bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract IA20: Autophagy in alveolar soft part sarcomagenesis
Authors: Jones Kevin B. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Altered metabolism is considered to be one of the new hallmarks of cancer. Autophagy is one major avenue of altered cancer metabolism, enabling cell survival under metabolic stress and promoting chemoresistance. The nuclear localization of MiTF/TFE3 family transcription factors has associated with upregulated transcription of autophagy genes in pancreatic cancer. Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a rare but deadly soft-tissue sarcoma, with a predilection for adolescent and young adult victims. Alveolar soft part sarcoma is noteworthy for its resistance to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies. It consistently associates with a t(X;17) chromosomal translocation that produces the ASPSCR1-TFE3 target gene, bearing the DNA-binding domain from TFE3 and protein interaction domains from ASPSCR1. We have demonstrated that conditional expression of ASPSCR1-TFE3 is sufficient to drive alveolar soft part sarcomagenesis in the mouse with complete penetrance. Mouse tumors recapitulate human alveolar soft part sarcoma histology and transcriptomes faithfully. While direct targets of ASPSCR1-TFE3 have been studied in a renal cell carcinoma cell line, they have not been studied in alveolar soft part sarcoma. We report not only the first genome-wide localization of the ASPSCR1-TFE3 oncoprotein on chromatin from alveolar soft part sarcoma cell lines and mouse tumors, but also its association with actively transcribed genes. Among these are found many genes related to autophagy, especially those related specifically to the nutrient responsive pathways that drive autophagy. We demonstrate high expression of autophagy-related lysosomes and proteins at baseline conditions in human tumors and cell lines and mouse tumors. We also demonstrate active autophagic flux even in the absence of stress conditions. Inhibition of autophagy has no apparent impact on the survival of alveolar soft part sarcoma cells alone, but profoundly impacts their protein degradation pathways and the availability of amino acids for protein assembly in stress. Inhibition of autophagy strongly synergizes with chemotherapy to kill alveolar soft part sarcoma cells, suggesting it was a source mechanism for resistance. We have therefore demonstrated the direct targets of ASPSCR1-TFE3 in alveolar soft part sarcomas, including a number of autophagy genes that are expressed in these tumors, independently from nutrient deprivation or stress, rendering cells particularly resistant to many therapy-induced stresses.
Citation Format: Kevin B. Jones. Autophagy in alveolar soft part sarcomagenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference on Advances in Sarcomas: From Basic Science to Clinical Translation; May 16-19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(2_Suppl):Abstract nr IA20.
Abstract PR08: Ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) oncogene confers sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma to interferon cytotoxicity
Authors: Henrich Ian , Young Rob , Quick Laura , Wang Xiaoke , Oliveira Andre , Chou Margaret 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Our goal is to identify novel targeted therapies for Ewing sarcoma (ES). ES is a devastating malignancy that predominantly affects children and young adults. It is the second most common cancer of the bone, yet in contrast to many other malignancies, survival rates have not improved for decades. For patients with localized disease, no biomarkers exist to predict recurrence or response to chemotherapy. For those with metastatic disease, chemotherapy is largely ineffective, and 5-year survival rates have stagnated at approximately 20%. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify biomarkers that can predict recurrence and response to therapy, as well as identify novel targeted therapies to combat this lethal disease.
USP6 is the key etiologic agent in several benign bone and soft tissue tumors (BSTTs), where its chromosomal translocation results in overexpression. USP6 encodes a deubiquitylating enzyme, and our prior studies identified the tyrosine kinase Jak1 as an essential substrate of USP6 during BSTT development. Jak1 levels are dramatically elevated in USP6-overexpressing cells, leading to phosphorylation and activation of STAT transcription factors.
We recently discovered that USP6 is also highly expressed in multiple sarcomas, including ES. Since Jak1-STATs play a central in mediating response to interferon (IFN), we hypothesized that USP6 might cause dysregulated IFN signaling in ES. Microarray and RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that USP6 by itself induced an IFN-response gene signature, both in immortalized, patient-derived ES cells and in primary human ES tumors. USP6+ ES cells were found to be exquisitely sensitive to exogenous IFN compared to USP6- ES cells, with both prolonged and heightened STAT1 and STAT3 activation observed. Furthermore, IFN selectively induced apoptosis of USP6+ but not USP6- ES cells. Gene expression analysis confirmed that in USP6+ ES cells, IFN synergistically induced expression of numerous IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), including the pro-apoptotic ligand TRAIL. CRISPR-mediated depletion of TRAIL completely abrogated IFN-induced death of USP6+ ES cells. In sum, these results identify USP6 as a potential novel biomarker that may predict sensitivity of ES to targeted IFN therapy.
This abstract is also being presented as Poster B11.
Citation Format: Ian Henrich, Rob Young, Laura Quick, Xiaoke Wang, Andre Oliveira, Margaret Chou. Ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) oncogene confers sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma to interferon cytotoxicity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference on Advances in Sarcomas: From Basic Science to Clinical Translation; May 16-19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(2_Suppl):Abstract nr PR08.
Isolation and Quantification of Mimivirus-Like and Marseillevirus-Like Viruses from Soil Samples in An Aboriginal <b><i>(</i></b>Orang asli<b><i>)</i></b> Village in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Tan Yeh Fong , Lim Chai Ying , Chong Chun Wie , Lim Patricia Kim Chooi , Yap Ivan Kok Seng , Leong Pooi Pooi , Voon Kenny 
Published: August 2018

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The giant amoebal viruses of Mimivirus and Marseillevirus are large DNA viruses and have been documented in water, soil, and sewage samples. The trend of discovering these giant amoebal viruses has been increasing throughout Asia with Japan, India, and Saudi Arabia being the latest countries to document the presence of these viruses. To date, there have been no reports of large amoebal viruses being isolated in South East Asia. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> In this study, we aim to discover these viruses from soil samples in an aboriginal village (Serendah village) in Peninsular ­Malaysia. <b><i>Method and Results:</i></b> We successfully detected and isolated both Mimivirus-like and Marseillevirus-like viruses using <i>Acanthamoeba castellanii.</i> Phylogeny analysis identified them as Mimivirus and Marseillevirus, respectively. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The ubiquitous nature of both Mimivirus and Marseillevirus is further confirmed in our study as they are detected in higher quantity in soil that is near to water vicinities in an aboriginal village in Peninsular Malaysia. However, this study is limited by our inability to investigate the impact of Mimivirus and Marseillevirus on the aboriginal villagers. More studies on the potential impact of these viruses on human health, especially on the aborigines, are warranted.
Overview of the NOAA/ESRL Federated Aerosol Network
Authors: Andrews Elisabeth , Sheridan Patrick J. , Ogren John A. , Hageman Derek , Jefferson Anne , Wendell Jim , Alástuey Andrés , Alados-Arboledas Lucas , Bergin Michael , Ealo Marina , Hallar A. Gannet , Hoffer András , Kalapov Ivo , Keywood Melita , Kim Jeongeun , Kim Sang-Woo , Kolonjari Felicia , Labuschagne Casper , Lin Neng-Huei , Macdonald AnneMarie , Mayol-Bracero Olga L. , McCubbin Ian B. , Pandolfi Marco , Reisen Fabienne , Sharma Sangeeta , Sherman James P. , Sorribas Mar , Sun Junying 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTo estimate global aerosol radiative forcing, measurements of aerosol optical properties are made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL)’s Global Monitoring Division (GMD) and their collaborators at 30 monitoring locations around the world. Many of the sites are located in regions influenced by specific aerosol types (Asian and Saharan desert dust, Asian pollution, biomass burning, etc.). This network of monitoring stations is a shared endeavor of NOAA and many collaborating organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), several U.S. and foreign universities, and foreign science organizations. The result is a long-term cooperative program making atmospheric measurements that are directly comparable with those from all the other network stations and with shared data access. The protocols and software developed to support the program facilitate participation in GAW’s atmospheric observation strategy, and the sites in the NOAA/ESRL network make up a substantial subset of the GAW aerosol observations. This paper describes the history of the NOAA/ESRL Federated Aerosol Network, details about measurements and operations, and some recent findings from the network measurements.
Limited-Area Atmospheric Modeling Using an Unstructured Mesh
Authors: Skamarock William C. , Duda Michael G. , Ha Soyoung , Park Sang-Hun 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
A regional configuration of the atmospheric component of the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS-A) is described and evaluated. It employs horizontally unstructured spherical centroidal Voronoi meshes (nominally hexagonal), and lateral boundary conditions used in rectangular grid regional models are adapted to the MPAS-A Voronoi mesh discretization. Test results using a perfect-model assumption show that the lateral boundary conditions are stable and robust. As found in other regional modeling studies, configurations using larger regional domains generally have smaller solution errors compared to configurations employing smaller regional domains. MPAS-A supports variable-resolution meshes, and when regional domains are expanded to include a coarser outer mesh, the variable-resolution configurations recover most of the error reduction compared to a configuration using uniform high resolution, and at much-reduced cost. The wider relaxation-zone region of the variable-resolution mesh also helps reconcile differences near the lateral boundary that evolve between the regional model solution and the driving solution, and the configuration is more stable than one using a uniform high-resolution regional mesh. At convection-permitting resolution, solutions produced using global variable-resolution MPAS-A configurations have smaller solution errors than the regional configurations after about 48 h.
Assessing the Impact of Income Inequality on Economic Growth
Authors: Joshi Rohan 
Published: August 2018

The nature of the relationship between income inequality and economic growth, first formalised by Simon Kuznets in 1950, has come under much debate of late. At present, one understanding of this relationship is that given by what Oded Galor called the ‘modern perspective’, which, pointing the direction of causation from income inequality to economic growth asserts that the former imposes a significantly negative influence on the latter. To investigate the same in the context of India, subsequently, this study adopts the typical cross-country approach taken by other studies in this area and estimates the nature of the aforementioned relationship across a cross-section of Indian states. The results, however, disappointingly contrary to the ‘modern perspective’, show a strong significant positive impact of the existence of inequality on growth rates of Indian states, which, if anything, statistically asserts the existence of a trade-off between the two. JEL Classification: D63, O10, O40, O47
Output and Input Efficiency of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India
Authors: Babita  
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this article is to measure the production efficiency of Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ; a central government-operated zone) and other state and private zones working under its jurisdiction for the period 2009–2015. A panel of 30 zones, including VSEZ, is selected to estimate production frontier and technical inefficiency effects in production of zones using a stochastic frontier analysis methodology. To fit frontier, three relevant input variables, namely raw material, capital goods and labour, and one output variable, namely exports generated by the zones, are selected. The study observed that Cobb–Douglas production function is more preferable than translog function. Result shows rejection of our first null hypothesis that input variables do not make any significant contribution in output as all input variables such as raw material, capital goods and labour significantly affect the amount of output (exports). Any minor change will lead to a major change in output. Among all inputs, input elasticity of capital goods to output (exports) is highest—2.0855—implying that 1 per cent change in it will result in an increase of 2.0855 per cent in output. The 0.4350 value for the variance γ parameter in this study is not near to 1, suggesting that some of the residual variations are due to the inefficiency effects. Our null hypothesis (η = 0), that the inefficiency effects do not vary over the time, is rejected as the estimated value of (η) is significant, implying that technical inefficiency effects vary from year to year. For some zones, there is upgradation in it and reverse is found in case of others. The study also reveals that private zones are more efficient than zones operated by central and state governments. This leads to two different segments, one puts question mark on functioning and administration of the government, whereas the other supports the concepts of introducing privatisation and public–private partnership (PPP) in the case of development. JEL Classification: C01, C67, E00, F01, F13, F14, D60
Five-Factor Model Best Describes Narcissistic Personality Inventory Across Different Item Response Formats
Authors: Dinić Bojana M. , Vujić Aleksandar 
Published: August 2018

The objective of this research was to validate the Narcissistic Personality Inventory across different response formats, given that several factor structures were proposed, ranging from two to seven factors. The original forced-choice format of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory was given to 410 participants and a modified, i.e., Likert format was given to 423 participants from the general population, along with personality and other narcissism measures. The results showed that the five-factor model proposed by Ackerman et al. had the best model fit in both response formats and that a distinction between adaptive (Leadership, Vanity, and Superiority) and some aspects of maladaptive (Manipulativeness and Exhibitionism) narcissism factors could be established. However, the redundancy of items in certain factors could be problematic and further improvements of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory should include more indicators of some proposed factors, especially of Vanity.
Delivery Outcomes, Emergency Room Visits, and Psychological Aspects of Gestational Diabetes: Results From a Community Hospital Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Singh Harsimran , Soyoltulga Khajika , Fong Taylor , Billimek John 
Published: August 2018

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate perinatal outcomes and experiences of managing gestational diabetes (GDM) in a multiethnic cohort from a community hospital. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 647 ethnically diverse women with GDM was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine ethnic differences in cesarean delivery rates and emergency department (ED) utilization during pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to evaluate experiences of GDM and perceptions of type 2 diabetes risk. Results Significant differences were observed between sample groups in mother’s age ( P = .004), education level ( P < .001), family history of diabetes ( P < .001), and baby birthweight ( P = .004). In the fully adjusted model, controlling for maternal age, BMI category, ED utilization during pregnancy, and family history of diabetes, Southeast and East Asian women had the lowest rates of cesarean delivery and ED utilization during pregnancy, with significantly higher rates of cesarean delivery in Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and Asian Indian women ( P < .001). There was preliminary evidence for higher ED utilization rates during pregnancy in Hispanic women with GDM (odds ratio = 3.21; 95% CI, 0.79-4.08; P = .005). Interview analyses reflected strong psychological impact of GDM diagnoses. Women expressed shock and disappointment over diagnoses and highlighted need for psychological support from health care professionals. Risk perceptions for type 2 diabetes were low. Conclusions Findings support significant ethnic differences in cesarean delivery and ED utilization among women with GDM. Qualitative analysis suggests that culturally sensitive approaches informing psychosocial support and dietary recommendations are important considerations for a diverse GDM patient population.
Cardiopulmonary bypass prime composition: beyond crystalloids versus colloids
Authors: Malmqvist Gunnar , Claesson Lingehall Helena , Appelblad Micael , Svenmarker Staffan 
Published: August 2018

Introduction: In the literature addressing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) prime composition, there is a considerable lack of discussion concerning plasma osmolality changes induced by using a hyperosmolar prime. With this study, we try to determine the magnitude and temporal relationship of plasma osmolality changes related to the use of a hyperosmolar CPB prime. Method: In this prospective observational study performed in a university hospital setting, we enrolled thirty patients scheduled for elective coronary bypass surgery. Plasma osmolality was analysed on eight occasions. A hyperosmolar CPB prime was used. Results: Analyses of the perioperative plasma osmolality on eight occasions gave the following results: the preoperative osmolality level was normal (297±4 mOsm/kg); a significant increase to 322±17 mOsm/kg (p<0.001) was observed at the commencement of CPB and remained elevated after 30 minutes (310±4 mOsm/kg) and throughout the procedure (309±4 mOsm/kg); the osmolality level returned to 291±5 mOsm/kg on day 1 postoperatively and remained normal the following day (291±6 mOsm/kg). Conclusions: Use of hyperosmolar CPB prime resulted in a dramatic and instant elevation of the plasma osmolality. Rapid changes in plasma osmolality are associated with organ dysfunction (e.g. osmotic demyelination syndrome), therefore, effects on plasma osmolality related to the CPB prime composition should be recognised. Influence on organ function and clinical outcome warrants further investigations. - Clinical Trials.gov (NCT03060824). Changes in Plasma Osmolality Related to the Use of Cardiopulmonary Bypass With Hyperosmolar Prime. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03060824?term=cpb&cond=osmolality&rank=1
Comparison of cyanoacrylate embolization and radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of varicose veins
Authors: Yang Gary K , Parapini Marina , Gagnon Joel , Chen Jerry C 
Published: August 2018

Objective To review clinical outcomes of varicose vein patients treated with cyanoacrylate embolization and radiofrequency ablation at our institution. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent cyanoacrylate embolization and radiofrequency ablation during a three-year period. Patient records were reviewed to assess demographics, location and severity of disease, treatment details and outcome at short- and mid-term follow-ups. Outcome parameters included treatment success and complications. Results Between January 2014 and December 2016, 335 patients with 476 veins were treated with either cyanoacrylate embolization (n = 148) or radiofrequency ablation (n = 328) at the Vancouver General Hospital Vascular Surgery Vein Clinic. The average age of patients were 57 ± 1 years with the majority being female (78%) and an average BMI of 24.8 ± 0.5. CEAP classes were 2 (49%), 3 (26%), 4a (22%) and >4b (3%). Of the veins treated with cyanoacrylate embolization, the vein types were as follows: 76% were great saphenous vein, 16% were small saphenous vein, 5% were anterior accessory great saphenous vein and 1.4% were perforator veins. The vein types for radiofrequency ablation were 88%, 9%, 3% and 0%, respectively. The average amount of cyanoacrylate embolization delivered for great saphenous vein treatment was 1.8 ± 0.1 ml with a treatment length of 43 ± 1 cm. Subgroup comparison was done for great saphenous vein segments. Treatment success was 100% in cyanoacrylate embolization and 99% in radiofrequency ablation. Superficial phlebitis was the most common complication noted at mid-term follow-up in 5% of cyanoacrylate embolization and 16% of radiofrequency ablation treatments (P < 0.05). One patient in each group had asymptomatic proximal thrombus extension treated with anticoagulation for 2–3 weeks. Three superficial infections from glue clumps were noted in the cyanoacrylate embolization group requiring excision and drainage. Five patients in the radiofrequency ablation group had persistent numbness and one wound complications at the access site. Conclusion Cyanoacrylate embolization offers equivalent success rates with lower mid-term complication rates as radiofrequency ablation.
Perfusion-CT analysis for assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions: diagnostic value of different perfusion maps
Authors: Hatzidakis Adam , Perisinakis Kostas , Kalarakis Georgios , Papadakis Antonis , Savva Eirini , Ippolito Davide , Karantanas Apostolos 
Published: August 2018

Background Computed tomography liver perfusion (CTLP) has been improved in recent years, offering a variety of perfusion-parametric maps. A map that better discriminates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still to be found. Purpose To compare different CTLP maps, regarding their ability to differentiate cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic parenchyma from malignant HCC. Material and Methods Twenty-six patients (11 cirrhotic) with 50 diagnosed HCC lesions, underwent CTLP on a 128-row dual-energy CT system. Nine different maps were generated. Regions of interest (ROIs) were positioned on non-tumorous parenchyma and on HCCs found on previous magnetic resonance imaging. Perfusion parameters for non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic livers were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to evaluate each map’s ability to discriminate HCCs from non-tumorous livers. Comparison of ROC curves was performed to evaluate statistical significance of differences in the discriminating efficiency of derived perfusion maps. Results Perfusion parameters for non-tumorous liver and HCCs recorded in cirrhotic patients did not significantly differ from corresponding values recorded in non-cirrhotic patients ( P > 0.05). The highest power for HCC discrimination was found for the maximum-slope-of-increase (MSI) parametric map, with estimated the area under ROC curve of 0.997. An MSI cut-off criterion of 2.2 HU/s was found to provide 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Time to peak, blood flow, and transit time to peak were also found to have high discriminating power. Conclusion Among available CTLP-derived perfusion parameters, MSI was found to provide the highest diagnostic accuracy in discriminating HCCs from non-tumorous parenchyma. Perfusion parameters for non-tumorous livers and HCCs were not found to significantly differ between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients.