synchronized with signaling associated with exercise is poorly understood. Recent advances in “omics”—namely genomics and epigenetics, metabolomics, and proteomics—now provide exciting approaches and tools that can be used for the first time to address this gap. A biologic definition of “healthy” exercise that links the metabolic transducers of physical activity with parallel processes that regulate growth will transform health policy and guidelines that promote optimal use of physical activity.
The Relationship Between Coach Expectations and Female Softball Athletes’ Motivation and Perceptions of Coach Behavior
Authors: Buning Megan M.
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between coach expectations, female athletes’ perceptions of coach behavior, and motivation to play softball, and to observe changes in perceptions of behavior and motivation by expectancy group. Self-determination theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2000) was used as a guide. Participants were randomly selected from Division I softball teams competing in the United States (n = 20). Head coaches (n = 20) completed evaluations rating expectations of athletes’ performance ability, and athletes (n = 148) self-reported motivation and perceived coaching behaviors pre- and post-study. Cluster analysis distinguished between three expectancy groups based from coach expectation ratings: High, low, and average. Pearson’s r revealed weak relationships between coach expectancy ratings, perceived coaching behaviors, and motivation. Split-plot analysis of variance tests revealed expectancy groups perceived behaviors differently and were motivated differently. Low expectancy athletes perceived more non-rewarding behaviors, less positive behaviors, and were more non-self-determined to play softball. Overall, coaches were perceived as mostly positive.
Effects of Peer-Education on Knowledge of the Female Athlete Triad Among High School Track and Field Athletes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Brown Katie N. , Wengreen Heidi J. , Beals Katherine A. , Heath Edward M.
Published: May 2016

This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess risk for the female athlete triad (Triad) and pilot a peer-led Triad educational intervention. Twenty-nine female high school track and field athletes (N = 29) at one high school in the western United States consented to participate. Participants were weighed and measured, and completed pre- and postsurveys that included Triad risk factor questions and 10 questions assessing Triad knowledge. 54% of athletes reported current menstrual irregularity; 7% reported a history of stress fractures. Significant increases in Triad knowledge were observed pre- to postintervention (4.7 ± 2.6 to 7.7 ± 1.78 out of 10; p < .0001). Triad education was generally accepted and enjoyed by participants; however, 86% preferred that a coach or other adult provide education instead of a peer.
The Experience of Competition in Same- Versus Mixed-Sex Team Sports
Authors: Knutson Joseph A. , McAndrew Francis T.
Published: May 2016

It is not yet clear how the enjoyment of playing a sport is related to the degree of involvement an athlete feels in a game. This issue was examined in two field studies and one laboratory experiment focusing on how men and women experience competition on mixed-sex and single-sex sports teams, with a greater emphasis on the experience of women in these situations. The results showed that while the mean enjoyment levels for women in mixed-sex and single-sex games were not different, individual women usually display a preference for either mixed-sex or single-sex teams. The results also revealed that women felt more involved on single-sex teams and that both men and women passed to men more often in mixed-sex games. Future studies should look at possible differences between men and women in the sources of the rewards derived from competition.
Urinary Tract Physiological Conditions Promote Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Low-Level-Quinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Martín-Gutiérrez Guillermo , Rodríguez-Beltrán Jerónimo , Rodríguez-Martínez José Manuel , Costas Coloma , Aznar Javier , Pascual Álvaro , Blázquez Jesús
Published: May 2016

Escherichia coli
isolates carrying chromosomally encoded low-level-quinolone-resistant (LLQR) determinants are frequently found in urinary tract infections (UTIs). LLQR mutations are considered the first step in the evolutionary pathway producing high-level fluoroquinolone resistance. Therefore, their evolution and dissemination might influence the outcome of fluoroquinolone treatments of UTI. Previous studies support the notion that low urine pH decreases susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (CIP) in
E. coli
. However, the effect of the urinary tract physiological parameters on the activity of ciprofloxacin against LLQR
E. coli
strains has received little attention. We have studied the activity of ciprofloxacin under physiological urinary tract conditions against a set of well-characterized isogenic
E. coli
derivatives carrying the most prevalent chromosomal mutations (Δ
marR
,
gyrA
-S83L,
gyrA
-D87N, and
parC
-S80R and some combinations). The results presented here demonstrate that all the LLQR strains studied became resistant to ciprofloxacin (according to CLSI guidelines) under physiological conditions whereas the control strain lacking LLQR mutations did not. Moreover, the survival of some LLQR
E. coli
variants increased up to 100-fold after challenge with a high concentration of ciprofloxacin under UTI conditions compared to the results seen with Mueller-Hinton broth. These selective conditions could explain the high prevalence of LLQR mutations in
E. coli
. Furthermore, our data strongly suggest that recommended methods for MIC determination produce poor estimations of CIP activity against LLQR
E. coli
in UTIs.
High dose of phytase on apparent and standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus and apparent total tract digestibility of calcium in canola meals from Brassica napus black and Brassica juncea yellow fed to growing pigs
Authors: Adhikari P.A. , Heo J.M. , Nyachoti C.M.
Published: May 2016

A total of 42 barrows weighing 19.8 ± 1.22 kg were fed seven diets to give six replicates per treatment. The experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement with factors being (1) two canola meals (CM) types and (2) three phytase levels (0, 500, and 2500 FTU kg−1). The basal endogenous phosphorus (P) losses and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) was calculated using the P-free method. There was no effect of CM types on feed intake and fecal P output, but an interaction effect was observed for P intake (CM × phytase; P < 0.05). Supplementation of phytase (2500 FTU kg−1) reduced (P < 0.001) fecal P output (g d−1), and the output was reduced by 58% in Brassica napus black (BNB) and 64% in Brassica juncea yellow (BJY) diets. Supplementation of phytase improved (P < 0.001) both apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and STTD of P in both BNB and BJY, regardless of dose. The basal endogenous P loss (EPL) was determined to be 111.28 ± 35.09 mg kg−1 of dry matter intake (DMI). There was no further improvement in STTD of P when phytase was increased from 500 to 2500 FTU kg−1 in both CM types. The ATTD of calcium (Ca) was increased (P < 0.001) in BNB and BJY when phytase was supplemented at 500 and 2500 FTU kg−1. The results, therefore, indicate that supplementation of phytase at 500 FTU kg−1 improved both ATTD and STTD of P in two CM types, but a super dose of 2500 FTU kg−1 had no additional benefit. Similarly, ATTD of Ca was increased when phytase was supplemented at 500 FTU kg−1 without further improvement at 2500 FTU kg−1.
OH-initiated tropospheric photooxidation of allyl acetate: a theoretical study
Authors: Cao Haijie , Li Xin , Han Dandan , Zhang Shiqing , He Maoxia
Published: May 2016

The mechanisms of OH-initiated oxidation of allyl acetate in the presence of O2/NO have been investigated by performing density functional theory calculations. Two patterns (OH-addition and H-abstraction) of the initial reaction and the subsequent reactions of the primarily produced intermediates (IM1, IM2, and IM4) have been proposed. The OH-addition reactions are more favorable than the H-abstraction reactions, but H-abstraction from the CH2 group cannot be ignored. The major degradation products have been identified. The rate coefficients and the branching ratios of the primary reactions are obtained over the temperature of 200–500 K and the pressure range of 0.001–1000 atm. The total rate coefficient is 3.17 × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 298 K and 1 atm. With respect to the typical concentration of OH radical (2.0 × 106 molecule cm−3), the atmospheric lifetime of AAC is estimated to be 4.40 h.
Trityl chloride promoted the synthesis of 3-(2,6-diarylpyridin-4-yl)-1H-indoles and 2,4,6-triarylpyridines by in situ generation of trityl carbocation and anomeric based oxidation in neutral media
Authors: Moosavi-Zare Ahmad Reza , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Rezanejad Zahir
Published: May 2016

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines and 3-(2,6-diarylpyridin-4-yl)-1H-indoles by the one-pot pseudo four component condensation reaction of aldehydes with acetophenones and ammonium acetate in the presence of Ph3CCl under neutral and solvent-free conditions has been reported. Mechanistically, it is interesting that trityl chloride by in situ generation of trityl carbocation (Ph3C+) promotes the reaction. In this work, seven products have been reported for the first time.
DNA barcoding as a useful tool in the systematic study of wild bees of the tribe Augochlorini (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)
Authors: González-Vaquero Rocío Ana , Roig-Alsina Arturo , Packer Laurence
Published: May 2016

Special care is needed in the delimitation and identification of halictid bee species, which are renowned for being morphologically monotonous. Corynura Spinola and Halictillus Moure (Halictidae: Augochlorini) contain species that are key elements in southern South American ecosystems. These bees are very difficult to identify due to close morphological similarity among species and high sexual dimorphism. We analyzed 170 barcode-compliant COI sequences from 19 species. DNA barcodes were useful to confirm gender associations and to detect two new cryptic species. Interspecific distances were significantly higher than those reported for other bees. Maximum intraspecific divergence was less than 1% in 14 species. Barcode index numbers (BINs) were useful to identify putative species that need further study. More than one BIN was assigned to five species. The name Corynura patagonica (Cockerell) probably refers to two cryptic species. The results suggest that Corynura and Halictillus species can be identified using DNA barcodes. The sequences of the species included in this study can be used as a reference to assess the identification of unknown specimens. This study provides additional support for the use of DNA barcodes in bee taxonomy and the identification of specimens, which is particularly relevant in insects of ecological importance such as pollinators.
H-Scale
Authors: Wan Jiguang , Xu Peng , He Xubin , Wang Jibin , Li Junyao , Xie Changsheng
Published: May 2016

To satisfy the explosive growth of data in large-scale data centers, where redundant arrays of independent disks (RAIDs), especially RAID-5, are widely deployed, effective storage scaling and disk expansion methods are desired. However, a way to reduce the data migration overhead and maintain the reliability of the original RAID are major concerns of storage scaling. To address these problems, we propose a new RAID scaling scheme, H-Scale, to achieve fast RAID scaling via hybrid stripe layouts. H-Scale takes advantage of the loose restriction of stripe structures to choose migrated data and to create hybrid stripe structures. The main advantages of our scheme include: (1) dramatically reducing the data migration overhead and thus speeding up the scaling process, (2) maintaining the original RAID’s reliability, (3) balancing the workload among disks after scaling, and (4) providing a general scaling approach for different RAID levels. Our theoretical analysis show that H-Scale outperforms existing scaling solutions in terms of data migration, I/O overheads, and parity update operations. Evaluation results on a prototype implementation demonstrate that H-Scale speeds up the online scaling process by up to 60% under SPC traces, and similar improvements on scaling time and user response time are also achieved by evaluations using standard benchmarks.
Tablet-Based Activity Schedule in Mainstream Environment for Children with Autism and Children with ID
Authors: Fage Charles , Pommereau Léonard , Consel Charles , Balland Emilie , Sauzéon Hélène
Published: May 2016

Including children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in mainstream environments creates a need for new interventions whose efficacy must be assessed in situ. This article presents a tablet-based application for activity schedules that has been designed following a participatory design approach involving mainstream teachers, special education teachers, and school aides. This application addresses two domains of activities: classroom routines and verbal communications.

We assessed the efficiency of our application with two overlapping user studies in mainstream inclusion, sharing a group of children with ASD. The first experiment involved 10 children with ASD, where five children were equipped with our tabled-based application and five were not equipped. We show that (1) the use of the application is rapidly self-initiated (after 2 months for almost all the participants) and (2) the tablet-supported routines are better performed after 3 months of intervention. The second experiment involved 10 children equipped with our application; it shared the data collected for the five children with ASD and compared them with data collected for five children with intellectual disability (ID).

We show that (1) children with ID are not autonomous in the use of the application at the end of the intervention, (2) both groups exhibited the same benefits on classroom routines, and (3) children with ID improve significantly less their performance on verbal communication routines. These results are discussed in relation with our design principles. Importantly, the inclusion of a group with another neurodevelopmental condition provided insights about the applicability of these principles beyond the target population of children with ASD.
Research Challenges in Parallel and Distributed Simulation
Authors: Fujimoto Richard M.
Published: May 2016

The parallel and distributed simulation field has evolved and grown from its origins in the 1970s and 1980s and remains an active field of research to this day. A brief overview of research in the field is presented. Future research topics are explored including areas such as problem-driven simulation of large-scale systems and complex networks, exploitation of graphical processing unit hardware and cloud computing environments, predictive online simulation for system management and optimization, power and energy consumption in mobile platforms and data centers, and composition of heterogeneous simulations.
Second-Generation HSP90 Inhibitor Onalespib Blocks mRNA Splicing of Androgen Receptor Variant 7 in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Ferraldeschi Roberta , Welti Jonathan , Powers Marissa V. , Yuan Wei , Smyth Tomoko , Seed George , Riisnaes Ruth , Hedayat Somaieh , Wang Hannah , Crespo Mateus , Nava Rodrigues Daniel , Figueiredo Ines , Miranda Susana , Carreira Suzanne , Lyons John F. , Sharp Swee , Plymate Stephen R. , Attard Gerhardt , Wallis Nicola , Workman Paul , de Bono Johann S.
Published: May 2016

Resistance to available hormone therapies in prostate cancer has been associated with alternative splicing of androgen receptor (AR) and specifically, the expression of truncated and constitutively active AR variant 7 (AR-V7). The transcriptional activity of steroid receptors, including AR, is dependent on interactions with the HSP90 chaperone machinery, but it is unclear whether HSP90 modulates the activity or expression of AR variants. Here, we investigated the effects of HSP90 inhibition on AR-V7 in prostate cancer cell lines endogenously expressing this variant. We demonstrate that AR-V7 and full-length AR (AR-FL) were depleted upon inhibition of HSP90. However, the mechanisms underlying AR-V7 depletion differed from those for AR-FL. Whereas HSP90 inhibition destabilized AR-FL and induced its proteasomal degradation, AR-V7 protein exhibited higher stability than AR-FL and did not require HSP90 chaperone activity. Instead, HSP90 inhibition resulted in the reduction of AR-V7 mRNA levels but did not affect total AR transcript levels, indicating that HSP90 inhibition disrupted AR-V7 splicing. Bioinformatic analyses of transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing data confirmed that the second-generation HSP90 inhibitor onalespib altered the splicing of at least 557 genes in prostate cancer cells, including AR. These findings indicate that the effects of HSP90 inhibition on mRNA splicing may prove beneficial in prostate cancers expressing AR-V7, supporting further clinical investigation of HSP90 inhibitors in malignancies no longer responsive to androgen deprivation. Cancer Res; 76(9); 2731–42. ©2016 AACR.
Feasibility of Telomerase-Specific Adoptive T-cell Therapy for B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Solid Malignancies
Authors: Sandri Sara , Bobisse Sara , Moxley Kelly , Lamolinara Alessia , De Sanctis Francesco , Boschi Federico , Sbarbati Andrea , Fracasso Giulio , Ferrarini Giovanna , Hendriks Rudi W. , Cavallini Chiara , Scupoli Maria Teresa , Sartoris Silvia , Iezzi Manuela , Nishimura Michael I. , Bronte Vincenzo , Ugel Stefano
Published: May 2016

Telomerase (TERT) is overexpressed in 80% to 90% of primary tumors and contributes to sustaining the transformed phenotype. The identification of several TERT epitopes in tumor cells has elevated the status of TERT as a potential universal target for selective and broad adoptive immunotherapy. TERT-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been detected in the peripheral blood of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients, but display low functional avidity, which limits their clinical utility in adoptive cell transfer approaches. To overcome this key obstacle hindering effective immunotherapy, we isolated an HLA-A2–restricted T-cell receptor (TCR) with high avidity for human TERT from vaccinated HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice. Using several relevant humanized mouse models, we demonstrate that TCR-transduced T cells were able to control human B-CLL progression in vivo and limited tumor growth in several human, solid transplantable cancers. TERT-based adoptive immunotherapy selectively eliminated tumor cells, failed to trigger a self–MHC-restricted fratricide of T cells, and was associated with toxicity against mature granulocytes, but not toward human hematopoietic progenitors in humanized immune reconstituted mice. These data support the feasibility of TERT-based adoptive immunotherapy in clinical oncology, highlighting, for the first time, the possibility of utilizing a high-avidity TCR specific for human TERT. Cancer Res; 76(9); 2540–51. ©2016 AACR.
Stromal-Based Signatures for the Classification of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Uhlik Mark T. , Liu Jiangang , Falcon Beverly L. , Iyer Seema , Stewart Julie , Celikkaya Hilal , O'Mahony Marguerita , Sevinsky Christopher , Lowes Christina , Douglass Larry , Jeffries Cynthia , Bodenmiller Diane , Chintharlapalli Sudhakar , Fischl Anthony , Gerald Damien , Xue Qi , Lee Jee-yun , Santamaria-Pang Alberto , Al-Kofahi Yousef , Sui Yunxia , Desai Keyur , Doman Thompson , Aggarwal Amit , Carter Julia H. , Pytowski Bronislaw , Jaminet Shou-ching , Ginty Fiona , Nasir Aejaz , Nagy Janice A. , Dvorak Harold F. , Benjamin Laura E.
Published: May 2016

Treatment of metastatic gastric cancer typically involves chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies targeting HER2 (ERBB2) and VEGFR2 (KDR). However, reliable methods to identify patients who would benefit most from a combination of treatment modalities targeting the tumor stroma, including new immunotherapy approaches, are still lacking. Therefore, we integrated a mouse model of stromal activation and gastric cancer genomic information to identify gene expression signatures that may inform treatment strategies. We generated a mouse model in which VEGF-A is expressed via adenovirus, enabling a stromal response marked by immune infiltration and angiogenesis at the injection site, and identified distinct stromal gene expression signatures. With these data, we designed multiplexed IHC assays that were applied to human primary gastric tumors and classified each tumor to a dominant stromal phenotype representative of the vascular and immune diversity found in gastric cancer. We also refined the stromal gene signatures and explored their relation to the dominant patient phenotypes identified by recent large-scale studies of gastric cancer genomics (The Cancer Genome Atlas and Asian Cancer Research Group), revealing four distinct stromal phenotypes. Collectively, these findings suggest that a genomics-based systems approach focused on the tumor stroma can be used to discover putative predictive biomarkers of treatment response, especially to antiangiogenesis agents and immunotherapy, thus offering an opportunity to improve patient stratification. Cancer Res; 76(9); 2573–86. ©2016 AACR.
The Effects of Residential Segregation and Neighborhood Characteristics on Surgery and Survival in Patients with Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Johnson Asal M. , Johnson Allen , Hines Robert B. , Bayakly Rana
Published: May 2016

Background: Although the negative effects of lower socioeconomic status on non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment and survival have been widely studied, the impact of residential segregation on prognosis and the receipt of treatment has yet to be determined.

Methods: This is a retrospective, cohort study of NSCLC patients in Georgia (2000–2009; n = 8,322) using data from the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry. The effects of segregation, economic deprivation, and combined segregation/deprivation on the odds of receiving surgery were examined in separate multilevel models. To determine the association for the exposures of interest on the risk of death for different racial groups, separate multilevel survival models were conducted for black and white patients.

Results: Living in areas with the highest [AOR = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.19–0.64] and second highest (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI, 0.20–0.68) levels of segregation was associated with decreased odds of receipt of surgery. Black patients living in areas with high residential segregation and high economic deprivation were 31% (95% CI, 1.04–1.66) more likely to die, even after surgery was controlled for. For white patients, economic deprivation was associated with decreased odds of surgery but not survival. Segregation had no effect.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest how black and white individuals experience segregation and area-level poverty is likely different leading to differences in adverse health outcomes.

Impact: Identifying neighborhood characteristics impacting health outcomes within different racial groups could help reduce health disparities across racial groups by implementing targeted policies and interventions. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(5); 750–8. ©2016 AACR.
MENA Promotes Tumor-Intrinsic Metastasis through ECM Remodeling and Haptotaxis
Authors: Santiago-Medina Miguel , Yang Jing
Published: May 2016

Summary: Oudin and colleagues report a novel and specific function of MENA in mediating directional migration of breast cancer cells toward a fibronectin gradient of increasing concentration. This MENA-mediated haptotactic response depends on the binding of MENA to the α5β1 integrin receptor, adhesion protein signaling, and fibronectin fibrillogenesis. Cancer Discov; 6(5); 474–6. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Oudin et al., p. 516.
PD-1 Shapes B Cells as Evildoers in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Ren Zhenhua , Peng Hua , Fu Yang-Xin
Published: May 2016

Summary: Protumorigenic PD-1hi B cells, induced in hepatocellular carcinoma, suppress tumor-specific T-cell response via IL10-dependent pathways upon PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Anti–PD-1 or anti–PD-L1 antibodies may function not only through blocking the PD-1 coinhibitory pathway in T cells but also via abolishing the suppressive function of regulatory B cells. Cancer Discov; 6(5); 477–8. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Xiao et al., p. 546.
Old-School Chemotherapy in Immunotherapeutic Combination in Cancer, A Low-cost Drug Repurposed
Authors: Abu Eid Rasha , Razavi Ghazaleh Shoja E. , Mkrtichyan Mikayel , Janik John , Khleif Samir N.
Published: May 2016

Cancer immunotherapy has proven to be a potent treatment modality. Although often successful in generating antitumor immune responses, cancer immunotherapy is frequently hindered by tumor immune-escape mechanisms. Among immunosuppressive strategies within the tumor microenvironment, suppressive immune regulatory cells play a key role in promoting tumor progression through inhibiting the effector arm of the immune response. Targeting these suppressive cells can greatly enhance antitumor immune therapies, hence augmenting a highly effective therapeutic antitumor response. Several approaches are being tested to enhance the effector arm of the immune system while simultaneously inhibiting the suppressor arm. Some of these approaches are none other than traditional drugs repurposed as immune modulators. Cyclophosphamide, an old-school chemotherapeutic agent used across a wide range of malignancies, was found to be a potent immune modulator that targets suppressive regulatory immune cells within the tumor microenvironment while enhancing effector cells. Preclinical and clinical findings have confirmed the ability of low doses of cyclophosphamide to selectively deplete regulatory T cells while enhancing effector and memory cytotoxic T cells within the tumor microenvironment. These immune effects translate to suppressed tumor growth and enhanced survival, evidence of antitumor therapeutic efficacy. This article discusses the reincarnation of cyclophosphamide as an immune modulator that augments novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(5); 377–82. ©2016 AACR.
Survival Benefit of Locoregional Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Advanced Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Kitai Satoshi , Kudo Masatoshi , Nishida Naoshi , Izumi Namiki , Sakamoto Michiie , Matsuyama Yutaka , Ichida Takafumi , Nakashima Osamu , Matsui Osamu , Ku Yonson , Kokudo Norihiro , Makuuchi Masatoshi ,   for the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan
Published: May 2016

Background & Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC) is a life-threatening condition, which is amenable to liver transplantation (LT) as the standard first-line treatment. However, the application of LT can be limited due to a shortage of donor livers. This study aimed to clarify the effect of non-surgical therapy on the survival of patients with HCC and decompensated LC. Methods: Of the 58,886 patients with HCC registered in the nationwide survey of the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan (January 2000-December 2005), we included 1,344 patients with primary HCC and Child-Pugh (C-P) grade C for analysis in this retrospective study. Among the patients analyzed, 108 underwent LT, 273 were treated by local ablation therapy (LAT), 370 were treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and 593 received best supportive care (BSC). The effect of LT, LAT, and TACE on overall survival (OS) was analyzed using multivariate and propensity score analyses. Results: Patient characteristics did not differ significantly between each treatment group and the BSC group, after propensity score matching. LAT (hazard ratio [HR]) =0.568; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.80) and TACE (HR=0.691; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96) were identified as significant contributors to OS if the C-P score was less than 11 and tumor conditions met the Milan criteria. Conclusions: For patients with HCC within the Milan criteria and with a C-P score of 10 or 11, locoregional treatment can be used as a salvage treatment if LT is not feasible.
Tannic Acid as a Potential Modulator of Norfloxacin Resistance in Staphylococcus Aureus Overexpressing norA
Authors: Diniz-Silva Helena Taina , Cirino Isis Caroline da Silva , Falcão-Silva Vivyanne dos Santos , Magnani Marciane , de Souza Evandro Leite , Siqueira-Júnior José P.
Published: May 2016

Background: Tannins have shown inhibitory effects against pathogenic bacteria, and these properties make tannins potential modifying agents in bacterial resistance. Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tannic acid (TA), gallic acid (GA) and norfloxacin (Nor) against Staphylococcus aureus SA-1119 (NorA-effluxing strain) was determined using broth microdilution tests. To assess the modulation of antibiotic resistance, the MIC of Nor was determined in growth media with or without TA or GA at a subinhibitory concentration (1/4 MIC). The checkerboard method was performed to obtain the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) for the combined application of TA and Nor. Results: TA displayed a weak inhibitory effect (MIC 512 μg/ml) against S. aureus SA-1119, while no inhibitory effect was displayed by GA (MIC >512 μg/ml). However, when TA was tested at a subinhibitory concentration in combination with Nor, the MIC of Nor against S. aureus SA-1119 decreased from 128 to 4 μg/ml (32-fold); this effect was not observed for GA. In the checkerboard assay, the MIC of TA and Nor decreased from 512 to 128 μg/ml (4-fold) and from 128 to 8 μg/ml (16-fold), respectively. The combination of TA and Nor presented an FICI as low as 0.31, which indicates a synergistic interaction. Conclusions: TA is a potential agent for increasing the clinical efficacy of Nor to control resistant S. aureus.
Transverse Myelitis in Acute Hepatitis A Infection: The Rare Co-Occurrence of Hepatology and Neurology
Authors: Chonmaitree Piyanant , Methawasin fernando
Published: May 2016

Transverse myelitis refers to the inflammatory process involving the spinal cord. Clinical features can be either acute or subacute onset that results in neurological deficits such as weakness and/or numbness of extremities as well as autonomic dysfunctions. While there are some etiologies related, a viral infection is common. However, the hepatitis A virus rarely causes myelitis. This report provides details of a hepatitis A infectious patient who developed myelitis as comorbidity. Although, the disability was initially severe, the patient successfully recovered with corticosteroid treatment.
Trajectories of Depressive Symptomatology in Rural Memory Clinic Patients between Baseline Diagnosis and 1-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Kosteniuk Julie G. , Morgan Debra G. , O'Connell Megan E. , Kirk Andrew , Crossley Margaret , Stewart Norma J. , Karunanayake Chandima P.
Published: May 2016

Background/Aims: To investigate the prevalence and trajectories of depressive symptomatology at 1-year follow-up, and the severity of depressive symptoms, by dementia diagnostic group, as well as to determine the predictors of depressive symptomatology at 1-year follow-up. Methods: In rural and remote patients of an interdisciplinary memory clinic between 2004 and 2014, 144 patients diagnosed with no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment, dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), or non-AD dementia completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale to assess depressive symptomatology at both time points. Results: Among patients with data at both time points, persistence of depressive symptomatology at follow-up occurred in 22.2%, remission in 17.4%, incidence in 13.2%, and absence in 47.2%. The prevalence of depressive symptomatology at baseline and persistence at follow-up were significantly greater in the NCI group than in the other diagnostic groups, but there were no differences in severity. Depressive symptomatology at follow-up was independently associated with depressive symptomatology, lower independence in activities of daily living, and lower self-rating of memory at baseline, as well as with decreased independence in activities of daily living between time points. Conclusion: Future studies should further examine short-term postdiagnostic trajectories in depressive symptomatology in multiple dementia diagnostic groups to inform prognoses and treatment decisions.
Scores for Prediction of Fistula after Pancreatoduodenectomy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sandini Marta , Malleo Giuseppe , Gianotti Luca
Published: May 2016

Background/Aim: Different scoring systems to predict the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy have been described, but the considered risk factors often suffer subjective scaling. The aim of this review is to evaluate and compare all published risk metrics predictive of POPF. Methods: All existing scores were retrieved by literature web search. Inclusion criteria were ISGPF classification of POPF and the development of a risk score metric. Results: From a total of 286 publications, 10 studies were selected. Most of them were retrospective and single center. The models considered a median number of 3 items (range from 2 to 5); in 5 of 10 trials only pre or intraoperative variables were included. The median number of patients/study was 186 (IQR 111.1-229.0). External validation was performed in 6 of 10 studies. The most recurrent items were abdominal fat (4/10), main pancreatic duct diameter (in 4/10), and pancreatic texture (3/10). Conclusion: POPF risk estimation should be easy, accurate, and objective. It should consider preoperative patient-related and gland-related features, and intraoperative events. None of the published systems completely adhere to these principles. Large heterogeneous multicentric validations should be endorsed, to account for the case-mix and evaluate the reproducibility of each scoring system.
Successful Management of Acute Liver Failure Patients Waiting for Liver Transplantation by On-Line Hemodiafiltration with an Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: Haga Yuki , Yasui Shin , Kanda Tatsuo , Hattori Noriyuki , Wakamatsu Toru , Nakamura Masato , Sasaki Reina , Wu Shuang , Nakamoto Shingo , Arai Makoto , Maruyama Hitoshi , Ohtsuka Masayuki , Oda Shigeto , Miyazaki Masaru , Yokosuka Osamu
Published: May 2016

On-line hemodiafiltration (OLHDF) is one of the treatment options in the management of acute liver failure (ALF) in Japan. It is essential to avoid infection in the management of ALF. In fact, infection is one of the prognostic factors in ALF. In this report, we present a middle-aged Japanese man with ALF associated with benzbromarone use. He was successfully managed without infection until liver transplantation by creating an arteriovenous fistula for OLHDF. Utilizing an arteriovenous fistula for OLHDF, rather than inserting a vascular access catheter, is a beneficial option to avoid infectious diseases in the management of ALF.
A Predictive Model for Root Caries Incidence
Authors: Ritter André V. , Preisser John S. , Puranik Chaitanya P. , Chung Yunro , Bader James D. , Shugars Daniel A. , Makhija Sonia , Vollmer William M.
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to find the set of risk indicators best able to predict root caries (RC) incidence in caries-active adults utilizing data from the Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT). Five logistic regression models were compared with respect to their predictive performance for incident RC using data from placebo-control participants with exposed root surfaces at baseline and from two study centers with ancillary data collection (n = 155). Prediction performance was assessed from baseline variables and after including ancillary variables [smoking, diet, use of removable partial dentures (RPD), toothbrush use, income, education, and dental insurance]. A sensitivity analysis added treatment to the models for both the control and treatment participants (n = 301) to predict RC for the control participants. Forty-nine percent of the control participants had incident RC. The model including the number of follow-up years at risk, the number of root surfaces at risk, RC index, gender, race, age, and smoking resulted in the best prediction performance, having the highest AUC and lowest Brier score. The sensitivity analysis supported the primary analysis and gave slightly better performance summary measures. The set of risk indicators best able to predict RC incidence included an increased number of root surfaces at risk and increased RC index at baseline, followed by white race and nonsmoking, which were strong nonsignificant predictors. Gender, age, and increased number of follow-up years at risk, while included in the model, were also not statistically significant. The inclusion of health, diet, RPD use, toothbrush use, income, education, and dental insurance variables did not improve the prediction performance.
Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Béchade Dominique , Desjardin Marie , Salmon Emma , Désolneux Grégoire , Bécouarn Yves , Evrard Serge , Fonck Marianne
Published: May 2016

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant neoplasm that accounts for 1–2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Here we report two cases of ACC and describe their clinical features, the therapies used to treat them, and their prognosis. The first patient was a 65-year-old woman who had an abdominal CT scan for a urinary infection. Fortuitously, a rounded and well-delimited corporeal pancreatic tumor was discovered. An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration revealed an ACC. During the puncture, a hypoechoic cavity appeared inside the lesion, corresponding to a probable necrotic area. Treatment consisted of a distal splenopancreatectomy. The second patient was a 75-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain. An abdominal CT scan showed a cephalic pancreatic lesion and two hepatic metastases. An EUS-guided fine needle aspiration showed a pancreatic ACC. The patient received chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GEMOX regimen), which enabled an objective response after 6 cycles.
Relation of Habitual Chocolate Consumption to Arterial Stiffness in a Community-Based Sample: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Crichton Georgina E. , Elias Merrill F. , Alkerwi Ala''a , Stranges Saverio , Abhayaratna Walter P.
Published: May 2016

Background: The consumption of chocolate and cocoa has established cardiovascular benefits. Less is known about the effects of chocolate on arterial stiffness, a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chocolate intakes are independently associated with pulse wave velocity (PWV), after adjustment for cardiovascular, lifestyle and dietary factors. Methods: Prospective analyses were undertaken on 508 community-dwelling participants (mean age 61 years, 60% women) from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS). Habitual chocolate intakes, measured using a food frequency questionnaire, were related to PWV, measured approximately 5 years later. Results: Chocolate intake was significantly associated with PWV in a non-linear fashion with the highest levels of PWV in those who never or rarely ate chocolate and lowest levels in those who consumed chocolate once a week. This pattern of results remained and was not attenuated after multivariate adjustment for diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and dietary variables (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Weekly chocolate intake may be of benefit to arterial stiffness. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms that may mediate the observed effects of habitual chocolate consumption on arterial stiffness.
Hydration and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression: A Critical Review of the Evidence
Authors: Clark William F. , Sontrop Jessica M. , Huang Shi-Han , Moist Louise , Bouby Nadine , Bankir Lise
Published: May 2016

We performed a comprehensive literature review to examine evidence on the effects of hydration on the kidney. By reducing vasopressin secretion, increasing water intake may have a beneficial effect on renal function in patients with all forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in those at risk of CKD. This potential benefit may be greater when the kidney is still able to concentrate urine (high fluid intake is contraindicated in dialysis-dependent patients). Increasing water intake is a well-accepted method for preventing renal calculi, and current evidence suggests that recurrent dehydration and heat stress from extreme occupational conditions is the most probable cause of an ongoing CKD epidemic in Mesoamerica. In polycystic kidney disease (PKD), increased water intake has been shown to slow renal cyst growth in animals via direct vasopressin suppression, and pharmacologic blockade of renal vasopressin-V2 receptors has been shown to slow cyst growth in patients. However, larger clinical trials are needed to determine if supplemental water can safely slow the loss of kidney function in PKD patients.
Selective Testing of At-Risk Blood Donors for Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium spp. in Switzerland
Authors: Niederhauser Christoph , Gottschalk Jochen , Tinguely Caroline
Published: May 2016

Background: Population migrations and overseas recreational travel to regions at risk for tropical diseases are increasing. A major challenge in non-endemic countries is to decrease the number of blood donor deferrals due those tropical disease pathogens, without compromising the high level of blood safety. The protozoans Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium spp., the causative organisms of Chagas disease (CD) and malaria are becoming a major focus in the blood transfusion community. Methods: National guidelines of the Blood Transfusion Service of the Swiss Red Cross propose an algorithm for dealing with these pathogens, including a mandatory selective serological testing of donors at risk. Results: 6,978 donors at risk for CD were tested. Three of them were confirmed anti-T. cruzi-positive, and in one case a transfusion-transmitted infection was highly possible. The specificity of the assay was 99.94%. For malaria 12,887 donors were at risk and 178 were confirmed positive. The specificity of the assays was 92.8%. Conclusion: CD and malaria in non-endemic countries may represent a certain risk for blood transfusion. Switzerland chose a selective testing approach. The specificity of the assays is a crucial topic for this approach because it ensures a minimal loss of false-reactive donors and helps towards an easier counselling of implicated donors.
Animais enviados para Portugal, entre 1754 e 1805, pelos governadores da capitania de Pernambuco
Authors:   Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Departamento de Biologia, Recife, PE, Almeida Argus Vasconcelos de , Papavero Nelson ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Museu de Zoologia, São Paulo, SP, Teixeira Dante Martins ,   Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Published: May 2016

Com as mudanças introduzidas durante a administração do Marquês de Pombal e sob a influência do Iluminismo, a Coroa Portuguesa renovaria seu interesse em suas possessões ultramarinas e seus produtos naturais, desenvolvendo esforços para melhor conhecê-los e utilizá-los. Entre outros aspectos, tais mudanças obrigavam os Governadores das colônias portuguesas a enviar para Lisboa espécimes zoológicos, destinados a várias instituições da capital do Reino. Através da correspondência enviada de 1754 a 1805 por Luís José Correia de Sá (1749-1756), Manuel da Cunha Meneses(1769-1774) e José César de Meneses (1774-1787), assim como pela “Junta Governativa” (1798-1804) e Caetano Pinto de Miranda Montenegro (1804-1817), em obediências às ordens reais, ficamos sabendo que embarcaram desde amostras de cera fabricada pelas abelhas brasileiras nativas até conchas e caramujos e pelo menos 59 espécies distintas de animais. Considerando-se a composição da fauna brasileira e o interesse mostrado pelos europeus em nossos animais, não surpreende que a maior parte destes fosse constituída por aves (ca. 64%), mamíferos (ca. 29%) and répteis (ca. 7%). Além dos onipresentes primatas e psitacídeos, muitas espécies apresentavam interesse cinegético ou eram notáveis por seu exotismo e alegres cores. Neste caso particular, a presença de “ararunas”,“saguis amarelos” e “mutuns” é especialmente interessante, por representar possíveis referências a Anodorhynchus leari e a uma espécie do gênero Callicebus, bem como a Mitu mitu, ora extinto na natureza.
Zoonímia tupi nos escritos quinhentistas europeus
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Museu de Zoologia, Papavero Nelson , Teixeira Dante Martins ,   Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Museu Nacional
Published: May 2016

Cerca de 1330 nomes tupis de animais (incluindo as variantes) foram registrados por autores europeus durante o século XVI. Os trechos a eles referentes, de cada autor, são transcritos e os nomes identificados tanto quanto possível. Apresenta-se também um catálogo das espécies tornadas conhecidas nessa época.