bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognosis of multi‐level N2‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer according to lymph node staging using endobronchial ultrasound‐transbronchial biopsy
Authors: Yoon Hee‐Young , Lee Jae Cheol , Kim Sang‐We , Kim Hyeong Ryul , Kim Yong‐Hee , Choi Se Hoon , Kim Su San , Song Si Yeol , Choi Eun Kyung , Jang Se Jin , Choi Chang‐Min 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundThe optimal treatment for stage IIIA‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial, and multidisciplinary team approaches are needed. Downstaging after induction therapy is a good prognostic factor in surgical patients; however, re‐evaluation of nodal status before surgery is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of patients with multi‐level N2 NSCLC who received surgery or chemoradiation therapy (CRT) according to restaging using endobronchial ultrasound‐transbronchial aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA).MethodsThis was a single center, prospective study that included 16 patients with biopsy‐proven multi‐level N2 disease on initial EBUS‐TBNA that was restaged using EBUS‐TBNA after induction therapy. Cases downstaged after rebiopsy were treated surgically. Three‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and locoregional PFS were determined using Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsOf the 16 patients (median age 58 years, male 63%), eight had persistent N2 disease and eight showed N2 clearance on restaging using EBUS‐TBNA. Ten patients underwent surgery, including two patients without N2 clearance. Recurrence and locoregional recurrence occurred in eight and five patients, respectively. The three‐year PFS was longer in patients with N2 clearance than in those with N2 persistent disease (57.1% vs. 37.5%). Patients with N2 clearance also had longer three‐year locoregional PFS than those with N2 persistent disease (71.4% vs. 62.5%).ConclusionsEBUS‐TBNA could be an effective diagnostic method for restaging in multi‐level N2 NSCLC patients after induction CRT. As this was a pilot study, further large‐scale randomized studies are needed.
Introduction to the Specific Aims Page of a Grant Proposal
Authors: Monte Andrew A. , Libby Anne M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGrant writing starts with crafting an effective specific aims page. This page should be a succinct combination of sales pitch and science. The specific aims page demonstrates a problem and a gap in current knowledge and suggests a solution. It proposes aims that work toward a defended solution and reveal the impact of the proposal on the problem, the field, and future research. The language must be efficient and persuasive; the presentation must drive a reviewer to support the proposal. Here we present a recipe for an effective specific aims page.
Physician Age and Performance on the American Board of Emergency Medicine ConCert Examination
Authors: Marco Catherine A. , Wahl Robert P. , House Hans R. , Goyal Deepi G. , Keim Samuel M. , Ma O. John , Joldersma Kevin B. , Johnston Mary M. , Harvey Anne L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study was undertaken to expand on results from a 2014 study on the association between physician age and performance on the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) ConCert examination.MethodsThis was a retrospective, longitudinal growth study comparing performance on the ConCert examination and physicians’ ages at the time of examination. All examination attempts from 1990 to 2016 made by residency‐trained physicians were eligible for inclusion. Multilevel growth models were constructed to examine the relationship between age at time of examination and performance, controlling for physician characteristics.ResultsThe study group included 15,533 examination attempts by 12,786 physicians. The mean (±SD) age of the physicians across all examination administrations was 45.02 (±5.18) years (range = 35 to 72 years). The mean (±SD) ConCert examination score across all administrations was 85.39 (±5.71; range = 51 to 100). Among first‐time ConCert examination takers, older age was associated with lower examination scores (r = –0.25, p < 0.0001). Across all examination attempts, age was negatively correlated to examination scores (r = –0.24; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsAfter physician characteristics were controlled for, there was an association between advancing age and declining performance on the ABEM ConCert examination. This information may be important to the individual physician to develop targeted competency assessment and professional development.
Intrauterine vaccination induces a dose‐sensitive primary humoral response with limited evidence of recall potential
Authors: Pasternak Jonathan Alexander , Hamonic Glenn , Van Kessel Jill , Wheler Colette L. , Dyck Michael K. , Wilson Heather L. 
Published: April 2018

ProblemInduction of the local mucosal immune system within the reproductive tract is widely considered to be a key component in the development of effective prophylactic vaccines to control the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Here, we examine the capacity of the upper reproductive tract to act as a site of immune induction following.Method of studyTwo vaccines formulated with a triple adjuvant combination and either recombinant bovine herpesvirus (tgD) protein or ovalbumin (OVA) were delivered at varying doses to the uterine lumen of rabbits and the resulting immune response evaluated after 32 days.ResultsIntrauterine vaccination produced a dose‐dependent induction of both antigen‐specific IgG and IgA in serum. Both uterine and broncheoalveolar lavage of the high and medium‐dose vaccine group contained a significant increase in both anti‐OVA and anti‐tgD IgG, but no significant quantities of antigen‐specific IgA were observed. The restimulation of splenocytes from the high‐dose vaccine group with ovalbumin (OVA) only resulted in a small but significant increase in gene expression of the Th1 cytokines (IL2/IFNγ) in the absence of an observable increase in proliferation.ConclusionCollectively, the results confirm the capacity of the uterine immune system to generate a primary response following stimulation.
Determinants of canopy gap characteristics in rehabilitating coastal dune forests
Authors: Rolo Victor , Olivier Pieter I. , van Aarde Rudi J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractQuestionsWhat drives canopy gap formation in regenerating coastal dune forest? Does canopy gap size frequency distribution differ between new and old‐growth forests? Can canopy gaps divert regenerating trajectories?LocationRehabilitating coastal dune forest, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa.MethodsWe mapped canopy gaps in regenerating dune forest patches of varying age, which develop after seeding of the pioneer Vachellia kosiensis, and a reference forest by means of unsupervised classification of multi‐spectral satellite images. We tested if gap formation can be explained by abiotic (exposure to winds) and/or biotic (tree density at early stages) variables. We calculated the scaling exponent of a power‐law model to quantify if gap size frequency differed between new and old‐growth forests. Finally, we measured canopy openness, tree height and number of stems to validate canopy gap classification and assess the consequences of canopy gaps on regenerating trajectories.ResultsExposure to winds and tree density at early stages were both significant predictors of gap presence. Gaps were more likely to be present along dune ridges and areas with low tree density than valleys and areas with high tree density at early stages. Large gaps were common in both new and old‐growth forests. The scaling exponent was positively related to regeneration age, indicating a reduction in gap size as the forest aged. Areas with open canopies had shorter individual trees that were more likely to be multi‐stemmed than areas with closed canopies.ConclusionCanopy gaps are an important component of new and old‐growth coastal dune forests dynamics. Although gaps are filled during forest development, changes in individual life‐history strategies and morphology may alter regeneration trajectories. However, because their effect is partly controlled by the exposure to wind and tree density at early stages, it can also be manipulated by management to ensure nucleation, which could accelerate forest recovery.
The Emergence of Forgiveness in Young Children
Authors: Oostenbroek Janine , Vaish Amrisha 
Published: April 2018

Humans depend greatly on our cooperative relationships. Thus, when our relationships are damaged by transgressions, they need to be repaired. Such repair requires that the transgressor show remorse and the victim forgive. Previous research demonstrates that as transgressors, young children show remorse and attempt to repair the harm they caused. However, it remains unclear when children, as victims, forgive remorseful transgressors. In Study 1, 5‐, but not 4‐year‐olds, (n = 20 each) were more forgiving of a remorseful transgressor (who did not explicitly apologize) than an unremorseful transgressor. In Study 2, 4‐year‐olds (n = 20) were more forgiving of an apologetic than unapologetic transgressor. Thus, from early in ontogeny, humans are motivated to repair damaged relationships and thus uphold cooperation.
Tabata protocol: a review of its application, variations and outcomes
Authors: Viana Ricardo Borges , de Lira Claudio Andre Barbosa , Naves João Pedro Araújo , Coswig Victor Silveira , Del Vecchio Fabrício Boscolo , Gentil Paulo 
Published: April 2018

SummaryPurposeThe great popularity of the Tabata Protocol is accompanied by an uncomfortable lack of consistency and criteria in its use, which results in many controversies in the results obtained from its utilization. The purpose of this study was to analyse the studies that based their interventions on the Tabata Protocol and to provide a critical analysis of its use.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus. All articles published between 1996 and October 2017 that cited at least one of the original studies of Tabata et al. were considered. Inclusion criteria were as follows: original articles, human trials and English language.ResultsThirty studies were included for analysis. Almost 37% of the studies (n = 11) used a variation of the Tabata Protocol on a cycle ergometer. Only five studies stated the use of the original Tabata Protocol. Exercise intensity was controlled by percentage of iO2max (n = 8) or iO2peak (n = 3), number of bouts performed (n = 3), all out (n = 10), rate of perceived exertion (n = 1), self‐perception of paces (n = 1), maximal power output (n = 1), aerobic power (n = 1) and other forms (n = 2).ConclusionBased on our results, variations of the Tabata Protocol seem to be indicated to provide increases in aerobic power that are similar to traditional aerobic training while being less time consuming. These adaptations seem to be mainly due to peripheral adaptations. Moreover, the use of Tabata Protocols to promote weight loss is not substantiated by the reviewed studies.
Curcumin enhances the anti‐cancer effects of Paris Saponin II in lung cancer cells
Authors: Man Shuli , Zhang Lili , Cui Jingxia , Yang Li , Ma Long , Gao Wenyuan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the synergistic mechanisms of Paris Saponin II (PSII) and Curcumin (CUR) in lung cancer.Materials and MethodsThe combination changed the cellular uptake of CUR and PSII, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and cytokine levels were analysed on different lung cancer cells.ResultsThe combination displayed a synergistic anti‐cancer effect through promoting the cellular uptake of CUR on different lung cancer cells. Hoechst H33258 staining and FACS assay indicated that the combination of PSII and CUR induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Western blot and cytokine antibody microarray suggested that the combination activated death receptors such as DR6, CD40/CD40L, FasL and TNF‐α to induce cancer cells apoptosis, and up‐regulated IGFBP‐1 leading to inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway and increase of p21 and p27, which therefore induced a G2 phase arrest in NCI‐H446 cells. Meanwhile, the combination suppressed PCNA and NF‐κB pathway in 4 kinds of lung cancer cells. They activated the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK, and inhibited PI3K in NCI‐H460 and NCI‐H446 cells, enhanced the phosphorylation of JNK in NCI‐H1299 cells, and increased the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK, and suppressed PI3K in NCI‐H520 cells.ConclusionsPSII combined with CUR had a synergistic anti‐cancer effect on lung cancer cells. These findings provided a rationale for using the combination of curcumin and PSII in the treatment of lung cancer in future.
The Case for Local and Sustainable Seafood: A Georgia Example
Authors: Tookes Jennifer Sweeney , Barlett Peggy , Yandle Tracy 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGrowing demand for local, sustainable food is supporting an explosion of direct marketing throughout the United States (U.S.). Despite recent scholarship on ethics and sustainability issues in seafood, these are less commonly addressed among the consumers participating in the local food movement. This paper examines the interplay between demand for local and ethically sourced foods and the implications for seafood sustainability in the U.S. south, asking: what are Georgia consumer perceptions of local and sustainable foods, to what extent do they consider seafood in the local food movement, and how can Georgia fisheries fit within these understandings and preferences? We refashion a values‐based supply chain model to encapsulate consumers’ preferences, and propose a three‐tiered, process based model of involvement for seafood consumers. In sum, we argue that sustainable seafood deserves a more prominent place in the local food movement.
Employers’ responses to the HIV epidemic in sub‐Saharan Africa: Revisiting the evidence
Authors: Deane Kevin , Stevano Sara , Johnston Deborah 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDo employers have a role to play to support people living with HIV? The literature on sub‐Saharan Africa points to the existence of a positive business case that sees firms as incentivized to provide HIV‐related services to HIV positive workers However, the evidence is narrow and incomplete, with the business case holding for a limited number of formal sector skilled workers, leaving out most people living with HIV. If employers are to play a role, policy‐makers need to create conducive conditions for positive responses, in addition to—not in replacement of—strengthening public healthcare systems.
DNA methylation of the BRD2 promoter is associated with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in Caucasians
Authors: Pathak Shilpa , Miller James , Morris Emily C. , Stewart William C. L. , Greenberg David A. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryObjectiveJuvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a common adolescent‐onset genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) syndrome. Multiple linkage and association studies have found that BRD2 influences the expression of JME. The BRD2‐JME connection is further corroborated by our murine model; Brd2 haploinsufficiency produces characteristics that typify the clinical hallmarks of JME. Neither we, nor several large‐scale studies of JME, found JME‐related BRD2 coding mutations. Therefore, we investigated noncoding BRD2 regions, seeking the origin of BRD2's JME influence. BRD2's promoter harbors a JME‐associated single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3918149) and a CpG (C‐phosphate‐G dinucleotides) island (CpG76), making it a potential “hotspot” for JME‐associated epigenetic variants. Methylating promoter CpG sites causes gene silencing, often resulting in reduced gene expression. We tested for differences in DNA methylation at CpG76 in 3 different subgroups: (1) JME patients versus their unaffected family members, (2) JME versus patients with other forms of GGE, and (3) Caucasian versus non‐Caucasian JME patients.MethodsWe used DNA pyrosequencing to analyze the methylation status of 10 BRD2 promoter CpG sites in lymphoblastoid cells from JME patients of Caucasian and non‐Caucasian origin, unaffected family members, and also non‐JME GGE patients. We also measured global methylation levels and DNA methyl transferase 1 (DNMT1) transcript expression in JME families by standard methods.ResultsCpG76 is highly methylated in JME patients compared to unaffected family members. In families with non‐JME GGE, we found no relationship between promoter methylation and epilepsy. In non‐Caucasian JME families, promoter methylation was mostly not associated with epilepsy. This makes the BRD2 promoter a JME‐specific, ethnicity‐specific, differentially methylated region. Global methylation was constant across groups.SignificanceBRD2 promoter methylation in JME, and the lack of methylation in unaffected relatives, in non‐JME GGE patients, and in non‐Caucasian JME, demonstrate that methylation specificity is a possible seizure susceptibility motif in JME risk and suggests JME therapeutics targeting BRD2.
Soil quality indicator response to land‐use change from annual to perennial bioenergy cropping systems in Germany
Authors: Ruf Thorsten , Makselon Jennifer , Udelhoven Thomas , Emmerling Christoph 
Published: April 2018

AbstractProduction of biomass feedstock for methanation in Europe has focused on silages of maize and cereals. As ecological awareness has increased in the last several years, more attention is being focused on perennial energy crops (PECs). Studies of specific PECs have shown that their cultivation may enhance agrobiodiversity and increase soil organic carbon stocks while simultaneously providing valuable feedstock for methanation. This study was designed to compare soil quality indicators under annual energy crops (AECs), PECs and permanent grassland (PGL) on the landscape level in south‐western Germany. At a total 25 study sites, covering a wide range of parent materials, the cropping systems were found adjacent to each other. Stands were commercially managed, and PECs included different species such as the Cup Plant, Tall Wheatgrass, Giant Knotweed, Miscanthus, Virginia Mallow and Reed Canary Grass. Soil sampling was carried out for the upper 20 cm of soil. Several soil quality indicators, including soil organic carbon (Corg), soil microbial biomass (Cmic), and aggregate stability, showed that PECs were intermediate between AEC and PGL systems. At landscape level, mean Corg content for (on average) 6.1‐year‐old stands of PEC was 22.37 (±7.53) g kg−1, compared to 19.23 (±8.08) and 32.08 (±10.11) for AEC and PGL. Cmic contents were higher in PECs (356 ± 241 μg C g−1) compared to AECs (291 ± 145) but significantly lower than under PGL (753 ± 417). The aggregate stability increased by almost 65% in PECs compared to AEC but was still 57% lower than in PGL. Indicator differences among cropping systems were more pronounced when inherent differences in the parent material were accounted for in the comparisons. Overall, these results suggest that the cultivation of PECs has positive effects on soil quality indicators. Thus, PECs may offer potential to make the production of biomass feedstock more sustainable.
Physical frailty and mortality risk in Japanese older adults
Authors: Yuki Atsumu , Otsuka Rei , Tange Chikako , Nishita Yukiko , Tomida Makiko , Ando Fujiko , Shimokata Hiroshi 
Published: April 2018

AimThe association between frailty and increased mortality risk is unknown. The present study assessed the longitudinal relationship between frailty and mortality risk in Japanese community‐dwelling older adults.MethodsParticipants included 841 randomly chosen community‐dwelling Japanese individuals, including 175 older adults aged 65–88 years with incomplete data at the baseline examination (July 2006–July 2008). Participants were followed from baseline to 31 December 2015 (mean 7.9 years). Frailty was diagnosed according to frailty criteria, including unintentional weight loss (shrinking), exhaustion, low activity, low grip strength and low gait speed. Information on deaths was obtained from a population dynamics survey. The relationship between frailty and mortality was assessed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to control for potential confounders, including age at baseline, body fat, education, the Mini‐Mental State Examination score, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score, total physical activity, total caloric intake, alcohol intake, current smoking, household income and the number of current diseases.ResultsThe fully adjusted hazard ratio for all‐cause mortality in the frailty group was 2.63 (95% confidence interval, 1.28–5.39; P for trend <0.01). The age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio for mortality of cancer in the frailty group was 3.33 (95% confidence interval, 1.15–9.62; P for trend <0.05).ConclusionComplications of frailty, which include shrinking, exhaustion, low activity, weakness, and slowness, appear to be significant risks for mortality in Japanese older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1085–1092.
Factor XI deficiency is not associated with an increased risk of pneumonia and pneumonia‐related mortality
Authors: Salomon O. , Preis M. , Abu Shtaya A. , Kotler A. , Stein N. , Saliba W. 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionDrugs targeting factor XI (FXI) shows promising results in reducing postoperative VTE. Recently, researchers have shown that FXI knockout mice had a worse outcome when infected with pathogens for pneumonia, raising concerns about the safety of these drugs.AimTo investigate the effect of FXI deficiency on the incidence of pneumonia and outcomes of pneumonia in humans.MethodsUsing the computerized database of the largest healthcare provider in Israel, we identified adults who were tested for FXI activity between January of 2002 and December of 2014 (n = 10 193). Patients were followed up until December of 2016 for the occurrence of pneumonia and pneumonia requiring hospitalization as a proxy of severe pneumonia.ResultsA total of 8958 (87.9%) had normal FXI activity, 804 (7.9%) had partial deficiency and 431 (4.2%) had severe deficiency; 722 individuals had pneumonia during 70 881 person‐years of follow‐up (incidence rate: 10.2 per 1000 person‐years). Compared to those with normal FXI activity, the adjusted HR for pneumonia was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.67‐1.14), and 0.95 (0.69‐1.30) for those with partial and severe FXI deficiency, respectively. Overall, 256 individuals were hospitalized for pneumonia during 72 209 person‐years of follow‐up (incidence rate: 3.5 per 1000 person‐years). The corresponding HR for severe pneumonia was 1.0 (0.70‐1.48) and 0.86 (0.53‐1.40) in those with partial and severe FXI deficiency, respectively. FXI deficiency was not significantly associated with 30‐day and 90‐day mortality among patients with pneumonia.ConclusionFXI deficiency was not associated with an increased risk of pneumonia, pneumonia severity or short‐term mortality among patients with pneumonia.
PRICE DISPERSION AND DEMAND UNCERTAINTY: EVIDENCE FROM U.S. SCANNER DATA
Authors: Eden Benjamin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractI use the Prescott (1975) hotels model to explain variations in price dispersion across items sold by supermarkets in Chicago. The effect of uncertainty about aggregate demand on price dispersion is highly significant and quantitatively important: My estimates suggest that more than 40% of the cross‐sectional standard deviation of log prices is due to demand uncertainty. I also find that price dispersion measures are negatively correlated with the average price but are not negatively correlated with the revenues from selling the good (across stores and weeks) and with the number of stores that sell the good.